NAMIBIA WARNING!!
 

WARNING on NAMIBIA: a large recent increase in violent crime against tourists (particularly white tourists) in NAMIBIA!! <BR>My family was recently subjected to a very violent crime episode in the city of Luderitz (on the southern part of Namibian coast). We were physically assaulted (including sexual torture using hot coals, ice picks, and other horrible devices) and robbed of all our possessions -- we were left barefoot and virtually naked in cold weather!! The local police refused to help and even made fun of our predicament!! The main police office in Windhoek, while more sympathetic to our plight, refused to investigate this assault. E-mails to high-level government officials were left unanswered. <BR> <BR>Afterwards, we met many travelers with similar horror stories. While most of the incidents we heard of were confined to the southern half of Namibia, violent crime is very rapidly rising EVERYWHERE in Namibia. Predominantly white tourists are targeted, motivated by the racial hatred of the local black population. Most of the police force is racially prejudiced as well. <BR> <BR>Send a message to Namibian government: AVOID TRAVEL TO OR THROUGH NAMIBIA until "tourist protection" is more than just "lip-service". Use our tragic experience to save yourselves and your possessions. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

WARNING!! <BR>The above posting is a totally irresponsible hoax. <BR>Anyone who knows and travels frequently in Namibia, like myself, sees this message for what it is! - blatently untrue!! <BR>This same message was recently posted on the Lonely Planet message board, and was quickly removed by the LP staff, who also realised the posting is no more that a hoax. <BR>I hope the Fodor's staff react as quickly. <BR>

... this message is "alive and well" on the Lonely Planet's "Thorn Tree" and is generating a lot of interest ... the reply posted here is apparently from someone with a vested COMMERCIAL interest in Namibian tourism!

My husband and I have just returned from Namibia (traveling independently). Not only did we have not the slightest fear of crime against us, but our friends who live in Windhoek (non-Namibians)said that the country, except in the Caprivi strip and in the north near Angola, is relatively safe. My husband and I were given a ride back to our hotel one night in Swakopmund by the owner of the restaurant where we dined (we had walked there), partly by caution and partly by courtesy. P

Two female companions and I just returned from a month's camping trip in Botswana and Namibia, and spent two weeks traveling throughout Namibia. Never once did we feel threatened or in danger. We took the precautions one would in cities in the US - we didn't carry our money in full view, didn't walk the streets at night, etc. There is crime everywhere in the world - my city's newspaper carried stories this morning about three separate murders, an assault, rapes of several women, and a few robberies. Yet no one is panicing and advising people not to visit here, or sending letters to our government about better protection for tourists. Every time a tourist is robbed or killed in some foreign country, we have travel companies overreacting and advising people not to travel to those destinations. The world is a risky place, and there are dangers everywhere - even in your own back yard. I am sorry that this kind of tragic incident happens to anyone. But it is unfortunate that a whole country is "branded" as dangerous because of some unfortunate incidents. And it is irresponsible for a non-resident and tourist to label "most of the police" force as racially prejudiced. I am white, and am opposed to prejudice against any race. But it always makes me cringe when white people get indignant about racial hatred against whites. Where were we all when black people in Southern Africa were being illegally jailed, beaten, relegated to homelands, killed by the hundreds by white police, etc.? <BR> I have travelled extensively (and independently) throughout Africa, Asia and the Middle East. There are places to which I would not travel because of political unrest. But I would highly recommend travel in Namibia (and in fact my companions and I are planning a trip back there next year). Just travel maintain the same cautions and common sense that you would traveling in Miami or New York City.

We have never felt unsave during our 6 trips to Namibia and South Africa. The world is risky! Yes it is. It could happen all over. Even in Vienna or somewhere else in Europe. In Dec. we will start our next trip to South Africa and I hope everybody who does the same likes this country like we do. <BR>Regards from Vienna/Austria <BR>Silvia

agrees with Alan, this message is totally bulls.... I dont know the reasons for that rassism note, but Namibia still is one of the safest countries on earth to travel, and shure the safest in Africa.

I think that precautions have to be taken no matter where you are when touring and this applies to any country - unfortunately there will always be the "opportunist" element somewhere waiting to take advantage of a situation. There is a writeup in the Getaway Magazine Page 29 about a regretable incident in Namibia. Their website is www.getawaytoday.com I do not hear of many incidents of crime in Namibia and have regard that this country is safe, I can only advise travellers to be aware and alert at all times as in any country.