This article deals with the system of transport in Namibia, both public and private.
The beginnings of organised travel and transport routes in the territory of South West Africa, today Namibia, have not yet been established. This is due to the lack of any written records relating to roads prior to the twilight of the 19th century. Archaeological work has dated one stretch of road in the south-western Brandberg Massif to 1250 AD. Although no other such early examples have been found, it is certain that this road was not the only one of its kind.
The first permanent road, established for ox wagons, was built at the initiative of Heinrich Schmelen, Rhenish missionary in Bethanie in the early 19th century. It led from Bethanie to Angra Pequeña, today the town of Lüderitz, and was intended to serve the natural harbour there in order to become independent of the Cape Colony.
Namibia's road network is regarded as one of the best on the continent; road construction and maintenance adheres to international standards.[1] The country's 48,875.27 km roads (2017) are administered by the Roads Authority, a state-owned enterprise established by Act 17 of 1999. Due to low traffic volumes the majority of roads are not tarred. The distribution of road surfaces is:[2]
| Region | Bitumen (km) | Gravel (km) | Salt (km) | Earth (km) | Others (km) | Total (km) | Kilometers per 1000 km2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erongo | 466.9 | 1748.3 | 269.9 | 1025.7 | 14.2 | 3524.98 | 55.5 | |
| Hardap | 654.7 | 4566.4 | 0,0 | 1358.9 | 0.0 | 6597.95 | 59.9 | |
| Karas | 1314.7 | 4989.0 | 5.0 | 1347.9 | 2.1 | 7658.62 | 47.6 | |
| Kavango East | 344.4 | 465.9 | 0.0 | 673.2 | 82.5 | 1656.95 | 64.7 | |
| Kavango West | 428.0 | 218.8 | 0.0 | 629.3 | 24.3 | 1300.41 | 56.0 | |
| Khomas | 361.8 | 1729.0 | 0.0 | 666.2 | 70.9 | 2827.85 | 76.8 | |
| Kunene | 515.5 | 2644.1 | 25.0 | 1524.5 | 186.6 | 4895.68 | 33.9 | |
| Ohangwena | 359.2 | 316.9 | 0.0 | 350.2 | 303.5 | 1329.71 | 125.4 | |
| Omaheke | 445.4 | 2974.1 | 0.0 | 2055.0 | 33.6 | 5508.09 | 73.8 | |
| Omusati | 726.4 | 486.8 | 0.0 | 750.6 | 261.8 | 2225.58 | 163.2 | |
| Oshana | 129.2 | 261.7 | 0.0 | 178.2 | 182.6 | 751.78 | 141.8 | |
| Oshikoto | 513.3 | 934.2 | 0.0 | 328.9 | 12.6 | 1789.06 | 67.3 | |
| Otjozondjupa | 1137.6 | 4454.0 | 0.0 | 1702.6 | 66.1 | 7360.35 | 69.9 | |
| Zambezi | 504.7 | 257.4 | 0.0 | 697.4 | 79.8 | 1539.26 | 78.8 |
The major highways in Namibia are as follows:
In 2018, there were about 393,062 cars registered in Namibia (169,911 in the capital Windhoek).[3] Namibia has a relatively high prevalence of road accidents, compared to its sparse population. In 2011, 491 people died in 2,846 crashes.[4] Causes are often speeding and reckless driving, as well as general non-observance of traffic rules.[5] Stray animals are also a major cause of accidents, particularly in the Kavango Region.[6]
Rail transport in Namibia is operated on a 2,687-kilometre network by TransNamib.
See main article: Rail transport in Namibia.
none (2002, 1999 est.)
Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport is the main international airport in the country. Two others international airports are Walvis Bay Airport and Eros Airport in Windhoek.
| Passengers | Number | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1999 est. | ||
| over 3,047 m | 2 | 2 | |
| 2,438 to 3,047 m | 2 | 2 | |
| 1,524 to 2,437 m | 13 | 15 | |
| 914 to 1,523 m | 4 | 3 | |
| Total | 21 | 22 | |
| Passengers | Number | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1999 est. | ||
| 2,438 to 3,047 m | 2 | 2 | |
| 1,524 to 2,437 m | 22 | 21 | |
| 914 to 1,523 m | 71 | 69 | |
| under 914 m | 19 | 21 | |
| Total | 114 | 113 | |