Medication
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Some medications are banned in certain countries because they fall under the Opium Act. This applies to certain painkillers and sedatives. If you want to take the medication to foreign countries, you need an official statement from your doctor. This declaration must be in English. Contact the closest Namibian embassy/consulate for more information.
Other medications are best taken in their original packaging, with your pharmacy's sticker on it (if applicable). Your doctor or pharmacist can also provide you with a medication passport. This is a passport-sized document containing the details of your current prescriptions and the internationally used names. If you |
were to lose your medication a doctor in Namibia could then prescribe the correct replacement. These medication passports are useful, however, they are not official documents and do not replace an official statements pertaining to restricted medications under the Opium Act.
We recommend that visitors carry all their prescribed medication in their hand luggage. If you suffer from motion sickness, we advise taking the necessary precautions before travelling, particularly for days when travelling by light aircraft. |
Vaccinations
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Contact your local GP regarding vaccinations you may need for your holiday to Namibia. For a short trip (up to 4 weeks) the following vaccinations are recommended:
If you visited or have been in transit in Zambia (this includes Livingstone and surrounds), a yellow fever vaccination certificate will be required on entering or transiting through South Africa and/or Mozambique. Customs and immigration officials may request the certificate. |
Additionally, you will need a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate if you live in, or have travelled recently through one of the following countries: Angola, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Guinea-Bissau, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Suriname, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, and Venezuela. More information on: http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/travel-tips/entry/travel-tip-yellow-fever-entry-requirements
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HIV-AIDS
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In Namibia, the percentage of people infected with HIV is very high, among the highest in the world. Keep in mind that it has been the leading cause of death in the country. If you are in a situation
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where you are required to give first aid, always wear plastic or latex gloves.
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Tick bite fever | tick fever | rickettsia
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When travelling to nature areas, such as national parks, there are many ticks and the likelihood of being bitten is high. If you do find a tick on your person, there is usually nothing to worry about if it is quickly removed.
Symptoms of tick bite fever include severe headaches, neck pain and fever. The lymph nodes near the bite may swell and the bite of the tick is usually black in the centre and a bit swollen. |
If you suspect you have tick bite fever, the best course of action is to obtain confirmation from a GP who may prescribe antibiotics. The symptoms usually disappear fairly quickly subsequent to taking antibiotics. If you are not treated and the tick is located and removed, the symptoms usually go away after two weeks and you are then cured (this illness does not remain latent in your system). Fortunately, Lyme disease does not occur here.
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Bilharzia (Schistosomiasis)
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This is a disease caused by a parasite that lives in slow flowing water. Only travellers to the Caprivi and Kavango areas need to
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be aware of this disease, tourists should avoid drinking/swimming/washing in rivers.
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Water/dehydration
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Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country. It is strongly advised that tourists carry more than sufficient water at all times, particularly when entering remote areas.
Dehydration is one of the most common problems in Namibia, |
especially in the hot summer months. To avoid dehydration, we recommend drinking two to three litres of water a day. Early warning signs of being dehydrated are a dull, throbbing headache and unusual tiredness.
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Food poisoning
This is generally rare in Namibia.
Sunburn
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The sun can be very strong, especially in summer, and without sunscreen the risk of burning is very high. We recommend you
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wear a hat whilst in the sun and use sunscreen.
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Snakes, scorpions & spiders
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There are many species of snake in Namibia, but they are seldom seen. Most snakes will disappear long before humans notice them. We suggest you wear good hiking boots, preferably with thick socks covering the ankles, when doing bush walks.
Snakebites are very rare. Should you be bitten, it is important to see a doctor straight away in order to identify the snake and have the correct anti-venom administered. Taking a photo of the snake may be useful, provided it can be taken without risk of injury. Do not attempt to catch or kill the snake. |
When walking in long grass be sure to check your legs and clothes for grass ticks, especially in the rainy season.
Scorpions and spiders are also seldom seen. Scorpion stings are rare but if you do get stung, try to photograph the offending scorpion and go to a doctor. If by chance you encounter a scorpion or spider in your room, please ask your host to have it removed. Should a spider bite you, we always recommend consulting a doctor who may prescribe antibiotics. |
Nose bleeds
The dry climate has been known to cause nosebleeds for the first few days after arrival.
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Although a first aid kit is always available in Namibian lodges, we recommend that you always have the following available for personal use: aspirin, laxative, Imodium, antihistamine pills and ointment, band aids, electrolyte sachets and wet wipes.
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For up to date information about healthcare, visit the website of World Health Organisation on www.who.int
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