Namibia

Recommended Vaccinations For Namibia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

For Some Travellers

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

There is no risk of yellow fever (YFV) transmission in Namibia. This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission. The countries or parts of countries included in the endemic zones in Africa and South America are regarded as areas with risk of YFV transmission. Travellers on scheduled flights that originated outside the countries with risk of YFV transmission, but who have been in transit through these areas, are not required to possess a certificate provided that they remained at the airport or in the adjacent town during transit. All travellers whose flights originated in countries with risk of YFV transmission or who have been in transit through these countries on unscheduled flights are required to possess a certificate. The certificate is not required for children under 1 year of age, but such infants may be subject to surveillance.

Recommended Medications For Namibia

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

In malaria risk areas, atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine are the recommended anti-malaria medications. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Namibia

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Namibia.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Namibia.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever occurs in this country.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever occurs in this country.

Cholera

Cholera occurs in this country.

For Some Travellers

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country. The infection is transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine sandfly.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic fever in Namibia.

African Tick Bite Fever

This disease may occur in the country.

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in Namibia through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”) occurs in this country. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in this country. Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Namibia, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever (YFV) transmission in Namibia. This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission. The countries or parts of countries included in the endemic zones in Africa and South America are regarded as areas with risk of YFV transmission. Travellers on scheduled flights that originated outside the countries with risk of YFV transmission, but who have been in transit through these areas, are not required to possess a certificate provided that they remained at the airport or in the adjacent town during transit. All travellers whose flights originated in countries with risk of YFV transmission or who have been in transit through these countries on unscheduled flights are required to possess a certificate. The certificate is not required for children under 1 year of age, but such infants may be subject to surveillance.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Malaria

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that malaria is present in the regions of Kavango (East and West), Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, and Zambezi. Rare cases in other parts of the country. No malaria in city of Windhoek. The World Health Organization states that malaria risk due predominantly to P. falciparum exists from November to June inclusive in the following regions: Ohangwena, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto and Otjozondjupa. Risk exists throughout the year along the Kunene River and in Caprivi and Kavango regions. NaTHNaC states that malaria is present in the regions of Kavango (East and West), Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, and Zambezi. Rare cases in other parts of the country. No malaria in city of Windhoek. There is a high risk of malaria from November to June in the northern third of Namibia. There is a low risk of malaria in this part of the country during the rest of the year. There is a risk throughout the year in the Caprivi Strip, Kavango and Kunene River regions. There is low to no risk of malaria in the rest of Namibia.

Safety & Security in Namibia

Personal Safety

Namibia experiences elevated petty crime and increasingly common violent crime, particularly in urban centers. Pickpocketing, bag snatching, mobile phone theft, and car break-ins occur regularly in Windhoek, Swakopmund, and Walvis Bay. Criminals use distraction techniques, offering help or approaching tourists to steal valuables. Armed robberies and muggings target foreigners, with incidents occurring at any time of day, even in busy city center locations. Smash and grab crimes from vehicles stopped at intersections, parked near tourist areas, or in shopping mall parking lots are increasingly common. Robberies have occurred at roadside rest stops outside major cities. Tourists have been robbed after stopping for hitchhikers or to help people on the roadside. Some taxi drivers have been involved in robberies, particularly in Windhoek, where reports suggest they work with criminal networks to spot vulnerable tourists. Credit card skimming occurs at hotels and lodges, and criminals may distract you at ATMs to steal money. Drink spiking happens, so never accept food or drinks from strangers and keep your items in sight. Crime increases significantly after dark, and criminals sometimes display knives and occasionally firearms. The Namibian Police established a Tourist Protection Unit to address crimes against visitors, though it remains understaffed. Avoid walking alone in large towns at night, and be especially cautious around ATMs, banks, transport hubs, and in the Windhoek city center. Katutura, Havana, and informal settlements in Windhoek are high-risk areas for various crimes.

