Go with a plan.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Namibia
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go with a plan.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Aggressive Beggar Targeting
Beggars in Windhoek initiate conversations in German to identify and target German tourists. Ignore these individuals to avoid being taken by surprise.
Taxi Driver Collusion
Taxi drivers may spot vulnerable tourists and coordinate with accomplices via cell phone to facilitate robberies. Avoid walking or riding taxis alone after sunset.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Polio
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Cholera, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Measles, Polio, Rabies, Typhoid
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
The Government of Namibia allows citizens of specific countries and territories to travel to Namibia for tourism, visiting friends and relatives as well as official purposes for 3 months with ordinary, diplomatic and service passports without having to obtain a visa. All visitors must have a passport valid for at least 6 months.
Passport validity required: 6 months beyond entry.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Namibia, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex relationships are not illegal in Namibia. Certain same-sex sexual acts are illegal, but generally not prosecuted. There are no laws against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. Conservative attitudes towards LGBT+ individuals remain, especially in rural regions. Showing affection in public may result in unwanted attention. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Source: UK FCDO →Right now
In the news the last few days
Real talk
What travelers actually say
Namibia is generally safe, but the primary danger is the road network rather than violent crime. Dirt and gravel roads require respect, offroad driving skills, and the ability to perform minor repairs. Fatal collisions occur, so travelers should avoid driving after dark. In major cities, the environment feels sketchy, necessitating the use of hi-vis car guards and constant vigilance. Do not leave vehicles unattended in unsafe areas. Outside of cities, human encounters are rare, and violence is not a reported issue. Travelers must respect restricted zones like the Sperrgebiet diamond land to avoid legal trouble, and adhere to strict local alcohol sales regulations to avoid unsafe situations.
“The roads are dangerous to drive and you would want to be comfortable with offroad driving and small car repairs.
— r/travel
“The major cities do feel a bit sketchy, make use of the car guards in hi vis vests and don't leave your car for long anywhere unsafe. You'll need a thick skin, and sometimes eyes in the back of your head.
— r/travel
“DONT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR IN THE SPERRGEBIET - it is private diamond land, we only found out afterwards that we had broken several laws by going to the bathroom and going over to the railway to look at wildlife on the C13 and B4.
— r/travel
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
D / M · 220V
Driving side
left
Emergency
police: 10 111 / ambulance: depends on town/city / fire: depends on town/city
SIM / Data
Namibia's country code is 264. Each city or region has a two-digit area code. When calling long distance within Namibia, prefix the area code with a '0'. There are still a few pay phone booths around the country but they are no longer maintained. When making an international call from a phone booth, bring plenty of coins. Such calls are still expensive in Namibia, and it requires some dexterity to
Cash vs. Card
The currency of the country is the Namibian dollar, denoted by the symbol "$" or "N$" (ISO currency code: NAD). It is divided into 100 cents. Unlike elsewhere in Africa you cannot pay anything in US dollars or euro.
Zoom in
One Namibia city on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (8 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09