Money, Cards & Currency

Namibia uses the Namibian Dollar (N$ or NAD), which is fixed at a one-to-one exchange rate with the South African Rand.

The South African Rand is also legal tender in Namibia, so you can pay with either currency. The important difference is that Namibian Dollars are not legal tender in South Africa, so it is worth spending or exchanging any remaining Namibia Dollar notes before continuing your journey south of the border.

Namibian Dollars or South African Rand?

For everyday travel in Namibia, either works.

If you are arriving from South Africa, there is usually no need to exchange Rand into Namibian Dollars. If Namibia is your first stop and you are buying currency before travelling, South African Rand can sometimes be easier to obtain internationally than Namibia Dollars.

Change given in Namibia may be in either Namibia Dollars or Rand.

Cards are widely accepted

Debit and credit cards are accepted at most hotels, lodges, restaurants, supermarkets, shops and larger tourism businesses. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely useful international cards.

That said, Namibia is a large country and not every payment terminal is permanently connected to a happy network. Smaller businesses, rural shops, craft stalls, campsites and remote establishments may still prefer or require cash.

It is therefore sensible to travel with more than one payment method rather than relying entirely on one card.

Cash is still useful

ATMs are widely available in larger towns and many smaller centres, but they become less common once you travel into remote areas.

If you are heading into sparsely populated regions, withdraw cash before leaving town rather than assuming there will be another ATM around the next corner. In Namibia, the next corner can be 200 kilometres away.

A modest amount of cash is useful for small purchases, tips, markets, roadside stalls and those occasions when a card machine or mobile connection decides not to cooperate.

Using ATMs

Use ATMs attached to banks, shopping centres or other well-frequented locations where possible, and take the usual precautions when withdrawing cash.

International cards may attract fees from your own bank, the Namibian bank or both, so check your bank’s international withdrawal charges before travelling.

Foreign exchange

Foreign currency can be exchanged at commercial banks and authorised foreign-exchange facilities. Exchange rates and commissions vary.

The old-fashioned traveller’s cheque has largely had its day. It is no longer a practical payment method for most visitors and can be difficult to cash.

There is also no compelling reason to arrive carrying enormous amounts of foreign cash. A combination of cards and a sensible cash reserve is generally much more practical.

Paying for fuel

Payment options at service stations have improved considerably over the years, and many filling stations now accept bank cards. However, card facilities can fail and practices vary, particularly outside major centres.

For a self-drive trip, keeping enough cash available to buy fuel if a card terminal is unavailable is still a very good habit.

Keep your card in sight

As you would anywhere in the world, keep your bank card within sight when paying and check transactions before approving them.

If your bank offers transaction notifications, enable them while travelling. They are useful both for keeping track of spending and spotting anything unexpected.

A small currency quirk worth remembering

The Namibia Dollar and South African Rand are equal in value in Namibia, but only the Rand travels freely in both directions.

So, if South Africa is next on your itinerary, spend the Namibian notes first.