Namibia

Is Namibia safe to visit?

Yes, and for most visitors it is one of the safest places to travel in southern Africa. There is no conflict and no history of terrorism, neither the UK nor the US advises against any region, and the country is easy to explore by car. The danger is the car itself. Long gravel roads, fatigue and animals cause crash after crash, and road deaths rose 20% in 2025. Windhoek has its share of muggings and car crime. We score Namibia 62, well above South Africa and Kenya but below the safest destinations.

The 2026 Global Peace IndexGlobal Peace IndexAn annual ranking of 163 countries by how peaceful they are, based on conflict, crime, militarisation and political instability.More in the glossary ranks Namibia 63rd of 163, just ahead of Morocco and far ahead of Tanzania. The US rates it Level 2 for crime and health, partly because emergency care is far away in the remote areas visitors love.

Is it safe to drive in Namibia?

This is the question that matters. WHO estimatesWHO road-death estimateThe World Health Organization's estimate of road traffic deaths per 100,000 people in a country, adjusted for deaths that police statistics miss.More in the glossary 22.0 road deaths per 100,000 people in 2021, a little below South Africa's 24.5 and one of the higher rates in southern Africa. National figures are lower but heading the wrong way: according to NBC, 488 people died on Namibia's roads between 1 January and 14 December 2025, up 20%, from 3,126 crashes.

Most visitors drive themselves, often on gravel. Gravel feels smooth at speed until a corner, a corrugation or a patch of sand sends the car sliding, and rollovers are a common result. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary's advice is specific:

• Drive no faster than 80 km/h on gravel.
• Carry two spare tyres and plenty of water.
• Check road conditions before setting off, especially from January to April, when rains wash out many gravel roads.
• Avoid driving at night outside towns, when wildlife and livestock are serious hazards.

Read the hire car policy closely. The FCDO says most policies do not cover accidents that involve no other vehicle or animal, such as a rollover on gravel. Plan days so you are not driving tired or racing the sunset, and wear seatbelts in the back too.

Crime in Windhoek and on the road

Namibia's homicide rateHomicide rateThe number of people killed on purpose each year for every 100,000 residents. It is the most comparable crime figure between countries.More in the glossary is high, 11.2 per 100,000 in 2021, though it has fallen from 18.5 in 2018 and most of the violence happens far from tourist routes. For visitors, the risks are in and around Windhoek. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary says muggers often target tourists there, sometimes violently and in daylight in the city centre. Gangs try to get into cars at busy intersections, and theft from vehicles at petrol stations is common; never leave the car unattended while refuelling.

The US warns of home invasions and armed robbery, usually with knives or machetes, and of people who stand by the roadside asking for help as a ruse. Lock doors and keep windows shut, do not hail taxis on the street, and avoid townships at night unless you are with someone who knows the area. Card skimming has been reported at some hotels and lodges, so keep your card in sight.

Heat, distance and wildlife

The desert itself is a hazard. Temperatures in the Namib and the south are extreme in summer, and the FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary warns that the hot, dry climate causes dehydration. Breakdowns far from help are the main danger, so carry far more water than you think you need. Bush fires can close areas too: a fire that started in September 2025 burned about a third of Etosha National Park before soldiers helped contain it.

In parks, the rules are simple. Stay in the car except at marked spots, keep to camp after dark and never approach elephants or lions on foot.

Health

The north is malarial. CDC recommends tablets for Kunene, Oshikoto, Oshana, Otjozondjupa, the Kavango regions and the Zambezi strip, which covers Etosha's surroundings and the Caprivi; there is no malaria in Windhoek. Rabid dogs are common. The FCDOFCDO travel adviceThe UK government's travel advice for each country, which can advise against all travel or all but essential travel to specific areas.More in the glossary calls medical facilities in Windhoek good, but private hospitals may want payment upfront and some foreign insurance is not accepted. Outside the capital, help can be hours away, so evacuation cover matters more here than almost anywhere.

How we scored it

Road safety (40) is by far the weakest factor, based on WHO's 2021 estimate of 22.0 deaths per 100,000; the national count is lower but rose 20% in 2025. Violent crime (55) reflects a high homicide rateHomicide rateThe number of people killed on purpose each year for every 100,000 residents. It is the most comparable crime figure between countries.More in the glossary that rarely affects visitors. Conflict (88) is the strongest factor, followed by natural hazards (72).