There is a lot of interest in retirement property in Namibia, usually from visitors who are blown away by the beauty of the country, says Maria Esterhuysen, licensee for Seeff Namibia.
For visitors from the UK, Europe, USA and South Africa, Namibia offers a unique location and a place where they can really slow down and enjoy life. The coastal town of Henties Bay is for example a popular holiday destination for South Africans, and we are seeing increasing demand from retirement buyers, she says.
The town won the coveted “town of the year” award from the Kyknet Kwêla TV programme in 2016. It is 70kms north of Swakopmund and easily accessible via a new tarred road and offers great amenities for buyers, says Shawn de Haas, a property consultant with Seeff Henties Bay.
De Haas says there is basic medical care including a doctor, pharmacy, LifeLink Ambulance services and a state clinic and patients can be transported to Swakopmund in an emergency. There is also a hearing aid clinic and optometrist that comes through once a week. Most major banks are in the town with a small branch including FNB, Standard Bank and Bank Windhoek.
There are also restaurants and eateries including five pizzerias in town along with a state and several private schools and places of education.
Property prices are very affordable. Ms Esterhuysen says you can find apartments from just R1 million and houses from R1.5 million and sea view properties are well priced. Retirement properties range from R1,395 million for a new apartment in the Henties Bay Golf and Lifestyle Estate.
De Haas says the development includes a mix of residential plots along with a retirement village. Amenities on hand include a 9-hole desert-style golf course, clubhouse, conference centre, golf academy, tennis and squash courts and bowling greens. The next development phase will include a medical centre and assisted living units.
In the meantime, the Retirement Village is now selling. It comprises 30 units in four design options. The development is secure and there is a choice of one to three bedrooms. One-bedroomed units are priced at R1,395 million, two bedrooms at R1,595 million and three bedrooms at R1,995 million.
The development is within walking distance of the beach. Other activities to be enjoyed in the area include hiking, horse riding and fishing. Henties Bay is famous for its beaches and fishing for species like Kabeljou, Steenbras and Galjoen. Fishing tour operators also take inexperienced anglers on fishing trips, says De Haas.
It is also ideal for adventure seekers such as 4X4 enthusiasts or you can simply enjoy a drive in the Dorob National Park, says Ms Esterhuysen.
South African passport holders get a visa on entry into Namibia and can stay for up to 120 days. The Namibia currency is pegged to the SA Rand which you can use in the country. South Africans are free to buy residential property in the country.
Writer : Gina Meintjes