Planning a Botswana Safari? Tourism fee changes remain on hold (July 2026)

Travellers planning a safari to Botswana can continue to use the current park entry fees, permits and tourism charges for now. The planned increase in tourism user fees, which was originally scheduled to start on 01 April 2026, remains on hold after strong concerns were raised by the tourism industry about the scale of the increases and the consultation process.

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has since continued discussions with tourism stakeholders, while organisations such as the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana (HATAB) have called for a phased introduction rather than a sudden increase. The Botswana Guides Association (BOGA) has also raised concerns about the process.

For visitors, the practical message is simple: nothing changes for now. If you are planning a Botswana safari in 2026, including destinations such as the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park or Moremi Game Reserve, the existing fee structure remains in place until further notice.

Botswana's proposed tourism fee review is part of a wider effort to increase revenue for conservation and park management, with the government arguing that many existing fees are outdated. However, the tourism sector has warned that steep increases could affect bookings and the competitiveness of Botswana as a safari destination.

For the background on the original proposed increases and what they could mean for future safari costs, read the full article:
Botswana tourism fee increases postponed: What travellers need to know (2026)

We will keep this update revised as soon as Botswana announces a new implementation date or a final fee structure.

 

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Botswana tourism fee increases postponed: What travellers need to know (2026)

last update 01 April 2026 

Botswana is on the verge of one of the biggest tourism pricing changes in decades—but in a last-minute move, the government has postponed the implementation of revised tourism user fees.

For travellers planning safaris to the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, or Moremi Game Reserve, this is a critical development. Here’s everything you need to know.

Latest update: Fee increases postponed

On 31 March 2026, Botswana's Ministry of Environment and Tourism confirmed that the rollout of new tourism user fees has been officially delayed.

While detailed gazetted tariffs have not yet been fully published, the postponement was confirmed via official Ministry communication.

• The revised fees will not take effect from 1 April 2026 as planned
• The changes are postponed, not cancelled
• Further consultation and refinement are likely underway

>> Traveller takeaway: If you're visiting Botswana in the coming months, current (old) fees are expected to remain in place—for now.

What are “Tourism User Fees”?

“User fees” in Botswana cover almost every cost associated with visiting national parks and operating tourism businesses:

• Park entry fees (e.g. Chobe, Moremi, Makgadikgadi)
• Camping and accommodation fees
• Vehicle and conservation levies
• Tour operator licences
• Filming and research permits

These fees are a core funding mechanism for conservation and park management.

Why Botswana is increasing tourism fees

The government’s rationale is clear: Botswana's fees are outdated and too low.

According to official consultations:

• Some fees have not been updated in over 30 years
• Botswana remains cheaper than regional competitors like Namibia and South Africa
• Revenue is needed to support conservation and park infrastructure

In fact, protected area fees historically covered only a fraction of conservation costs, creating long-term funding pressure.

How Much Were Fees Expected to Increase?

Although final gazetted tariffs are not fully published yet, proposals and industry leaks suggest:

• Park entry fees increasing significantly
• Example: non-resident fees proposed to rise from BWP 380 > BWP 500
• Some licence and permit fees doubling or tripling
• Filming permits potentially rising sharply (up to P50,000+)

>> In short: Botswana travel could become substantially more expensive, especially for self-drive and mid-range travellers.

Why the rollout was delayed

The postponement didn’t happen in a vacuum—it followed strong industry pushback.

Key concerns raised:

• Lack of consultation with operators
• Risk of pricing Botswana out of the mid-market safari segment
• Impact on local jobs and community tourism
• Booking cancellations and uncertainty

Industry stakeholders warned that sudden, steep increases could destabilise tourism recovery after recent global disruptions.

>> The delay suggests government is now reconsidering timing, structure, or scale.

What this means for travellers

If you're travelling in 2026 (near-term):

• You’ll likely still pay current (lower) fees, but expect uncertainty and last-minute updates

If you're planning ahead (late 2026 / 2027):

• Budget for significantly higher park and activity costs
• Monitor announcements closely (fees could be implemented with short notice)

For self-drive travellers:

• You are likely to be most affected by future increases (entry, vehicle, camping fees)

Is Botswana becoming more expensive to visit?

Yes—Botswana is already one of Africa’s premium safari destinations, and the proposed fee increases will likely push overall travel costs even higher. Park fees are only one component, but combined with accommodation, guiding, and transport, travellers should expect a noticeable rise in total safari budgets over the next 12–24 months.

Bottom line

Botswana's tourism fee overhaul is not just a price increase—it’s a strategic reset of the entire tourism model.

• Higher costs are coming—it’s a matter of when, not if
• The rollout has been delayed, not cancelled
• Travellers currently have a limited window to visit at lower prices

>> If Botswana is on your list, booking sooner could save you significantly.

Travel tip

If you’re planning a self-drive safari in Botswana, lock in park bookings and permits early. These are the areas most likely to see sharp price increases once the new fee structure is implemented.