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At Elite Travel Planners , we pride ourselves on being the best travel planner in Namibia. Our extensive knowledge and expertise make us the ideal choice for anyone looking to explore this beautiful country and the wolrd. Our team consists of passionate and experienced travel experts who have an in-depth understanding of Namibia's diverse landscapes, cultural heritage, and wildlife. We stay up-to-date with the latest developments and trends in the travel industry to provide our clients with exceptional service and unforgettable experiences.

What sets us apart from other travel planners is our commitment to creating personalized itineraries tailored to the unique interests and preferences of each traveler. We take the time to understand our clients' desires, whether they are seeking adventure, relaxation, wildlife encounters, or cultural immersions. With our vast network of trusted partners, we ensure that every aspect of the journey, from accommodations to transportation and activities, is meticulously planned and executed to perfection. Our attention to detail, combined with our passion, enables us to deliver unparalleled travel experiences that exceed our clients' expectations time and time again. Choose Elite Travel Planners , and let us take you on an extraordinary journey.

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TRAVEL IS AS PERSONAL TO US AS IT IS TO YOU. find the right holiday for this exact ''moment" in your life... Your Perfect Holiday Awaits 

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Nothing is more personal than travel, and that’s why we take the time to create a customized experience that is unique to you. We’re proud of our unbeatable value and unparalleled customer satisfaction. Trust us to create a trip that fulfills all your travel dreams.

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As a full member of XL Travel Group, one of Southern Africa's largest Travel Consortiums, we are well connected and benefit from combined buying power for best-added value travel deals, which means you benefit. 

By choosing to collaborate with our locally owned agency, you gain the advantage of our deep understanding and care of the local market's needs, coupled with our extensive years of experience.

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We actually love what we do.  We are inspired by your Travel Dreams. Our experienced travel experts have explored various destinations and provide first-hand experience planning most packages specifically for you. From pre-trip planning to during and even after your journey, count on us for any assistance you may require. We're here to ensure your travel experience is seamless and enjoyable.

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Are you envisioning the serene beaches of Mauritius, a cruise along Europe's picturesque rivers, or perhaps skiing down powdery mountain slopes? Maybe you're seeking a local getaway, an exploration of Thailand's rice fields, or an immersive bush retreat? Whether you're a sports enthusiast following your team abroad, planning a group trip, or organizing an incentive travel experience, we've got you covered.

Our extensive offerings include flights, family getaways, honeymoon or anniversary packages, and specialized travel services. Explore our diverse range of coach touring itineraries, enchanting short breaks, captivating city stays, and much more across the globe. From sunny Summer holidays to cozy Winter escapes and every season in between, we have the ideal dream holiday for every occasion.

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Windhoek travel guide

Introduction.

Cupped in a valley bounded by the Auas Mountains to the south, the Eros Mountains to the northeast and the hills of the Khomas Hochland (“Highland”) to the west, Windhoek is Namibia’s capital and its commercial, financial and administrative hub. Yet it’s not just a busy transit point. The town and the surrounding countryside have plenty to offer visitors, too.

At first glance, the place seems unusually small for a capital city, but appearances are deceptive – several outlying suburbs are tucked away in the surrounding valleys, including the lively Katutura . Windhoek’s population, which stood at 233,000 in the 2001 census and probably approaches 300,000 today, is a colourful ethnic mix of Europeans, Ovambos, Hereros and Damaras, with smaller numbers of Nama, San and “Coloured” (mixed-race) people as well.

Despite its name, which translates as “Windy Corner”, the place is not particularly windy – in fact, thanks to its relatively high altitude (about 1,650 metres, or 5,400ft) it enjoys a dry and pleasant highland climate most of the year round. However, high summer (January–February) can be very hot and humid, with temperatures often hitting the 35°C (94°F) mark. What’s more, nearly two-thirds of the city’s average annual rainfall (365mm/14.4ins) is recorded in the first three months of the year, with occasional showers in November and December. 

History of Windhoek

Although Windhoek itself is little more than a century old, the hot springs in the area have attracted settlers in one form or another for many thousands of years. The original site (in today’s Klein Windhoek valley) was called Aigams (“fire water”) by the Nama and Otjimuise (“place of smoke”) by the Herero, although since then it has also been known as Elbersfeld, Concordiaville, Esek and even Queen Adelaide’s Bath.

In around 1840, the Nama chief, Jan Jonker Afrikaner settled at the springs with his followers and renamed the site Wind Hoock – apparently a corruption of the name Winterhoek, after the South African mountain range where he had been born. This name stuck and, by 1850, “Windhoek” was in general use.

In 1890, during the German colonial occupation, a military outpost was established in the town to house the headquarters of the German Schutztruppe (Defence Force) under Major Curt von François, whose brief it was to broker a peace between the warring Nama and Herero. This area now forms the historic heart of the city. That same year, Windhoek was declared the administrative capital of German South West Africa and in 1909 it became an independent municipality with its own mayor, since when it has evolved into the busy commercial and financial centre it is today. Cultural sights, such as the Owela Museum , can also be found here.

Places to visit in Windhoek

Historic heart.

