Namibia

Getting To Namibia

Getting to Namibia is relatively straightforward, as the country is well-connected by international flights and has a variety of entry points for travelers. Here are the key ways to get to Namibia:

• By Air

  • International Flights : Namibia's main international gateway is Hosea Kutako International Airport (WHD), located about 40 km east of the capital city, Windhoek. Major airlines from Europe, Africa, and other continents regularly operate flights to Namibia.
  • Regional Connections : Namibia is also well-served by regional flights from neighbouring countries like South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Flights from Cape Town or Johannesburg to Windhoek are frequent and only take around 2 hours.

• By Road

  • From South Africa : Namibia shares a border with South Africa, and many travellers drive from South Africa into Namibia. The B1 Highway connects Windhoek with South Africa’s northern regions, and the journey takes approximately 15-20 hours depending on the starting point in South Africa
    
  
  
  • From Botswana : You can enter Namibia from Botswana via the Trans-Kalahari Highway. It’s a longer drive, typically taking 7-10 hours depending on the route.
    
  
  
  • From Zimbabwe or Zambia : Namibia’s northern border connects with Zambia and Zimbabwe, allowing travellers to cross into the country by car or bus. The journey can take several hours depending on the border crossing.
    

Cross-Border Vehicle Requirements In Namibia

Namibia is a popular destination for self-drive holidays, offering vast landscapes and unique experiences. If you plan to enter Namibia with a foreign-registered vehicle, it's crucial to understand and comply with specific cross-border requirements. These regulations aim to ensure road safety, proper vehicle documentation, and revenue collection.

Required Vehicle and Personal Documentation

You will need the following documentation when driving into Namibia:

• Vehicle Ownership Documents

  • If the vehicle is registered in your name, carry the original registration papers (certified copies may be accepted).
  • If the vehicle is under finance, obtain a cross-border letter from the finance company. This letter must include travel dates and the countries you will visit.
  • If rented, get a letter of permission from the rental company when booking.
  • If borrowed, carry a signed authorization letter from the owner along with a copy of their ID.

• Vehicle Insurance

  • Obtain a letter from your insurance provider confirming coverage in Namibia. This letter must specify the travel dates and covered countries.

• Country Code Sticker

  • A sticker on the back of the vehicle indicating its country of registration (e.g. a ZA sticker for South African vehicles).

• Cross Border Charges (CBC) / Road Permits

  • Namibia:

    • All foreign-registered vehicles must pay a Cross Border Charge (CBC) upon entry.
    • The CBC costs N$445 (as of March 2025) and is valid for three months.
    • If towing a trailer, additional fees apply.
    • The permit must be kept in the vehicle at all times and displayed on the bottom left of the windscreen.
    • Fines of up to N$4,000 apply for non-compliance.

  • Other Countries:

    • Botswana: A Vehicle Road Fund Tax of approximately P120 is required.
    • South Africa: A Road User Fee applies.
    • Credit card payments may not always work at border posts. It is advisable to carry cash in the local currency, as foreign currencies are not accepted.

• Red Warning Triangle

  • Namibia South Africa: 1 red triangle is required by law.
  • Botswana: 2 red triangles are required.
  • Ensure rental vehicles are equipped with the correct number of warning triangles before departure.

• Personl Documentation

  • Valid Passport (valid for at least six months from entry).
  • Driver’s Licence in credit card format.
  • International Driving Permit (IDP) if your licence is not in English.

Border Post Hours & Procedures

Check the operating hours of your intended border post, as some may have limited hours or specific closures.

Road Conditions and Driving Safety Tips

General Driving Regulations:

• Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana drive on the left side of the road.

• Speed Limits:

  • Urban areas: 60 km/h
  • Highways: 120 km/h
  • Gravel roads: 60-80 km/h (recommended)
  • Secondary roads: 80-100 km/h (watch for signage).

Road Conditions

• Tar Roads: Generally well-maintained but can be monotonous due to long distances. Be mindful of potential tyre overheating, particularly when carrying heavy loads.
• Gravel Roads: Many roads outside major towns are graded gravel roads. A 4x4 is recommended for travel in certain areas, especially after rain. Reduce speed on corrugated gravel surfaces.

• Coastal Roads:

  • Coastal roads (e.g. around Walvis Bay and Swakopmund) are often made of compacted sea salt, making them slippery when damp.
  • Reduce speed and avoid sharp braking.

• Sea Mist & High Winds:

  • Coastal areas often experience sea mist, reducing visibility. Use low beam headlights or fog lights.
  • High winds can increase fuel consumption, so fill up at every opportunity..

Additional Travel Considerations

• Zimbabwe & Zambia: Crossing into these countries requires extensive documentation and a lengthy border process. It is advisable to leave your vehicle in Kasane and arrange a road transfer instead.

