Is There Malaria in Namibia? A Guide to Malaria-Free Trips

By Stephy, Travel Specialist at Tourgy Tourz · Published 5 November 2026

Planning a trip to Namibia and wondering about malaria? Good news: most of the country, including its most famous sights, is malaria-free. Here’s exactly where malaria is found, when Etosha is low-risk, and a route map for a malaria-free Namibia trip.

Is Namibia malaria-free?

Mostly, yes. Namibia is one of the driest countries in Africa, and malaria is limited to the far north, where there’s more rain and standing water. Everywhere south of Etosha — Windhoek, the Kalahari, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Lüderitz and the Fish River Canyon — is effectively malaria-free. That means the classic Namibia road trip through the desert and down to the coast needs no malaria tablets at all.

Where is there malaria in Namibia?

Map: a malaria-free Namibia route

Suggested malaria-free route: Windhoek, the Kalahari, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and back. The red shaded area roughly shows the north, where there’s a seasonal malaria risk. Route lines are approximate, not exact roads.

A malaria-free Namibia route

This loop shows Namibia at its best without entering a malaria area. Allow 7 to 9 days:

• Windhoek (1 night): arrive, collect your car or meet your guide
• Kalahari (1 to 2 nights): red dunes, sundowner drives and dark skies, about 2.5 to 3 hours from Windhoek. Read our Kalahari guide
• Sossusvlei (2 nights): sunrise on the dunes and the walk to Deadvlei. See where to stay near Sossusvlei
• Swakopmund (2 to 3 nights): Sandwich Harbour, the Living Desert tour, kayaking with seals and fresh seafood
• Back to Windhoek (1 night) before your flight

Can I visit Etosha without malaria tablets?

Etosha is Namibia’s best wildlife park, so most travellers want to include it. The risk is seasonal: it’s mainly a concern from November to June, during and just after the rains. In the dry months, roughly July to October, the risk is low, and that’s also the best time for game viewing, when animals gather at the waterholes. Whether you need tablets is a decision for your doctor, based on your dates and health. Many travellers who visit Etosha in the dry season use repellent and long sleeves rather than tablets, but take advice first. See where to stay in Etosha and the best Etosha waterholes.

What about the Caprivi Strip and the far north?

The Zambezi Region (the Caprivi Strip) and Kavango are greener and wetter, with rivers, floodplains and great birding. They have the highest malaria risk in Namibia, so most doctors recommend tablets here, especially in the rainy season. If you’re combining Namibia with Victoria Falls, Chobe or the Okavango Delta, you’ll be in a malaria area for that part of the trip.

Who should choose a malaria-free Namibia trip?

• Families with young children, who can find tablets hard to take
• Senior travellers, especially those on other medication. Read our guide to Namibia for senior travellers
• Pregnant travellers, who are usually advised to avoid malaria areas
• Anyone who has reacted badly to antimalarial medication before

How to avoid mosquito bites in Namibia

• Use an insect repellent with DEET or another proven ingredient, especially from sunset
• Wear long sleeves and trousers in the evening
• Sleep under a mosquito net, or in a room with screens or air conditioning, in the north
• See a doctor straight away if you get a fever during or after your trip, and say where you travelled

Our Namibia packing list covers everything else to bring.

When is the best time to visit Namibia to avoid malaria?

For the malaria-free south, any time of year works. If you want to include Etosha, the dry season from about July to October has the lowest risk and the best game viewing. Read our guide to the best time to visit Namibia.