Sub Saharan Africa

No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• General
 

• You should avoid driving outside towns at night as wildlife and stray livestock pose a serious hazard.
  
  
• There is a growing level of violent street crime affecting foreign tourists, particularly in Windhoek.
  
  
• If travelling along the Caprivi Strip, stick to the well-travelled routes.
  
  
• You should carry identification with you at all times. A photocopy of the relevant pages from your passport is sufficient.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Approximately 31,000 Britons visited Namibia in 2009 (Source: Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs).  Most visits to Namibia are trouble-free. See General - Consular Assistance Statistics.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General Insurance.
  

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. 

See our Terrorism Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime
Muggers in Windhoek frequently target foreign tourists. Attacks can take place even in busy city centre locations in broad daylight.

You should keep your car doors locked and windows shut, especially in heavy traffic. Keep valuables off the seats and out of sight. There are incidents where gangs try to gain entry to vehicles at busy intersections in Windhoek, including during the day. Be alert to your surroundings if returning to your guest house or hotel, especially after dark.

Theft from vehicles, particularly at service stations, is common, so where possible do not leave your vehicle unattended at fuel stops.  Elsewhere, keep your vehicle locked and valuable possessions out of sight.

Residents of Namibia have reported incidents of interception of mail and theft of mail contents by Post Office workers in Namibia. Any valuable parcels or documents (e.g. bank and credit cards) should be sent by registered mail at least and preferably by a reputable commercial courier company.

Beware of pickpockets in town centres. Do not use taxis available for street hailing, particularly in Windhoek, as these have been involved in thefts from foreign tourists. Instead, ask your hotel, guest house or tour operator to recommend a reputable taxi company. Do not enter townships at night unless accompanied by someone with local knowledge.

Take precautions to safeguard valuables and cash, and deposit them in hotel safes, where practical. Keep large amounts of money, expensive jewellery, cameras and cell phones out of sight. Do not change large sums of money in busy public areas. Keep separate copies of important documents, including passports.

Remain with your group when visiting parks and game reserves.

There have been cases of credit card skimming at some hotels and lodges around the country (Okakuejo Lodge in Etosha National Park has been identified as a hotspot for this); unscrupulous employees have been accused of copying card details onto hand-held readers and passing the details on to criminal gangs. Visiting foreign tourists have been targeted. When paying by credit card, keep the card in full view at all times and always check your statement carefully to ensure you do not become a victim of fraud.

See our Victims of Crime Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel
If you travel along the Trans-Caprivi Highway between Rundu and Katima Mulilo (in the Caprivi Strip), or in other remote areas of northern Namibia, you should travel during daylight hours and stick to well travelled routes. The Namibian authorities are clearing unexploded ordnance from areas that are barred to public access.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel
You can drive in Namibia with a UK Photo Driving Licence. If you wish to hire a car, you should also bring the paper counterpart with you.  You must carry your licence at all times and produce it on request at the police check points leading in and out of Windhoek and other major towns and cities.  If you hire a car, pay particular attention to the insurance cover provided.  Most policies will not cover accidents that do not involve other vehicles or animals.  Given the higher than normal probability of an accident on a gravel road because of its condition, you should take out fully comprehensive insurance on any hired vehicle. You are not allowed to use a mobile phone whilst driving.

There have been a number of fatal accidents on gravel/dirt roads.  Do not exceed 80kph on gravel. Punctures are common. If possible, carry two spare tyres (and plenty of water).

During the rainy season (normally January to April) many gravel roads deteriorate. You should check with your destination on the local road conditions before setting off.  Avoid driving at night outside towns as wildlife and stray livestock pose a serious hazard.

See our Driving Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Air Travel
The EU has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the community. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.

For more general information see Airline Security.

Safety and Security - Political Situation
Namibia Country Profile

Drug taking and smuggling is an offence. Punishments can be severe.

Homosexuality is tolerated but Windhoek’s only openly gay bar (the Ceibas Café) is regularly shut down by Drug Squad raids.

There are no formal rules and regulations limiting photography by tourists in Namibia, but some people have been detained for taking pictures of State House and properties where the President is residing. There are also parts of Namibia that require a permit to enter (e.g. the Cape Cross Seal Colony) and you should check about photography when applying for these permits. Likewise, if the army or police are protecting a building or place, check before taking any photographs. If in doubt, do not take pictures. You should carry identification with you at all times. A photocopy of the relevant pages from your passport is sufficient.

See our Your Trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas
Although British nationals can enter Namibia for a holiday or private visit of up to 90 days without a visa, we are aware of cases in which, on arrival, visitors have only been given permission to stay for periods much shorter than 90 days , some as short as only seven or ten days. Before leaving the Immigration Desk in the Airport Arrivals Hall, check:

• you have been given permission to stay in Namibia for the duration of your intended visit, up to the maximum allowable of 90 days; and that you have been given a correctly dated entry stamp by Namibian Immigration officials, as this will be checked on departure.

Overstaying the time granted or an incorrect or missing entry stamp could lead to detention, arrest and fines for breaking immigration laws.

If you intend to work or reside in Namibia for a period over 90 days, you must contact the Namibian High Commission in London and apply for the required visa before travelling.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Namibia. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Namibia and must have at least one completely blank page for Namibian Immigration to use. If you are also going to travel in South Africa, you should be aware that although South African authorities state they require one blank passport page for entry, some officials insist on two blank pages (one in, one out). We therefore recommend you have a total of three blank pages.

Entry Requirements - Travelling with children
Single parents and other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration, please contact the Namibian High Commission in London before you travel.

There are good medical facilities in Windhoek but you may be expected to pay for treatment, even if you are insured. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice for more details. Evacuation from remote areas can take time.

Rabies and cholera are common throughout Namibia. Malaria is endemic from the North as far South as Okahandja, 65 km North of Windhoek, especially during the main rains (January - April). Etosha National Park is malarial.

Polio is also present in Namibia and you should ensure your polio vaccine is up to date. There has been a recent outbreak of meningitis in Katutura Township in Windhoek. If you plan to travel to Katutura Township, you should consider whether you wish to have (or update) the meningitis vaccine.

Some people suffer skin problems from Namibia's hot and dry climate. There is, for the same reason, a serious risk of dehydration. When travelling outside main cities ensure you carry a good supply of drinkable water.

In the 2010 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 160,000 adults aged 15 or over in Namibia were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 13.1% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Namibia and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, drinking water, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. See our Travel Health page.

General - Insurance
You should take out travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake including but not limited to e.g. quad biking, dune boarding and hot air ballooning. You should be aware that even with fully comprehensive travel insurance, private hospitals in Namibia may insist on personal proof of payment (e.g. cash or credit card) before commencing treatment. They may also insist you pay up front, reclaiming from your insurer directly. See our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas see our How We Can Help page.

General - Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

General - UK Passport Issuing
Our High Commission in Namibia no longer issues standard passports.  Please see: http://ukinsouthafrica.fco.gov.uk/en.

General - Consular Assistance Statistics
Approximately 31,000 Britons visited Namibia in 2009 (Source: Namibian Ministry of Home Affairs). Most visits to Namibia are trouble-free. Four British nationals required consular assistance in Namibia in the period 01 April 2010 - 31 March 2011 for the following type of incident; one death and two arrests.

General - Money
Credit and Cirrus bankcards can be used in some Namibian cash machines although the charges for withdrawing cash can be expensive. The Namibian Dollar is tied to the South African Rand, which is also legal tender in Namibia.