National park fees to rise
Fee increase planned from April 2026
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) plans slight increases to national park entrance and conservation fees starting April 2026. According to the ministry, the changes will have minimal impact on Namibians, while mainly foreign visitors from outside the SADC region will bear the bulk of the adjustment.At a stakeholder meeting in Swakopmund, Colgar Sikopo, Deputy Executive Director for Natural Resources, said the fee review is part of a legally mandated five-year cycle and was last conducted in 2021. “This consultation is important,” Sikopo said. “As a ministry, we always conduct consultations on decisions that affect the public.”
Sikopo stressed that fees for Namibians will remain low to ensure locals can continue accessing and enjoying the country’s natural heritage. “We want to take it slow and stick to the five-year cycle. Our national parks and protected areas should remain accessible to Namibians, SADC nationals, and international visitors,” he said.
According to Sikopo, the most significant changes affect foreign visitors outside the SADC region. Even with the planned adjustments, Namibia’s park fees remain much lower than in other Southern African countries.
Reinvestment
Sandwich Harbour, part of the Namib-Naukluft Park, will be exempt from the increases as it will be designated a concession area.
“There will be no increase for entry to Sandwich Harbour because instead a concession fee will be charged,” Sikopo confirmed.
He added that revenue from the conservation fee, currently between N$70 and N$80 million annually, is reinvested into park maintenance and protection.
“With this change, revenues could increase to over N$100 million,” he said.
Funds from the conservation fee are used for infrastructure upgrades, anti-poaching efforts, and managing human-wildlife conflict. Examples include the recent purchase of a grader and water tanker for Etosha National Park.
Sikopo said the ministry plans to upgrade some rest stops in parks into full “comfort zones” with small kiosks and service points, possibly operated through long-term private concessions.
At the meeting, participants raised concerns about poor maintenance of toilets and rest facilities in some parks, especially Etosha and Mahango. Several tour operators also called for annual or monthly permits for professional guides who regularly enter the parks. Ministry officials said these requests will be considered but noted the challenge of preventing misuse.