Money, cards and ATMs in Namibia

One-way parity with the rand

• The Namibian dollar is fixed at par to the South African rand, and the rand is legal tender in Namibia. Leftover rand from a Johannesburg or Cape Town leg is spendable the moment you land.
• The Namibian dollar is not legal tender in South Africa. The relationship only runs one way, so do not carry Namibian notes out expecting to use them on the way home. Spend or change them before you leave.
• Both currencies circulate side by side, and change may come back in a mix of the two.

Fuel is the reason to carry cash

• Service stations do not accept credit cards for petrol. That is the Namibia Tourism Board's own flat statement, and Global Affairs Canada adds that cash is necessary outside urban centres and at fuel stops.
• On a self-drive itinerary this is the single most expensive thing to get wrong. A tank between towns can be a few hundred Namibian dollars and the next ATM can be two hours away.
• Draw cash at the airport or in Windhoek before you head out, and keep topping up in each town rather than running the wallet down.

Cards, ATMs and skimming

• Major cards are widely accepted in the cities, and most ATMs are on international networks. Outside urban centres, assume cash.
• There have been cases of card skimming at hotels and lodges. Keep the card in sight when you pay and check your statement while you are still travelling.
• Use ATMs inside a bank or a business, or in a well-lit public place, and be aware of who is around you. Theft at and around ATMs is common.

What you may bring, and what you have to declare

• Foreign currency in any amount may be brought in and the unspent part taken out again, without restriction. That is the Bank of Namibia's own position.
• Money in your possession has to be declared at the point of entry and of exit under exchange control and customs rules.
• Namibian and South African notes are capped at NAD 50,000 in or out.
• Keep your exchange receipts. To buy foreign currency back on departure you have to show documentation that the money was brought in and exchanged here. Without receipts, the unspent balance is stuck.
• No limits apply between Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Eswatini, which share a common monetary area.

Practicalities

• VAT is 15%, and visitors can reclaim it at Hosea Kutako, Eros and Walvis Bay airports. Get to the airport early: the desk takes time.
• Bank hours are roughly 09:00 to 15:30 on weekdays and 09:00 to 11:00 on Saturday.
• Do not change large sums in busy public places, which is the FCDO's advice and a sensible habit in Windhoek.