Namibia Travel Guide

It may surprise you, but the vast expanses of Namibia are a fascinating place to visit, and this travel guide will help you quickly understand the top things to see, how to get around, safety, scams, logistics, and more to help you plan.

Climb some of the world’s largest, and most picturesque sand dunes, explore a canyon that rivals the Grand Canyon, visit a diamond mining ghost town being reclaimed by the desert, take a photo safari to see the Big Five, look for wrecks on the Skeleton Coast, learn how the San Bushmen lived, and so much more.

Note: This travel guide and posts on Namibia are updated as of January 2022.

About Namibia

Africa is unique and Namibia is no exception. This amazing country has a lot more to offer than you expect. It’s perfect on it’s own, or in combination with other countries nearby, like Botswana and South Africa.

It has the world’s oldest desert and a sea of the some of the world’s largest sand dunes. You can climb to their peaks and watch the sunrise over miles and miles of sand.

You can also learn about the traditional lifestyle of the San Bushman, our oldest human ancestors, or other tribes like the Himba, Damara, and Herero, like we did at this Living Museum.

You can also marvel at over 2,500 petroglyphs from an area inhabited for more than 6,000 years in Twyfelfontein.

Or visit Fish River Canyon, one of the world’s largest canyons, rivaling the Grand Canyon.

See abandoned shipwrecks along the Skeleton Coast.

Visit Kolmanskop, a ghost town being reclaimed by the desert after diamond miners deserted.

Climb around a group of beautiful, bald rocks near what’s known as the ‘Matterhorn of Africa’.

Cross the Tropic of Capricorn.

Or catch one of Namibia’s beautiful red sunsets while watching for hippopotamus on the Okavango River.

And if all this is not enough, you can take a safari to see the Big Five of Africa, including the rare black rhino.

Best Time To Visit Namibia

The best time to visit is the dry season from May to October. This is especially true if you plan to visit a game park like Etosha, that uses waterholes as viewing spots for wildlife. It’s also the busiest time, so book in advance.

November to April is the rainy season and the hottest time of year, as it’s summer.

Day to night temperatures can vary dramatically. Evenings in May, June, and July can be close to freezing even though days are still warm. And daytime temperatures in September and October can exceed 100 F (40 C).

Languages In Namibia

The official language is English, although German, Afrikaans, and Oshwambo (a native language) are also spoken.

Namibian Money Matters

Currency: The Namibian dollar (NAD or N$) is the currency here. The South African Rand is also accepted, as Namibia was formerly under South Africa. Conversion rates to Namibian dollars as of January 1, 2024:

• USD (1) = 18.53 NAD
• Euro (1) = 20.42 NAD
• CNY (1) = 2.60 NAD

Credit Cards & ATMs: Credit cards are widely accepted and ATM’s are widely available. Especially in larger towns. Cash is prudent for smaller towns, in case credit card machines don’t work. It’s also best for buying gas (petrol) or items from smaller shops.

Tipping: Although tipping is voluntary, 10% in restaurants is the norm for good service. For porters and petrol station attendants 5 NAD is acceptable. Tip in cash to ensure dollars go to the intended recipient.

Safety In Namibia

Namibia is one of the safest counties in Africa with a stable democratic government and little civil unrest. Most of the people you meet will be very kind. That said, muggings and robberies do occur, especially in larger cities and touristy areas. Therefore, it’s best not to wear flashy clothes, or jewelry, or leave valuables in your car.

Take normal precautions and always be aware of your surroundings. Trust your instincts. If things don’t feel right, look for alternatives.

Travel Scams In Namibia

Although Namibia is relatively safe, there are always a few people trying to scam tourists. Here are some of the things to watch out for here.

Palm-Ivory Nut Scam

You may run into friendly people that will start a conversation with you. While talking, they will carve your initials into a palm-ivory nut, hoping you feel guilty and buy it. It’s not expensive, just be aware, so you can stop it before it happens.

Tampered ATM Machines

Only use ATMs inside, or connected to banks when possible. And always make sure there are no hidden cameras, the card scanner has not been tampered with, or that fake key pad covers installed.

Scam Tour Operators/Fake Reservations

Always book through reputable sites and never purchase a tour or package from someone on the street. Make sure the agency you buy from has a legitimate website and that the phone numbers actually work. It’s best to talk to someone in your hotel about operators or buy from respected sites like Viator or Trip Advisor.

Getting Around Namibia

Namibia is huge. It’s twice the size of Germany and bigger than Texas. In addition, distances between sites are far and sparsely populated.

Rent a 4 x 4 and Self Drive: One way to get around is to self drive. As Namibia is one of the safest countries in Africa, it’s relatively safe. It does, however, have its challenges.

First and foremost, driving is on the left side of the road. Also, while many roads are tarred, many are just dirt and gravel, making driving slow, tedious, and sometimes dangerous. Therefore, it’s best to drive a 4 x 4 with multiple spare tires, that you can change in your own. And, as you can drive 100 miles and not see a soul, consider a satellite phone. Also talk to the rental company in advance to know what to do if there is an issue.

It’s also best to drive during daylight hours, first to see the road clearly, and second, to avoid running animals crossing it.

Overland Tour: If all this doesn’t sound right for you, an overland tour is an alternative. Intrepid and G Adventures are quality providers. I spent 13 days in Namibia with Intrepid as part of a 49 day tour, visiting 7 countries from Cape Town to Nairobi, Kenya.

Although I’m not a tour kind of person, I loved every minute of it and met fantastic people along the way.

Namibia Visa Information

Many countries can visit Namibia visa free including citizens of the USA, most of Europe, and Hong Kong.

Citizens of China must apply for a visa. See the Visa Policy of Namibia for more details and information on other countries.

Namibia Travel Guide Destination Details

Note: All efforts have been made to provide accurate information in the Travel Guide and posts for Namibia, but from time to time things change. If you see something that is not correct, please contact me below.

To learn more about me and my philosophy on travel, see my about me page.