The Cabinet of Namibia has approved the request by the country's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MET) to introduce a conservation fee payable by visitors to Namibia's National Parks and Game Parks. The conservation fee is to be charged to all visitors in addition to existing park entry fee. The fee is intended to supplement the current costly exercise for the maintenance and upgrading of infrastructure in Namibia's National Parks and Game Parks catered for through the development budget of the MET.
The fee structure for Etosha National Park, Namib Naukluft Park (Sesriem entrance), Waterberg Plateau Park, Ai-Ais Game Park, Skeleton Coast Park will range as follows:
- children under 16 - no charge
- foreign adults - N$80.00
- SADC-based adults - N$60.00
- Namibian adults - N$30.00
Vehicle fees to the above categories are as follows:
- 10 seats or less - N$10.00
- 11 to 25 seats - N$40.00
- 26 to 50 seats - N$300.00
- 51 plus seats - N$500.00
All other National Parks and Game Parks:
- children under 16 - no charge
- foreign adults - N$40.00
- SADC-based adults - N$30.00
- Namibian adults - N$10.00
Vehicle fees to the above categories are as follows:
- 10 seats or less - N$10.00
- 11 to 25 seats - N$40.00
- 26 to 50 seats - N$300.00
- 51 plus seats - N$500.00
The conservations fees will be valid for a 24-hour period beginning at the time of entry, per person, for one National Parks or Game Parks. The conservation fees are payable for every day, for visitors and vehicles. The minimum amount payable is for 24 hours (one day) and thereafter in units of 24 hours (one day). In addition, the fees are non-refundable and not transferable. Both Namibia and SADC discount rates are available on production of valid identification. According to the initial plan by the MET, the new conservation fee will take effect from January 2021.
Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has announced the introduction of a conservation fee for entry to National Parks and Game Parks. The fee, which will be charged in addition to the existing park entrance fees, will take effect from January 2021. The combined fee will be based on market related prices and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism will consult with stakeholders in Namibia's tourism industry before the fee structure is released.
According to the press release, the conservation fee will accrue to Namibia's Game Product Trust Fund and will be used for the management and maintenance of infrastructure in National Parks and Game Parks, human wildlife conflict mitigation and preventive measures as well as wildlife protection and law enforcement.
Namibia has not adjusted or increased entrance fees to National Parks and Game Parks since 2005. The country's park entrance fees are currently the lowest in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
