No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Namibia’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Namibia set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Namibian High Commission in the UK.
\n\nTo enter Namibia, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. It must also have at least 3 blank pages. If you’re travelling to Namibia through South Africa read the South Africa travel advice.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nFrom 1 April 2025 you will need a visa to visit Namibia. The Namibian authorities have launched a visa on arrival scheme, which is extended to UK passport holders.
\n\nYou can either apply for a visa on arrival when you arrive at a Port of Entry for Namibia, or you can apply online before you travel for an e-visa. For either route, the cost is 1,600 Namibian dollars for travellers over 11 years old. Children between the ages of 11 to 6 will will be charged 800 Namibian dollars. Children under the age of 6 will not be charged a fee for a visa on arrival. When granted a visa on arrival, you will receive a multiple entry visa valid for the period that you have requested.
\n\nIf you plan to work or volunteer, or if you want to stay longer, you must apply for the appropriate visa. These categories are not covered by the visa on arrival process.
\n\nFull details on how to apply for the online e-Visa for Visa on Arrival, including the online application form, can be found at Visa On Arrival.
\n\nThis link also includes information on the process for the application and the documentation required.
\n\nApply through the Namibian High Commission in the UK.
\n\nMake sure you get your passport stamped.
\nMake sure the date on your entry stamp and the amount of time you have been given to stay is correct. Immigration officials will check these details when you leave Namibia.
\n\nThe Namibian authorities could detain, arrest or fine you if you overstay or have an incorrect or missing entry stamp in your passport.
\n\nIf you’re a parent travelling with children aged 17 and under, you must carry their:
\n\nNamibian immigration officials will not accept an abridged (short) birth certificate. If your child was born in the UK, you can order a full unabridged birth certificate online.
\n\nIf you’re a legal guardian and your name is not on the birth certificate, you will need to have documentation to prove it.
\n\nIf you’re not a parent or legal guardian of children you’re travelling with, you must have an affidavit from their parents or guardians giving consent.
\n\nIf a child is travelling with one parent or legal guardian, the other parent or legal guardian should give consent for travel in an affidavit.
\n\nUnaccompanied children must carry:
\n\nContact the Namibian High Commission in the UK for more information.
\n\nIf you’re travelling with children through a South African airport, see South Africa travel advice for information about the documents you must carry.
\n\nTo enter Namibia, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Namibia guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Namibia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in Namibia, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nMuggers often target tourists in Windhoek. Attacks may be violent and can take place at any time of day and in busy city-centre locations. To reduce your personal risk:
\n\nGangs sometimes try to enter vehicles at busy intersections in Windhoek. Theft from vehicles, particularly at service stations, is common. To reduce the risks:
\n\nTo reduce the risk of robberies from taxis:
\n\nThere have been cases of credit card skimming at some hotels and lodges. Always keep your card in sight when paying and check your statement.
\n\nAlways carry UK photo ID. You may need to show ID at police checkpoints in Windhoek and other major towns and cities. Keep copies of the photo page of your passport and important documents separately in a safe place.
\n\nSame-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.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nPenalties for using or smuggling illegal drugs can be severe. Penalties include large fines and imprisonment.
\n\nIt’s illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade its parts without a licence. You will be prosecuted and could get a fine or prison sentence for buying or trafficking these goods, including ivory and rhino horn.
\n\nPolice have detained people for taking pictures of the President’s official residence. Check before taking photographs of government buildings or in secure areas.
\n\nMake sure your travel insurance covers you for any adventure activities you plan to do, like quad biking, dune boarding or hot air ballooning.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in Namibia, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou’ll need to have your valid UK photocard driving licence with you in the car.
\n\nTake out comprehensive insurance as accidents are common on gravel and dirt roads. If you’re planning to hire a car, check what insurance cover is provided. Most policies will not cover accidents that do not involve other vehicles or animals.
\n\nDuring the rainy season from January to April, many gravel roads deteriorate. You should:
\n\nBefore you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nCall 211111 (in Windhoek) or 10111 (everywhere else) and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in Namibia.
\n\nAltitude sickness is a risk in parts of Namibia. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nNamibia’s hot and dry climate can cause skin problems and dehydration. Make sure you carry a good supply of drinkable water.
\n\nNamibia has one of the highest prevalence rates of HIV in the world. In 2021 the UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic estimated that around 210,000 adults aged 15 or over were living with HIV. This was around 11.8% of the adult population, compared to around 0.2% of adults in the UK. Take normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nThere are good medical facilities in Windhoek. Private hospitals may insist on payment before starting treatment even if you have comprehensive travel insurance. They may ask you to pay and reclaim from your insurer later. Some travel insurance policies are not recognised by some Namibian hospitals. Check if your product is accepted in Namibia before you travel and get alternative coverage, if needed.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Namibia where some staff speak English.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nTelephone: 10111, 999, 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Namibia on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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