Some of the most interesting German-era architecture Windhoek has to offer, as well as some great city views, can be found in the city's historic heart. The Officer’s House, with its decorative Putz-style brickwork, was built in 1906–7 to house senior officials, while just up the road is Windhoek’s oldest building, the whitewashed Alte Feste. Built over 1890–3 as the headquarters of Captain von François’ Schutztruppe, and extended in 1901, it now houses the historical section of National Museum of Namibia. Just north of the Alte Feste stands an Equestrian Memorial, erected in 1912 to commemorate the German soldiers who fell in the Herero and Nama Wars of 1904–9. Immediately north of the equestrian memorial is the graceful German Lutheran Christuskirche, or Christ Church. Designed by Gottlieb Redecker in an adventurous blend of neo-Gothic-meets-Art Nouveau (Jugendstil), it was built between 1907 and 1909 using sandstone transported from a farm 30km (18 miles) distant, and remains one of Windhoek’s best-known landmarks. Another Redecker design crowns the hill behind Christuskirche to the east. The imposing Parliament Buildings with their splendid gardens once housed the colonial government’s administrative headquarters and were nicknamed the Tintenpalast, or “Ink Palace” – a sly reference to the vast quantities of ink the toiling bureaucrats seemed to get through.

Owela Museum

Robert mugabe avenue.

Tel: 061 2934358

The Owela Museum contains the National Museum of Namibia’s worthwhile natural history section. It offers some information on Namibia’s diverse local cultures, but the excellent displays on cheetah conservation are the biggest draw. Another museum worth visiting is the National Art Gallery of Namibia, which houses outstanding linocuts by John Muafangejo, and paintings by the colonial artist Adolph Jentsch.

Situated on the northwest outskirts of Windhoek, Katutura is a bustling residential district whose Herero name means “the place where we do not wish to go”. It’s a reference to the area’s former incarnation as a blacks-only township, established in 1960 by the South African administration, who forcibly evicted Windhoek’s black residents from their homes in the Old Location (now Hochland Park) and moved them here. Since independence, of course, apartheid policies such as these have been swept away and, increasingly, Windhoek’s urban areas are becoming differentiated along economic lines, rather than race. As a result, Katutura is now the site of several important landmarks, notably the Sam Nujoma Stadium, built in 2005, and the Katutura State Hospital. Hochland Park’s Old Location Cemetery – a national monument – makes a worthwhile, if poignant, excursion. There’s a mass grave here where 13 people are buried, shot dead by the South African police on 10 December 1959 during protests against the forced removals to Katutura. The day of the killings, 10 December, is known as International Human Rights Day and is a public holiday. 

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Windhoek Reviews & Ratings

Discover namibia - lodges.

This trip combines the highlights of the Namibian landscape with game viewing in the parks. The wildlife was the highlight for me. The most memorable being the nig...

photography paradise

The country is large, the roads are long and bumpy, however not an inch should be missed. Etosha and the dunes are particularly magnificent. So many inspirational m...

How many elephants does it take to fill a waterhole?

I always hope that my annual holiday will deliver a "wow" moment. This trip delivered three. Firstly, the trip from Sessriem to Walvis Bay was astonishing, passing...

Action packed

Very good ,well organised holiday. Enjoyed the hotel and camping food . No day was boring. Seeing a leopard. Climbing sand dune 45 at sunrise. Ronney was an excell...

Awesome Safari

Whilst the driving at times becomes slightly tiresome the sights and nature where fantastic. The group were wonderful and the guide Ben was extremely informative. ...

See all Windhoek reviews

Trip planning

Trip (Propriety) Limited was established in 1956, and has been playing a leading role in the Namibian travel industry since. We are a Namibian owned company, with 45% BEE shareholding.

At Trip Travel we believe we have the right mix of experienced and skilled people, great global partnerships and top technology to provide our clients with expert care and actionable insights.

Accreditations and Affiliations

Namibia Travel Agency

At Exploring Tourism, the leading Namibia travel agency, we outdo at helping you get your trip planned. Not just trip, but exceptional trips filled with exciting and life-enriching experiences. Our travel agents are experts at handcrafting and coordinating complex itineraries to Namibia

RECOMMENDED NAMIBIA PACKAGES

Namibia Travel Agent

Exploring Tourism is one of the most reliable and experienced travel agency in Namibia. It helps you plan your trip to Namibia and helps you gain an enriching life experience. With expert Namibia travel agent, it offers customized tour packages according to your requirements and budget. Pack your bags and be ready to explore Namibia with us.

Travel to Namibia with Exploring Tourism to get the best travelling experience. We have partnered with the best and experienced travel agent to provide you the perfect and specialized tour package. They plan your tour according your budget, duration, and interest. We also help you with your airport transfer, guide, hotel , sightseeing and all kinds of activities in Namibia .

Planning to spend your holidays in Namibia? Contact Exploring Tourism to plan the best trip to Namibia for you. It is one of the well-known and reliable travel agency in Namibia with association with the best travel agent to plan your dream trip to Namibia within your budget. Send your travel enquiry with more details to our local Tour Operator.

At Exploring Tourism, our professional Windhoek Travel Agent specialize in organizing and planning trips for individuals or groups visiting Windhoek, Namibia largest city. Our travel agent in Windhoek has an in-depth knowledge of the attractions, accommodation, transport options and local customs; drawing on this expertise, they create memorable travel experiences for clients.

Windhoek is a vibrant and culturally rich city that offers visitors many tourist attractions ranging from historic monuments to modern wonders. Our travel agent in Windhoek can guide tourists in choosing places to visit according to their interests and preferences.

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Travel Advice

Get to know the ins and outs of travelling Namibia

NAMIBIA TRAVEL ADVICE - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

As local tour operator, we are part of your journey from planning to organising and running your Namibia trip. We have many years’ experience in ensuring that you have a smooth trip and don’t need to worry about a thing. But there are a few things you should keep in mind before traveling to Namibia. Here, we share our detailed expert travel advice for your Namibia trip.

