Africa

Namibia

Location

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa.

Take sensible precautions, safeguard valuables and cash. Do not enter the Sperrgebeit (prohibited diamond area). Take local advice on areas not to be visited. Do not enter townships at night. Vehicle security, personal security, general travel, navigation, off road driving, building / office security, hot weather injuries, personal hygiene, sanitation / sterilisation, clothing & equipment, emergency first aid, helicopter safety, cultures / customs, communications, emergency shelters.

Safe to drink in the capital but use bottled water everywhere else.

Mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east.

Desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic.

Prolonged periods of drought.

Bacterial diarrhoea, bilharzia, cholera, hepatitis A, HIV/AIDs, malaria, polio, rabies, schistosomiasis, typhoid fever, yellow fever. Good medical facilities in Windhoek. Evacuation from remote areas can take time.
Hospital: Medicity Winghoek, Heliodoor Street, Eros Park, Windhoek. Tel: 61-222687

Very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas.

Most roads are well maintained and there is little traffic. There have been a number of fatal accidents on gravel / dirt roads. Roads become impassable during the rainy season. Tyre punctures are common on gravel roads; if possible, carry two spare tyres.

For more in-depth general information please download our Preparation and Training document.