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Safety In Namibia

Safety in Namibia is like every where else.

Keep all your personal belongings out of sight.Walking in town take extra caution for your camera, wallet and handbags these items attract pickpockers.When withdrauwing money from a ATM-MACHINE take care for your card and dont walk with the money in your hand.
Its safe to walk alone during the day, but its better to walk in a group at night time.

If you are planning a self drive trip take for at least for 3 days water and food.There was some incedents where travelers got lost and die becuase from improper preperations.Take a map or a guide book with you on trip.

THE WILDLIFE IN NAMIBIA ARE DANGEROUS.
DO NOT THROW BOTTLES OR OBJECTS TOWARDS ANIMALS TO GET A NICE ACTION SHOT.
SMALLER GAME WILL RUN AWAY, BUT THE LARGER ANIMALS WILL COME AND ATTACK.SOME TRAVELERS HAVE DIED DOING THIS!!!
Do not handle any snakes as they can be venomous.
  1. Always leave snakes alone
  2. If you are in the bush wear boots and not sandles as most victims are bitten on the lower leg or ankle.
  3. Do not walk bare foot at night, take a torch to light your way.Most snakebites happen just before or during the 2 hors of sunset.
  4. Keep yoUr eyes open.When climbing on boulders or mountian climbing DONT put your hand and feet at places where you cant see.
  5. Dont step ever logs or rocks as snakes may sunning itself at the other end.Rather step onto the log or big rock.
  6. If you do come across a snake stand still. No snake will come up to you and attack.If you are about 4 meter away move slowly backwards.Snakes never chase people.
    If you are closer than 4 meter just dont move.Even if you have to stand still for 10 min, let the snake move away first.
  7. Do not throw rocks or sticks towards the snake .This is looking for trouble.
  8. Do not handle any seemingly dead snake.Some of them do feign death.This is only a defence they put up.The body may be turned upside down or sideways.

Scorpions

  1. Scorpions with small thin pincers and a thick tail is venomous.There pincers are to weak to crash their prey.So they do need strong venom.
  2. Scorpions with big pincers and a tin tail are not dangerous.Their pincers are strong enough to crush the prey.So they dont need any strong venom.
  3. Remove a scorpion with a stick carefully from within your tent or use a bucket.
  4. Scorpions are every where so be carefull in the bush.Chech your shoes, clothing and bags if you left it outside or unattended.
  5. In Namibia we dont find any serious poisenous scorpions but for a small child, elderly person or people with a weak hard must take care.


Spiders
  1. Do not handle any spider.Use a long stick to remove it from your campsite or tent.
  2. Some spiders are small so you dont see them coming.Take care when putting on your shoes or clothing if it was unattended or left outside.
  3. When you get bitten by a spider rather seek the advise of a docter the next time you enter a town.


Roads
  1. The recommended speed for traveling on a tared road is 100km per hour.Some wild animals like wardhogs, kudu, steenbok, donkeys and cattle graze next to the road and if they
    wonder on to the road bad accidents can happen.
  2. When driving on gravel road drive 80 km / hour and sometimes you must reduce the speed to 60km.EVEN IF YOU DRIVE A 4X4.
    The loose stone on the road can make the car swinging side to side.


Please read the page on malaria in Namibia.