Easter in Namibia: heavy traffic over the long weekend

This may sound familiar to European tourists visiting Namibia: warnings about heavy traffic on the trunk roads over the Easter weekend. Indeed, drivers should exercise extra caution and strictly adhere to speed limits. However, traffic jams like those on European highways are not to be expected in Namibia.

Starting today, Thursday, many Namibians are on the move. Some are using the long weekend for a camping or lodge trip. Several accommodations are offering special Easter deals. Farm Sandhof near Maltahöhe is expecting a magnificent bloom of lilies in its pans after the recent good rains.

Many Namibians are visiting family in other towns or on the farm. More than half of Namibia's population lives in northern Namibia, north of Etosha National Park.

Therefore, expect heavy traffic on the main roads. This includes the B1 trunk road running north and south from Windhoek, as well as the B2 trunk road from Windhoek to the coastal town of Swakopmund.

Namibia is predominantly Christian. Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays. Authorities, offices and many shops are closed on both days. Supermarkets in larger towns are generally open. Alcohol may only be sold on Saturday morning over the Easter weekend.

Happy Easter in Namibia: This egg-shaped rock, found and photographed in the Naukluft Mountains, is neither painted nor polished.  Photo: Sven-Eric Stender