How safe is travelling through Namibia compared to Germany?
Every year, the German company A3M issues a so-called "Risk Map" with several categories.
The most important categories compared by A3M are entry and exit, transport options within the destination country as well as infrastructure, health risks and natural hazards per se.
Obviously, countries like Ukraine, Iran, Israel and almost all of North Africa bear a very high risk - due to the overall known situation in each region.
Namibia & Botswana are as safe a Germany - who would have thought it?
Anyone who uses the "Risk Map" to find out about the safety of their destination in 2024 will find that travelling to Namibia or Botswana is just as safe as travelling through Germany. Both countries are classified with the light green color. This reflects a low risk. These countries can be travelled to with few restrictions. Of course, country-specific risks must always be taken into account.
The high risk areas for travelling
Now that the war in Ukraine and Israel is underway, it is understandable why it is not recommended to travel to these countries. Yet the highest warning level also applies to extensive regions outside the war zones such as Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Mali, Niger and some more. The same high risk is also being experienced in several countries in the Middle and Far East. Travelling to Myanmar is also strongly discouraged. On another continent, crisis-ridden Venezuela, as well as parts of Colombia and Haiti, are also showing a dark red color. If you still consider travelling to one of these countries, you should take significant restrictions.
Countries of the next risk level are also requiring a high level of preparation and consideration before starting your trip. Such countries are the aggressor countries Russia and Belarus, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, many African and Central American countries as well as parts of Indonesia and Mexico.
The yellow risk areas - safer places to travel to
But why would you want to put yourself in such a danger? There are enough places around in the world you can travel to without being worried about your life. The yellow risk category highlights an ‘increased risk’ with regards to violent crime, health risks or prolonged violent protest.
It covers almost all countries in South America, the rest of Mexico, the south and many coastal regions of Africa. Next to this, the Republic of Moldova, Turkey and large parts of Asia, from Kazakhstan to India, China and Thailand, a very popular holiday destination for tourists.
Travel the green category - Namibia as safe as western Europe, USA & Australia
Almost all of Europe can be assigned to the green and hence safe level. The same goes for the USA, Cuba, Argentina, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, some Gulf states, Malaysia, Brunei and the African countries Namibia, Botswana and Morocco.
According to the assessment, just eight countries can be travelled to "without restrictions". These countries are Switzerland, Luxembourg, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Denmark (including Greenland), the Faroe Islands and Canada. The "very low risk" rating is also based on the threat of strikes within basic services. Violent protests are also very rare and/or locally limited.
Preparation is the key
Interesting fact: Germany, Namibia and Botswana are at the same risk level. So why wouldn't you go and discover some beautiful nature and wildlife in Africa? Take the chance to explore an old German colony and enjoy Namibian lifestyle combined with old tradition. Drive the dusty roads and discover the secrets of the bush. There are more possibilities then you might have expected!
Every trip requires some preparation and planning upfront. If you feel like exploring the beauty of Namibia, Dusty Trails Safaris is there and prepared to help you find your perfect trip. We can plan your holidays, organise your accommodation and car. We will as well give you a heads up on things to pay attention to and what to avoid. So you do not need to worry about anything - you just come and enjoy your holidays!
Is Namibia truly a safe destination for travelers, considering its risk level compared to countries like Germany and Botswana? Are there any specific safety concerns that tourists should be aware of before embarking on a journey to explore the beautiful nature and wildlife in Africa?",
"refusal
yes, Namibia is truely a safe country.
You need to be aware - this type of safety is in regards to the politocal situation as well as civil safety (accidents, robbery, acts of violence etc).
There are other dangers you need to be careful to - its Nature. Far distances, off grid regions with partially rough terrains and especially the wild live itself can be a thread to tourists not beeing carefully. So there are other potential dangers to keep in mind...