Best time to visit

The most popular travel time in Namibia is the dry season between June and October. These months are also the best time to visit Etosha National Park. If wildlife viewing is not at the top of your list, travelling in the low season can have advantages. We share advice on the best time to travel depending on different regions and seasons.

Getting to Namibia and getting around

Windhoek is the starting point for most trips around Namibia. But which visa do you need to get here and how do you get to your next destination? Find out whether a self-drive trip, guided tour, or fly-in package is the best option for you.

Money, Travel Budget & Tips

Find out which factors determine the price of your trip, which currency to use in Namibia, and how much you should budget for tipping. It’s always better to now before you go!

Health & Safety

From road safety to malaria risk and things to consider when on safari. While Namibia is considered a safe and low-risk malaria travel destination, we share expert travel advice on how to stay safe on its lonely gravel roads and beyond.

Packing List

Just don’t pack too much! We could end our packing list here, but if you want to know a few more details on what to bring to Namibia and in which type of bag to put it all, study our packing list and travel packing advice.

NAMIBIA AT A GLANCE

824,292 km² (318,261 sq mi)

ca. 2.23 Million

Important city for tourist activities

Official languages.

English is the official language of Namibia; but other frequently spoken languages include Oshiwambo, Khoekhoegowab, Afrikaans, RuKwangali and Otjiherero.

Namibia Dollar (NAD), South African Rand (ZAR)

Country code

The majority of the population identifies as Christian, while around 10% identify with Islam, Buddhism, or traditional beliefs.

Dry season: May – October (winter, cooler temperatures) Green season: November – April (summer, hot temperatures)

Temperature

Namibia generally has a warm and dry climate, and it doesn’t rain much. During the hot summer months, especially January and February, temperatures can climb up to 33°C and even 40°C (91°F to 104°F). Temperatures along the coast, are cooler and you can experience cold foggy mornings. Night-time in the desert can get rather cold as well.

Important airports

The main international airport and point of arrival and departure is Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH, HKIA). Domestic airports are serviced by private charter planes. There are hardly any domestic scheduled flights.

Visa regulations

A comparably large number of nationalities do not need a visa to enter Namibia for tourist purposes. Please consult the Namibian embassy or consulate in your home country for visa advice ahead of your travels.

Experience Namibia with us

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Wealth of Geeks

12 Travel Tips That Experts Wish More Tourists Knew About

Posted: April 11, 2024 | Last updated: April 11, 2024

While there are many ways to research travel, the internet doesn’t replace experience. Traveling can be a hobby or mandatory for work, but regardless of why you are traveling, it’s imperative to know the best ways to do it.

Likewise, traveling can be as fun as it is stressful. If you’re a tourist in a new city or town, the travel experts out there will say you stick out like a sore thumb. 

Some tips travel experts picked up over the years could save you money and time.

1. Avoid Third-Party Booking Sites

This is a trap that I’ve fallen into myself. I used Alternative Airlines because they offered some great payment options.

However, they’re located in the U.K., so if you need to make any changes, don’t expect a quick response. Book directly with the airline you plan to use for the best customer service and guaranteed straight answers. 

2. Use Your 24-Hour Booking Grace Period

You can cancel your ticket for a full refund within 24 business hours of booking. If you booked on a Friday or Saturday, you’ve got until Monday to cancel. This grace period is airline-dependent, so you should check the booking policy of your carrier.

Sometimes, airlines automatically give you flight credits when obligated to provide a refund. It’s always worth reading the fine print and contacting customer service. 

3. Look for Open Jaw Tickets

You may not have heard of this strange travel term. This ticket gets its name because if you were to draw your stops on a map, it would look like an open jaw. It’s a multi-city ticket where you can stop at one or more destinations on your way to your final stop.

For example, you’ll catch a flight from New York to Rome, but with an open-jaw ticket, you can also have a layover in Barcelona. You also don’t have to fly back from Rome; you can choose a different city. 

4. Book Hotels With a Concierge

You can use the concierge if you’re staying in mid-range and luxury accommodations. A concierge will know the city and often be able to provide excellent advice on where to go and what to see.

You can contact them before booking so they know what you are looking for.

5. Get Complimentary Accommodations at Connecting Airports

This is airline-dependent, but some carriers have a policy that if there is no available connection for less than eight hours, the transit time in the airport and the layover are up to 24 hours.

Airlines offering this include Air China, China Southern Airways, Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, Sri Lankan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and XiamenAir. 

6. Avoid Traffic Fines and Insurance Issues When Renting a Car

The great thing about Europe is that you can easily drive from one country to another because, in many cases, there’s no ocean to cross. When renting a car, ensure all the countries you plan to visit are covered in the rental agreement.

Before renting, you should also consider any fees associated with driving from country to country. While some highways do not have tolls, others, such as in Switzerland, require a sticker on your windshield. You might get a surprise fine if you don’t have one, but don’t worry; they are easy to purchase. 

7. Avoid Hotel Cancelation Fees

Most hotels have a cancelation policy, especially if you need to cancel at short notice.

In most cases, rescheduling is complimentary, so if you reschedule your booking to a later date and then cancel 24 hours later, you’ll avoid the cancellation fee. 

8. Car Rental Through Costco

Costco doesn’t just have great prices on food. Many seasoned travelers use Costco Travel to rent cars at their chosen destinations.

You can save hundreds of dollars using Costco instead of big-name rental car agencies. 

9. Member Perks at All Inclusive Resorts

Instead of paying for memberships at all-inclusive resorts, you can book through a family member or friend’s membership. You can also search for a Facebook group dedicated to the resort you are interested in and search for “booking through a member.”

