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Advice for researchers visiting Namibia

Namibia is a very diverse country environmentally, geologically culturally and ethnographically. Because of this it attracts many researchers from all over the world.

Namibia welcomes researchers. Visiting researchers are requested to follow normal research practice relating to such matters as permits, sharing ideas with local researchers, depositing results and removal of samples and records. This page provides some guidance on these matters.

Working with Namibian institutions Visiting researchers are strongly encouraged to work with and through, Namibian organisations. This is usually a mutually beneficial process, the local organisation can assist with the necessary permits and can advise on local conditions related to the work. In return the local organisations and local researchers can benefit from the skills and knowledge brought by the visitors.
Research permits Permits to conduct research in Namibia are usually granted freely and fairly quickly to bona fide researchers. This process can often be greatly facilitated through a link with a local organisation. There is no single system of permits covering all research fields; researchers should contact the Permanent Secretary of the relevant Ministry. The details of each ministry can be found on the government website www.grnnet.gov.na. Two research areas where permits are particularly important are those related to conduct of research in the National Parks and to conduct of research that falls under the remit of the National Monuments Council (fossils, archaeological material, meteorites, shipwrecks and any declared National Monument). Details of procdures in both these cases are given in the adjacent column.	Research in National Parks Permission should be requested through the Permanement Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. (Private Bag 13306, Windhoek) Permits are issued through the scientific services directorate from whom an application form can be obtained Research under the remit of the National Monuments Council. An electronic version of the permit application is available from secretary@mme.gov.na
Removal of biological and geological specimens and artifacts (including videotapes and recordings of traditional music) Specimens and artifacts must not be removed without the assent of the government ministry concerned.
Depositing results, books and theses Anyone making use of the National Archives is required by law to deposit a copy of any resulting work with the National Archives. Researchers are asked also to deposit copies of any raw data they have collected in the course of their work. Researchers are requested to ensure that their work is shared with others working in Namibia by depositing copies of any publication with the National Libray at the address opposite. These should be sent either as hard copy or electronically, but not faxed. The library also welcomes details of any papers referring to Namibia that researchers come across in the course of their work, that may not be available here.	National Library of Namibia Private Bag 13349, Windhoek tel +264 61 2935300, Fax 2935308 attention: Johan Loubser, jloubser@mec.gov.na National Archives of Namibia Private Bag 13250, Windhoek tel +264 61 2935300, Fax 2935308 attention Werner Hillebrecht Whillebrecht@mec.gov.na

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