Is Namibia Safe for Solo Female Travellers? [2025 Guide]
If you’ve been dreaming about solo travel in Namibia and enjoying its vast deserts, dramatic coastlines, and epic wildlife reserves, but are wondering, “Is Namibia safe for solo female travellers?” Then you’re in the right place.
I spent five weeks navigating this stunning country alone, from volunteering on a remote farm to exploring the remote desert with a guided group trip over 10 days and can tell you that this country is 100% worth visiting.
Although, along the way, I discovered that Namibia’s female travel safety concerns are real but manageable, and the rewards of solo travel here are huge.
According to the Global Peace Index, Namibia is ranked as one of the safest countries in Africa. And, I can confirm from my own experience that it is a welcoming and peaceful place that is full of friendly locals. But of course, safety isn’t one-size-fits-all.
So, In this post, I’ll share my honest take on how safe Namibia really is, what solo travel looks like in practice (from public buses and guided tours to self-drives), the best places to stay as a solo woman, and practical Namibia travel safety tips to help you feel confident and empowered on the road.
Let’s dive in. Here’s everything you need to know before your Namibia adventure as a solo woman.
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⬇️Namibia At A Glance⬇️
⛵WHAT TO DO⛵
– Enjoy a walking tour of Windhoek
– 9 Day camping tour around the country
– An epic 4×4 Sandwich Harbour dunes experience
✅Travel Essentials For Namibia✅
– Book flights with Skyscanner
– Stay connected with an eSIM from Airalo
– Rent a 4×4 Through Discover Cars
– Get covered by SafetyWing – My favourite Travel Insurance provider
📅WHEN TO VISIT📅
The best time to visit Namibia is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. This period offers pleasant temperatures and the conditions to see wildlife in Etosha National Park.
The Subject of Safety
I want to acknowledge that safety is deeply personal and subjective. While I felt quite safe during my time in Namibia, your experience may differ, and that’s perfectly valid.
Unpleasant or unsafe situations can happen anywhere and are often a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. There are good and bad people in every country, and solo travel in Namibia is no exception.
Female travel safety in Namibia often comes down to smart planning, staying aware, and trusting your instincts, just like it would in any other destination.
For example, the place I’ve felt most unsafe in all my travels was actually Paris, where I nearly got mugged and a friend had a sketchy experience with an Uber driver. And yet, Paris is a city many would consider safer than places like Namibia.
My goal is to calm your fears and remove the lingering doubts so you can plan your Namibia adventure with confidence while still being aware of the challenges.
I truly believe you’ll have a safe, memorable trip. But please do take advantage of the Namibia travel tips I’ve shared below to help ensure your journey is as smooth and empowering as possible.
Top Safety Tips for Solo Female Travellers in Namibia
These Namibia travel safety tips are based on my most recent experience and reflect current advice for solo women navigating the country with confidence.
Travelling around Namibia as a solo female traveller
Namibia is one of my favourite countries in the world, but one of the downsides to solo travel in Namibia is that it’s not well set up for independent travellers.
Public buses in Namibia will take you only to the main cities and not to the remote areas where most of the country’s highlights, like Sossusvlei, Dune 45, or the Skeleton Coast, are located.
Since the best things to see in Namibia are far off the beaten path, it makes travelling here more challenging without a car or a tour.
As the country becomes more popular, I expect the infrastructure will improve. But for now, for women travelling alone in Namibia, there are two main options I would suggest for getting around: joining a guided tour or planning a Namibia self-drive route.
Guided Tours In Namibia
During my time in Namibia, I noticed that most solo travellers chose to explore the country through guided tours, and that’s exactly what I did too.
While solo travel in Namibia can often be more expensive, booking a small group tour was the most cost-effective and stress-free option for me. Namibia isn’t the cheapest destination, and travelling with a tour meant I could split costs, avoid the hassle of driving, and have my logistics completely taken care of.
As someone who doesn’t love driving, this option gave me peace of mind and on top of that, I met some great people along the way.
👉 Check out the exact guided safari tour I booked here – it covered everything from Etosha National Park safaris to the Namib Desert, and I highly recommend it for other solo women.
Is self-driving in Namibia safe for women?
Another way to explore Namibia is by renting a 4×4 and embarking on a self-driving adventure.
Personally, I didn’t love this option, mainly because I hate driving, and Namibia is vast. Getting from point A to point B can take six hours or more, which isn’t ideal when you’re the only one behind the wheel.
Parts of the Namib Desert are extremely remote, and you can easily go hours without a phone signal. If something were to go wrong, that could turn into a serious challenge, especially when travelling solo.
That said, if you’re confident behind the wheel, know how to change a tyre (flat tyres are common in Namibia), and are happy to travel at a slower pace, this could be a rewarding way to see the country.
Some solo travellers I met teamed up in hostels to rent a 4×4 together and share the driving, which is a great workaround if you’re flexible on time.
👉 Compare Namibia 4×4 rental options here – I recommend booking early, especially if you a travelling in peak season.
Public transport: what to expect
During my first three weeks in Namibia, I was volunteering on a farm and relied entirely on public transport to get me as close to the site as possible (before relying on my farmer host to come and collect me for the last few hundred kilometres).
If you’re planning to travel between Namibia’s major cities, like Windhoek, Swakopmund, or Walvis Bay, buses are one of the few budget-friendly options available.
While they won’t take you to more remote sights like Sossusvlei or the Skeleton Coast, they’re reliable for getting between hubs.
