r/Namibia

Hi all

Coming to Namibia from Australia next month for a motorcycle tour. Does anyone know of a reliable eSIM .

I usually use Roamless but they do not cover Namibia.

How good is coverage there.

I will be needing it for navigation mostly.

This city's (Windhoek) housing/rental situation is ridiculous, especially this time of the year. How the hell does anybody find accommodation? Facebook and whatsapp groups are 90% other people looking or agents selling houses, not renting. And I have been searching for literal months.

Would appreciate it if somebody here knows of the best places to search or if somebody is some kind of real estate agent that can assist.
I have a 10k budget preferably in an uptown area.

This girl was like like 5 and this had the audacity to ask me for a dollar 😭😭😭😭 she was cute tho

Looking for someone that can shoot some drone footage of a farm in Otjiwarongo.

I’ll soon be visiting Namibia and had a question about getting to Windhoek.

My friends can drop me off in a nearby larger town likely either Omuthiya or Tsumeb and from there I need to make my way to Windhoek. I’ve found options like Intercape/Oasis, but these seem to be mainly night buses, and I’d prefer to travel during the day if possible.

Are there other options between cities, like shared minibuses or shuttles that run during the day? Or would you recommend one of these towns over the other as a better starting point?

I’ve got about 1.5 days to reach the airport in Windhoek, so some flexibility in the schedule!

With the rental situation getting worse, I've started thinking buying instead of renting.

I would consider townhouses in complexes in Kleine Kuppe or houses of same value in other towns.

It doesn't make sense to me to pay N$15k - N$20k rent when I could rather buy and pay a similar amount each month.

I'm looking at properties in the N$1.5m - N$2.0m range

Townhouses in this range are obviously smaller, something like a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom unit with a garage.

Kleine Kuppe is obviously notorious for always having power and water issues

Examples

• Bellevue Complex: I've heard there have been break ins in units that face the open field next to the main street

• Olivia Estate: I don't like the walls along the open field side. It feels secure from the front, but the side walls look lower from the outside than they do from the inside. The units I saw also had pools and very large windows that would need custom curtains

• Wild Olive: There have been complaints about power outages, noise, and drainage smells.

• Deo Gratus Complex: During heavy rain, water comes through the garage walls, and or into the living room/kitchen. There always seems to be some kind of repair work going on, which makes me think some units were poorly designed or rushed for profit.

• Ambrose Village: Apparently, this complex has structural and safety issues during heavy rains. Similar to Deo Gratus, it seems like the design and construction may be bad

• Nirvana: Getting approved for being allowed to have pets in this complex is a nightmare! Even if you own the house, you still need body corporate approval.

• Northern Valley: Much too expensive for something that looks like remodelled shipping containers?!

There are also freestanding houses outside Windhoek available for N$1.2m - N$2.0m, but they don't seem safe or convenient as living in a complex

So the question to homeowners or firsttime buyers: Would you buy a townhouse in a complex in Windhoek or a freestanding house in another town? What are the things you would look out for? What do you wish you had known before buying your first home? Oh, and if you have more or better info on the complexes above, please share!

We are visiting in May. Very excited to get back to Southern Africa after years away. Just wondering if $US dollars will be ok for tips on game drives etc. or do we need to get a collection of Namibian bills? Its just a lot easier to get and manage US small bills. Thanks!

Hi guys! Traveling to Namibia in August.

We’re planning to spend two nights in Swakopmund and dedicate one full day to a Sandwich Harbour excursion. We’re not really into kayaking or catamaran tours, so I guess the main attraction for us will be the landscape.

I see there are a lot of tour operators offering this trip. Only a few seem to offer the option to self-drive in the Sandwich Harbour dunes, with expert guidance via radio. This looks like a half-day experience and seems to tick all the boxes for us.

That said, I have a couple of questions and hope some of you experts can help:

• I assume that if a tour operator offers it, self-driving under supervision is allowed. But I’ve seen conflicting comments, with some travelers saying self-driving there is prohibited—can anyone clarify?
• Compared to a regular tour (with a driver), would a self-drive option mean a different or more limited itinerary? I imagine we’d be slower than their drivers—so is that the trade-off (more personal experience, but less ground covered)?
• Finally, sticking to a traditional tour: how does a full-day tour differ from a half-day one? We’re planning to dedicate the whole day anyway, so we could consider the full-day if it’s worth it.

Thanks again!

This is relevant for anyone with Sossusvlei on their itinerary in the coming months.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has announced that from 1 May 2026, private vehicles will no longer be permitted to drive beyond the 2x4 parking area toward Deadvlei. The only vehicles allowed on that stretch will be shuttles operated by About Adelt Sossusvlei Management and tour guides from NTB-registered lodges transporting their own guests.

In plain terms: if you are self-driving, you will be required to use the authorised shuttle for the final section to the pan regardless of whether you have a 4x4.

What the shuttle costs

The return shuttle is priced at N$260 per adult and N$130 for children under 12 as of January 2026. Prebooking and on-site card payments will be available.

Why this is controversial

The industry reaction has not been positive. The concession was originally tendered as non-exclusive, which led operators to believe self-drivers and independent guides would still be able to access the vlei. The announcement this week contradicts that understanding and several major Namibian tour operators have pushed back publicly. The managing director of Sense of Africa, one of the largest operators in the country, has questioned the decision directly. A senior consultant at Wild Wind Safaris described it as "a slap in the face" for smaller, locally established operators.

The ministry's position is that the move protects the UNESCO-listed Namib Sand Sea from vehicle damage and generates concession revenue. There is currently no regulation of what the shuttle operator can charge.

What it means practically

Deadvlei is still accessible. The restriction only covers the roughly 5km sand track between the 2x4 car park and the 4x4 area. The walk to the pan from the drop-off point remains the same. But if you were planning to drive yourself all the way in, that option disappears from 1 May.

Worth factoring into your itinerary and budget if you're heading to Sossusvlei this season.

I’m going to Namibia and I have to send my drone from Sri Lanka.. I can’t find a way to have the customer entry (customised entry) to send my drone (without the battery) how can I do it?

Hey everyone, looking for some clarity on Namibian immigration law.

We're a company in Windhoek looking to take on interns, including students who are enrolled at UNAM or NUST on study permits. Some of these students are doing a mandatory job attachment as part of their degree requirements.

My questions:

1. Does a paid job attachment (required for academic credit) count as "employment" under Namibian immigration law, meaning a work permit would be required?
2. Or does it fall under the existing study permit since it's an academic requirement?
3. Does it make a difference whether the internship is paid or unpaid?

Thanks!

I'm moving from Kenya to Swakop in two months for a couple of years and I'm in search of a 1 or 2bed apartment in Swakopmund or a barchelorpad.. whtare the going rates? Also what is the best place to stay that is not far from the beach?

Does anyone know where i can find henna in windhoek and how much it costs ?

As a Namibian citizen ,im really unhappy that the government isnt addressing the issue of the wooden spoons disturbing people and begging. Please madam president do something about these kids ,you cant even walk in peace without them following and begging.I see them also following tourist around ,what will they say when they go back to their countries? Lets address this before it gets out of hand !!!

Hi there, can anybody recommend a bungalow style retreat around Windhoek, or anywhere in Khomas. Looking for something that can fit 4 people, own braai area/ room for ourselves, preferably detached houses/want to be on our own, self day walks would be great to have or anything along those line. Any feedback is appreciated :)

Hi I'm running a startup business and would like to inquire information on how my clients can automatically get deducted from their accounts into the businesses account.
I currently receive the money physically and It's quite the hurdle.
So in short I'd like to ask on ways to automate their payments through the bank.