Money and payments
Cards and cash
You should carry proof (for example, ATM receipts) that money you are taking out of the country is money that you brought into the country in the first place.
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Namibia is a country in Southern Africa, north of South Africa and west of Botswana, boasts remarkable natural attractions such as the Namib Desert, the Fish River Canyon Park, Etosha National Park and the Kalahari Desert.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Namibia.
Cards and cash
You should carry proof (for example, ATM receipts) that money you are taking out of the country is money that you brought into the country in the first place.
Afrikaans, German, English, Herero, Khoekhoe, Kwangali, Lozi, Ndonga, Tswana
Major Indigenous languages include Oshiwambo, Otjiherero, Damara/Nama, various San languages, Rukwangali, and Silozi.
A new SIM card costs N$10 or less and has N$5 of credit on it.
Mobile networks
"Direct" means toilet-to-tap in one go, and many Windhoekers are uncomfortable with that and only drink bottled water.
The HIV infection rate in Namibia is around 17%, which is lower than before but is still the leading cause of death in the country.
Namibians are very proud of their nation. It is a well developed country (albeit still economically developing) with modern amenities and technologies.
Covered in the guide
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Windhoek is Namibia's capital and largest city (population 430,000 in 2020). It is in the geographic centre of the country at an elevation of 1,600 m.
Gobabis is a town of 19,000 people (2011) in Namibia.
Katima Mulilo (short: Katima) is a small town with 46,500 people (2023) on the banks of the Zambezi River in the Zambezi (Caprivi) region of Namibia. Compared to many other parts of Namibia you will find people in small communities living in huts.
Keetmanshoop is the capital of the ǁKaras region of southern Namibia. It's one of the main stopping points on the B1 between Windhoek and South Africa.
Lüderitz is a town in the ǁKaras region of southern Namibia, situated on the coast of the Atlantic. It is a former colonial German town, noted for its distinctive German atmosphere and colonial style buildings, reflecting the Art Nouveau style architecture at the turn of the century.
Mariental is the capital of Hardap in central Namibia. In 2011, it was home to 12,500 people.
Opuwo is the main town of the Kaokoland area, and the capital of the wider Kunene region, in north-western Namibia. It has a population of 20,000 (2020).
With around 63,000 inhabitants (2011), Rundu is the second largest city in Namibia and the main city of the Kavango region in northeastern Namibia. The city sits on a hill on the south bank of the Okavango, the border river to Angola to the north of the river.
The Brandberg is Namibia's highest mountain. It is situated in the Erongo region of Namibia.
Damaraland is a historic region in the Kunene and Erongo provinces of Namibia that is known for its desert mountains, stunning landscapes, ancient rock art and abundant wildlife. Lodging and campsites in the region are often booked out months – or even years – in advance, so be sure to book well ahead of time.
Etosha National Park is the second largest of Namibia's game reserves (after Namib-Naukluft National Park). It spans 20,000 km² in the Four-O region.
The Fish River Canyon in Namibia is one of the largest canyons in the world. It is part of the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.
Kaokoland is an area in the NW corner of Namibia's Kunene Region. It remains the most 'untouched' and remote part of the country, much of it still only accessible by 4x4 on hardcore tracks - not for the faint-hearted!
Skeleton Coast National Park is in Kunene, Namibia. Its attractions include a shipwreck at the South West Seal viewpoint, Huab lagoon and the collapsed oil drilling rig.
Sossusvlei is the main attraction of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. The word vlei is an Afrikaans word that means "pan" and Sossusvlei is a clay pan between large sand dunes.
Spitzkoppe is in the Erongo region of central Namibia.
Places in Namibia on the World Heritage List.
Twyfelfontein
Listed 2007
Namib Sand Sea
Listed 2013
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The panhandle in the northeast of the country. With two major rivers, the Caprivi is one of the few areas of Namibia that has fresh water.
A sparsely populated area, dependent on the Okavango River, whose banks are lined by villages.
Namibia's most densely populated area though still primarily rural.
Kunene is a region in northwestern Namibia.
Otjozondjupa is a region in eastern central Namibia.
Omaheke is a region in eastern central Namibia.
Erongo is a region in eastern central Namibia.
Khomas is a region in the central highlands of Namibia. Khomas is centred on the capital city Windhoek and thus has superior transportation infrastructure.
Hardap is a region in southern Namibia.
ǁKaras is a region in southern Namibia. This area is rich in gem quality diamonds and has restricted access, so you can only enter the area as part of an organized tour.
Public transport and paid services in Namibia.
By train
The national railway company of Namibia, TransNamib, does not operate any scheduled passenger services as of July 2023.
By bus
By plane
By car
Despite the vast distances in Namibia, most people get around by land, and not air. Traffic drives on the left.
By taxi
There are two types of taxi services in Namibia: shared taxis and dedicated taxis, often called "radio taxis" or "call-a cab".
By tour
Hundreds of tour companies operate in Namibia. Each is unique in services offered but most operate with safety in mind.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Namibia.
Finding apps for Namibia…
Other ways to travel:Hitchhiking
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Windhoek · International · WDH
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Windhoek
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 32° | 30° | 28° | 26° | 23° | 21° | 21° | 24° | 29° | 31° | 32° | 32° |
| Avg. low | 17° | 16° | 15° | 12° | 8° | 4° | 4° | 6° | 10° | 14° | 15° | 16° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 90 | 91 | 84 | 57 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 20 | 34 | 53 |
| Humidity | 44% | 52% | 54% | 52% | 41% | 36% | 32% | 24% | 20% | 24% | 29% | 34% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$125
Per person, per day
Luxury
$315
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $70 | $185 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $25 | $60 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $20 | $45 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated. Exercise increased caution in Namibia due to crime and health. Advisory Summary Crime Non-violent crimes of opportunity are common. Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, like purse snatching, pickpocketing, and smash and grabs from unoccupied parked vehicles. Potentially violent crimes are possible, including home invasions and armed robberies. Weapons most commonly used by criminals are knives and machetes. Health Namibia is sparsely populated. Many visitors travel to remote areas far from emergency services and medical facilities. Health facilities are limited and may not have adequate supplies of basic medications, especially outside of large cities. If you decide to travel to Namibia: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for Namibia. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Namibia. Whether you re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist. We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage. Be cautious of people appearing to request help by the side of the road. Keep car doors locked, and windows…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Namibia.
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Nature & adventureMany of these parks are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They can be visited for safaris, to see the African flora and fauna.
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