Namibia Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Namibia.
Healthcare System
Namibia has a two-tier healthcare system with public facilities available to all and private hospitals offering higher standards of care. Public healthcare is generally adequate but can be overstretched, while private facilities in major cities meet international standards.
Hospitals
Major private hospitals include Windhoek Central Hospital (private wing), Medi-Clinic Windhoek, and Roman Catholic Hospital in Windhoek. Swakopmund has Cottage Medi-Clinic. These facilities can handle most medical issues but complex cases may require evacuation. Always confirm your insurance coverage before treatment.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are well-stocked in major towns and cities, with most common medications available. Many medications requiring prescriptions elsewhere can be obtained over the counter. Pharmacies typically open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday mornings. Rural areas have limited pharmacy access, so bring adequate supplies of prescription medications.
Insurance
Travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage and emergency evacuation is strongly recommended and essential for visiting Namibia. Medical evacuation from remote areas can cost USD $50,000+. Ensure your policy covers adventure activities if planning activities like sandboarding, quad biking, or wildlife safaris.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring a complete supply of prescription medications in original packaging with doctor's letter, as specific brands may be unavailable
- Carry a basic first aid kit, especially when traveling to remote areas or national parks
- Drink only bottled or purified water in rural areas; tap water in major cities is generally safe
- Private medical facilities require upfront payment or insurance guarantee before treatment
- Keep emergency contact details for your travel insurance and embassy readily accessible
- Consider registering with your embassy upon arrival for emergency assistance
- Medical facilities in Sossusvlei, Skeleton Coast, and Kaokoland are extremely limited or non-existent
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and theft from vehicles are the most common crimes affecting tourists. Thieves often work in pairs or groups, targeting distracted tourists in crowded areas or at traffic lights.
Smash-and-grab thefts at traffic lights, carjacking (rare but possible), and theft from parked vehicles. Criminals may puncture tires and rob victims when they stop to investigate.
Namibia has dangerous wildlife including lions, elephants, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles, and venomous snakes. Most incidents occur when tourists ignore safety rules, approach animals too closely, or walk in areas where dangerous animals are present.
Road accidents are a significant risk in Namibia due to long distances, gravel roads, driver fatigue, high speeds, and wildlife on roads. Gravel roads can be treacherous, especially at high speeds, and single-vehicle rollovers are common.
Namibia's desert climate features extreme temperatures, low humidity, and intense sun. Dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke can develop quickly, especially during outdoor activities. Temperatures can exceed 40°C (104°F) in summer.
Namibia's vast, sparsely populated landscapes with limited signage and no mobile phone coverage in many areas make it easy to become lost or stranded. GPS devices can malfunction, and maps may be outdated.
Malaria is present in northern Namibia, particularly during the rainy season (November-June). Risk is highest in the Zambezi (Caprivi) Region and northern areas bordering Angola.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Individuals approach tourists at bus stations or hostels offering cheap tours or accommodation. They take deposits but provide substandard services, don't show up, or disappear with money entirely.
Criminals install skimming devices on ATMs to capture card information and PIN numbers. Distraction techniques may be used while someone observes your PIN entry.
Criminals puncture your tire in a parking area or cause a flat tire, then offer to help while an accomplice steals items from your vehicle or person during the distraction.
Unlicensed taxi drivers or even some licensed ones significantly overcharge tourists who don't know local rates, especially at airports and bus stations.
Individuals approach tourists claiming to represent charities or orphanages, requesting donations or selling items at inflated prices supposedly to support their cause.
