Travel safety comparison · Africa

Namibia vs South Africa: safety comparison

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Namibia vs South Africa: side-by-side safety comparison. Risk scores, FCDO + US State advisories, drug law, women's safety, LGBTQ+ status.

· How Warnely scores risk →
Namibia carries a materially lower safety risk than South Africa on the composite Warnely score: 28/100 against 44/100, a gap of 16 points. The biggest single category gap is in crime, where Namibia scores 2/5 against South Africa's 5/5. Drug law diverges sharply: Namibia carries a tier-severe regime against South Africa's more permissive framework.
🇳🇦Namibia 🇿🇦South Africa
Warnely composite (0–100, lower is safer) 28 / 100 44 / 100
Risk tier Exercise Normal Caution Exercise Increased Caution
UK FCDO advisory No active advisory No active advisory
US State Department advisory Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution)
Global Peace Index rank #50 #124
Drug law Severe (long sentences) Moderate
Women's safety rating Exercise Caution Exercise Caution
LGBTQ+ legal status legal marriage
Tap water n/a n/a
Currency NAD ZAR
Full guide

Is Namibia safe to visit in 2026?
Full guide

Is South Africa safe to visit in 2026?

Namibia vs South Africa: common questions

Is Namibia or South Africa safer to visit?

Namibia has the lower Warnely composite risk score: 28/100 vs 44/100 (lower is safer). Both scores factor in crime, terrorism, natural disasters, health, civil unrest, and infrastructure.

Is Namibia or South Africa safer for solo female travellers?

Namibia is rated Exercise Caution for women's safety; South Africa is rated Exercise Caution. Read the full guides for city-level detail.

What do FCDO and US State Department say about Namibia and South Africa?

Namibia: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) (US State). South Africa: No active advisory (FCDO), Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) (US State).

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Planning the trip? Check Namibia visa requirements and South Africa visa requirements.

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