Namibia Travel Guide 2025: Everything You Need to Know for Visiting
This Namibia travel guide is your key to experiencing one of Africa’s most stunning and diverse countries. From its dramatic landscapes to its vibrant culture, Namibia offers something for every traveler. Whether you’re planning a safari, a road trip, or exploring the coastline, this guide will help you navigate it all.
Namibia is a truly fascinating country, and is definitely one for the bucket list - but it can be a bit overwhelming if not planned properly.
When it comes to essentials, understanding Namibia’s currency, language, and local customs is important for a smooth trip. This guide covers all the practical tips you need, helping you prepare for an unforgettable experience in this African gem.
*Please note that this blog post may contain some affiliate links, which we make a small profit on, at zero cost to you. Links are only used on products & services that we've used and believe in, to give you the best buying experience. Purchasing from these links helps us to continue providing free travel guides for you- so thank you for your support!
Our Travel Planning Recommendations
Skyscanner (flights)
Booking.com (hotels)
🎫 Get Your Guide (tours)
Ticket Master (events)
📸 Best Buy (equipment)
🚗 Rental Cars (car rentals)
Train Line (train tickets)
Bus Bud (bus tickets)
Direct Ferries (ferries)
Cruise Direct (cruises)
Namibia Travel Guide: a Brief Intro
Namibia is a breathtaking country located in southern Africa, known for its vast deserts, diverse wildlife, and stunning natural landscapes.
Whether you're venturing into the red sands of the Namib Desert, exploring the wildlife in Etosha National Park, or admiring the coastal beauty of the Skeleton Coast, Namibia offers some of the most unique and adventurous travel experiences in Africa.
🤩 What is Namibia Famous For?
Namibia is famous for its extraordinary landscapes, including the world’s oldest desert, the Namib Desert, and the stunning dunes of Sossusvlei. The country is also known for the rich wildlife in Etosha National Park, the wild beauty of the Skeleton Coast, and its cultural diversity.
Namibia is a photographer's dream, offering some of Africa’s most dramatic and visually stunning landscapes, and is certainly one of our favorite countries we've visited.
Namibia is known for it's otherworldly landscapes.
🤠 Is Namibia Good for Tourists?
Namibia is an excellent destination for tourists, especially for those seeking adventure and unique landscapes. If you're someone who likes quiet escapes away from the crowds, it's even more ideal, as it's one of the least densely populated places in the world!
Namibia is great for those that want unique accommodation, special wildlife encounter, and incredible photo opportunities, making it a great combo for those that like a mix of adventure and luxury.
Namibia has tons of animals and stunning landscapes.
📍 Where is Namibia?
Namibia is located in the southern part of Africa, bordered by Angola to the north, Zambia to the northeast, Botswana to the southeast, and South Africa to the south. To the west, it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, giving it a unique coastline with stunning desert landscapes.
Namibia Travel Guide: How to Get to Namibia
There are a few different ways to visit Namibia. The most popular place to start a Namibia trip is in Windhoek, which is the capital and where the country's biggest airport is.
Due to its central location and transportation connections, this is also where you can most easily connect to other areas of the country.
If you plan on visiting Namibia from another neighboring country such as South Africa, Botswana, or Angola, you can go via the land border and continue driving through Namibia, or you go to another city with one of the public buses.
Flight Tip: Using Skyscanner you can check the calendar to see which are the cheapest dates for flying to Windhoek.
Search for a flight to Namibia:
Namibia Travel Guide: Entry Requirements
Now that you know how to get to Namibia, let's get into an important part of our Namibia travel guide - the official requirements for entering the country.
🛂 Visa Entry Requirements for Namibia
Countries that are expempt from needing a visa for Namibia include Angola, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, Eswatini, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macau, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Moldova, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA, Uzbekistan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
For those that do need a visa, visas on arrival cost $N 1,600 for non-African travelers, and $N 1,299 for Africa travelers.
💉 Do You Need Any Vaccinations for Namibia?
People visiting Namibia should have the MMR vaccine. While it's not checked, it's something that is recommended to have before traveling there.
How To Travel Cheaper and Better in 15 minutes!
How much more would you travel, if it costed you less resources?
With our Free eBook, you will learn how to save money and time on your future trips. Plus, you'll see the exact system we use.
Grab your copy for free when you sign up for our newsletter 👇
Namibia Travel Guide: Local Adjustments
Alright, so now you know how to get to Namibia, and what documents you'll need. But the next part of our Namibia travel guide covers some of the things you need to know before you go - or what we like to call "local adjustments".
