Namibia: New rhino and elephant poaching figures!

Namibia has recorded 55 cases of rhino poaching since the beginning of this year. According to the Namibian Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, this is compared to a total of 44 (43?) rhinos poached in 2021. However, 36 people have been arrested in Namibia for rhino-related cases this year, compared to 80 in 2021. Minister Shifeta further said that two elephants have been poached in Namibia so far this year compared to a total of eight in 2021. 58 people have been arrested for elephant-related cases so far in 2022, compared to 98 people arrested in 2021.

btw.: As of October 2021, Namibia had recorded 14 cases of rhino poaching and five cases of elephant poaching.

Namibia: New rhino and elephant poaching figures!

According to Namibia's Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, the country has recorded two cases of rhino poaching and one case of elephant poaching since the beginning of 2022. A total of 43 rhinos got illegally killed by poachers in 2021 and 40 rhinos in 2020, while eight elephants have been poached in 2021 and 12 elephants in 2020.
Namibia is home to a third of the entire remaining population of back rhino on the planet and the second largest white rhino population in the world after South Africa. The country also has the largest population of free-roaming black rhinos as well as the largest population of black rhinos in protected areas.

 

Namibia: New rhino and elephant poaching figures!

Rhino and elephant poaching continues to significantly decline this year in Namibia. According to the latest figures released by the country's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, 14 rhinos and five elephants have been illegally killed by hunters in Namibia so far in 2021. Seven white rhinos and one black rhino were poached from private farms, while six black rhinos got killed in the Etosha National Park. The five elephants poached were from the Zambezi region, the Kavango East region and the Otjozondjupa region. 

Namibia is home to a third of the entire remaining population of back rhino on the planet and the second largest white rhino population in the world after South Africa. The country also has the largest population of black rhinos in protected areas and the largest free roaming black rhino population in the world. 

Namibia: New rhino and elephant poaching figures!

Rhino and elephant poaching continues to significantly decline this year in Namibia. According to the latest figures released by the country's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, nine rhinos have been illegally killed by hunters in Namibia so far in 2021. This is the lowest number in eight years for the period. Four elephants have been killed this way, a five-year low.

Namibia is home to a third of the entire remaining population of back rhino on the planet and the second largest white rhino population in the world after South Africa. The country also has the largest population of black rhinos in protected areas and the largest free roaming black rhino population in the world. 

Namibia: New rhino and elephant poaching figures!

According to the spokesperson of Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Romeo Muyunda, this year's statistics indicate that four white rhinos and one elephant have been poached in the country in the first five month of 2021. The four rhinos all got killed on private farms while the elephant was poached in a conservancy in Namibia's Otjozondjupa region.

Namibia is home to a third of the entire remaining population of back rhino on the planet and the second largest white rhino population in the world after South Africa. The country also has the largest population of black rhinos in protected areas and the largest free roaming black rhino population in the world.

Namibia records a drastic drop in cases of illegal poaching!

The Chief Public Relations Officer at Namibia's Ministry of Enviroment and Tourism (MET), Romeo Muyunda, has announced that Namibia has recorded a drastic drop in cases of illegal poaching. The country has lost only two rhinos to poaching activities since the beginning of 2021 compared to 13 poaching cases recorded at the same period of time in 2020. According to Mr. Muyunda, Namibia's continued anti-poaching efforts have led to this drastic drop in poaching cases.
Namibia is home to a third of the entire remaining population of back rhino on the planet and the second largest white rhino population in the world after South Africa. The country also has the largest population of black rhinos in protected areas and the largest free roaming black rhino population in the world. 

Namibia has increased National Parks entrance fees & introduced a new conservation fee!

Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MET) has finally obtained all necessary approvals to implement the revised National Parks entrance fees and to introduce a new conservation fee with effect from 01 April 2021. The MET initially planned to introduce the new fee structure on 01 January 2021.
The National Parks entrance fee has been increased for the first time in years, while the conservation fee is a new fee which comes on top of the National Parks entrance fee. The new conservation 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 fees are valid for a 24 hours period beginning at the time of entry, per person, per park. The fees are payable for every day, for visitors and vehicles. The minimum amount payable is for 24 hours and thereafter in units of 24 hours. The park entrance fee and the conservation fee are non-refundable and not transferable.

