Heading to Namibia? Most UK travellers are advised to be up to date with hepatitis A, typhoid and their tetanus, diphtheria and polio booster, with malaria prevention important for the far north. Crewe Travel Clinic can confirm your personal list at a consultation.
For Namibia, most UK travellers are advised to be up to date with hepatitis A, typhoid and a tetanus, diphtheria and polio booster, while hepatitis B and rabies may be recommended depending on your trip. Malaria prevention is important for the far north and north-east (the Zambezi/Caprivi Strip and the Kavango and Kunene river regions), while risk is very low elsewhere. There is no yellow fever risk, but a certificate is required if you arrive from a yellow-fever country. Crewe Travel Clinic can review your itinerary and confirm exactly which vaccines and malaria tablets you need.
Namibia is a vast, sparsely populated country of dramatic landscapes, from the red dunes of Sossusvlei and the wildlife of Etosha to the wild Skeleton Coast and the lush Zambezi (Caprivi) Strip. UK travellers usually fly into Windhoek (often via Johannesburg or Doha) and explore by self-drive, fly-in safari or guided tour, frequently combining the trip with South Africa, Botswana or Victoria Falls. Whether you are camping in the desert, lodge-hopping on safari or driving the gravel roads, a little health preparation helps your holiday go smoothly.
We recommend booking a travel health appointment around 6 to 8 weeks before you fly, as some vaccines need more than one dose or take time to become fully effective. That said, it is always worth coming in even at short notice. At Crewe Travel Clinic we review your itinerary, planned activities, medical history and vaccination record, then give you a tailored plan. The recommendations below are general guidance based on NaTHNaC (TravelHealthPro) and NHS Fit for Travel advice, and your final list is always confirmed at your consultation.
Spread through contaminated food and water, hepatitis A is recommended for most travellers to Namibia.
A combined booster is advised if your last dose was more than ten years ago or your UK course is incomplete.
Recommended where food and water hygiene may be variable, particularly for longer stays, rural travel and those visiting friends or relatives.
Considered for longer trips, possible medical or dental treatment abroad, adventure activities or other exposure to blood and body fluids.
Worth discussing for stays of a month or more, remote areas with limited medical care, or activities such as cycling, running and working with animals.
Usually only for aid and relief workers or those heading to areas with poor sanitation or active outbreaks.
May be considered for unvaccinated under-16s staying over three months, or healthcare workers with likely TB exposure.
Malaria is present in Namibia, with risk concentrated in the far north and north-east. There is a high risk throughout the year in the Zambezi (Caprivi) Strip and along the Kavango and Kunene river regions, where antimalarial tablets (atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline or mefloquine) are recommended alongside bite avoidance. Across the rest of Namibia, including Windhoek, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and most of Etosha, the risk is very low and awareness plus bite avoidance is the priority rather than tablets. Seasonal flooding can extend risk after the rains, so it is worth confirming cover if your route follows the northern rivers. We will help you choose the right tablets for your dates, route and medical history, and advise on covering up, repellents and sleeping under nets.
There is no risk of yellow fever in Namibia, so the vaccine is not recommended for your own health. However, Namibia does have a certificate requirement: under the International Health Regulations, proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers aged over 9 months arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission, or who have transited for more than 12 hours through an airport of such a country. Travelling directly from the UK you will not normally need a certificate, but if your itinerary includes a yellow-fever-risk country (for example certain other parts of Africa or South America) you may need one. Always check your full route with us before you travel.
Check yellow fever certificate requirementsStick to safe food and water practices: drink bottled or treated water, avoid ice of uncertain origin, and choose food that is freshly and thoroughly cooked. Insect-bite avoidance protects against malaria and other mosquito- and tick-borne illnesses such as African tick-bite fever, so use a DEET-based repellent, cover up at dawn and dusk and use a net where needed. Avoid swimming or paddling in fresh water such as the rivers of the north-east to reduce the risk of schistosomiasis (bilharzia). Rabies is present, so do not approach dogs, cats, monkeys or bats, and seek urgent medical advice after any bite or scratch even if you have been vaccinated. Namibia's central plateau and Windhoek sit at moderate altitude (around 1,700m) but altitude sickness is uncommon. The desert sun and dry heat are intense, so carry plenty of water, use high-factor sunscreen and a hat, and plan for long, remote driving distances. Take out comprehensive travel insurance covering safari and adventure activities and medical evacuation, and pack any regular medication in your hand luggage.