🗣 What Language is Spoken in Namibia?
There are actually quite a few languages spoken in Namibia, many which are spoken solely in small communities. The most widely spoken language is Oshiwambo, and the second is Afrikaans.
🇬🇧 Can I Speak English in Namibia?
English is pretty commonly spoken in Namibia! While it's not most people's first language, it's technically the official language of the country, so all official communications happen in English.
🔌 What Plug is Used in Namibia?
Namibia used plug types D & M. Both plug types have three round pins in a triangle, but the pins of type D are a bit bigger. Namibia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
🚰 Is Tap Water Drinkable in Namibia?
Tap water is perfectly fine to drink in Namibia, especially in more urbanized areas.
💸 Is it Customary to Tip in Namibia?
Tipping is not mandatory in Namibia, but it is common typically in restaurants, at a rate of around 10% of the bill.
💵 What is the Best Currency to Use in Namibia?
The best currency to use in Namibia is the Namibian dollar. It is almost the exact same conversion as the African Rand, and oftentimes places will accept both currencies as payment.
💳 Will My Credit Card Work in Namibia?
We used our credit card quite a bit in Namibia (especially in places like Windhoek and Swakopmund). we do recommend taking out some local money though for tips, local vendors, and some tourist attractions that only accept cash.
Will You Buy Us A Coffee? ☕
As coffee lovers, we always enjoy the energy of caffeine. It helps us get the best free travel guides out there for you! 😄
Namibia Travel Guide: Where to Visit
Now that you know all of the basics of visiting Namibia, it's time for the fun part! Let's dive into the next part of our Namibia travel guide, which is all of the great places to visit, and cool things to do.
Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!
❣️ The Best Places to Visit in Namibia
- Sossusvlei: a national reserve with towering dunes and a petrified forest inside (Deadvlei)
- Swakopmund: a lively coastal town known for its colonial architecture, dining, and connection to top tourist sites
- Sandwich Harbour: a popular area where massive dunes meet the Atlantic
- Skeleton Coast: a hauntingly beautiful coastline stretching 500 km which is the biggest ship graveyard in the world!
- Walvis Bay: the hub for sandwich harbour tours, and a popular coastal town with lots of flamingos
- Spitzkoppe Park: a stunning area of natural rock landscapes, particularly known for it's iconic rock bridge
- Windhoek: the capital of Namibia which is best known for being the starting point of Namibia trips and some great restaurants/nightlife
- Etosha National Park: the top national park in Namibia which is great for safari experiences
- Kolmanskop Ghost Town: once a vibrant mining town, it's now a ghost town and popular tourist site
- Luderitz: a small coastal town near Kolmanskop known for its museums and penguin catamaran excursions
- Quiver Tree Forest: a unique forest of quiver trees where you can spend the night and do incredible astrophotography
- Fish River Canyon: the grand canyon of Namibia - the largest canyon in Africa
Want to learn more about the best places to visit in Namibia? Don't miss out on our full guide!
There are so many great places to visit in Namibia.
🏜 Fun Things to Do in Namibia
- Go on a Safari: a bucket list experience!
- Explore Stunning Desert Landscapes: towering dunes, Spitzkoppe National Park, or the iconic Deadvlei
- Take a Luxury Catamaran Tour: eat oyster, drink sparkling wine, and look out for whales, dolphins, and other marine life
- Visit the Flamingo Reserves: they're all over Walvis Bay, and free of charge!
- Go on a 4x4 or ATV Ride Along Sand Dunes: Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and the Skeleton Coast offer extensive dunes perfect for adventure.
- Try Skydiving: soar above Swakopmund on the ultimate adventure!
- Experience an Authentic Village: Visit the tribes of Namibia and learn about their traditions and everyday life.
- Check Out a Pink Lake: in Walvis Bay!
- Go Kayaking: another popular activity in Walvis Bay
- Do Astrophotography: Namibia has the clearest skies!
- Stay in a Luxury Camp: This country has the coolest and most unique places to stay!
Namibia has some incredible luxury camps to experience.
Namibia Travel Guide: Getting Around
Now that you know all of the best places to visit in Namibia, let's get to the next part of our Namibia travel guide, which is to help you get around this beautiful country.
🚗 What is the Best Way to Travel Through Namibia?
The best way to travel through Namibia certainly depends on what kind of traveler you are/ what kind of trip you're seeking.
If you're adventurous and like exploring on your own clock, then the absolute best way to travel through Namibia is by doing a road trip. If you like to have everything organized for you, then going on a group trip or hiring a driver is the way to go. Want the most budget-friendly option? Then you might want to opt for taking public buses (although this is not an easy option everywhere).
