Sub Saharan Africa
Namibia
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Still current at: 04 July 2009
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Updated: 15 June 2009
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Crime section (mail). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
See entire profile
Travel Summary
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information.
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Approximately 28,000 Britons visited Namibia in 2007 (Source: Namibian Ministry of Environment and Tourism). Most visits to Namibia are trouble-free. The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Namibia in 2008 were: replacing lost or stolen passports (20 cases); and dealing with hospitalisations or deaths (10 cases), mainly due to road accidents. You should avoid driving outside towns at night as wildlife and stray livestock pose a serious hazard.
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There is a growing level of violent street crime affecting foreign tourists, particularly in Windhoek.
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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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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 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
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
Violent street crimes (muggings and robberies) targeting foreign tourists have increased significantly in 2009, particularly in Windhoek. Attacks can take place even in busy city centre locations in broad daylight.
If you are attacked, you should remain calm, offer no resistance and hand over possessions without question. This advice is particularly relevant if a weapon is involved. If a vehicle is involved in the attack, if you can, take down the registration details as this will greatly increase the chances of the Namibian Police catching the perpetrators.
Theft from vehicles, particularly at service stations, is common. 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 the taxis generally available for hire, particularly in Windhoek as these vehicles have been involved in attacks on 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.
An armed robbery on a bar in Ausspannplatz on Windhoek's main street, Independence Avenue, was foiled by police on 2 April 2009. Two robbers were shot dead and two were wounded as a result. No bystanders were hurt.
Take sensible precautions. Safeguard valuables and cash: 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.
Since October 2008, Namibian authorities and visiting foreign tourists have reported an outbreak of credit card skimming taking place at some hotels and lodges around the country. In particular, Okakuejo Lodge in Etosha National Park has been identified as a trouble spot for this. Unscrupulous employees there and at some other establishments have been accused of copying card details onto handheld readers and passing the details on to criminal gangs. Visiting foreign tourists have been targeted. When paying by credit card, please 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.
Political Situation
Local Travel
Zimbabwe
We advise against all travel to high density, low-income suburban areas at any time; and all but essential travel to rural Manicaland and farming areas. There have been a number of serious incidents in rural areas and it is dangerous for farmers or agricultural workers to visit former properties or other agricultural areas.
Namibia
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. The rainy season of 2009 has been particularly destructive and many roads throughout the country have been badly damaged. It is advisable to check with your destination on the local road conditions before setting off.
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.
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 18 months. 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 the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.
For more general information see Airline Security.
Local laws and customs
Homosexuality is tolerated but Windhoek’s only gay bar [the Ceibas Café] is regularly shut down by Drug Squad raids.
Entry requirements
Visas
British nationals can enter Namibia for a holiday or private visit of up to 90 days without a visa. However, we are aware of several cases where, on arrival, visitors have only been given permission to stay for periods significantly shorter than the 90 day maximum, some as short as only seven or ten days. Before leaving the Immigration Desk in the Arrivals of the Airport, please do check that you have been given permission to stay in Namibia for the duration of your intended visit, up to the maximum stay allowable of 90 days. Overstaying the time period granted could lead to detention or arrest for breaking immigration laws.
Please also check that, on arrival, 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 arrest on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant.
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.
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.
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
Rabies, malaria and cholera are common to Namibia. The latter two diseases are common to northern Namibia, malaria more so during the main rainy season (January - April) when the malaria belt extends as far south as Okahandja, 65km north of Windhoek. 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.
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.
General
We 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.
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.
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.
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://ukinnamibia.fco.gov.uk/en/
