Namibia Packing List

Our Namibia packing list won’t tell you how many pairs of socks to bring, but we do have some practical tips to consider when packing clothes for Namibia:

• Keep it comfy! Unless you are going on a fly-in trip, you will spend long hours in the car. That’s part and parcel of travelling Namibia. Comfortable clothes, made of soft, natural, and breathable fabrics are ideal for long road trips. While we would recommend to wear toned down colours on game drives in national parks, you don’t have to wear beige or khaki throughout your trip, just because you’re in Africa.
• Bring decent shoes. And by decent we mean don’t just bring flipflops. Do bring flipflops, especially if you’re going on a camping trip to use in the camping showers. But also pack a well-worn allrounder pair of trainers that can also be used as hiking shoes on short walks and hiking up and running down dunes. If hiking is the focus of your trip and you have planned multiple day-hikes, we recommend bringing proper hiking boots as it will be easier and safer to navigate the uneven terrain.
• Bring warm clothes. Especially if you’re travelling during the high season of June to October, it can get very chilly in the mornings and evenings. Temperatures in the desert vary drastically between day and night-time. You might also want a warm jersey or cosy scarf when on an early morning game drive in Etosha National Park. At the same time, don’t forget to bring your swimming costume as many lodges and camps have swimming or at least plunge pools to take a refreshing dip after a long dusty day on the road.
• Bring light long-sleeved clothes. While much of Namibia is considered malaria-free or at least very low-risk, you should always try to prevent mosquito bites; one of the most efficient preventions being wearing long-sleeved tops and pants at dusk and dawn. These also help to give your skin a break from the harsh desert sun in case you do catch a sunburn one day.

There are a number of items that should be on your Namibia packing list to make your trip more comfortable, more environmentally friendly as well as safer:

• First-aid kit
• Prescription medication – ensure you bring enough to last the duration of your trip.
• Glasses – if you wear contact lenses, consider bringing glasses in case dust and dry heat make wearing contacts uncomfortable.
• Hat, good quality sunglasses and high factor sunscreen, no matter your skin type. Remember to pack sunglasses also for your kids!
• Refillable water bottles to cut down on plastic waste
• Waterproof dry bags to protect your electronics against dust
• Charger for your electronics, travel adapter, and a head lamp / head torch – even if you don’t go camping, these can come in handy in case of power cuts at your camp or lodge.
• Guidebook and map – even if you go on a guided tour, these can be interesting commentary along the road. If you’re on a self-drive tour, download road maps to your phone so you can use them without having to be online.
• A good book, downloaded podcast or playlist in case you want to take a break from looking at the stunning landscapes passing by your window.

To enter Namibia you need a passport with a validity of at least another 6 months and 3 blank pages. Many nationalities don’t need a visa to enter Namibia for holiday and tourism purposes, but you should always check with the Namibian embassy or consulate in your country well in advance of your trip.

If you go on a self-drive trip, don’t forget to bring your valid driving license as well as an international driving license.

Inform your bank before going to Namibia and ensure that your bank will let you draw cash using your bank cards at ATMs.

If you travel with children, you usually need to present the children’s birth certificates. If both parents accompany their child (under 18), you need to present an unabridged birth certificate as well as the child’s passport. If only one parent is accompanying the child, you additionally need to prove that the absent parent has given their permission for you to travel with the child. You can do so by providing an affidavit of consent signed by the absent parent, a death certificate or a court order. All documents need to be in English language.

Make sure to have your insurance documents, policy numbers, and phone numbers easily accessible in case of emergencies.

We recommend making copies of all your travel documents and/or uploading scans to your email account as backups.