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Southern Africa

NamibiaTravel guide

Explore Namibia visa rulesCommon scams in Namibia

Namibia is in Southern Africa, north of South Africa and west of Botswana. It has vast deserts, rich wildlife, many cultures and cities shaped by German and local heritage.

Why go

  1. See the towering dunes at Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert.

  2. Watch wildlife in Etosha National Park.

  3. Visit Fish River Canyon, one of the world's largest canyons.

  4. Explore coastal towns and abandoned diamond-mining settlements.

  5. Enjoy quiet landscapes, sunsets and the night sky.

Getting there

By air

  • Hosea Kutako International Airport is the main arrival airport. It is about 45 minutes east of Windhoek.
  • Eurowings Discover flies from Frankfurt. Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines offer connections through Doha and Addis Ababa.
  • South African Airways and Airlink connect Namibia with South Africa. TAAG Angola Airlines flies to Luanda.

By land

  • Road crossings connect Namibia with neighbouring countries.
  • Intercape runs buses between Namibia, South Africa and Zambia.
  • The overnight train from Upington to Windhoek was discontinued. It remained out of service as of July 2023.

Customs

  • Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you enter Namibia.
  • If you fly to Namibia, you need a return or onward flight or bus ticket. The airline will refuse boarding without one.
  • Have the address where you will stay ready for entry officials.

Getting around

  • Driving

    Drive on the left. Main roads are usually paved and in good condition, while many smaller roads are gravel. Most major sights do not need an all-terrain vehicle, except Kaokoland. Heavy rain can change road conditions. Avoid driving at night because wildlife may be on the road. Drive slowly on gravel, even where the speed limit is higher. Allow about a third more time than local driving estimates. Check your tyres, spare wheel and wheel-changing tools. Slow down and move carefully left when another vehicle passes on gravel. Plan fuel stops and fill up when you find a station on remote routes. Carry cash, food and water. Read the rental agreement before booking and compare restrictions and damage charges. Gravel can damage tyres, windscreens and the front of the car.

  • Bus

    Intercape runs a limited bus network within Namibia, with connections to South Africa.

  • Flights

    Westair Aviation offers scheduled and charter flights within Namibia.

  • Train

    TransNamib had no scheduled passenger services as of July 2023. The Desert Express is a luxury tourist train serving destinations such as Walvis Bay, Swakopmund and Etosha National Park. Buses carry Desert Express passengers from stations to sights.

What to see and do

  • Sossusvlei and the Namib Desert

    See rust-coloured sand and towering dunes. Their colours change at sunrise and sunset.

  • Fish River Canyon

    This vast canyon stretches for 160 km. It reaches nearly 550 metres deep.

  • Etosha National Park

    The salt pan attracts wildlife, especially during the dry winter months.

  • Skeleton Coast National Park

    This remote coast is known for fog, shipwrecks, stone and sand. Much of it is difficult to reach.

  • Windhoek

    Buildings such as Christuskirche, the railway station and Heinitzburg Hotel show the city's German colonial influence.

  • Lüderitz and Kolmanskop

    Lüderitz has distinctive colonial buildings. Nearby Kolmanskop is an abandoned diamond-mining town where sand has moved into the buildings.

Food and drink

  • Braai

    A wood-fired barbecue and a popular way to eat together. Campsites and lodges have barbecue facilities.

  • Coastal seafood

    Try kingklip, sole or hake in coastal towns, where seafood is fresh and inexpensive. Ask which fish is being served when a menu says line fish or angel fish.

  • Kapana

    Grilled beef strips sold as a snack. Ask for it without strong spice if you do not like hot food.

  • Biltong and droewors

    Seasoned dried meat and dried sausage. They are useful snacks for long drives.

  • Goat meat and matangara

    Goat is served stewed or grilled and priced by the piece. Matangara is beef or goat stomach lining in a tangy sauce that may be spicy.

  • Pap and fried dough

    Maize or mahangu, meaning pearl millet, pap is a staple porridge best eaten with sauce. Junkies or vetkoek are fried dough dumplings served with meat or as something sweet.

