English is the official language
All tourism, signage, menus, lodge staff, fuel stations — English works everywhere. Don't stress about language.
Afrikaans you'll hear
'Lekker' (good/nice), 'baie dankie' (thank you very much), 'braai' (BBQ). Use 'baie dankie' once a day — it lands well.
German legacy
Swakopmund and Lüderitz signage often German. Older Namibians speak it. A 'Guten Tag' at a bakery counter goes a long way.
Greetings matter
Every interaction starts with a proper greeting — 'Hello, how are you?' before any request. Walking into a shop and saying 'I need...' is considered rude. Slow down for ten seconds, greet, then ask.