By ensuring you have the necessary documentation, understanding local road conditions, and adhering to traffic regulations, you can enjoy a safe and memorable self-drive experience in Namibia.

Namibia Transport and Road Network

Namibia is well served by domestic air routes, although flying is an expensive way to get around. There are regular flights from Eros Airport in Windhoek to Tsumeb, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Keetmanshoop, Luderitz, Swakopmund and Oshakati.

Charter-flight operators are numerous, connecting the various lodges and areas, enabling us to provide luxury fly in safaris throughout the country.

Namibia has an extensive road system, making it easy to explore the country by car. The road network includes highways, national roads and local roads, with varying levels of quality depending on the region.

• Paved Roads : Major highways and roads in urban and popular tourist areas are generally well paved and in good condition. Travelling between cities, especially along the B1 and B2 highways, is typically smooth and safe


• Gravel and Dirt Roads : While the main highways are generally well maintained, much of the country outside urban centers, especially in rural and remote areas, may have gravel or dirt roads. In some more remote areas, the roads can be less well-maintained and challenging to drive on, particularly during the rainy season, where floods could damage the infrastructure.


• 4x4 Vehicles : For visiting the more remote areas like Sossusvlei or Skeleton Coast, or when driving on gravel roads, 4x4 vehicles are highly recommended. Many tourists rent 4x4 vehicles for safari trips to navigate the rougher terrains.
  Click here for more information regarding vehicle hire

Always remember that distances between places in Namibia can be vast and some places are only accessible by good graded gravel roads.

The cost of fuel can also be substantial when covering such vast distances. A more economical and less tiring way to see the country is to hire a guide to do the driving or take one of the many excellent scheduled safaris.

Joining an organised camping tour, will enable you to see far-flung places like the Skeleton Coast, Damaraland, The Kaokoveld, Kunene Valley and Bushmanland - without breaking your budget. Typically these range from guided accommodation safaris to low-tech camping-and-transport safaris .

Namibia does not have an extensive domestic public transport network, but there are a few options for getting around like Taxis in Windhoek and local bus services.

Bus services are limited to a few luxury coaches that connect Windhoek to Cape Town and Johannesburg. But local minibuses run up and down the B1 from Oshakati to Keetmanshoop.

The Trans-Namib Railway operates a slow service that connects most major towns. The trains, which carry economy and sleeper classes, are reliable; security, however, can be an issue.

Namibia Weather and Climate

Namibia is a stunning destination to visit year-round, offering great weather, friendly people, breathtaking views, incredible wildlife, vast deserts and majestic mountains.

The country has a dry, semi-desert climate, where droughts are a regular occurrence. Days are typically warm to very hot, while nights are generally cooler. Daytime temperatures often climb to the high thirties and low forties (°C) throughout the year.

When rain does fall, it usually comes during the summer months in the form of short, sharp showers.

In the desert, the summer temperatures can become almost unbearable, so activities are best limited to early morning and late afternoons. During winter, daytime temperatures are more moderate, but mornings and nights can be quite chilly due to the lack of cloud cover, which allows the heat to escape. Coastal temperatures are more comfortable, thanks to the cooling effects of the Benguela current.

Namibian Wildlife

Travel to Namibia to see the extraordinary adaptations the wildlife and plants have made to living in this harsh environment. From large trees to small insects, everything seems to make every effort to conserve water simply to exist.

• See the Desert Elephants in Damaraland who have adapted to live without water for up to four days.
• The Tenebrionid Beetles collect fog for water in the Namib Desert
• Photograph the Oryx in Sossusvlei who can control the temperature in their brains by passing it through capillaries.
• Damaraland is a hot bed of Gecko evolution and home to the largest population of Desert Black Rhino in the world
• See the seals at the Cape Cross Seal Colony
• The Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip) is a verdant oasis of rivers and wetlands, similar to the Chobe and Okavango regions.
• Experience the remarkable Etosha National Park with its vast salt pan and surrounding waterholes drawing in all the animals and birds.

June to October: Namibian Peak Travel Season

Namibia's peak season runs from June to October, coinciding with the winter game viewing season in Etosha National Park, Damaraland, and the Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip). During this period, temperatures are moderate, with cooler nights and warm, sunny days.

It's the best time for wildlife enthusiasts, as animals tend to gather around waterholes, making them easier to spot.
However, due to high demand, lodges and hotels are often fully booked, and availability is limited. It is essential to book early for travel during these months to secure accommodation and safari tours.

Travelling outside of peak season can offer better availability and sometimes lower off-season rates, making it an ideal option for those seeking a more relaxed experience.