Driving is our faborite way to expore Namibia.
We've written a full Namibia transportation guide about how to get around the country, so don't miss out on it!
Transform your photos
One click is all it takes to make your photos look stunning. Get our latest package of Lightroom presets, Into The Wild.
Namibia Travel Guide: Local Food & Drink
Namibia has excellent food, which is quite similiar to its surrounding countries. It is known for its Braai, which is a slow-cooked barbecue. The country has excellent meat selections, just like South Africa does.
Pap is also really popular, which is a type of local porridge, often served as a side. In addition the all of the great meat selections, you can also find excellent seafood along the coast, in towns like Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, and Luderitz.
Whether you're having a fancy meal at a lodge or trying a lcoal restaurant in one of the cities, the food & drink scene in Namibia definitely won't let you down.
Coffee caravan was our favorite spot for coffee and chats in Namibia.
All Your Travels
in One Book
Transform your travel memories into a unique book, with personalized pages, country by country.
Namibia Travel Guide: Safety
Now that you know all of the best things to do, places to see, and what to eat, let's get back to one of the more serious parts of our Namibia travel guide - which is staying safe as a traveler.
👮🏻♀️ Is Namibia Safe for Foreigners?
Namibia is a pretty safe country, especially compared to some of the other countries in southern Africa (such as Zimbabwe, Angola, or Zambia).
The country is not very populated, so major tourist destinations are extremely safe. Places that are a bit more populated like Windhoek or Swakopmund are overall pretty safe, but petty theft may occur, so always keep your witts about you, and avoid wandering solo at night.
🙋🏻♀️ Is Namibia Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
Namibia is pretty safe for solo female travelers! That being said, the country is not well-structured for mass tourism, and is difficult to travel solo, unless you are joining a group tour.
There aren't hostels, and are limited buses. While it's not necessarily unsafe, it's just not recommended due to logistics and comfort.
Namibia Travel Guide: Other Things to Know for Visiting
Now you know almost everything you need to know for visiting Namibia! But don't go just yet - we have a few more details and tips to share in our Namibia travel guide.
☀️ Weather in Namibia
Namibia experiences subtropical desert climate, with hot and sunny days, and cool nights. It is the wettest in the summer months (December-March), and the coldest and driest in the winter months (June-August). Temperatures are overall warmer in the north, and a bit cooler in the south.
A lot of Namibia is desert.
📆 What is the Best Month to Visit Namibia?
April and May are the best months to visit Namibia, as they aren't too hot yet, but you can also experience much more greenery in these months.
🧳 Packing For a Trip to Namibia
Looking To Travel Somewhere?
Off The Beaten Trips is our travel agency.
But this isn't anything like you've ever experienced before. You'll have an epic trip without having to break the piggy bank.
Unique locations. Epic adventures. Lifetime memories.
⏳ How Many Days is Enough in Namibia?
We severely underestimated how much time we'd actually need in Namibia, as distances are really far, and there are so many bucket list places to stay! We'd recommend a solid 2 weeks if you want to hit the highlights of the country, or a couple of more if you are more of a slow traveler or are working while traveling.
We recommend around 2 weeks to experience the highlights of Namibia.
🤔 Is Namibia Worth Visiting?
Namibia is absolutely worth visiting! It has some of the coolest accommodation options, breathtaking landscapes, and little crowds, making it feel like a true hidden gem of a destination.
If you like photography, nature, and peaceful environements, then Namibia is definitely a place to add to your bucket list!
Namibia is absolutely worth visiting!
Travel Planning Tools
Here are some useful tools that you can use for planning your upcoming trip!
So are you ready to experience all the incredible country of Namibia? We hope our Namibia travel guide has helped answer any questions you may have had, and help you prepare for an incredible trip.
Want to learn more in detail about traveling through Namibia? Don't miss out on our other Namibia travel guides, as well as a few others that are coming up! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so for all of our weekly updates, as well as exclusive content we share with only our email list.
Ready to start planning the most incredible trip through Namibia? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers custom travel planning services, finding you the best flights, and crafting you a personalized itinerary. Want to learn more? Send us an email to set up your free consultation!
Here are some other articles you'll love:
February 26, 2025
February 20, 2025
February 6, 2025
January 2, 2025
November 22, 2024
September 2, 2024
Like this article? Please share it with your family and friends, so that we can continue to keep creating free travel guides for you! It takes just a second, and would mean the world to us. Thanks for being here!
