Travel health tips for Namibia

Namibia is wild, wide-open, and wildly photogenic – but it can also catch you off guard if you don’t come prepared. One day you're climbing the burnt-orange dunes of Sossusvlei, the next you’re battling sunstroke after a too-casual stroll through Etosha without a hat or enough water. The wildlife is spectacular, the landscapes look like they've been lifted from Mars, and the health risks? Totally manageable – as long as you plan ahead. Expect searing heat, long distances between medical help, and dusty roads that are less forgiving than they look. But with these Namibia travel health tips, you can dodge the downtime and focus on what matters: tracking rhinos on foot, sleeping under star-studded skies, and soaking up a country that redefines remote.

Essential vaccines for traveling to Namibia

Before you spot your first elephant on safari or lose your breath at the edge of Fish River Canyon, get your vaccines sorted. Some are standard wherever you go. Others depend on how far off-road you’re heading, how long you’ll be out there, and whether you’ve got a soft spot for petting donkeys in dusty towns. A stop at a travel clinic before takeoff is a smart call, especially if you're doing more than just fly-in lodges and game drives.

Which vaccines do you need?

Namibia doesn’t have any required vaccinations for entry (unless you're coming from a yellow fever area), but a few smart jabs could mean the difference between a trip of a lifetime and a bout of desert-camp dysentery. What you need depends on your route and travel style – think luxury lodges vs bush camping.

Recommended vaccines

• Tetanus and diphtheria – If your last booster was over 10 years ago, you’re due. Especially important if you’re hiking, biking, or doing anything involving remote trails or rusty fences.
• Hepatitis A – Transmitted via contaminated food and water. That kapana (street meat) in Katutura might smell amazing, but don’t take chances.
• Typhoid – Worth getting if you're planning to eat at local spots, stay in budget accommodation, or visit rural areas with less reliable sanitation.
• Hepatitis B – Spread through blood and bodily fluids. Useful if you're staying long-term, volunteering, or could need medical care.
• Rabies – Namibia has plenty of wildlife, including jackals and feral dogs. If you're camping, cycling, or likely to wander into village animal encounters, seriously consider it.
• Yellow fever – Only required if you're arriving from a country where yellow fever is present. Not a risk inside Namibia, but border officials will check your certificate if it applies.

Pre-travel health checklist

Before you're sandboarding in Swakopmund or watching flamingos in Walvis Bay, take a few minutes to prep. Healthcare in Namibia is decent in Windhoek and a few main towns, but out in the bush? Don’t expect speedy service or state-of-the-art clinics. You need to be self-sufficient – or at least smartly packed.

Packing for a healthy trip

You don’t need a paramedic’s duffel bag, but a little planning goes a long way when you’re miles from the nearest town.

• Mosquito repellent: Especially essential in the north (Etosha, Caprivi Strip) where malaria is a risk. DEET or picaridin is your best bet.
• Anti-malarials: If you're heading north of Etosha or into the Caprivi, talk to a clinic about prophylaxis. Malaria’s not a joke.
• Sunscreen: That high-altitude desert sun doesn’t mess around. Go for SPF 50+ and reapply like your skin depends on it (it does).
• Oral rehydration salts: Namibia is dry and hot. Add in long drives and salty food, and dehydration creeps up fast.
• Basic first-aid kit: Include plasters, antiseptic, painkillers, antihistamines, and blister pads – especially if you’re hiking or self-driving on rough tracks.
• Hand sanitizer: Campsites, fuel station toilets, bush stops – keep it close.
• Prescription meds: Bring enough for your full trip, with a copy of your prescription. Pharmacies exist, but you won’t find one in Damaraland or the Skeleton Coast.

Travel clinics

Book your appointment 6-8 weeks before you go. Some vaccines take time to kick in, and a good travel clinic will flag any updates, like malaria risk zones during rainy season, or rabies flare-ups in farming regions. They’ll also help tailor advice if you’re planning anything risky, like multi-day treks or working with wildlife.

How to avoid mosquito-borne illnesses

Namibia’s bugs aren’t out to get you, but some of them can ruin your trip if you’re careless. Mosquitoes are the main concern, especially in the north, where malaria is a risk during and just after the rainy season. Ticks, while less common, can still be a nuisance if you’re walking through grasslands or bushveld. The good news? With a bit of planning and the right gear, insect bites don’t need to be part of your Namibia experience.

Malaria

Malaria is the main insect-borne illness in Namibia, but it’s only a risk in certain regions and seasons. The far north – including Etosha, the Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi Strip), and parts of Kavango – sees most cases, especially between November and June.

• Take anti-malarial tablets if you’re going to these regions. A travel clinic will recommend the right type based on your route and health history.
• Wear long sleeves and trousers after sunset – mosquitoes love ankles.
• Use repellent with 30% DEET or 20% picaridin, especially in the evenings.
• Sleep under a mosquito net if you’re in a lodge or campsite without screened windows.
• Stay indoors at dusk if you're in a high-risk area – that’s prime biting time.

Ticks and tick-bite fever

If you’re heading into grassy or wooded areas – think bushwalks, self-drives, or volunteering on a farm – ticks might hitch a ride. Most are harmless, but some carry tick-bite fever, a flu-like illness that isn’t fun to get mid-safari.

• Wear long trousers tucked into socks if you're hiking through brush.
• Spray repellent on both skin and clothes – ticks hate it.
• Do a full-body check after bush walks, especially around your ankles, waist, and hairline.
• Remove ticks carefully with fine tweezers, not your fingers, and clean the bite site.

If you feel feverish, achy, or flu-ish a few days after a bite, get checked out. There are clinics in bigger towns like Windhoek and Swakopmund, but don’t count on fast help in remote camps. Better to prevent than to treat in the middle of nowhere.

