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

update 23 October 2026: Botswana's proposed tourism fee increase is still on hold. Travellers can continue to budget using the country's current official park fees for entry, camping, vehicles and permits.
Outlook for the coming month: no new implementation date has been announced, so current fees are expected to remain in place through November 2026. However, the review is still active, so travellers booking 2027 safaris should allow for a possible increase and reconfirm park fees with their operator shortly before travel. 

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to increase revenue for conservation and park management, with the government arguing that many existing fees are outdated.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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