Money

Namibian dollar, written N$; currency code NAD. One dollar contains 100 cents.

  • Both Namibian dollars and South African rand are accepted as legal money. They have equal value, and change is usually given in Namibian dollars.
  • You cannot pay for purchases in US dollars or euros.
  • Cash machines are available in towns, but most villages do not have them. Stock up on cash before travelling into the countryside.
  • Use cash machines watched by a uniformed security guard. Keep your personal identification number, or PIN, hidden.

Tipping: A small cash tip for the fuel attendant is common and somewhat expected from tourists. Locals often give 0.5–1% of the fuel bill, even when paying the bill by card.

Typical costs

  • A Yango ride in town after drinking is quoted at about N$30–60.
  • A doctor visit is quoted at about N$500.
  • A night in hospital requires a deposit of at least N$10,000.

Language

  • English is the official language and is widely spoken, though some older people speak it as a third language.
  • Afrikaans is widely spoken, and German is common in Windhoek, Swakopmund and some farming areas.
  • Indigenous languages include Oshiwambo, Otjiherero, Damara/Nama, San languages, Rukwangali and Silozi.
  • Portuguese is spoken by immigrants from Angola.
Howzit?
An informal way to ask how someone is.
Good, yourself?
A short reply to a greeting that also asks how the other person is.
Robots
Traffic lights.
Petrol station
A place to buy vehicle fuel; asking for gas may lead you to a camping or welding shop.
Location or informal area
Local terms for a township or an area that may lack formal services.

Staying safe

  • Be alert for theft and pickpockets. Avoid carrying a bag while walking, as it can mark you out as a tourist.
  • Avoid walking or taking taxis alone after sunset.
  • Visit townships with others and during daylight. Township tours can be booked in Windhoek.
  • Be especially careful around the last day of the month, when more people may be drinking.
3 common scams in Namibia, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Greet people and ask how they are before starting your business. This is customary in markets, taxis, tourist information offices and many shops.
  • Use local terms such as location or informal area when talking about townships.
  • Recognise that Namibia has modern services and technology, and that people are proud of their country.

Don't

  • Do not call townships slums; this is offensive.
  • Do not confuse African with Afrikaner. Afrikaners are descendants of Dutch-speaking European immigrants.
  • Do not assume the local term Coloured means Black; it refers to people of mixed race.

Staying healthy

  • Consult a doctor before travelling to northern Namibia, which has malaria risk. Ask about suitable precautions.
  • Carry at least 2 litres of drinking water per person on main roads. In less travelled areas, carry at least 5 litres per person.
  • Water is usually safe to drink unless signs say otherwise. River water supplied at some campsites may upset your stomach.
  • Medical staff are trained, and both public and private hospitals provide care. Private facilities expect payment by cash or card in advance, even if you have insurance.

Where to stay

  • Huts and campsites offer places to stay among Namibia's landscapes.
  • Lodges are another option, and some offer meals such as potjie.
  • Keep your accommodation address ready for arrival officials.

Outdoor adventures in Namibia

Namibia offers huge desert dunes, deep canyons and wildlife watching by car. Explore Etosha National Park, visit Sossusvlei or try sandboarding and quad biking near the coast.

  • Etosha National Park wildlife safari

    SafariNorthern Namibia

    Drier winter months, when animals gather around water

    Explore by car, either on a tour or with a rental car.

    • Northern Namibia has a malaria risk. Consult a doctor before travelling.
    • Carry at least 2 litres of drinking water per person on main roads.

  • Sossusvlei dune exploration

    More to doNamib Desert

    Visit on a countryside tour or travel by rental car. Sossusvlei is the most accessible part of the Namib Desert.

    • Keep well stocked with drinking water in the hot desert.
    • Carry at least 5 litres of water per person in less travelled areas.

  • Fish River Canyon landscape visit

    More to doSouthern Namibia

    Include the canyon on a countryside tour or a journey by rental car.

