CHAMWE KAIRA
South Africa remained Namibia’s largest source market for international tourists in 2025, accounting for 39.7% of all arrivals, despite an overall decline in visitor numbers from the neighbouring country.
According to the 2025 Tourist Statistical Report, South Africa recorded 482 892 tourist arrivals last year, down slightly from 484 054 arrivals in 2024. Its share of Namibia’s tourist market also declined from 44.2% in 2024 to 39.7% in 2025.
Angola retained its position as Namibia’s second-largest source market with 131 294 visitors, followed by Botswana with 125 871 arrivals.
Zambia climbed to fourth place with 87 638 tourists, overtaking Germany, which slipped to fifth despite remaining Namibia’s leading overseas tourism market.
Germany attracted 80 657 visitors in 2025, ahead of Zimbabwe (62 622), the United States (31 090), the United Kingdom (24 690), the Netherlands (16 569) and France (15 661).
The report noted that regional markets continued to dominate Namibia’s tourism sector, with South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe making up the top five African source countries.
Among overseas markets, Germany maintained its position as the leading source of tourists, followed by the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France.
Most of Namibia’s key tourism markets recorded lower visitor numbers in 2025 compared with the previous year.
The United States was the only country among the top overseas markets to maintain its share at 2.6%, while Germany’s share declined from 10.2% to 6.6%, the United Kingdom’s from 2.3% to 2.0%, France’s from 2.1% to 1.3%, and the Netherlands from 2.1% to 1.4%.
Zimbabwe was the notable exception among regional markets, with arrivals increasing significantly from 37 478 in 2024 to 62 622 in 2025, raising its market share from 3.4% to 5.1%.
The report said the comparison of the top 10 tourism source markets highlights the continued importance of regional travel to Namibia’s tourism industry, while also reflecting softer demand from several established international markets.
Southern border posts remained Namibia’s busiest gateways for international tourists in 2025, accounting for 43.3% of all arrivals, according to the latest Tourist Statistical Report.
The report shows that southern border posts increased their share of tourist arrivals from 41.3% in 2024 to 43.3% in 2025, reinforcing their position as the country’s primary points of entry for international visitors.
North-eastern border posts ranked second, handling 25.3% of tourist arrivals, the same share recorded in 2024.
Among Namibia’s airports, Hosea Kutako International Airport accounted for 8.4% of total tourist arrivals in 2025, down slightly from 8.9% the previous year.
Walvis Bay International Airport also recorded a marginal decline, receiving 7.9% of arrivals compared with 8.1% in 2024.
Eros Airport’s share of tourist arrivals fell from 1.0% in 2024 to 0.8% in 2025, while arrivals through northern border posts declined from 10.8% to 9.2%.
The country’s two seaports, Walvis Bay and Lüderitz harbours, registered the strongest growth among all entry points.
Their combined share of tourist arrivals increased from 3.1% in 2024 to 4.4% in 2025, translating into 54 105 international tourist arrivals.
Other airport entry points recorded the largest proportional decline, with their share dropping from 1.3% in 2024 to 0.5% in 2025.