Immigration Rules for Travelling with Children (Effective 01 June 2015)

Travelling abroad with Children

Under the new law, all minors under the age of 18 years will be required to produce, in addition to their passport, an Unabridged Birth Certificate when exiting and entering South African ports of entry.

The regulations apply to all travellers, foreign as well as South African; on departure as well as arrival.

In the case of foreign countries that do not issue unabridged birth certificates, a letter to this effect issued by the competent authority of the foreign country should be produced

All documents must be original or copies certified as a true copy of the original by a commissioner of oaths or the equivalent commissioning authority, should commissioners of oath not be a practice in the country concerned.

1. Where parents are travelling with a child

   1. Such parent must produce an unabridged birth certificate of the child reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child
   
   
   2. Adopted children to provide proof of adoption by means of an adoption certificate

2. Where one parent is travelling with a child

   1. Such parent must produce an unabridged birth certificate of the child reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child
   
   
   2. Consent in the form of an affidavit (not older than 3 months, dating form the date of travel) from the other parent registered as a parent on the birth certificate of the child authorising him or her to enter into or depart from the Republic with the child he or she is travelling with.
   
   
   3. A court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship in respect of the child if he or she is the parent or legal guardian of the child; or
   
   
   4. Where applicable, a death certificate of the other parent registered as a parent of the child on the birth certificate
   
   
   5. Legally separated parents should also provide a court order when the other parent does not give consent

3. Where a person is travelling with a child who is not his or her biological child

   1. A copy of the unabridged birth certificate of the child;
   
   
   2. An affidavit from the parents or legal guardian of the child confirming that he or she has permission to travel with the child;
   
   
   3. Copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian of the child; and
   
   
   4. The contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child.

4. Any unaccompanied minor shall produce to the immigration officer

   1. In addition to the unabridged birth certificate of the child;
   
   
   2. Proof of consent from on of or both of his or her parents or legal guardian, as the case may be, in form of a letter or affidavit for the child to travel into or depart from the Republic: Provided that in the case where one parent provides proof of consent, that the parent must also provide a copy of a court order issued to him or her in terms of which he or she has been granted full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child;
   
   
   3. A letter from the person who is to receive the child in the Republic, containing his or her residential address and contact details in the Republic where the child will be residing;
   
   
   4. A copy of the identity or valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit of the person who is to receive the child in the Republic; and
   
   
   5. The contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child.

5. Any child who is in alternative care as defined in the Children's Act, 2005 (Act No.38 of 2005)

   1. Before departing from the Republic, a certified copy of an authorisation letter from the Provincial Head of the Department of Social Development where the child resides as contemplated in section 169 of the Children’s Act, needs to be produced.

Why Is This Happening?

This is being done to curb human trafficking. When the new immigration law came into effect on the 1st of June 2015, it became the responsibility of passengers to ensure their children have the correct documentation, otherwise they could risk being denied boarding.

The new law is enforced by airlines and immigration officials across the board (land, sea and air). Although airlines and travel agents are doing everything to keep passengers informed, it is ultimately the passengers’ responsibility to know what is required of them.

Application process for an Unabridged Birth Certificate

If your child was born after 14 March 2013, they should already have an Unabridged Birth Certificate.
If your child was born on or before 14 March 2013, as the parents or guardians you must apply at your nearest Home Affairs office and take the following documents along:

• Your ID book as well as your child’s ID number or abridged birth certificate
• Certified copies of all documents and originals must be presented
• The fee for issuing an Unabridged Birth Certificate is currently ZAR75, and the processing time can take up to 8 weeks

Who is exempt

• The law does not apply to children travelling domestically (E.g Between Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa)
• Minor Passengers on a “Cruise to Nowhere”. For example a cruise that departs from Durban Harbour and returns to Durban Harbour, or a cruise that goes from Durban Harbour to Cape Town Harbour.

Important Contacts

South African Department of Home Affairs toll free hotline: 0027 (0) 800 60 11 90

Visas and Passports

NAMIBIAN VISA REQUIREMENTS FROM 01 APRIL 2025

The new Visa On Arrival (VOA for short) came into effect on the 1st April 2025 affecting passport holders from many nationalities who were previously exempt from Visa including the Schengen countries in Europe, UK, Australia, New Zealand and the USA among others.

These nationalities who were previously exempt from visas will now need to pay for a visa before they can enter Namibia.

For more information about the Visa On Arrival click here

Visa Options:

You can apply for a Visa On Arrival on the following link:
https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na/visaonarrival

Fees:

NAD 1 600 for non-African Union Countries

Nationals from the countries listed below are not required to obtain Visas prior to traveling to Namibia for visits shorter than 3 months. A tourist visa will be issued upon arrival.