Sub Saharan Africa
Namibia
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Still current at: 25 July 2008
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Updated: 23 July 2008
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Local Travel, Road Travel, Local Laws and Customs and Entry Requirements (Passport Validity) sections. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
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Travel Summary
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If travelling along the Caprivi Strip, stick to the well-travelled routes.
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You should carry identification with you at all times. A photocopy of the relevant pages from your passport is sufficient.
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Most visits to Namibia are trouble-free. The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Namibia in 2007 were: replacing lost or stolen passports (35 cases); and dealing with hospitalisations or deaths (7 cases), mainly due to road accidents. You should avoid driving at night as wildlife and livestock pose a serious hazard.
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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.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section and of this advice Travel Insurance for more details.
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. For more information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
Theft from vehicles, particularly at service stations, and street crime are common. Keep your vehicle locked and valuable possessions out of sight.
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. For more information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
Theft from vehicles, particularly at service stations, and street crime are common. Keep your vehicle locked and valuable possessions out of sight.
Beware of pickpockets in town centres. Avoid using taxis if possible and never take one alone. Do not enter townships at night unless accompanied by someone with local knowledge.
Take sensible precautions. Safeguard valuables and cash:deposit them in hotel safes, where practical. Keep separate copies of important documents, including passports.
Remain with your group when visiting parks and game reserves.
For more information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
You should be aware that since 17 April 2008 we have advised against all travel to Zimbabwe. This is due to the continuing tension surrounding the election in Zimbabwe and the deployment of uniformed forces (police and military) and war veterans across Zimbabwe. There continues to be a high level of political tension and uncertainty in Zimbabwe and the current situation is unpredictable, volatile and could deteriorate quickly, without warning.
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 ordinance from areas that are barred to public access.
Road Travel
You can drive in Namibia with an 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 roadblocks leading in and out of Windhoek and other major towns and cities. You are not allowed to use a mobile phone whilst driving.It is easy to lapse into a false sense of security on Namibian roads, because most are well maintained and there is little traffic. But there have been a number of fatal accidents on gravel/dirt roads, especially on bends in the road. It is dangerous to exceed the speed limit of 80km.
During the rainy season (normally January to April) many roads can become impassable.
You should avoid driving at night outside the towns as wildlife and stray livestock can pose a serious hazard. Tyre punctures are common on the gravel roads; if possible, carry two spare tyres. It may also be necessary to adjust tyre pressures to suit differing road conditions. Keep your petrol tank topped up, as there are long distances between petrol stations.
For further information see Driving Abroad.
Rail Travel
The Desert Express between Windhoek and Swakopmund is a popular tourist route. Although there have been no accidents involving this train, you should be aware there have been two incidents on this line in during the last year. In August 2007 a freight train derailed (one fatality), and in May 2008 a freight train collided with a stationary passenger train (no fatalities).
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 Air Transport Portal of the European Commission website to see whether this will affect your travel.
For more general information see Airline Security.
Local laws and customs
Drug taking and smuggling is an offence. Punishments can be severe.
Homosexuality is tolerated but Windhoek’s only 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 we are aware that 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 and it would be wise to 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.
For more information see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
Visas
British nationals can enter Namibia for a holiday or private visit of up to 90 days without a visa. 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.
Before leaving the Arrivals Hall of Hosea Kutako International Airport, you should check you have been given a correctly dated entry stamp by Namibian Immigration officials as this will be checked on departure. An incorrect or missing entry stamp could lead to you being arrested on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant.
Passport validity
Your passport must be valid for at least six months upon entry and you must have at least one completely blank page for Namibian Immigration to use. If you are travelling on to South Africa, you should be aware that while the South African authorities state that officially only one blank passport page is required for entry, there have been reports that some officials insist on two blank pages. We recommend you have a total of three blank pages.
Failure to comply may result in you being denied entry to Namibia; being denied onward passage to South Africa; being detained pending supervised departure; or all three.
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.
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.
Health
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, malaria and cholera are common to Namibia. The latter two diseases ate common to northern Namibia, malaria more so during the main rainy season (January - April). You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Namibia you should seek immediate medical attention.
In early September 2007 the Namibian Ministry for Health confirmed meningitis outbreaks in Onamakulikwa, Ohambala, Onkumbula, Ohashipepe and Omakunde villages in Oshikoto Region.
There was an outbreak of polio in Namibia in July 2006 and the Namibian authorities co-ordinated a mass vaccination campaign. You should ensure that your polio vaccination is up to date. You should consider carrying your vaccination card with you.
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 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 210,000 adults aged 15 or over in Namibia were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 19.6% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see the HIV and AIDS.
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, 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.
For more information see Travel Health.
General
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive 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. 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. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive 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. 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. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
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.
Power cuts
In January 2008, Eskom, the South African power supplier, announced that it would no longer be able to export electricity to Namibia. NamPower, the Namibian power supplier, has therefore implemented load shedding throughout the country to combat the power deficit. It intends to announce on NamPower when specific areas of the country will be affected. Load shedding will hit homes, shops, offices and industry but hospitals should be unaffected
Money
Credit and Cirrus bankcards can be used in some Namibian cash machines. The Namibian Dollar is tied to the South African Rand, which is accepted everywhere in Namibia.
Travel advice for this country
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contacts
Namibia, Windhoek, High Commission
Address:
British High Commission
P O Box 22202
116 Robert Mugabe Avenue
Namibia
Telephone:
(264) (61) 274800
Fax:
(264) (61) 228895
Email: general.windhoek@fco.gov.uk
Office hours:
GMT:
Mon-Thurs: 0700-1200 / 1300-1600
Fri: 0700-1100
Local Time:
Mon-Thurs: 0800-1300 / 1400-1700
Fri: 0800-1200
Out of hours: The British High Commission answer machine gives an emergency contact number.
Website: http://www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/namibia