Extreme Violence

Namibia has no recent history of terrorism, though attacks cannot be ruled out. The country is rated low for terrorism risk, and no known organized criminal groups operate within its borders. The risk of political violence is low, with Namibia maintaining a stable democratic government since independence in 1990. The country ranks 68th on the Global Peace Index, making it one of the safest in Africa. Very few kidnapping incidents have been reported, and those documented were related to domestic disagreements rather than politically motivated actions. No major kidnapping incidents against travelers have been reported, and the overall threat remains low. While Namibia shares a border with Angola where past conflicts occurred, peace has improved the security situation along the border region. However, landmines remain in border areas from Katwitwi in Kavango West Region to Kongola in Zambezi Region, requiring travelers to stay on established roads and exercise caution at roadside stops. The Kavango region and western half of Zambezi Region still warrant caution due to potential banditry risks. Namibia is sparsely populated, and many visitors travel to remote areas far from emergency services and medical facilities. Health facilities are limited outside large cities and may not have adequate supplies of basic medications. The country has relatively low levels of violent conflict compared to regional neighbors, with minimal risk of interstate conflict. The main security concern remains opportunistic crime rather than organized violence or extremism.

Political Unrest

Namibia maintains remarkable political stability and democratic governance since independence. The Southwest Africa People’s Organisation has dominated the political landscape since 1990, though opposition parties have gained ground in recent elections. Demonstrations and protests are rare and occur mostly in Windhoek. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time and may disrupt traffic and public transportation. In 2020, police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters demonstrating against gender-based violence, though such incidents are infrequent. The police occasionally use force at protests, actions typically criticized by the public, though officers are rarely held accountable. Organizers of labor union demonstrations generally enforce discipline and avoid confrontation with authorities. Street demonstrations are usually not violent if they occur, and the risk of encountering political violence remains low. Civil and political liberties, including the right to protest, are widely respected. The confrontational nature of politics has intensified with recent election results, though it remains too early to determine whether this signals a shift toward potentially violent contestation. Animosities and confrontation appear to be rising but still largely take non-violent forms. Tribalistic tendencies have been identified as a potential threat to stability, particularly around debates concerning colonial genocide and compensation for affected communities. The 2024 elections demonstrated growing public dissatisfaction with governance, corruption, and economic issues, with increased calls for reform. There are no visible anti-democratic actors with meaningful influence that could threaten the democratic system. Namibia has no active insurgent groups, and cross-border conflicts do not affect travelers. The country experienced a brief armed conflict in the Caprivi region in 1999, but this remains an isolated historical incident with no ongoing security implications for visitors.

Areas To Avoid

Windhoek city center and surrounding areas present elevated crime risks, with the capital accounting for more than two-fifths of all reported crimes in Namibia. Specific danger zones include Katutura, Havana, Goreangab, Wanaheda, Rocky Crest, and Khomasdal, where robberies, burglaries, assaults, and violent crimes occur frequently. The central business district around Wernhil, Maerua Mall, and Auspannplatz require caution. Areas near the Namibia University of Science and Technology, Dorado Valley, Tauben Glen, and informal settlements are hotspots for house break-ins and robberies. Cellphone grabbing is rife at intersections near Hage Geingob High School and Abraham Mashego Road. Townships should not be visited alone unless you are familiar with the area. Swakopmund and Walvis Bay on the coast experience tourist robberies, though these coastal cities are popular destinations. The Namibia-Angola border region, including the Kavango region and western half of the Zambezi region, warrants caution due to banditry risks. Landmines remain in border areas from Katwitwi to Kongola, requiring strict adherence to established roads. Roadside rest stops outside Windhoek have been targets for thieves and robbers. Transport hubs, ATMs, hotels, and areas where vehicles stop at traffic lights are common locations for theft and smash and grab incidents. Shopping mall parking lots across major urban centers see frequent car break-ins. After dark, crime risks increase significantly throughout urban areas, making nighttime movement particularly hazardous. Remote desert areas pose risks due to extreme isolation, lack of emergency services, and harsh environmental conditions rather than crime.