At the last travel fair, I was frequently asked: “Is it safe to travel to Namibia?” My answer was always the same: yes—provided you drive carefully and use a reliable vehicle. But that wasn’t their real concern. They were referring to crime.
And yet, something crucial is often overlooked. Not only are the people of Namibia—aside from a few “bad apples”—overwhelmingly friendly and peaceful, but there is also a far more significant aspect to consider. Let me illustrate with a story:
“Are we flying or driving?” I asked.
My wife had no idea how that day would end when I walked into the bathroom. The decision was made quickly: we would fly—it was faster. Our destination was a horse breeding farm in the deep south of Namibia.
I entered the coordinates into the GPS, made the usual radio call into open airspace, and soon enough, in the middle of nowhere, a farmhouse appeared below us. An elderly lady stepped out, waving as we circled. A few men jumped into an old pickup and drove off. Initially, I thought they were heading to guide us to the landing strip. But when one of them raised a hunting rifle and, flying low, I found myself staring directly down the barrel (whether they fired or not, I would never know), I realised: we were in the wrong place—and most definitely unwelcome.
I made a rough landing on a dirt road and hastily called the horse breeders. It turned out that the coordinates distributed by the telecom company had been mixed up. Since I had to push the plane to maximum power for take-off—because the road was in terrible condition—I was highly tense. I stayed low over the road to ensure we wouldn’t miss our actual destination this time.
And then it happened.
As the terrain beneath us dipped into a valley, the VSI (Vertical Speed Indicator) jumped up, while the ASI (Airspeed Indicator) plummeted. Gaining altitude while losing speed? In aviation, that was only possible through divine intervention—or by flying into an illegally strung high-voltage wire and swinging skyward like a pendulum.
I knew our lives were about to end. I pushed the nose down, attempting to use the flare effect before impact—but then, the crash.
My Mayday call went unheard.
Rescue in Namibia – A Harsh Lesson
Lisa was severely injured. I couldn’t move. But we were alive—she was alive. In that moment, that meant everything. Local farmers rushed to the scene. They had suddenly lost power—no wonder. They quickly set up shade to shield us from the scorching midday heat.
Then came the harsh reality:
The emergency services refused to dispatch a helicopter or air ambulance until our health insurance coverage was verified. In her distress, my mother contacted our neighbouring farmer, who drove 30 km to our farm, broke in to retrieve my insurance card, and then drove back to relay the number by phone. But it was the weekend—no one at the insurance company picked up.
Fortunately, the rescue helicopter pilot got wind of the situation and declared: “To hell with this—if a pilot is in distress, I take off!”
Six hours after our crash, he and his team arrived, administered morphine, and transported us in a stable position to Mariental, where an air ambulance was already waiting. I overheard the pilot sarcastically remark that the official go-ahead for our evacuation had only come through an hour earlier—far too late.
Lisa underwent surgery under the care of one of Namibia’s best plastic surgeon. Her face was saved, but her back remains a fragile wreck and still causes her pain today. I, too, eventually recovered.
What Namibia Travellers Need to Know
The fact is: Emergency rescue in Namibia only functions smoothly if communication is immediate, action is taken promptly, and payment is secured.
For this reason, I have arranged additional insurance for our guests. With an Evacuation Code, a helicopter or air ambulance can be deployed immediately, ensuring access to a top-tier private clinic. The financial details can be sorted out later.
So, dear visitors to Namibia:
✅ Ensure your health insurance covers you abroad and keep your insurance card accessible.
✅ Save these emergency numbers on your phone:
📞 MedRescue: +264 81 924
📞 MedRescue: 924
📞 MedRescue: +264 61 411 600 (International)
📞 LifeLink: 999
✅ Your Evacuation Code is included in your booking documents.
Safety is not just about protecting yourself from crime—it is about being prepared for emergencies or simply driving carefully!
It’s not a question of whether something will happen, but rather, what then? That is the mindset needed when travelling in foreign countries.
Of course, many are wise enough to book with local providers or reputable tour operators—those who possess genuine knowledge of the land. Let’s leave aside the dubious supermarket-style tourism model, where tourists are sent to distant lands with a flashy travel security certificate and a hefty price tag, without real consideration for local conditions.
How many times must we assist self-drivers from well-known rental car companies who are stranded because their vehicles have just one spare tyre—yet lack gravel-proof tyres or proper suspension? How often do we explain routes and park closing times, knowing full well they will be out driving deep into the night—often without reaching their destination because national parks close at sunset?
And then there’s another growing frustration: More and more travellers seek out our carefully crafted logistical expertise, only to snatch up a supposedly cheaper online deal after getting free advice. The fact that they end up stranded in the wilderness as a result no longer surprises us. And yet, these are the same guests who, utterly unprepared, desperately call for assistance.
It is particularly amusing when, after an extensive rescue operation, they proudly declare they booked via Bookingdotcom — and think they were being especially clever. But never mind. Let’s keep it a pleasant day.
Get a Visa for Namibia…
Borders Closing… That seems to be the global trend now.
I won’t get political here, but we are deeply concerned about our liberal-democratic values, our moral principles, the all-important cause of nature conservation, and our free way of life.
We, too, are a little disappointed. Namibia has always pursued an open visa policy—welcoming visitors without cumbersome application processes. However, Namibians have long required visas to enter many Western countries—often facing tedious procedures and, at times, near-humiliating scrutiny. Since some nations have not reciprocated Namibia’s openness, a visa requirement has now been introduced for certain travellers—including those from our “bread-and-butter” markets.
No need to worry! The application process is straightforward: just a bit of online bureaucracy and a credit card fee. Thanks to close collaboration between our government and the private sector, TASA played an active role in shaping a user-friendly system that continues to improve. We are in regular contact with the relevant authorities and private stakeholders and are confident that the process will run smoothly.
Returning travellers will only be turned away for not greeting politely—just kidding!
For detailed information and a step-by-step guide, visit my website via the following link.
To make the visa process as easy as possible for our clients, we provide structured, copy-paste accommodation details. Should an official be in a bad mood and request additional proof, our clients will have no trouble presenting the following:
✅ eVisa confirmation and payment receipt – essential for stamping the visa upon arrival! (Print your online confirmation.)
✅ Invitation letter with payment confirmation (Issued by us, confirming all services have been paid for.)
✅ A short travel itinerary with accommodation details (Prepared by us, giving a clear overview of your trip.)
✅ Proof of valid international health insurance (To be provided by the client.)
With these documents, there should be no issues—nothing stands in the way of an unforgettable journey to Namibia!
So, no worries, and we look forward to greeting tired faces upon arrival and tearful goodbyes when you leave, because it’s just that beautiful here.
PS: I know, I know…
…we had promised to put the Join-us trips for 2026 online soon. However, since we haven’t yet received prices from many lodges, the whole process is unfortunately delayed a bit. But I promise – I’m on it!
At the same time, I want to express my heartfelt thanks: It’s amazing to see that this year’s trips are so well booked—yes… fully booked! I’m incredibly grateful for the trust our guests place in us – it’s truly something special to be able to plan and/or accompany their journeys.
Albert
Last Updated on 10. March 2025 by Albert Voigts von Schütz