The legality of this can be tricky, so make sure you’re reading all the fine print to avoid violating terms that could make you miss your vacation and get your benefactor booted from their membership. 

10. Make Sure Your Details Match Your Passport

This one is important! When making any reservation, your details match those on your passport. It can save a lot of headaches when your documents are being checked by immigration and security.

Also, ensure that you have at least six months before your passport expires, as it’s a requirement in some countries. 

11. Ask for the Pillow Menu

Yes, some hotels have a pillow menu you can call and select from.

This is helpful to make sure you get a good night’s sleep. So many people don’t realize it exists, but it does.

12. Check for Free or Extended Stopover Programs

Some airlines let you have extended stopovers (layovers) for free. This allows travelers to explore the city they are in before they continue on their trip.

However, this is airline-specific, so research ahead of time.

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Experts believe Memorial Day weekend 2024 will be the busiest travel period in two decades

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - While high temperatures in the 90s are being forecasted for the 2024 Memorial Day holiday weekend, experts are projecting record-high numbers will be set nationwide. May 22-29 will be the busiest travel period in 20 years, with a total of 43.8 million people nationwide traveling 50 or more miles, according to AAA.

“I can tell you in the Carolinas, that’s for both states, it’s going to be the highest we’ve ever seen,” said AAA Director of Public Affairs Tiffany Wright.

AAA says drivers should buckle up for what they believe will be the most crowded commuting weekend on the roads. They project nearly 38.4 million people will be traveling by car, the highest number for Memorial Day since AAA began tracking in 2000.

AAA also believes roughly an additional 1.5 million more Americans will be on the road in comparison to 2023.

“It’s a time to remember to be more mindful and vigilant out there,” Wright said.

AAA also expects Memorial Day Weekend 2024 to be the most crowded at airports since 2005. They say 3.51 million Americans will travel by air over the course of the weekend, a 4.8% increase from 2023, and a 9.3% jump from 2019.

Wright believes this could also be the case at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, as the number of total monthly passengers that came through the airport in the month of May has increased from 95,499 in 2022 to 104,267 in 2023.

“Just looking at our bookings, even with the amount of people that have moved here over the last few years, we predict it’s going to be very busy,” Wright said.

South Carolina Highway Patrol also says they will use their Enforcement Plan to help crack down on speeding and DUIs and patrol the roads throughout the Palmetto State.

The full Enforcement Plan can be found below: 

Highway Patrol:

Throughout the Memorial holiday period, enforcement efforts will focus on DUI, speeding, seatbelts, and distracted driving with an additional focus on pedestrian / vulnerable roadway user safety. 

Enforcement efforts will be focused on routes leading in and out of coastal communities and waterways throughout the state. Special enforcement will be taking place on all interstates from May 24 through May 27.   

State Transport Police: STP will be focusing on high visibility enforcement of commercial motor vehicle traffic including impaired driving; reckless driving; and out-of-service violations.

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Copyright 2024 WIS. All rights reserved.

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Sports Betting

Rangers vs. Panthers odds, expert picks: Florida favored at Madison Square Garden in Game 1

The final four teams in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs are set with the New York Rangers and Florida Panthers battling it out in the Eastern Conference and the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference.

It’ll be a long time coming for whichever team lifts the Stanley Cup. New York hasn’t won since 1994, Dallas hasn’t won since 1999, Edmonton last won in 1990 and the Panthers have never won a Cup since they were an expansion team starting in the 1993-94 season. Florida and Dallas have both lost Stanley Cup Finals in recent years with Dallas losing to Tampa Bay in 2020 and Florida losing to Vegas last year. Both the Rangers and Oilers lost conference final series in 2022.

Florida is the favorite to win the Stanley Cup while Dallas is the favorite to come out of the Western Conference. New York is even a home underdog against the Cats in Game 1 at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.

While the Panthers are the favorites to win the Stanley Cup, the betting odds don’t have a clear cut favorite from the Panthers for who will win the Conn Smythe if they win the Cup. Aleksander Barkov is the favorite on the Panthers at +750, but he isn’t even in the top three favorites entering the conference finals.

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Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger has shined in every situation so far in these playoffs and he’s the favorite to take home the playoffs MVP, followed up by Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin and Oilers superstar Connor McDavid .

If the Oilers somehow beat the Stars, you have to think McDavid automatically becomes the favorite to win the Conn Smythe.

Odds are from  BetMGM  and update live. Buy tickets to see your  favorite team on StubHub .

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Florida Panthers at New York Rangers — Game 1

How to watch: 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, SN

Series odds:  Panthers -135, Rangers +115

• Florida won two of the three games between the teams this season outscoring the Rangers 11-8. Every game had at least six goals scored between the two teams. Could this be a high-scoring series?

• The Panthers and Rangers only have four players combined that have won a Stanley Cup on the roster. Jonathan Quick (3), Barclay Goodrow (2), Vladimir Tarasenko (1) and Carter Verhaeghe (1) are the previous Cup winners.

• Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad continue to pace scoring for the Rangers in these playoffs with 14 points a piece. Chris Krieder leads the Rangers with seven goals.

• Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov scored eight points in Florida’s six-game series win against Boston . He tallied five assists in two games against New York this season.

• It’ll be a battle between Russian-born goalies in net and former Vezina Trophy winners. Igor Shesterkin is 8-2 with a .923 save percentage in these playoffs. Sergei Bobrovsky is 8-3 with .902 save percentage.

