Traveling Luck for Namibia. Namibia, Africa

Crime

Theft from vehicles, particularly at service stations, and street crime are common.  Take sensible precautions.  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.

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 ordinance from areas that are barred to public access.

Road Safety

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 seasons 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.

Air Safety

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:  http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air/safety/flywell_en.htm.

Drug taking and smuggling is an offence.  The punishments can be severe.

Homosexuality is tolerated.

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, err on the side of caution.

British nationals can enter Namibia for a holiday or private visit of up to 90 days without a visa.   Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry to Namibia.

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.

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:  Namibian representation in the UK.

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling, including cover for medical evacuation by air ambulance.  If you are going to be participating in extreme sports please ensure that you have comprehensive insurance coverage.  You should check any exclusions and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see:  Travel Insurance.

There are good medical facilities in Windhoek.  Evacuation from remote areas can take time.

Since July 2006, there has been an outbreak of polio in Namibia.  Since that time the Namibian authorities have co-ordinated a mass vaccination campaign.  You should ensure that your polio vaccination is up to date.  This means having a booster dose of the polio vaccine if you have not had one within the last ten years.  You should consider carrying your vaccination card with you.  Further information about polio may be found at NaTHNaC: global status of poliomyelitis.

Since October 2005, there has been an increasing incidence of rabies amongst dogs and wildlife in and around Windhoek.  The rabies virus is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals and transmitted to humans through bites, scratches or contact of saliva with broken skin and can be fatal once symptoms manifest themselves.  All travellers who have possibly been exposed to the rabies virus, whether by bites, scratches or other exposure, should seek medical advice without delay (even if pre-exposure vaccine was received).  This also applies to travellers in low-risk areas in case other animal-transmitted infections are present, or the animal may have strayed across the border from an endemic country.  More information can be found on the National Travel Health Network and Centre website at: NaTHNaC: global status of poliomyelitis.

Malaria is endemic in the north of Namibia, and presents a serious health risk during the main rainy season from January – April.  More than three-quarters of British travellers who contracted malaria in 2005 did not take preventive measures, such as taking malaria prevention tablets.  However, malaria can occur despite appropriate prevention, and therefore you should promptly seek medical care in the event of a fever or flu-like illness in country or in the first year following your return from travelling to a malaria risk country.  Before travelling you should seek medical advice about the malaria risk in Namibia.

Namibia has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDs infection in the world.  You should be alert to the dangers of unprotected sex.

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, you should ensure that you carry a good supply of drinkable water with you.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at:  www.dh.gov.uk.

If things go wrong when overseas, see:  What We Can Do To Help

You should carry some form of identification with you at all times.  A photocopy of the relevant pages from your passport is sufficient.

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.

Namibia Country Profile