Ai-Ais Game Park, Cape Cross Seal Reserve, Dorob National Park, Etosha National Park, Namib Naukluft Park, Tsau/Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park, Skeleton Coast Park, Waterberg Plateau:

• Namibians (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: no charge
• Conservation Fee: no charge
• Total Park Fee: no charge
• SADC nationals (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$30/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$50/day
• Other foreign nationals (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$60/day
• Conservation Fee: N$40/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$100/day
• Namibians (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$30/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$50/day
• SADC nationals (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$60/day
• Conservation Fee: N$40/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$100/day
• Other foreign nationals (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$100/day
• Conservation Fee: N$50/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$150/day
• Vehicles (10 seats or less)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$30/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$50/day
• Vehicles (11- 25 seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$60/day
• Conservation Fee: N$40/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$100/day
• Vehicles (26 - 50 seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$300/day
• Conservation Fee: N$100/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$400/day
• Vehicles (51 + seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$500/day
• Conservation Fee: N$200/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$700/day

Bwabwata National Park, Mudumu National Park, Khaudum National Park, Nkasa Pupara National Park, Mangetti National Park, Popa Falls Game Park, Daan Viljoen Game Park, Hardap Game Park, Naute Game Park, Von Bach Game Park:

• Namibians (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: no charge
• Conservation Fee: no charge
• Total Park Fee: no charge
• SADC nationals (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$20/day
• Conservation Fee: N$10/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$30/day
• Other foreign nationals (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$40/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$60/day
• Namibians (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$20/day
• Conservation Fee: N$10/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$30/day
• SADC nationals (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$50/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$70/day
• Other foreign nationals (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$60/day
• Conservation Fee: N$40/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$100/day
• Vehicles (10 seats or less)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$30/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$50/day
• Vehicles (11- 25 seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$60/day
• Conservation Fee: N$40/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$100/day
• Vehicles (26 - 50 seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$300/day
• Conservation Fee: N$100/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$400/day
• Vehicles (51 + seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$500/day
• Conservation Fee: N$200/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$700/day

Namibia released rhino & elephant poaching statistics for 2020! [update]

update (08 February 2021): According to an article in "The Namibian" (online edition; 05 February 2021), Namibia recorded a total of 31 rhinos poached in 2020 compared to 52 in 2019.

Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MET) has released the rhino and elephant poaching numbers for 2020. According to Romeo Muyunda, Chief Public Relations Officer at the MET, a total of 30 rhinos and eleven elephants got illegally killed by poachers in Namibia in 2020, compared to compared to 50 (54?) rhinos and 13 (12?) elephants that lost their lives to poaching activities during 2019.
Namibia is home to a third of the entire remaining population of back rhino on the planet and the second largest white rhino population in the world after South Africa. The country also has the largest population of black rhinos in protected areas and the largest free roaming black rhino population in the world.

Namibia has increased fines for poaching to N$25 million from N$200,000 and prison sentences have risen to 25 years from 20.

Namibia's National Park Entrance and Conservation Fee structure for 2021! [update]

update (08 April 2021): Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MET) has finally obtained all necessary approvals to implement the revised National Parks entrance fees and the introduction of the conservations fees with effect from 01 April 2021. The MET initially planned to introduce the new fee structure on 01 January 2021. 

Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MET) has released the new Park Entrance and Conservation Fee structure for 2021, which will become effective on 01 January 2021. The Park Entrance Fee will be increased for the first time in years, while the Conservation Fee is a new fee which comes on top of the Park Entrance Fee. The new Conservation 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 fees are valid for a 24 hours period beginning at the time of entry, per person, per park. The fees are payable for every day, for visitors and vehicles. The minimum amount payable is for 24 hours and thereafter in units of 24 hours. The Park Entrance Fee and the Conservation Fee are non-refundable and not transferable.

 

Ai-Ais Game Park, Cape Cross Seal Reserve, Dorob National Park, Etosha National Park, Namib Naukluft Park, Tsau/Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park, Skeleton Coast Park, Waterberg Plateau:

• Namibians (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: no charge
• Conservation Fee: no charge
• Total Park Fee: no charge
• SADC nationals (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$30/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$50/day
• Other foreign nationals (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$60/day
• Conservation Fee: N$40/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$100/day
• Namibians (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$30/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$50/day
• SADC nationals (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$60/day
• Conservation Fee: N$40/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$100/day
• Other foreign nationals (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$100/day
• Conservation Fee: N$50/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$150/day
• Vehicles (10 seats or less)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$30/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$50/day
• Vehicles (11- 25 seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$60/day
• Conservation Fee: N$40/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$100/day
• Vehicles (26 - 50 seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$300/day
• Conservation Fee: N$100/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$400/day
• Vehicles (51 + seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$500/day
• Conservation Fee: N$200/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$700/day

