Renthia Kaimbi
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has revised entrance and conservation fees for national parks. This follows a public consultation process. The new fees will start applying from 1 April 2026.
The ministry’s deputy executive director, Colgar Sikopo, thanked stakeholders who participated in the review and said the changes are aimed at supporting the long-term sustainability of the country’s conservation efforts.
The revised fees introduce a tiered system based on nationality, age and vehicle type.
The largest increases apply to visitors from outside the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The new charges will apply to major parks, including Etosha National Park, Ai-/Ais Hot Springs Game Park, Namib-Naukluft National Park (excluding Sandwich Harbour), Cape Cross Seal Reserve, Tsau /Khaeb National Park, Dorob National Park, Skeleton Coast National Park and Waterberg Plateau Park.
For Etosha, the total daily fee for an adult foreign visitor will increase from N$150 to N$280, made up of entrance and conservation fees.
SADC nationals will pay N$180 at major parks such as Etosha and Namib-Naukluft, while Namibian adults will pay N$60.
Children aged eight years and below remain exempt across all nationalities.
Namibian citizens and residents aged between eight and 16 years will continue to access all parks free of charge.
SADC nationals in this age group will pay N$100, up from N$50, while international visitors will pay N$180.
Vehicle fees have also been adjusted and now range from N$60 for small vehicles to N$1 000 for large buses carrying 51 or more passengers.
The ministry said the changes are intended to provide clearer cost expectations for tour operators and independent travellers.
Parks, such as Bwabwata National Park, Mudumu National Park, and Khaudum National Park, will also see higher fees. The daily charge for international adults will double from N$100 to N$200.
Sandwich Harbour will not fall under the standard fee increases.
Access to the area, which lies within the Namib-Naukluft concession zone, will remain regulated through licensed tour operators. Namibian citizens will continue to pay N$50, while SADC residents and other foreign visitors will pay N$100 and N$150, respectively.
The ministry stated that the revised fees aim to align Namibia with other countries in the region and bolster conservation financing.
The ministry added that the additional revenue will support infrastructure upgrades, anti-poaching operations and the ongoing maintenance of national parks.
