Namibia
Republic of Namibia
Southern Africa · NAM
Editorial Snapshot
Why Go To Namibia
Namibia is one of Africa's best self-drive countries for travelers who want desert scale, strange geology, and long scenic stretches that are as important as the individual stops. First visits are usually strongest as Windhoek plus Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, and Etosha, with anything beyond that treated as a deliberate extension.
Popular For
Things To See
- Sossusvlei
- Etosha National Park
- Swakopmund
- Skeleton Coast
- Damaraland
- Fish River Canyon
Best Months
Know Before You Go
- Driving days are often longer than they look on the map, so the route needs fewer bases than many first drafts assume.
- Namibia works especially well for travelers comfortable with quiet roads, lodge stops, and scenery-led days.
- If you add both the deep south and the Caprivi, the trip quickly turns into a much bigger commitment.
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Flights
Hotels & Accommodations
Compare stays across major booking options
Open hotel and accommodation options for Namibia.
Guidebooks
📚Browse Namibia Guidebooks on AmazonTours & Activities
Country Data
Stats At A Glance
Practical travel, safety, climate, and quality-of-life stats for Namibia.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Windhoek
- Population
- 3,022,401
- Area
- 825,615 km²
- Region
- Southern Africa
Languages
- Afrikaans
- German
- English
- Herero
- Khoekhoe
- Kwangali
- Lozi
- Ndonga
- Tswana
Currency
Namibian dollar ($)
NAD
South African rand (R)
ZAR
Exchange rate unavailable for USD.
Cost of Living (World Bank)
37.8
Price level index (US = 100)
- Groceries
- 37.8
- Restaurants
- 29.6
- Rent
- 14.2
Safety & Peace
higher score = safer everyday environment · derived from World Bank homicide data
lower score = more peaceful · 1.0–3.5 scale
Monthly Climate Averages
These weather averages are based on data for Windhoek (22.57°S, 17.08°E).
LGBTQ+ Friendly
15/100
Traveler LGBTQ score
- Legal protections
- 4/100
- Lived safety
- 38/100
This score blends legal protections with lived-safety context so strong laws alone do not automatically push a country to the top of the ranking.
- Homosexuality legal❌
- Relationship recognitionNone
- Adoption recognition❌
- Anti-discrimination laws❌
- Employment protections❌
- Legal gender recognition❌
- Conversion therapy ban❌
Human Development Index (UNDP)
0.665
Medium human development
- 5-year change
- +0.023
- 10-year change
- +0.049
- Trend
- improving
- Data year
- 2023
- Gender Dev. Index (GDI)
- 1.011
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- 0.448
- Planetary-adjusted HDI (PHDI)
- 0.611
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (2)
- 🌿
Namib Sand Sea
Inscribed 2013
- 🏛️
Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes
Inscribed 2007
Natural Beauty (World Bank)
- Protected land area
- 39.9%
- Forest cover
- 7.8%
Source: World Bank.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Threatened mammal species (IUCN)
- 15
- Threatened bird species (IUCN)
- 33
Source: World Bank / IUCN Red List. Higher counts indicate richer biodiversity, typically in tropical rainforest, island, and savannah ecosystems.
Food & Cuisine
33/100
Food and dining score
Built from two layers: dining-scene breadth and open prestige signals. We combine restaurant density, cuisine diversity, distinguished restaurants, and gastronomy-city recognitions from open data sources.
Luxury Infrastructure
75/100
Luxury & premium accommodation score
Based on OpenStreetMap luxury hotel density and World Bank international tourism receipts.
US Travel Advisory
There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated. Exercise increased caution in Namibia due to crime and health. Advisory Summary Crime Non-violent crimes of opportunity are common. Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, like purse snatching, pickpocketing, and smash and grabs from unoccupied parked vehicles. Potentially violent crimes are possible, including home invasions and armed robberies. Weapons most commonly used by criminals are knives and machetes. Health Namibia is sparsely populated. Many visitors travel to remote areas far from emergency services and medical facilities. Health facilities are limited and may not have adequate supplies of basic medications, especially outside of large cities. If you decide to travel to Namibia: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for Namibia. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Namibia. Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist. We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage. Be cautious of people appearing to request help by the side of the road. Keep car doors locked, and windows always shut. Carry a copy of your passport and visa (if applicable). Leave originals in your hotel safe. Stay alert when visiting banks or ATMs. Do not display signs of wealth, like expensive watches or jewelry. Use caution when walking or driving at night. Medical services for routine and emergency procedures are limited. Read the Health section of the Travel Guidance on this page for more information. Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.
Read full advisory →Data current as of May 2026 and subject to change. Travel advisory information is sourced from the U.S. State Department and reflects conditions at the time of data collection, not real-time conditions. Do not rely solely on this information for travel decisions. Always check current government advisories for your nationality. Terms of Use · About our data