Practical information Namibia

Since April 2025, French nationals must obtain a visa to enter Namibia. Two options are available: the visa on arrival at Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, or the e-visa requested online on the official Namibian portal before departure. The fee is approximately 1,600 Namibian dollars, around 85 euros, payable by credit card at the airport. The maximum length of stay is 90 days per calendar year. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your return date and have two blank facing pages for stamps. Our team in Windhoek will provide you with the detailed e-visa procedure upon confirmation of your trip.

No vaccines are mandatory to enter Namibia from Europe. A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from a country where the disease is endemic, which may apply to some travelers on regional circuits. Recommended vaccines include: DTP boosters, hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever and rabies depending on the duration and type of stay. Malaria is present in the north of the country, mainly in northern Etosha, Kunene, Kavango and Caprivi, between November and June. Antimalarial prophylaxis is recommended for these regions during this period and should be discussed with your doctor or an international vaccination center before departure. The south and center, including Sossusvlei, have no malaria risk.

Namibia falls into the mid-to-high range of African destinations. For a self-drive 4x4 tour with standard category lodges, budget 150 to 220 euros per day per person excluding international flights, based on two people sharing a vehicle. This budget includes equipped 4x4 rental, lodge or guesthouse accommodation, breakfasts and some dinners, park entrance fees and fuel. Private concessions in Damaraland or high-end camps in Etosha push the budget to 350-500 euros per day. International flights from Paris range between 900 and 1,400 euros depending on the season. Restaurant meals average around 15-25 euros, fuel costs approximately 1 euro per litre.

The dry season from April to October offers the best overall conditions. From May to August, the austral winter brings sunny days around 22-25°C and cool nights that can drop to 0-5°C in the desert and around Etosha. September and October mark peak wildlife viewing at Etosha: fauna concentrates at water points, but daytime temperatures climb to 35°C. November to March corresponds to summer and the rainy season, especially from January to March. Showers are short but intense, and some tracks may temporarily close in Damaraland and the Caprivi. This period remains beautiful for lush landscapes and animal births, at a lower rate.

Self-drive 4x4 tours remain the dominant and most suitable option given Namibia's geography. Main roads B1 and B2 are paved, but once you enter the parks, the Damaraland or Kaokoland, the tracks become demanding gravel roads. Plan for average speeds of 60–80 km/h on gravel and bring two spare wheels for remote routes. Driving is on the left, a legacy from the South African period. Distances are substantial: 350 km from Windhoek to Sossusvlei, 500 km from Swakopmund to Etosha. Internal flights by small aircraft from Eros in Windhoek serve isolated lodges in the Caprivi or Skeleton Coast. Our team arranges vehicle rental, GPS road books, and pre-departure briefings.

Namibia is among the safest destinations on the African continent for travellers. Violent crime is rare outside certain areas of Windhoek that we point out upon arrival. Standard precautions apply: do not leave visible objects in the vehicle when parked, avoid walking at night in Windhoek's city centre, keep your documents secure. On the tracks, the main risks are driving-related: excessive speed on gravel, fatigue on long distances, animals crossing at dusk. Mechanical breakdowns can leave you stranded for several hours, which is why it's important to carry water, supplies and a satellite phone on remote routes. Our team in Windhoek remains available 24/7 throughout your trip for any assistance.