Safety & Crime

Is Namibia a safe country to travel in?

For most visitors, yes — with the same sensible precautions you would use when travelling anywhere unfamiliar.

Namibia receives large numbers of independent travellers every year, including self-drive visitors, families and people travelling alone. Most trips pass without serious incident. Crime does occur, however, and tourists can be attractive targets because they are more likely to carry phones, cameras, cash and luggage.

The most common problems are crimes of opportunity: pickpocketing, bag-snatching, theft from vehicles, card fraud and scams. Robberies and more serious violent incidents also occur, particularly in urban areas, so awareness is important without allowing fear to dominate your trip.

In towns and cities

Take greater care in busy parts of Windhoek, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and other urban centres, particularly after dark.

Keep phones, wallets and cameras reasonably discreet and avoid carrying more cash than you need. If you are unfamiliar with an area, ask your accommodation provider whether there are particular streets or neighbourhoods best avoided on foot.

Walking around during the day is perfectly normal in many areas, but walking alone late at night is not a particularly good travel strategy anywhere.

Phones and distraction theft

Mobile phones are valuable and easy to grab.

Be aware when using your phone on pavements, at intersections, outside shops and in busy public areas. Theft can happen quickly, sometimes while somebody else distracts you with a question or offer of assistance.

You do not need to behave as though everybody approaching you has criminal intentions. Simply keep control of your belongings while interacting with people you do not know.

Cars and valuables

Do not leave bags, cameras, phones, wallets or other valuables visible inside an unattended vehicle.

That includes a vehicle parked for only a few minutes.

Put luggage in the boot or otherwise out of sight before arriving at your parking place rather than rearranging valuables after you park.

Keep the doors locked while driving in urban traffic and windows sufficiently closed that somebody cannot easily reach into the vehicle.

At service stations

Fuel stops are generally routine and friendly, but they are also places where travellers naturally become distracted: one person is checking the tyres, another is cleaning the windscreen and you may be reaching for your wallet.

Keep the vehicle secure and your valuables in sight while refuelling.

Taxis and transport

Ask your hotel, lodge or guesthouse to recommend a reputable taxi or transfer service, particularly at night.

Visitors unfamiliar with local taxi systems should avoid simply climbing into an unmarked vehicle offered by someone at the roadside.

App-based transport and pre-arranged transfers can also make urban travel easier.

ATMs and bank cards

Use ATMs in banks, shopping centres or other busy locations where possible.

Do not accept assistance from a stranger who offers to help you operate the machine, and never disclose your PIN.

When paying by card, keep the card in sight and check the amount before approving the transaction.

If somebody tries to rob you

Your belongings are replaceable.

If somebody threatens you with a weapon, do not escalate the situation simply to protect a phone, wallet or camera. Move to safety as soon as you can and report the incident to the police.

This is one piece of the old Namibian.org advice that remains absolutely worth keeping — although perhaps without the previous suggestion that a black belt in karate changes the equation.

Camping and remote areas

Crime tends to be less common in remote tourism areas than in cities, but that does not mean valuables should simply be left unattended.

Lock vehicles, use safes where provided and follow the advice of campsite, lodge and park staff.

If camping independently, use recognised campsites where possible rather than choosing an isolated roadside location simply because it looks convenient.

Do not pick up strangers on the road

Namibian roads can be quiet and the instinct to help someone can be strong.

However, travellers have been robbed after stopping for strangers or offering lifts. If somebody appears to need assistance and you are uncomfortable stopping, you can report their location at the next service station, police checkpoint or populated area.

Trust local advice — without becoming frightened of the country

Your accommodation provider, guide or host is often the best source of practical neighbourhood advice.

Ask questions, particularly about going out after dark or visiting an unfamiliar area.

At the same time, keep perspective. Namibia is a place where people live, work, shop, walk their dogs, take their children to school and complain about traffic like everybody else.

Awareness is useful. Paranoia is exhausting.

If you need help

In an emergency, contact the Namibian Police or ask your accommodation provider, tour operator or insurer to assist you.

Save emergency numbers and your insurer’s contact details offline before travelling, rather than waiting until something has happened to search for them.