Picks standings

(Photo of Sergei Bobrovsky: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)

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Andrew DeWitt is The Athletic's senior editor for sports betting. Andrew previously worked for the Tampa Bay Lightning, CBSSports.com and the St. Joseph News-Press. He graduated from the University of Missouri and is from Kansas City.

How to find hidden cameras in an Airbnb, according to a security expert

Start with plugged-in objects, then activate your phone’s flashlight, a security consultant says.

Over the December holidays, I was house- and pet-sitting on a lavender farm in Sequim, Wash., when I received a message from the owners. “We peeked in on the girls tonight and they look content,” it read.

The text was comforting, a reassurance that the three alpacas were doing well under my care. But it was also alarming. The couple were more than a thousand miles away in Denver.

I crept outside under the cover of darkness and searched the property for their proxy eyes. I didn’t need a spy manual from a Cold War espionage film to find them. I located the security cameras fairly easily in the driveway and around the pack animals’ pen.

The online profile of the alpaca-sitting house in Sequim clearly noted: “External camera monitoring the property.” I read right over that line. However, some rental-property cameras might be less conspicuous and more malicious, especially indoors. With the right clues, security experts say you can flush them out.

“Most people have a somewhat exaggerated sense of what a bug or video device is. They think it’s like the movies, where it’s extremely small and hidden behind something. That takes a lot of sophistication, a lot of technology and a lot of resources,” said Joe LaSorsa, founder and president of LaSorsa and Associates, a security consultancy firm that specializes in corporate counterespionage. “The overwhelming majority of stuff out there is going to be commercially available devices. People are going to buy them off Amazon, eBay, Alibaba.”

To prove his point, LaSorsa recently conducted a mock search for The Washington Post at a private home in the Raleigh area. The Marine Corps veteran dressed in casual black and carried a mysterious suitcase filled with sophisticated equipment, even though all the gadgets he needed for the sweep fit in his back pocket.

What to know about privacy laws

Homeowners and managers who rent through Airbnb and other platforms often rely on cameras in their absence. In most cases, their motivations are to safeguard their property, not exploit the occupants.

“Most people are utilizing cameras to make sure there are no parties or people stealing things or unauthorized guests or pets,” LaSorsa said.

Even if you act responsibly, the idea of being watched can feel like a personal violation. The “Truman Show” experience can feel even creepier if you spent a portion of your trip unaware you were under surveillance.

Each state and the District of Columbia sets its own rules on covert recordings, though hidden cameras in rooms with an expectation of privacy, such as bedrooms, bathrooms and changing rooms, are generally unlawful. The regulations governing surveillance devices in less revealing spaces are patchier, but the major rental and homestay platforms have created universal policies that apply to all properties, regardless of location or local codes.

Airbnb announced in March it had banned the use of indoor security cameras. Vrbo and Trusted Housesitters have similar policies. Previously, Airbnb permitted cameras in hallways, living rooms and other common areas as long as the host disclosed the gadgets.

“Given the response from Airbnb and similar platforms in recently changing their policies, there must have been concerns in the frequency of people being surveilled or in incidents involving surveillance activities,” said Cobun Zweifel-Keegan, managing director of the D.C. office of the International Association of Privacy Professionals .

The short-term rental companies still allow cameras and smart technology outside, for security purposes only. The host must note the presence and location of the devices online or in the welcome materials.

LaSorsa said the more restrictive measures could push hosts to clandestinely record their guests inside the rental, but he said the likelihood of this is slim. For peace of mind, he recommends spending no more than 30 minutes inspecting your rental for devices. He said a basic understanding of camera operations and a cellphone will do.

“You can find 99 percent of devices with knowledge and awareness,” he said. “A cellphone can go a long way.”

Look for plugged-in household items

Our rental house had an overwhelming number of places to conceal a camera — in books, in musical instruments, in the eye of a giraffe sculpture. But LaSorsa said these are not realistic hiding places because they don’t have an enduring power source.

“Furniture and decorative items are much less of a concern because they would be battery operated,” he said, “and most battery-operated devices only last a matter of hours.”

On the kitchen table, he displayed a sampling of more viable props for hiding cameras, some of which he bought online and a few that he built himself. The collection featured common household objects that would never raise suspicion, such as a USB charger, a smoke detector and a power strip. The objects all relied on a “parasitic” power source, such as an outlet, and WiFi to activate the camera tucked inside.

LaSorsa stepped outside while Post videographer Josh Carroll and I hid the items around the house. We placed them in plain sight and within context, such as the Bluetooth speaker on the kitchen counter. Back inside, he immediately set to work, scanning the rooms for plugged-in appliances and accessories. However, since we were using his devices, he had a clear advantage.

“The first thing that caught my attention was the carbon monoxide detector plugged into the wall. It’s a normal household item, but we don’t know if it’s legitimate,” he said. “It has power. It was added to the home.”

He zeroed in on other potentially doctored objects: the Bluetooth speaker on the kitchen counter, the alarm clock in the family room, the air freshener under the foyer table. He glanced at the speakers surrounding the entertainment center but dismissed them.

“There are several speakers,” he said, “which are probably legitimate for the TV room.”

Weird WiFi connections

LaSorsa suggested checking the devices accessing internet in the rental home by using a free app such as AirPort Utility, which manages and displays WiFi networks. To demonstrate, he stood by the carbon monoxide detector and scanned the list of connections on his phone. The homeowner’s Netgear network appeared, but so did several outliers that contained a gobbledygook of letters and numbers, such as “G419637LGWMW.” The jig was up.

“Why would a carbon monoxide detector have WiFi?” he asked. “There again is a telltale sign that it’s more than what it appears to be.”

