Published: April 18, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Namibia Travel Advisory and Namibia Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Windhoek:
38 Metje Street, Windhoek.
Tel: +264 61 202 5000.
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 0800-1700, Friday: 0800-1200.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
There is no OSAC Country Chapter in Windhoek. Contact OSAC’s Africa team with any questions.
Namibia Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise increased caution in Namibia due to crime and health risks.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Windhoek as being a HIGH-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Namibia, indicating that there may be widespread violent crime and/or organized crime present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
U.S. citizens have fallen victim to street crime. The most common incidents are non-violent crimes of opportunity (e.g., pickpocketing, purse or backpack snatching, theft of cellphones, theft/scams near ATMs, vehicle break-ins), committed by thieves who rely on stealth, surprise, or opportunity. Pickpocketing and purse-snatching are most likely to take place in downtown shopping areas and other high-traffic locations where foreign visitors congregate. Criminals sometimes brandish knives and guns. Property crime is common, particularly theft of items left outside. Violent crimes, including home invasions, murder and rape, do occur but are not an everyday occurrence. Robberies occur at roadside rest stops.
There is little evidence of organized crime in Namibia, except for the Numbers gangs, who are active in prisons. While they have some links to outside street gangs, their reach is either limited or not well documented. Criminal networks are well established and work across all the main illicit markets, especially wildlife crimes and human trafficking. Syndicates smuggling hardwood to Eastern Asia appear to be particularly well organized, operating on an industrial scale and using Namibia as a transit hub.
Foreign criminal actors in Namibia include South African gangs who traffic synthetic drugs into Namibia and Chinese nationals who export exotic hardwood to Asia. These groups sometimes work hand in hand with corrupt state actors and mask their activities by setting up legitimate businesses in strategic ports such as Walvis Bay. Nigerian, Angolan, Zambian, and Congolese groups are also involved in Namibia's drug- and human-trafficking markets.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Namibia.
The threat of kidnapping is low in Namibia.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Windhoek as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Namibia.
The Namibian government is sensitive to the threat of terrorism and engages with international partners to combat terrorism. Any large public gathering could become an attractive target for terrorists. Transnational terrorism is a concern throughout Africa, as increased law enforcement and counterterrorism activities in the Horn of Africa have the potential to force terrorist organizations to seek targets in areas outside their traditional sphere of operations.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Windhoek as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Namibia. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Public demonstrations are rare and are almost always non-violent. Namibia is a constitutional multiparty democracy. International observers characterized the 2024 election as generally free and fair.
Namibia conducted its presidential elections in November 2024, where Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah secured the majority of the vote. She was inaugurated in March 2025, becoming the country's first female president.
Protests & Demonstrations
The constitution and law provide for the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, and the government generally respects these rights. Most local protests in recent years involved labor issues such as working conditions and wages.
In 2022, NGOs reported Namibian Police Force officers used excessive force against peaceful protesters in Windhoek at a demonstration of local traders protesting after authorities destroyed counterfeit goods they took from the traders. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Bilateral relations between Namibia and the U.S. are positive. Small-scale demonstrations to protest U.S. foreign policy have occurred near the U.S. Embassy, but they were non-violent. Police support during the few demonstrations has been very good. There is no anti-American sentiment directed at visitors, but travelers should remain on guard as perceptions of wealth usually motivate petty crime.
Law Enforcement
The police emergency line in Namibia is 10111; you may also call 209-4111 or 290-2239 in Windhoek. Report crimes to the local police at 112.
The national police maintain internal security. The military is responsible for external security but also has some domestic security responsibilities. The Namibian Police Force (commonly known as NamPol) reports to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS). The Namibian Defense Force reports to the Ministry of Defense. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces.
The Namibian Police Force operate a Tourist Protection Unit (TPU) specifically to assist tourists who have become victims of crime. The TPU in Windhoek is located at the corner of Independence Avenue and Bahnhof Street.
Police Response
Law enforcement officers must produce credentials and identify themselves before carrying out a lawful arrest. Whenever an arrest is imminent, comply with the arresting officer’s request. Do not challenge the authority of police or soldiers. An arrested person has the right to contact his/her family or legal representative. Detained or harassed U.S. citizens should contact ACS at +264 61 202 5000 or via email at consularwindhoek@state.gov.
Report incidents of police harassment to any police station, the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, or the Office of the Ombudsman in Windhoek.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Namibia, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Namibia.
The constitution and law prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention and provide for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of that person’s arrest or detention in court. The government generally observes these requirements.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but the government does not always implement the law effectively. Officials sometimes engage in corrupt practices with impunity.
Cybersecurity
Namibia has a growing communications network with reliable internet and data services. Reports of cyber scams and cybersecurity issues are rare. Most cyber scams proceed via SMS due to the large proportion of Namibians who own cellular phones. Most such scams involve phishing messages purporting to be from a bank or other reputable organization. The SMS asks the user to click on a link or send personal information. Make a habit of checking bank statements and online banking transaction history regularly to identify any irregularities.
Thoroughly research any unsolicited business proposal before committing any funds, providing any goods or services, or undertaking any travel. It is virtually impossible to recover money lost through scams.
Import/Export Restrictions
Diamond and precious stone scams are prevalent despite government licensing and other controls. Those seeking to purchase precious stones should use reputable dealers.
While the laws regarding the importation of satellite phones are unclear, there are no restrictions on their use.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
