Canada has issued a fresh advisory urging its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to Namibia, citing a rise in crime and increasingly sophisticated financial fraud schemes that appear to target foreign visitors.

The warning lands at a sensitive moment for the southern African nation, which is riding a strong post-pandemic tourism rebound and marketing itself aggressively as a safe, nature-rich destination for long-haul travellers.

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Canada Raises Risk Level Over Crime and Financial Fraud

In its updated guidance published in late December and highlighted on 1 January 2026, Ottawa advised Canadians heading to Namibia to remain highly vigilant, underlining what it described as elevated levels of crime, particularly in the capital, Windhoek.

The advisory singles out muggings, burglaries and carjackings as key concerns, noting that violent incidents, while not limited to urban centres, are reported most frequently in and around the capital.

Beyond conventional street crime, Canadian officials flagged a trend that is especially relevant for international visitors: a rise in financial scams and card fraud in locations frequented by tourists.

The advisory notes that cases of attempted fraud are “frequently reported” in Namibia and that credit card cloning has been documented at some hotels and lodges.

It urges travellers to pay close attention when making payments and to consider using cash in circumstances where they are uncertain about card security.

Canada also cautions citizens to take particular care when using automated teller machines, warning that criminals may attempt to distract cardholders or offer unsolicited assistance as a ruse to steal bank cards and cash.

The tone of the advisory stops short of warning against travel to Namibia, but its call for a high degree of caution signals a clear uptick in perceived risk compared with the more routine safety notes many countries attach to African destinations.

Windhoek and Tourist Hotspots Under the Spotlight

The Canadian notice reflects long-standing local concerns about safety in Windhoek’s central business district and some residential areas, where opportunistic crime, bag snatching and vehicle break-ins are regularly reported.

Residents and business owners have in recent months voiced frustration about aggressive begging, informal car guards and petty theft, arguing that visitors can quickly become targets if they appear unfamiliar with their surroundings or distracted.

Tourism professionals in Namibia acknowledge that crime exists and that incidents involving visitors, though a minority of overall cases, can have an outsized impact on the country’s image abroad.

They point out that hotspots are typically concentrated in and around busy transport hubs, shopping areas and nightlife districts, and that most popular wildlife and desert tourism routes are perceived as relatively safe when travellers follow basic precautions and rely on reputable operators.

Industry representatives stress that local authorities have stepped up visible policing in certain parts of Windhoek, particularly during peak holiday periods, and that many hotels and guest houses now provide tailored safety briefings on arrival.

Some tour companies have introduced stricter protocols for arrivals and departures, including escorted airport transfers and guidelines on where and when clients should move around independently.

Advisory Lands Amid Strong Tourism Rebound

The timing of Canada’s move is sensitive for Namibia, which has spent the past two years highlighting a robust tourism recovery and positioning itself as a rising star for eco-conscious travellers.

Official figures for 2024, released in late 2025, show around 1.25 million to 1.26 million tourist arrivals, up roughly 45 percent from 2023 and representing about 79 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has described the rebound as the strongest since the onset of Covid-19.

Regional travellers continue to dominate visitor numbers, with South Africa alone accounting for close to 40 percent of arrivals, followed by Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Among long-haul markets, Germany remains the single largest source of overseas tourists, while the United States, the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands also contribute significantly to the country’s growing profile.

Namibia’s government has repeatedly underscored the strategic importance of tourism, which contributes a notable share of GDP and supports thousands of jobs in hospitality, guiding, transport and nature conservation.

Officials have trumpeted rising hotel occupancy rates, new international flight connections and a steady stream of investment in lodges and adventure tourism products as evidence that the sector has shaken off the worst of the pandemic and is ready to grow.

Balancing Risk Messaging With a Growth Agenda

For policymakers and tourism marketers in Windhoek, the Canadian advisory presents an immediate communications challenge: how to reassure prospective visitors that Namibia remains a rewarding and relatively safe destination, while not glossing over genuine concerns about urban crime and financial fraud.

Officials have in recent months emphasised a broader push to improve visitor safety, including closer coordination between the police, tourism authorities and private security providers.

The Namibia Tourism Board has unveiled a five-year strategy aimed at shifting the sector from recovery to deliberate expansion. The plan includes institutional reforms, a stronger data-driven approach to marketing and product development, and a specific focus on improving air connectivity through the newly established Air Connect Namibia forum.

The strategy sets an ambitious target of around 1.5 million visitors in the near term, building on the 2024 numbers and leveraging new and existing airline partnerships.

As part of efforts to diversify its source markets, Namibia is actively courting travellers from North America, including Canada, alongside India, China and emerging European markets.

The risk now is that highly publicised advisories from Western governments could slow momentum in some of these target segments, particularly among first-time visitors who may be more sensitive to security warnings than seasoned African travellers.

Industry Response: Reassurances and Practical Measures

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Local tourism operators and trade bodies responded to the Canadian advisory by highlighting the country’s track record as a relatively stable and welcoming destination, while acknowledging that safeguards must keep pace with rising visitor numbers.

Many lodge owners and tour operators say they already advise guests not to walk alone at night in unfamiliar urban areas, to use hotel safes for documents and valuables, and to keep minimal cash and cards on hand when exploring cities.

Some establishments have upgraded surveillance systems, tightened access control at entrances and introduced more secure payment systems, including point-of-sale devices that never leave the customer’s sight.