Bwabwata National Park, Mudumu National Park, Khaudum National Park, Nkasa Pupara National Park, Mangetti National Park, Popa Falls Game Park, Daan Viljoen Game Park, Hardap Game Park, Naute Game Park, Von Bach Game Park:

• Namibians (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: no charge
• Conservation Fee: no charge
• Total Park Fee: no charge
• SADC nationals (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$20/day
• Conservation Fee: N$10/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$30/day
• Other foreign nationals (Children of the age of 16 years and below)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$40/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$60/day
• Namibians (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$20/day
• Conservation Fee: N$10/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$30/day
• SADC nationals (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$50/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$70/day
• Other foreign nationals (Adults)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$60/day
• Conservation Fee: N$40/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$100/day
• Vehicles (10 seats or less)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$30/day
• Conservation Fee: N$20/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$50/day
• Vehicles (11- 25 seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$60/day
• Conservation Fee: N$40/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$100/day
• Vehicles (26 - 50 seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$300/day
• Conservation Fee: N$100/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$400/day
• Vehicles (51 + seats)
• Park Entrance Fee: N$500/day
• Conservation Fee: N$200/day
• Total Park Fee (N$): N$700/day

Namibia: The Cabinet has approved the new conservation fee structure for National Parks and Game Parks!

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.

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Namibia to re-open all National Parks!

All of Namibia's National Parks are set to re-open. Effective 05 May 2020, National Parks such as Etosha National Park, Namib-Naukluft Park or Waterberg Plateau Park are welcoming guests again. Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR), the state owned enterprise mandated to run the tourism facilities within the protected areas of Namibia, just confirmed that all its resorts in the country's National Parks will also be open for business, but WHO guidelines with regards to the coronavirus pandemic will still apply. 

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Government of Namibia closed all National Parks to the public on 17 April 2020. The closure included all accommodation facilites (except for those hosting stranded visitors) as well as all tour operations and guiding activities.

Namibia: Swakopmund's elephant bull has finally been relocated! [update]

update (21 April 2020): According to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MET) the elephant was kept in a one-hectare temporary release pen at N/a'an ku sê Wildlife Sanctuary for two days to ensure he is healthy and has since been released into the the Sanctuary.
 
Over the christmas period 2019 an elephant bull made various visists to the vicinity of Swakopmund and eventually decided to stay along the Swakop River near the Rossmund Golf Club Estate over the past few months. Officials of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MET) and the Namibian police along with other emergency services immediately redirected the elephant with the distinctive torn left ear inland towards the Omaruru district. While there, the 25 year old elephant was successfully collared by the MET in January 2020, so that wardens are able monitor its movements. The MET expected the elephant to stay somewhere between Uis and Spitzkoppe along the Omaruru River and not come back to the coastal town of Swakopmund, but for some reasons the elephant seemed to have loved the area along the Swakop River better and returned in February 2020. The MET than decided to let the elephant stay there for the time beeing, monitor him and to assist the elephant to find a home.

Since February 2020, the bull roamed the area around the Rossmund Golf Club Estate and was closely monitored by the MET. During this time, the elephant became too comfortable around the Golf Estate, where it was seen moving between houses and breaking trees. To avoid conflict with the public, the elephant was darted and tranquilised on 18 April 2020 and successfully relocated to to the N/a'an ku sê Wildlife Sanctuary near Windhoek on 18 April 2020, where he has joined two younger bulls.

Namibia: National Parks are open to visitors! [update]

update (20 April 2020): Namibia's national parks will be closed for the duration of the lockdown until 05 May 2020 in compliance with the state of emergency declared by the President in reaction to the coronavirus pandemic.

Namibia's Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MET) has confirmed that the country's National Parks are open for business for people who still want to visit despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the presidential directive to all government workers and the private sector to temporarily operate from home. According to MET spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, employees of the Ministry in the National Parks "are following all the measures that were put in place by the state – no gatherings of more than 10 people – in addition to all the other activities that were discouraged and other preventative measures". [src.]
The Park Rangers in Namibia's National Parks are listed under "critical services" by the Government and are therefore continuing to fulfill their duties as usual, while MET office staff are attending to work from home.