I booked all my long-distance journeys through Busbud, and I had a great experience every time. I also felt incredibly safe, even when travelling solo. If you’re planning your own Namibia itinerary that just consists of seeing the different cities, then it’s a solid option to consider.
👉 Interested in volunteering in Namibia like I did? I found my experience through Worldpackers. It’s an awesome platform for finding meaningful volunteer opportunities not just in Namibia, but all over the world. Definitely worth checking out if you’re looking to travel with purpose!
Safe Places to Stay in Namibia for Solo Female Travellers
While visiting some of Namibia’s top attractions like Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei, and the Skeleton Coast, you will likely stay in conveniently located campsites or hostels near each stop.
Below are my favourite places to stay as a solo female traveller in Namibia’s main cities.
Windhoek
Chameleon Backpackers is hands down the best hostel I’ve stayed at in Namibia. It’s super sociable, has a pool and bar, and I met loads of other solo travellers here. Reserve you’re stay at Chameleon Backpacker on Booking.com.
Chameleon Backpackers is also owned by the same company that I booked my guided tour of Namibia through, so you can easily book both together. I can’t recommend both the backpackers and the tour enough!
Swakopmund
Salty Jackal – This spot doubles as a surf camp and is one of the most fun and social hostels in Swakopmund. If you’re looking to connect with other travellers while enjoying the coast, this is the place to be. Reserve you’re stay at Salty Jackal on Booking.com.
Don’t Walk By Yourself In Windhoek At Night
When you check into your accommodation in Windhoek, you’ll likely be advised not to walk around the city alone at night, especially in the central areas.
During my stay at Chameleon Backpackers, I noticed clear signage warning solo travellers to avoid going out after dark alone or carrying valuables in public. As a solo female traveller, this wasn’t surprising advice, but it’s still worth reinforcing.
If you do venture out in the evening, I recommend joining others from your hostel or tour, using taxis where possible and keeping personal items to a minimum.
That said, I felt totally safe exploring Windhoek during the day. While I occasionally drew some attention, nothing made me feel uneasy or threatened.
General Safety Tips For Solo Female Travellers In Namibia
Stay Connected: Get a Namibia eSIM or Local SIM
I never travel solo without mobile data as it’s crucial for both navigation and peace of mind. I always use Google Maps when taking taxis in new places, just to ensure the driver stays on the right route.
If your phone is unlocked, picking up a local SIM card in Namibia is the most budget-friendly option.
But if you want to stay connected from the moment you land, I highly recommend downloading an eSIM in advance. I personally used Airalo, which is one of the only eSIM providers that currently offers an eSIM for Namibia.
CHECK OUT MY RECOMMENDED & AWESOME GUIDED TOUR OF NAMIBIA ⬇️
9-Day Canyons, Dunes and Wildlife Tour
- Price: $2000+
- Rating: 4.8/5
- Duration: 9 Days
- Includes: Meals, Accomodations, Safari & So much more
While it’s unlikely that someone will physically track you to your hostel or hotel in Namibia just because you casually mentioned it or tagged your location on Instagram, it’s not unheard of (and yes, it has happened to women before).
As a general solo female travel safety tip, be mindful of what personal details you share publicly or with new acquaintances.
Keep your family and friends informed about your whereabouts.
Make sure your loved ones know where you are and where you’re staying during your solo travel in Namibia.
This small step not only gives them peace of mind but also provides essential information in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. It’s one of the simplest yet most effective travel safety tips I can offer.
Travel Insurance For Namibia
Travel insurance isn’t just for lost luggage or flight delays; it’s also great for everything from medical emergencies to cancelled tours.
I have been using SafetyWing Travel Insurance for the last year (including during my trip to Namibia), and I have had a super positive experience with them as I’ve had to make a claim not once but 3 different times (however this was during my trip to Sri Lanka and not during my time in Namibia).
Namibia Solo Travel FAQs
Is it safe to self-drive in Namibia as a woman?
Yes, self-driving in Namibia as a solo female traveller can be safe, but it requires good preparation and confidence behind the wheel. Namibia is known for its remote roads, vast distances, and limited phone signal in rural areas, so it’s essential to take note of some of the safety tips I have mentioned in this post and ensure that you are 100% comfortable doing this.
What are the safest cities for solo travellers in Namibia?
Windhoek, Swakopmund, and Lüderitz are generally considered the safest and most solo-friendly cities in Namibia. Wherever you go, always use common-sense safety tips: keep valuables hidden, don’t flash expensive gear, and trust your instincts.
Final Thoughts: Is Namibia safe for solo female travellers? Here’s why
After spending five weeks travelling solo through Namibia, I can confidently say that Namibia is safe for solo female travellers, and more than that, it’s deeply rewarding. From the welcoming locals to the low crime rate, I found it to be one of the most wonderful places I’ve visited.
Yes, the vast landscapes and remote highlights like Sossusvlei and Etosha National Park come with their own set of challenges, but with the right planning, it’s all completely doable.
Whether you choose a guided tour (like the one I took with Chameleon Safaris) or opt for a 4×4 rental, there are routes and resources that make solo travel here accessible.
If you’re mapping out your adventure, don’t miss my 10-Day Namibia Itinerary for a realistic look at how to explore the country’s must-see spots.
Still on the fence? I’ve also shared a deep dive into whether Namibia is worth visiting, spoiler: it absolutely is.
With the tips I’ve shared and a bit of confidence, Namibia for solo women isn’t just safe, it might become the best travel experience of your life.
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