    • Carry at least 5 litres of drinking water per person in less travelled areas.
    • A breakdown in a remote area can leave you waiting days for another vehicle.

  • Skeleton Coast landscape exploration

    More to doNorthern Namib coast

    Plan access carefully before including Skeleton Coast National Park in a tour. Much of the park is inaccessible.

    • Thick fog is frequent along this coast.
    • Carry at least 5 litres of drinking water per person in less travelled areas.

  • Waterberg Plateau Park wildlife watching

    Wildlife

    Include the park on a countryside tour or travel by rental car.

    • Carry at least 2 litres of drinking water per person on main roads.

  • Kaokoland wildlife watching

    WildlifeNorthwestern Namibia

    Include remote Kaokoland on a countryside tour or a journey by rental car.

    • Carry at least 5 litres of drinking water per person in less travelled areas.
    • A breakdown in a remote area can leave you waiting days for another vehicle.

  • Caprivi parks wildlife watching

    WildlifeCaprivi, northeastern Namibia

    Visit the region's parks as part of a countryside tour or a journey by rental car.

    • Northern Namibia has a malaria risk. Consult a doctor before travelling.
    • Water taken directly from rivers at campsites can upset some stomachs.

  • Sossusvlei hot-air balloon flight

    More to doNamib Desert

    Take a hot-air balloon flight across the dunes at Sossusvlei.

  • Coastal dune sandboarding

    More to doCoastal dunes around Walvis Bay and Swakopmundnear Walvis Bay or Swakopmund

    Head to the coastal dune area around Walvis Bay or Swakopmund to ride a sandboard.

    • Keep well stocked with drinking water in the hot desert.

  • Coastal dune quad biking

    More to doCoastal dunes around Walvis Bay and Swakopmundnear Walvis Bay or Swakopmund

    Head to the coastal dune area around Walvis Bay or Swakopmund to ride a quad bike.

    • Keep well stocked with drinking water in the hot desert.

Airports, metros and trains in Namibia

Airports with scheduled flights

  • WDHHosea Kutako International AirportWindhoekMain international airport
  • WVBWalvis Bay International AirportWalvis Bay(Rooikop)Main international airport

Trains

Rail network
2,382 km

People and safety in Namibia

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian98%
  • No religion2%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex couples can form civil unions, but not marry.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #128 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

44% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 117 of 198 countries can visit Namibia easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required26
  • Visa on arrival91
  • eVisa57
  • Visa required24

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe37 of 46 countries
  • Africa42 of 53 countries
  • Americas16 of 35 countries
  • Asia20 of 50 countries
  • Oceania2 of 14 countries

Questions

Can I manage with English?

English is the official language and is widely spoken. Some older people are more comfortable speaking Afrikaans or German.

Do I need a four-wheel-drive vehicle?

Most major tourist destinations can be reached without one, except Kaokoland. Heavy rain can make roads harder to use.

Can I pay with South African rand?

Yes. South African rand and Namibian dollars are both accepted and have equal value.

Where should I go to see wildlife?

Etosha National Park is a major wildlife destination, especially in the dry winter months. Waterberg Plateau Park, the parks of the Caprivi and Kaokoland are other options.

Do I need permits for attractions?

Many attractions require permits, and some do not sell them at the entrance. Arrange the permits you need in Windhoek before setting out.

Is vegetarian food easy to find?

Choices can be limited outside Windhoek, Swakopmund and higher-end lodges. Explain your diet clearly; restaurants will usually try to help.

Is tap water safe to drink?

Water is usually safe unless labelled otherwise. Water taken directly from rivers at some campsites may upset your stomach.

Is it safe to walk around after dark?

The source advises foreign visitors against walking alone after sunset. Avoid visiting townships after dark.

What should I expect when paying for medical care?

Private medical facilities require cash or card payment in advance, even if you have insurance. The source quotes about N$500 for a doctor visit and a deposit of at least N$10,000 for a hospital night.

What is the usual way to greet someone?

Ask how they are and exchange a short reply before starting your request. The informal greeting Howzit? is also used.

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