From: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Subject: Namibia - Consular Information Sheet, 07/13/98 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Wed, 10 Feb 1999 03:25:01 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Reply-To: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:2081 Path: world!bzs Sender: US Dept of State Travel Advisories Message-ID: <199902100326.VAA17738@piglet.cc.uic.edu> Approved: usenet@world.std.com Distribution: wstd Comments: To: DOSTRAVEL Lines: 102 Namibia - Consular Information Sheet July 13, 1998 Country Description: Namibia is a southern African country with a moderately developed economy. Facilities for tourism are good and generally increasing in quality. Entry Requirements: A passport and visa are required. Travelers should obtain the latest information from the Embassy of Namibia at 1605 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20009, telephone (202) 986-0540, or from the Permanent Mission of Namibia to the U.S. at 135 W. 36th St., New York, NY 10016, telephone (212) 685-2003, fax (212) 685-1561. Overseas inquiries should be made to the nearest Namibian Embassy or Consulate. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities are relatively modern, especially in the city of Windhoek. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical service outside the United States. Travelers have found that supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas and medical evacuation coverage has proven useful. For additional health information, travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's International Travelers Hotline at 1-888-232-3228 or autofax at 1-888-232-3229 or via the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov. Information on Crime: Incidents of violent crime directed against Americans and other visitors to Namibia are rare, but petty crime is on the increase, particularly in urban areas. The most common criminal offenses committed in Windhoek are non-violent crimes of opportunity including pick-pocketing, purse snatching, vehicle theft, and vehicle break-ins. Commonsense measures such as not leaving valuables in plain sight in parked cars, safeguarding purses, keeping wallets in front pockets, and being alert to one's surroundings are the best deterrents against becoming a victim of criminal activity. Travelers should also exercise extra caution when traveling near the Angolan border, where banditry is a problem. Americans should avoid purchasing diamonds and other protected resources outside of licensed retail establishments. The sentence for illegal dealing in diamonds in Namibia is stiff -- up to USD 20,000 in fines or five years in prison -- and the courts generally impose the maximum sentence. The purchase and exportation of other protected resources, such as elephant ivory, may also be prohibited by Namibian, international, and/or U.S. law. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips For Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on protecting personal security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general. Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 20402. Road Safety and In-Country Travel: Roads are generally very good, although care should be taken to avoid hitting wandering wildlife, especially at night. Special caution should be exercised when driving on gravel roads, whose deceptive appearance invites speeding. Many accidents occur when tourists exceed safe speeds on corners and at areas recently damaged by rains. Accidents involving drunk drivers are an increasing problem on major roads where there are high speed limits. Roadside assistance and emergency medical services in remote areas may be unreliable or non-existent. Assistance on main roads, however, is generally good due to the wide use of cell phones, airborne medical evacuation facilities, and the willingness of passing motorists to help. Because of the possibility of intoxicated and/or reckless drivers, the poor mechanical condition of some motor vehicles, and high incidence of single-vehicle roll-over accidents, Americans are urged to avoid hitchhiking in Namibia. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Namibia are strictly enforced. Convicted offenders can expect stiff jail sentences and fines. Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service at present, or economic authority to operate such service, between the U.S. and Namibia, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Namibia's civil aviation authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Namibia9s air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet Home Page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travellers may contact the Pentagon at (703) 697-7288. Registration/Embassy Location: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register with the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Windhoek at 14 Lossen Street, Ausspannplatz, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Namibia. The mailing address is Private Bag 12029, Windhoek, Namibia. The telephone number is (264-61) 22-1601, and the fax number is (264-61) 22-9792. No. 98-96 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated May 30, 1997, to update Information on Crime, Road and Aviation Safety, Incountry Travel, and CDC telephone and fax numbers