Major city · Namibia
Tsumeb
Spend 1 night in Tsumeb to see the museum, arts centre and nearby lakes; longer only if using it as a base for Etosha.
Tsumeb is a small mining town in northern Namibia, a gateway to Etosha and home to a museum, arts centre and two sinkhole lakes. Its compact centre is walkable; a night covers the main sights, while a longer stay suits day‑trips to Hoba Meteorite or Etosha.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NAD
- Best months
- Sep–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (cold, limited daylight)
- Airport
- Walvis Bay (WVB)
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Namibia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Namibian government sources before booking: since 1 April 2025 citizens of 33 countries, including the US, UK, most of the EU, Canada and Australia, need a visa on arrival or an e-visa.
- Namibia ↗Taking a rental car into Botswana, South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe needs written permission from the rental company and the right papers; ask when you book.
- Namibia ↗Etosha gates open at sunrise and close at sunset: you must be inside a camp or out of the park by closing time.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Tsumeb+264 67 220 447 ▾
- Tsumeb Museum+264 67 220 447
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tsumeb, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Namibian dollar (NAD, N$), pegged 1:1 to the South African rand; rand is accepted in Namibia…Namibia-wide
- SIM or eSIMMTC has the widest coverage; TN Mobile is the alternative.Namibia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Windhoek and main towns (Windhoek recycles water to drinking standard).Namibia-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10%.Namibia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Namibia-wide
- SafetyTsumeb is generally safe; keep valuables locked in your vehicle and be cautious on night drives on unlit roads.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean at fuel stations, lodges and park camps; few facilities between towns.Namibia-wide
- Emergency numbers+264 67 220 447 Tsumeb Museum (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall-town shops close Saturday afternoon and Sunday; fuel stations in towns are open daily.Namibia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckWVB Walvis Bay Airport (check).
- Getting aroundDowntown is walkable; use a car or taxi for the cultural centre, lakes and Hoba Meteorite.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- WVB Walvis Bay Airport (check)
Map of Tsumeb
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Tsumeb
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Grootfontein · 54 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Avoid
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jul (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (5 rain days), driest May (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tsumeb: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
2 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
3 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Downtown is walkable; use a car or taxi for the cultural centre, lakes and Hoba Meteorite. Free parking available.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lake Guinas
goDoor to door: ≈45 min round trip
Drive east on B1, turn onto D3022; about 30 min
Clear water, distinct Tilapia species.
Lake Otjikoto
goDoor to door: ≈45 min round trip
Same route as Guinas, 30 min drive
Deep sinkhole, limited visibility.
Hoba Meteorite
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Drive southeast on B1, then local road; 40 min
World's largest single meteorite, 60 t.
Etosha National Park (southern gate)
cautionDoor to door: ≈4 h round trip
B1 north 2 h to the park gate
Long drive; consider overnight stay in the park.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Villa Africa Guesthouse & Tsumeb Backpackers
N$566 per night, pool and courtyard grill.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- N$300–500 excl. bed
- Mid
- N$500–800 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Backpacker dorm1 × 1 night × NAD 566 | NAD 566 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × NAD 600 | NAD 600 |
| Minibus Windhoek ↔ Tsumeb1 × NAD 220 · check | NAD 220 |
| Train Windhoek ↔ Tsumeb1 × NAD 350 · check | NAD 350 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NAD 174 |
| Trip total≈ NAD 1,910 per person per day, bed included | NAD 1,910 |
2026 estimate in NAD; flights and long‑distance rentals excluded.
Prices of common things
| Meal at Sonja's Kitchen (oxtail stew) | N$80–120 |
| Beer at local bar | N$25 |
| Cave tour at Ghaubcheck | N$550 per person |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Minibus departures from Engen station cost N$220 to Windhoek; check schedules.
- Daily train to Ondangwa departs 08:50 (M‑Sa) and 11:20 (Su); 5‑hour journey.Daily train to Ondangwa departs 8:50 AM (M‑Sa) and 11:20 AM (Su); 5‑hour journey.
- Roads to lakes and meteorite are unpaved; drive cautiously in rain.
Emergency numbers
- Tsumeb Museum
- +264 67 220 447
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
TsumebTsumeb
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Na hierdie adres, assebliefTo this address, please
Emergency
- Tsumeb Museum+264 67 220 447
Embassy
No embassies in Tsumeb; most countries are represented in Windhoek (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Minibus Tsumeb → Windhoek: N$220 from the Engen petrol station parking on the B1 (check)
- Minibus Tsumeb → Ondangwa: N$350, 3–4 h (check)
- Train Tsumeb → Ondangwa: departs 08:50 Mon–Sat, 11:20 Sun, 5 h 30 min (check)departs 8:50 AM Mon–Sat, 11:20 AM Sun, 5 h 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Hallo — Hello (hah-loh)
- Dankie — Thank you (dahn-kee)
- Hoeveel kos dit? — How much is it? (hoo-feel kos dit)
- Waar is die toilet? — Where is the toilet? (vaar is dee toy-let)
- Asseblief — Please (ah-suh-bleef)
- Totsiens — Goodbye (tot-seens)
Emergency numbers vary by town in Namibia; private rescue services such as E-Med Rescue 24 are the usual fallback — confirm the current number locally.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tsumeb. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Sep–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (cold, limited daylight) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Tsumeb
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