Staying healthy in Namibia

Once you’ve got your malaria meds packed and your sunscreen locked in, there are a few more Namibia travel health tips to keep your trip on track – whether you’re cruising the Skeleton Coast or getting sand-blasted in the Namib Desert.

Rabies risk

Rabies exists in Namibia, and while you won’t see as many street dogs as in some countries, stray animals still roam around rural towns. Jackals, mongooses, and even bats can carry the virus in remote areas. If you’re volunteering with animals or spending time in isolated villages, the risk goes up.

If you're bitten or scratched:

• Wash the area immediately with soap and clean water.
• Disinfect with alcohol or iodine if you’ve got it.
• Get medical help ASAP – even if you’ve had the rabies vaccine, you’ll likely still need post-exposure shots.
• If you’re hiking or biking in remote areas where medical help isn’t close, think about getting vaccinated before you go.

Food and water safety

Namibian food is mostly safe – and heavy on grilled meat – but don’t assume your stomach will agree with everything from day one. While food poisoning isn’t rampant, a dodgy braai in the bush or warm biltong left in a hot car can still do damage.

• Eat at busy restaurants, cafes, and stalls – locals know what’s safe.
• Skip meat that’s been sitting out, especially in roadside towns where refrigeration might be questionable.
• Tap water is generally safe in cities like Windhoek and Swakopmund, but rural supplies can be unreliable.
• Stick to bottled or filtered water if you’re unsure, and always purify water from rivers or boreholes while camping.

What to do if you get sick

Namibian clinics are fine in bigger towns, but you won’t want to rely on rural care if things go sideways. If you do get hit with traveler’s tummy or heat exhaustion, act fast.

• Rehydrate – oral rehydration salts are key. Drink slowly but consistently.
• Eat bland – rice, bread, bananas, and dry crackers help.
• Avoid anti-diarrheals unless you're on the move. Let your body sort things out.
• Get checked out if symptoms last more than 48 hours, or if you have blood, fever, or signs of dehydration.

Dealing with heat and dryness

Namibia is hot. And dry. And not just in summer. Daytime highs in the desert can top 104°F (40°C), and you’ll barely notice how much water you’re losing until you’re dizzy and parched.

• Avoid walking in peak sun, usually from 11 am to 3 pm.
• Drink water constantly, even if you’re not thirsty.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat, loose clothes, and polarized sunglasses – the glare is real.
• Use SPF 50+ and reapply like it’s your job.
• Watch for signs of heatstroke: headache, nausea, rapid pulse, and confusion are all red flags.

Altitude and dry air

Parts of Namibia sit above 1600m (like Windhoek), but altitude sickness is rare unless you’re coming straight from sea level and going hard right away.

• Give yourself a day to adjust if you're coming from the coast.
• Hydrate, skip heavy meals, and don’t overdo it on day one.
• If you feel dizzy, short of breath, or nauseous, take it easy and rest.

Why travel insurance is a must

Namibia is incredible – but it’s also remote. In cities like Windhoek and Swakopmund, private clinics offer decent care, but once you’re out in the desert or deep in Etosha, medical help can be hours away. Public hospitals are basic and often overstretched, and private care doesn’t come cheap.

Travel insurance takes the stress out of an accident in the middle of nowhere. Get a policy with at least $100,000 in medical coverage, including emergency evacuation – helicopter rides from the bush aren’t cheap. If you’re self-driving, sandboarding, hiking, or tracking wildlife, make sure those activities are covered.

Delays can happen, especially if you’re flying into remote areas or traveling in the rainy season. Theft isn’t common, but break-ins do happen, particularly in Windhoek or at isolated viewpoints. Make sure your gear is covered, too.

Private care will cost you: $50-100 for a doctor’s visit, $300-600 a night in the hospital, and $10,000+ for a medevac. That’s a steep price for a busted ankle. Get insured and explore worry-free.

Emergency help: what to do if you get sick

Even with all the right prep, things can still go sideways – dehydration in the Namib Desert, a nasty fall in Fish River Canyon, or food poisoning after a roadside braai. Here’s how to get help if your trip hits a snag.

Emergency numbers

Ambulance / Medical emergency: 211111 (Windhoek), 2032276 (Swakopmund) – numbers vary by region

• Police: 10111
• Fire and rescue: 2032276 (Windhoek Fire Brigade)
• Private emergency (ER24): +264 61 230 505
• Netcare 911 (nationwide): +264 61 233 100

Save key numbers before you go, especially if you’re heading into remote areas where the signal is patchy and response times are slower.

Best hospitals and clinics

Public hospitals are affordable but basic and often overstretched. For faster care and better facilities, head to a private hospital or clinic – expect to pay out of pocket, but the care is solid, and English is widely spoken.

• Windhoek – Lady Pohamba Private Hospital, Roman Catholic Hospital
• Swakopmund – Cottage Medi-Clinic, Swakopmund Private Hospital
• Walvis Bay – Welwitschia Hospital
• Tsumeb / Grootfontein / Otjiwarongo – Look for private clinics or regional hospitals
• Etosha and northern regions – Basic clinics exist, but serious cases should head to Tsumeb or Oshakati

If you’re far from a city and it’s serious, get to the nearest private hospital fast – don’t wait it out at a rural clinic.

Pharmacies and minor issues

Pharmacies are well-stocked in towns and cities and often double as informal clinics. You don’t need a prescription for basic meds like painkillers, cold remedies, or anti-diuretics. Just walk in and ask – the pharmacists are generally helpful and speak English.

For anything that doesn’t clear up quickly – or if you're in pain, feverish, or dehydrated – get checked out properly. Clinics are usually your best first stop.