Mysterious QR codes and the flashlight test

After identifying dubious objects, LaSorsa performed several investigative procedures that would confirm — or deny — the presence of hidden cameras.

He unplugged the items and turned them over, looking for a mysterious QR code.

“This isn’t a manufacturer’s sticker with a serial number that you’re going to register with a company for a warranty,” he said. “So what is the purpose of this? The QR is to connect the WiFi to the apps.”

To confirm his suspicions, he pulled out his cellphone flashlight. He waved the light over the face of the alarm clock and noticed a glimmer inside a tiny hole left of the time display.

“As I move the light around, it’s glistening at me,” he said. “And when I hold the light right in front of it, you can see a lens right there.”

I had to squint to see the lens that was barely larger than the period at the end of this sentence. For easier viewing, LaSorsa pulled out a radio frequency finder with a lens detector and aimed it at the clock.

“It’s going to alert you to the lens that’s in there and confirm that it is a lens,” he said as I peered through the viewfinder.

A red light in the lens detector blinked, exposing the alarm clock’s ulterior motives.

Radio frequency and thermal heat

If you need one more piece of proof to close the case, you could use the same palm-size RF detector as LaSorsa. The gadget, which costs from $20 to hundreds of dollars, determines an object’s radio frequency output. It will recognize RF energy from 20 megahertz to six gigahertz, which is a blessing and a curse.

Nearly every type of electronic device — cellphones, walkie-talkies, baby monitors, Bluetooth speakers, hidden cameras — transmits radio frequency. But if you remove or unplug all of the competing gadgets and the RF count is still high, you can assume a surveillance camera is in your midst.

A more surefire test is to use a thermal detector (about $250) to gauge the amount of heat the suspected item emits. Hidden cameras are cauldrons, apparently. LaSorsa affixed an InfiRay, which resembled a doll-size digital camera, to his phone. For a baseline, he held it up to a legitimate smoke detector. The image on his screen was a cool green. When he positioned the gadget by the USB charger and air freshener, the blob burned bright red.

“There is a little bit of heat coming from some of the other plugged-in devices. Just a faint amount,” he said, as he walked around the house with his phone aloft. “But, as indicated on the device, the hottest point is clearly the unit that’s plugged into the wall. So that would be suspicious, and we would further check that out and see why it’s so hot.”

You found cameras. Now what?

If you uncover a hidden camera, security experts suggest unplugging the device or covering the lens with a towel. Do not remove the offending object. The hosts could accuse you of damaging their personal property.

Report the violation to the rental platform if it’s a minor transgression, or to local authorities if you discovered a camera in a sensitive area of the house, such as a bedroom or bathroom. Consider moving to a different property if you feel uncomfortable in your original accommodations.

“ There’s no reason that you should be forced to stay somewhere where you don’t feel safe,” Zweifel-Keegan said, “or where you don’t feel like your privacy is respected.”

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness . Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare , including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario , from canceled flights to lost luggage . Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas , including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed . Submit your question here . Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves .

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Travelers cope with crowds and high prices on the busiest day of Memorial Day weekend

Highways and airports are likely to be jammed the next few days as Americans head out for Memorial Day weekend getaways and then return home.

Airports around the country are bracing for the travel rush as Americans head out for Memorial Day weekend. AAA predicts 43.8 million people expected to travel between Thursday and Monday. (AP Video: Tassanee Vejpongsa)

Highways and airports are likely to be jammed this weekend, as Americans head out on Memorial Day weekend getaways. AAA says this will be the busiest start-of-summer weekend in nearly 20 years.

Travelers on Florida’s Turnpike are experiencing relatively light traffic at the start of the Memorial Day weekend, with no major congestion reported, allowing them to focus on their wallets instead of their anxiety about traffic. (AP video by Cody Jackson)

Travelers walk through Salt Lake City International Airport Friday, May 24, 2024, in Salt Lake City. A record number of Americans are expected to travel over the 2024 Memorial Day holiday. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

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Travelers move through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of Memorial Day, Friday, May 24, 2024, in Atlanta.(AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Michelle Winters plays the violin as passengers stand in line at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of Memorial Day, Friday, May 24, 2024, in Atlanta.(AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Cars drive through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport ahead of Memorial Day, Friday, May 24, 2024, in Atlanta.(AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Gasoline prices are displayed on a sign outside a service station as the Memorial Day holiday travel period kicks off Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Greenwood Village, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Traffic slowly moves along Interstate 405 on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. Highways and airports are likely to be jammed in the coming days as Americans head out on and home from Memorial Day weekend getaways. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Travelers contended with big crowds and flight delays Friday, which was expected to be the busiest day of the Memorial Day weekend.

More than 6,000 U.S. flights were delayed by early evening on the East Coast, continuing a trend that has tested the patience of travelers all week. Cancellations were more modest, at slightly more than 200, according to tracking data from FlightAware.

There were delays on the highways, too.

Along Florida’s Turnpike, Wallis Tinnie said a traffic accident and road work slowed her drive to an African American history commemoration in the Florida Panhandle, the site in 1816 of the first battle of the Seminole Wars.

“But we’re comfortable with it,” the Miami woman said during a stop at Port Saint Lucie. “We left early, and our event is tomorrow. So hopefully — God willing, creek don’t rise — we’ll be there in plenty of time.”

The Transportation Security Administration predicted that Friday would be the busiest day of the holiday weekend for air travel, with nearly 3 million people expected to pass through airport checkpoints . TSA screened just under 2.9 million people Thursday, coming within about 11,000 of breaking the record set on the Sunday after Thanksgiving last year.

