Namibia is possibly the safest country in southern Africa for travellers, especially self-drivers.
When driving through the country, there are so few people around, you can stop and wander. The key dangers actually involve the lack of people on the roads if you're broken down.
Crime-wise:
- Overall crime rates are much lower than in South Africa and Botswana.
- Violent crime against tourists is extremely rare. Across the country, both the private sector and government have a vested interest in the tourist experience being safe and seamless.
- Petty crime (theft from cars), especially in Windhoek, remains an issue. Covered parking - behind your hotel gate, or at the larger malls, is perfectly fine. When going to a restaurant, enquire as to the best place to park. With any stranger, don’t flash your wallet.
The hidden danger in Namibia is simply negligence on gravel roads.
While Namibia’s gravel roads are generally of a high quality, they should be treated with far more deference than a regular tar road. Many accidents happen when people drive too fast, take corners too sharply, or don’t slow down for blind hills. Flipped vehicles are unfortunately quite common.
The above photo taken just outside Sesreim. A piece of the car's electrics disconnected after hours of heavy corrugated roads. Thankfully we were just 1km up the road from a mechanic who fixed the car late in the evening.
Our advice:
- On gravel roads, drive even slower than you think. 80km/h should be an absolute top speed.
- Slow down well before turns, and be extra cautious on blind hills.
- No driving after dark. Animals often cross the road or are attracted to headlights. Even a meagre warthog has been known to write off a vehicle.
The vast majority of travellers leave Namibia without a single safety incident. With sensible driving and basic urban precautions, your trip will be trouble free.
Animals are also a source of danger. If you're camping, zip up your tent at all times and wear shoes, especially at night. When exploring the Busch Hotel on the way to Windhoek from Swakopmund, we were advised to be careful of the Mambas and Cobras. These are very real dangers.
P.S. if you want to dig deeper into planning your self-drive safari, we have distilled thousands of hours on the road into a comprehensive, easy-to-read distilled manual found here.
Inside, you’ll find route planning maps, safety protocols, vehicle, accommodation and seasons cheat sheets, and expert advice to ensure your self-drive adventure is frictionless.
Picture taken at Swakopmund, Strand Hotel. Typically a very safe area, even at night. However, ensure you don't walk along in dark areas - be vigilant.