Sellers claim items are authentic Namibian gemstones, diamonds, or traditional crafts when they're actually fake or imported cheap goods sold at premium prices.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
Urban Safety
- Avoid walking alone after dark in Windhoek and other cities; use taxis after sunset
- Don't display expensive jewelry, cameras, or phones conspicuously
- Keep a photocopy of your passport separately from the original
- Use hotel safes for valuables, passports, and excess cash
- Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts
- Avoid Katutura township unless with a knowledgeable guide
- Don't carry large amounts of cash; use ATMs in secure locations during daylight
- Walk confidently and purposefully; avoid looking lost or consulting maps openly on the street
Driving Safety
- Rent a 4x4 vehicle if planning to visit remote areas or travel on gravel roads
- Always carry two spare tires, jack, and tire repair kit
- Reduce speed significantly on gravel roads (max 80 km/h) to maintain control
- Avoid driving at night due to wildlife on roads and reduced visibility
- Fill up fuel tank whenever possible; distances between fuel stations can exceed 200km
- Carry extra fuel, water (5L per person minimum), and emergency supplies
- Inform someone of your route and expected arrival time
- Don't pick up hitchhikers
- If you break down, stay with your vehicle rather than walking for help
- Watch for wildlife on roads, especially early morning and evening
- Drive on the left side of the road
Wildlife Safety
- Never exit your vehicle in national parks except in designated safe areas
- Maintain minimum 20-30 meter distance from all wildlife
- Never approach elephants, lions, rhinos, or hippos on foot
- Don't feed or attract wildlife with food
- Keep food securely stored at campsites to avoid attracting animals
- Make noise when walking in bush areas to avoid surprising animals
- Don't walk near rivers at dawn or dusk (hippos and crocodiles)
- If camping, use bathroom facilities or designated areas at night, never wander into bush
- Follow all instructions from park rangers and guides immediately
Health and Hygiene
- Drink bottled water in rural areas; tap water in major cities is generally safe
- Use high SPF sunscreen and reapply frequently
- Take antimalarial medication if visiting northern regions during rainy season
- Carry comprehensive first aid kit including rehydration salts
- Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer
- Avoid raw or undercooked food in rural areas
- Bring adequate supplies of prescription medications
- Get travel vaccinations recommended for Namibia (Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, Tetanus)
Communication and Navigation
- Purchase local SIM card for mobile phone (MTC or TN Mobile networks)
- Download offline maps before traveling to remote areas
- Carry paper maps as GPS backup
- Consider renting satellite phone for very remote areas
- Carry portable phone charger or power bank
- Learn basic Afrikaans or local language phrases
- Keep emergency contact numbers saved in phone and written down
- Mobile coverage is limited outside major towns and along main highways
Money and Documents
- Carry mix of cash (Namibian Dollars) and cards; some rural areas are cash-only
- Keep emergency cash hidden separately from main wallet
- Make copies of important documents (passport, insurance, driver's license)
- Store digital copies of documents in secure cloud storage
- Use ATMs inside banks during business hours when possible
- Notify your bank of travel dates to avoid card blocks
- Credit cards widely accepted in cities but not in rural areas
- Keep receipts for currency exchange for customs purposes
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Namibia is generally considered safe for women travelers, including solo female travelers, compared to many other destinations. Women can travel independently throughout most of the country with standard precautions. However, as anywhere, women should exercise additional caution, particularly after dark in urban areas and when traveling alone in remote regions. Harassment is not common but can occur, particularly in cities.
- Avoid walking alone after dark in cities; use taxis even for short distances
- Dress modestly in rural and conservative areas to avoid unwanted attention
- Be cautious about accepting drinks from strangers or leaving drinks unattended
- Consider staying in women-only dorm rooms in hostels if traveling solo
- Trust your instincts; if a situation feels uncomfortable, remove yourself
- Keep accommodation address private; don't share specific details with strangers
- Consider joining group tours for remote areas rather than traveling completely alone
- Wear wedding ring (real or fake) if it makes you feel more comfortable
- Have phone charged and emergency numbers readily accessible
- Connect with other travelers or join online women's travel groups for Namibia
- Book accommodation with good reviews regarding safety and solo female travelers
- Be assertive but polite when declining unwanted attention
- Avoid hitchhiking alone
- Consider self-defense tools like personal alarms (check local regulations)
- Many Namibian women are independent and professional; local women can be good sources of advice
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Namibia following a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that decriminalized it. However, same-sex marriage is not recognized, and there are no comprehensive anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals. The legal situation is evolving but protections remain limited.
- Exercise discretion with public displays of affection, especially outside major cities
- Be cautious about discussing sexual orientation with strangers or in public
- Research LGBTQ+-friendly accommodation and establishments in advance
- Windhoek has more accepting venues and a small LGBTQ+ scene; ask locals discreetly for recommendations
- Consider booking double beds as 'friends traveling together' to avoid potential issues
- Rural areas and traditional communities are particularly conservative; exercise greater caution
- Connect with local LGBTQ+ organizations for current advice and safe spaces
- Be aware that some accommodation staff may be uncomfortable with same-sex couples
- Consider your safety when deciding whether to be out during your travels
- Have emergency contacts for your embassy readily available
- Online dating apps should be used with caution; meet in public places
- The situation is slowly improving in urban areas but remains challenging overall
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is absolutely essential for visiting Namibia and should be considered non-negotiable. The vast distances, remote locations, limited medical facilities outside cities, and potential for serious accidents (vehicle rollovers, wildlife encounters) mean that medical evacuation may be necessary for serious injuries or illness. Medical evacuation from remote areas can easily cost USD $50,000-100,000+. Additionally, the adventure activities popular in Namibia (sandboarding, quad biking, wildlife safaris, hiking) carry risks that should be covered. Most private medical facilities require payment guarantee before treatment.
Travel insurance for adventurous travelers • Coverage in 200+ countries