Others now encourage guests to settle major bills via bank transfer rather than card payments, especially in remote regions where telecommunications can be patchy and fraud monitoring more difficult.

Industry leaders argue that clear, honest guidance can actually strengthen traveller confidence, provided it is accompanied by visible action.

They note that other popular African destinations, from South Africa to Kenya, have long operated under similar or stricter foreign advisories without losing their global appeal, as visitors learn to differentiate between generalised risk assessments and their own on-the-ground experiences.

Security Concerns Against a Backdrop of Environmental Strain

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The safety debate is unfolding against a wider backdrop of pressures on Namibia’s tourism assets, including climate-linked shocks and environmental incidents.

In October 2025, a major wildfire burned through more than a third of the country’s flagship Etosha National Park, one of southern Africa’s most celebrated wildlife reserves and a mainstay of the safari circuit.

Authorities have warned that the blaze could trigger a temporary decline in visitor numbers to the park over the next two to three years.

Officials have sought to frame both security and environmental challenges as tests of resilience rather than existential threats.

The government points to a rapid response to the Etosha fires, which involved deploying soldiers and rangers to contain the blaze, and to ongoing efforts to rebuild tourism infrastructure and monitor wildlife populations.

Similarly, law enforcement agencies say they are refining strategies to tackle urban crime and financial fraud, including closer collaboration with banks and hospitality businesses.

For travellers considering Namibia, the dual narrative is likely to be nuanced: a destination of striking landscapes and wildlife that is not without risks, but one that is taking steps to manage them.

The question for many will be less whether to go, and more how to travel smarter, staying informed and choosing operators and itineraries that prioritise safety.

What Travellers From Canada and Beyond Should Know

Security experts typically advise visitors to Namibia to take precautions similar to those recommended for travel in many major cities worldwide.

These include avoiding the public display of expensive cameras, jewellery and electronics in crowded urban areas; using registered taxis or pre-arranged transfers; and steering clear of poorly lit streets after dark.

Travellers are also encouraged to keep photocopies of passports and key documents separate from the originals, and to save emergency contact numbers before departure.

On the financial side, cautious use of bank cards is paramount. Using ATMs located inside banks, shopping centres or hotels during business hours is generally considered safer than relying on standalone machines on the street.

Covering keypads when entering PIN codes, declining unsolicited help from strangers at cash machines and regularly checking bank statements for unusual transactions are all simple steps that can reduce the risk of fraud.

Travel insurance providers, meanwhile, may adjust their risk assessments in light of new advisories, potentially influencing premiums and coverage conditions.

Prospective visitors are being urged to read policies carefully to understand what is covered in the event of theft, fraud or trip disruption, and to ensure that high-value photographic or outdoor equipment is adequately insured before travelling.

FAQ

Q1: Does Canada’s advisory mean it is unsafe to travel to Namibia?
Canada is advising travellers to exercise a high degree of caution, not to avoid travel altogether. The notice highlights concerns about crime and fraud, especially in urban areas and at ATMs, but many tourists continue to visit Namibia safely each year by following basic security precautions.

Q2: Which parts of Namibia are considered most affected by crime?
Most reported incidents involving visitors occur in and around Windhoek, particularly busy commercial districts and some residential areas. Tourist routes to national parks and desert attractions generally see lower levels of crime, though travellers are still advised to remain vigilant.

Q3: What types of financial fraud are mentioned in the advisory?
The Canadian advisory refers to frequent attempts at fraud, including credit card cloning at some hotels and lodges, and scams at ATMs where criminals try to distract or “assist” cardholders in order to steal cards or cash.

Q4: How is Namibia’s tourism industry performing despite these concerns?
Tourist arrivals have rebounded strongly, reaching around 1.25 million to 1.26 million visitors in 2024, up sharply from 2023 and approaching pre-pandemic levels. Authorities view tourism as a key growth sector and are targeting further expansion in the coming years.

Q5: What steps are Namibian authorities taking to improve visitor safety?
Measures include more visible policing in key urban areas, closer coordination between police and the tourism industry, safety briefings at hotels and lodges, and efforts to crack down on fraud in cooperation with banks and hospitality businesses.

Q6: Are national parks and rural tourism areas affected by the same crime issues?
Crime levels in remote safari and desert regions are generally lower than in major cities, and most incidents reported there tend to involve road safety or opportunistic theft from unattended vehicles. Visitors are usually more concerned about long driving distances and wildlife encounters than street crime.

Q7: How can travellers reduce the risk of being targeted by criminals?
Experts recommend keeping valuables out of sight, avoiding walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas, using reputable transport and tour operators, and being cautious at ATMs. Listening to local advice from accommodation providers is also important.

Q8: Will the advisory affect travel insurance for trips to Namibia?
Travel insurers may take official advisories into account when assessing risk, which can influence premiums or coverage terms. Travellers should review policy details carefully and confirm that theft, fraud and emergency medical care are adequately covered.

Q9: Is Namibia still promoting itself in Canada and North America?
Yes. Namibia’s new tourism strategy specifically targets North America, including Canada, as a growth market. Authorities and industry partners continue to market the country at trade shows and through airline partnerships, while also responding to safety concerns raised by foreign governments.

Q10: What practical steps should Canadian visitors take before departure?
Travellers are advised to read the latest government advisory in full, register their trip if their government offers that service, take out comprehensive insurance, make photocopies of key documents, inform their bank of travel plans, and book with reputable, well-reviewed tour operators and accommodations.