An important step in the preparation for a trip to Namibia for a safari or beach holiday is to be aware of travel health guidelines, regulations on vaccinations and what precautions should be taken in a visitor’s travel plans.
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Any compulsory vaccines in Namibia?
There are both routine vaccinations for entry and strongly recommended vaccination requirements for Namibia. A yellow fever vaccine is required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Furthermore, for most short-term travellers, many other vaccinations for Namibia are recommended, particularly for those heading on Namibia activities and adventure safaris in rural areas. Staying up-to-date with all entry requirements is worthwhile as these can change including Namibia visa obligations.
Recommended vaccines for Namibia
Some vaccines are recommended for Namibia.
The CDC recommends the following vaccines for Namibia:
| Vaccine | Recommendation |
| Covid | Recommended for everyone 5 years of age and older to get fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before travel. |
| Malaria | Travelers going to certain areas of Namibia should take prescription medicine to prevent malaria many days before their trip, as well as during and after their trip. |
| Chickenpox (Varicella) | 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine for children, adolescents, and adults who have never had chickenpox and were never vaccinated. |
| Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis | CDC recommends diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccinations for everyone. |
| Flu | CDC recommends use of any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine as an option for vaccination. |
| MMR | Two doses of MMR vaccine to prevent measles and protect against Mumps and Rubella. |
| Polio | CDC recommends that children get 4 doses of polio vaccine. Most adults do not need polio vaccine if already vaccinated as children. |
| Shingles | Adults 50 years and old should get two doses of the shingles vaccine called Shingrix (recombinant zoster vaccine), separated by 2 to 6 months, to prevent shingles |
| Rabies | Rabid dogs are commonly found in Namibia. Visitors should consider a rabies vaccination before their trip. |
| Typhoid | Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas. |
| Yellow Fever | Required if traveling from a country with risk of YF virus transmission and ≥1 year of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YF virus transmission. |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Namibia. |
| Hepatitis B | Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages to Namibia. |
| Meningococcal meningitis | Visitors should consult with their local doctor on meningitis requirements and vaccines prior to their trip. |
It is also recommended to ensure visitors are vaccinated against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and meningococcal meningitis.
Malaria risk
Malaria, dengue and chikungunya are all present in Namibia. Take measures to protect yourself including using mosquito netting, insect repellents and taking antimalarials (if recommended for your itinerary).
African sleeping sickness has been found in Namibia. Though no cases have been reported in nearly a decade, there is still a risk. Use insect repellents and try to avoid tsetse flies when in regions where the insect is present.
Malaria is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito and so the first line of defence is to protect yourself against mosquito bites. Malaria Prophylaxis may be prescribed to you during your consultation depending on your itinerary.
The CDC recommends that travellers take prescription medicine to prevent malaria.
Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication and routine vaccines you should take.
Bite avoidance and counter measures are recommended. Visitors can check with a travel vaccinations medicine specialist to see if antimalarials should be considered to help prevent malaria contraction.
If travelling to a remote area away from medical facilities, it is recommended to carry standby emergency treatment.
Namibia health recommendations
Recommended visitor precautions
To help protect against mosquitoes, visitors should ensure to:
- Apply mosquito repellents on clothes to avoid mosquito bites
- Wear covered light clothing
- Use mosquito nets on the windows of your accommodation and in vehicles, use the air conditioning
Understanding the best time to visit Namibia and how to get there is useful as insects and bugs thrive in different weather conditions and environments.
Depending on the areas visited, preventive antimalarial treatment should be considered.
Food and water precautions that should be observed:
- Eat cooked food
- Wash and peel fruits and vegetables
- Avoid fresh fruit juices, ice creams, ice cubes, raw vegetables, reheated dishes
- Consume pasteurized or boiled milk
- Drink bottled or boiled water
Hygiene rules that should be followed:
- Wash hands regularly, before and after each meal and after using the toilet
- Don’t touch wild and stray animals to avoid animal bites and infection
- Don’t swim in lakes and non-running water
- Avoid any potentially contaminated food and water
Visitors with medical conditions should make tour guides and food catering aware of this in advance.
Useful vaccination information links
Namibia Covid 19 information
In Namibia, all of the COVID-19 limitations have been lifted, and citizens are strongly urged to comply voluntarily with all public health and social regulations.
To enter Namibia, you are not needed to provide any vaccination card or certificate, produce a negative result from a PCR test upon arrival, or provide a negative PCR test result if you are fully vaccinated against the disease. In order to enter the country, you do not need to present proof that you have passed a negative PCR test even if you have not had all of your vaccinations.
There are no particular criteria in place for any individual who’d been previously infected with COVID-19, even those who have had COVID-19 within the last year.
Children who are 11 years old or younger are exempt from the need that they provide a current immunization certificate in order to enter Namibia. For more information, please refer to the section under “Traveling with minors under the age of 18.” In a similar vein, the regulations for entering Namibia and traversing the country are exactly the same.
Useful Covid information links
FAQs
Are vaccines compulsory in Namibia?
There are both routine and strongly recommended vaccinations for Namibia. A yellow fever vaccine is required if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission in order to gain entry to Namibia and other fully vaccinated jabs including Covid may be required.
What health precautions should I take to travel to Namibia?
To help protect against mosquitoes, visitors should apply insect repellents on clothing, wear covered light clothing and use mosquito nets on the windows of your accommodation. Travellers should also seek medical advice with their doctor prior to flying and review the various regions you intend to visit.