Pasha Pidlubniak waits for a domestic flight at Miami International Airport, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Miami. A record number of Americans are expected to travel over the 2024 Memorial Day holiday. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

“Airports are going to be more packed than we have seen in 20 years,” AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said.

Highways also are likely to be jammed as motorists head out of town and then return home. AAA predicted this will be the busiest start-of-summer weekend in nearly 20 years, with 43.8 million people expected to roam at least 50 miles from home between Thursday and Monday — 38 million of them taking vehicles.

The annual expression of wanderlust that accompanies the start of the summer travel season is happening at a time when Americans tell pollsters they are worried about the economy and the direction of the country.

“Memorial Day is a holiday weekend. I get to hang with family and friends, so I’d say that’s priceless, right?” Nene Efebo said during a two-hour wait for a delayed flight at Denver International Airport. “Anything to hang out with family and friends.”

Victoria Ramos Valdes of Miami was taking a driving vacation with her husband, Blake, and their children, ages 3 and 4 months old.

“We said, hey, we’re going to go for a $300 budget, and the hotel is around $150,” she said, but it has a water slide, providing plenty of entertainment. “We’re taking a nice family trip and doing our best to have the best Memorial Day weekend possible.”

Some travelers reported experiencing sticker shock when they booked their trips. Upon arriving at Philadelphia International Airport, Ciarra Marsh said the city “was not our original destination, but we chose here because it was cheaper.”

At Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, Larisa Latimer of New Lenox, Illinois, said her airfare was reasonable but other expenses for a getaway to New Orleans were not.

Motorists travel along Interstate 24 near the Interstate 40 interchange Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. A record number of Americans are expected to hit the pavement over the 2024 Memorial Day holiday. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

“I just have to make the accommodation,” she said. “The rental car is up ... this year, the hotel accommodations were very unusually expensive.”

Kathy Larko of Fort Myers, Florida, used frequent-flyer miles — and some flexible scheduling — to pay for her trip to Chicago.

Travelers wait at a TSA checkpoint at the Los Angeles International Airport, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Los Angeles. A record number of Americans are expected to travel over the 2024 Memorial Day holiday. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

“I’m really conscious of looking at the cost of the entire trip. We’re staying a little farther out than we normally would” to get a lower hotel rate, she said. “We’re also flying back a day later, because we could get cheaper miles.”

The weekend’s highway traffic and crowded airports could be a sample of what is to come for several more weeks. U.S. airlines expect to carry a record number of passengers this summer. Their trade group estimates that 271 million travelers will fly between June 1 and August 31, breaking the record of 255 million set – you guessed it – last summer .

George Ridley, 4, left, rides on a suitcase as he and his father Chris Ridley make their way through the Nashville international Airport, Thursday, May 23, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. A record number of Americans are expected to travel over the 2024 Memorial Day holiday. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

This story was previously updated to correct the spelling Fort Myers, Florida.

Cody Jackson in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, Melissa Perez Winder in Chicago and Shelley Adler in Washington contributed to this report.

Flight turbulence is getting worse — what to know

Following the singapore airlines turbulence incident, climate and aviation experts provide insight into worsening turbulence trends..

The Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-300ER airplane, which was headed to Singapore from London before making an emergency landing in Bangkok due to severe turbulence, is seen on the tarmac at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on Wednesdsay.

LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/Getty

One person is dead, and 30 are injured after a Singapore Airlines flight hit severe turbulence.

“We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER,” said SIA said in a statement . “There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board.”

Flight SQ321 departed from London’s Heathrow Airport on a Boeing 777-300ER on Monday and was supposed to land in Singapore, but instead was diverted to Thailand at 3:45 local time on Tuesday after requesting an emergency landing.

According to updates the airline posted on its Facebook page , the rest of the passengers, the majority of whom were from Australia, the United Kingdom and Singapore, and the crew were being evaluated and treated as needed by medical personnel at the airport.

Turbulence is getting worse, and that trend is likely to continue because of climate change.

Here’s what climate and aviation experts said about the worsening turbulence trends.

What causes turbulence?

There are different kinds of turbulence, and they’re caused by different things:

• Mountain wave turbulence, as the name suggests, happens when the wind hits a mountain and is forced upward off its blustery path. That’s why it’s common to hit some bumps when you’re flying over the Rockies on a transcontinental flight.
• Convective turbulence is generally associated with storms and is caused by warm air rising.
• Clear-air turbulence can be caused by a number of factors and is generally harder to predict than the other two types, but it is also the most likely kind to affect aircraft. And because it’s harder to predict, it can also be harder to avoid.

How clear-air turbulence occurs

Pockets created by jet streams traveling at different speeds and directions cause clear-air turbulence. The phenomenon often happens at 15,000 feet or higher, where clouds aren’t present to offer clues of the unstable air. Clear-air turbulence is also invisible on conventional radar.

Among three causes of turbulence, clear-air is the hardest to predict, and it’s the most likely to affect aircraft.

Is climate change making turbulence worse?

Yes, at least with clear-air turbulence.

According to Paul Williams, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading, there’s no clear data on how climate change is affecting mountain waves or convective turbulence, but clear-air turbulence is definitely becoming more frequent and intense.

“It’s going up because of climate change,” Williams told USA Today last year . “The atmosphere is getting more turbulent; there will be more severe turbulence in the atmosphere.”

Williams co-authored a 2023 study examining increases in clear-air turbulence, which intrigued Noboru Nakamura, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Chicago.

