Namibia - Health AND Travel Advice

Health Advice

Recommended Immunisations

Hepatitis A
Polio
Tetanus
Typhoid Fever
Meningococcal meningitis (especially for long stays)

Yellow Fever Yellow Fever Certificate is required for entry into Namibia if travelling from a Yellow Fever infected area. This includes passengers transiting through an infected area.

Malaria Since Namibia does not have much stagnant water the risk of contracting malaria is low in most parts of the country, or limited to a specific time of the year. The coast, the Namib Desert and the south are regarded as almost risk-free. Malaria risk is low in the area between Otjiwarongo and Windhoek. However anti-mosquito measures should still be strictly observed to avoid bites. Kaokoveld, Etosha National Park, Otavi Mountains and the east, including Bushmanland, are areas of medium risk. Precautions are strongly recommended during the rainy season (November to April). High-risk areas are the river meadows in the north, north-west and northeast, especially close to the Angolan border. Chloroquine resistance is a problem and adequate prophylaxis is vitally important.

Passport & Visa

You should possess a valid passport for at least 6 months on arrival and preferably have at least 2 blank pages.

Visas are not required for most EU member states, nationals of the USA, Australia, Russia and South Africa. An entry permit is stamped into the passport on arrival. There is no charge for this service.

General Tips

Most cities and towns have piped water systems, and tap water in Namibia is considered safe for brushing teeth and washing. For drinking the quality of tap water is excellent in most places, although taste may vary. In Windhoek the water is highly chlorinated, in Swakopmund and Sesriem for example there is a slightly soapy taste. Bottled water for drinking is freely available at all lodges and at garages and shops between destinations.

The local currency is the Namibian Dollar (NAD; symbol N$) in note denominations of N$200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of N$5, N$1, 50 cents, 10 cents and 5 cents. The exchange rate is approximately US$1 = N$10, £1 = N$15 and €1 = N$13. The Namibian Dollar is linked to the South African Rand (R) on a 1:1 basis. The South African Rand is also legal tender in Namibia, although the N$ cannot be used in South Africa.

Credit cards: American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Please note credit cards are usually not accepted at petrol stations.

Internet and email facilities are available in most towns and cities in Namibia. The charges vary, but are generally very reasonable. Namibia uses 220V electricity and sockets are generally of the South African round three-pin type.

The Namibian time zone is GMT+2 from the 1st Sunday in September to the 1st Sunday in April and GMT+1 from the 1st Sunday in April to the 1st Sunday in September

For more general health & travel advice, packing tips and travel insurance, please check our Travel Planning section.