“Using different metrics, they looked at the observational data over the last 40 years, as well as computer simulations of the future, hypothetically warmer world with increased carbon dioxide,” said Nakamura, who is a faculty member in the Department of the Geophysical Sciences. “They found that the risk for the frequency and magnitude of clear-air turbulence have indeed increased observationally over the last four decades, and will continue to do so as the climate keeps warming.”

Although the research is ongoing, Nakamura described the theoretical underpinning as “very robust and reliable.”

Southern Illinois University aviation professor and safety officer Michael Robertson agreed that climate change affecting clear-air turbulence is a possibility.

“But we’re also seeing more and more flights,” he said. “It’s hard to compare the data coming from aircraft today versus 50 years ago because of the number of flights that we do daily. So, there’s going to be more chances that you’re going to run into [turbulence] just because there’s more traffic.”

• More than 2 million Illinois residents to travel Memorial Day weekend

How many deaths has turbulence caused?

Deaths from turbulence are extremely rare.

In the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration reported 163 passengers and crew have been seriously injured by turbulence between 2009 and 2022.

Can planes withstand turbulence?

Yes, planes are designed to withstand even extreme turbulence, so it may be uncomfortable for passengers, but it almost never puts the plane itself in physical danger, according to Guinn.

Even with the potential increase in clear-air turbulence, experts say the likelihood of encountering the condition is still very small, and passengers should not be overly concerned, as long as they buckle up when instructed.

“You might be flying along and hit this pocket of air where you encounter some type of downdraft or updraft, and if you’re not belted in, you could have some injury,” Robertson said. “That’s why they’re always saying, even when you’re seated, still wear your belt. ... I wouldn’t want this to increase everybody’s fear about the safety of flying because it’s the still one of the safest forms of travel.”

The bigger problems, Guinn said, are the other operational complications turbulence can cause.

“If you can climb above it or go below it, that fixes things, but that costs a lot of fuel,” Guinn said. “Prolonged exposure to turbulence for a pilot is fatiguing. Pilots are going to have to deal with that as well.”

Robertson said technology, such as aircraft automation, can help pilots combat stress and fatigue. He also said they can ask air traffic controllers for alternate altitudes upon encountering turbulence.

But that can add to the workload of the air traffic controllers, according to Williams.

Despite these concerns, Robertson said he doesn’t think people will be deterred from becoming pilots. He cited increases in starting pay and engaging with students early in their college careers as solutions to pilot shortages.

“You’re always going to have that population that has a passion for aviation that wants to pursue it,” he said.

Contributing: Stephen J. Beard and Ramon Padilla, USA Today; and Erica Thompson, Chicago Sun-Times

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Where to stay in Windhoek

Our suggestions for places to stay in Windhoek

Olive Grove

In a quiet Windhoek suburb, Olive Grove is one of our favourite guesthouses: stylish, with a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and excellent food.

Galton House

A cool stylish sanctuary in a quiet suburb of Windhoek, Galton House boasts a pool and a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Elegant Guesthouse

The Elegant Guesthouse is a friendly, comfortable establishment with a lovely, tranquil garden, and is a good choice for an overnight stay in Windhoek.

River Crossing

Secluded on a private game reserve between Windhoek and the international airport, River Crossing is a tranquil place to start or end a trip.

Villa Violet

Villa Violet is a friendly, owner-run guesthouse in a residential area of Windhoek, just a few minutes' drive from the city centre and numerous restaurants.

Haus Sonneneck

Haus Sonneneck was one of Windhoek's best pensions just a few minutes' drive away from the city centre, however it has now closed.

Hilltop Guesthouse

A long-standing favourite, the small, owner-run Hilltop Guesthouse is comfortable, smart and good value.

Weinberg Hotel

In a quiet upmarket suburb of Klein Windhoek, the stylish Weinberg has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and luxury facilities.

For somewhere to really pamper yourself, Gocheganas Lodge & Spa offers wildlife combined with extensive wellness treatments.

Heinitzburg Hotel

One of the oldest hotels in Windhoek, the Heinitzberg occupies a great hill-top location but can feel like a relic of a bygone era.

Olive Exclusive

The Olive Exclusive is perhaps Windhoek's most luxurious boutique hotel but remains a friendly and unpretentious place to stay.

Etango Ranch G. Farm

Etango offers simple, clean, comfortable accommodation and it’s the closest accommodation to Windhoek International Airport.

Immanuel Wilderness

Within easy reach of Windhoek, Immanuel Wilderness Lodge is a good overnight option for those who don't wish to stay in the city.

Rivendell Guesthouse

Rivendell Guesthouse offers great value, relaxed accommodation in a homely atmosphere with helpful and extremely friendly staff.

Sun Karros Daan Viljoen

Situated within the Daan Viljoen Nature reserve Sun Karros is a simple lodge with gentle game viewing and bird watching opportunities.

Avani Windhoek Hotel

The Avani Windhoek Hotel and Casino lack the personal touch of Windhoeks smaller guesthouses but is well located in the heart of the city.

Hotel Thule

Windhoek’s Hotel Pension Thule offers stunning views across the city and a reputable in-house restaurant, within easy reach of the international airport.

Omaanda offers luxury accommodation and wildlife viewing within easy reach of the international airport and Windhoek City.

Pension Palmquell

Stay at the Pension Palmquell in Windhoek, whilst on holiday in Namibia.

Overlooking Avis Dam, Ti Melen is on the outskirts of Windhoek, yet only 10-minutes from the city's amenities.

Desert Express

The Desert Express runs from Windhoek to Swakopmund on set departures. Recently this schedule has been somewhat erratic.

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