Park fee increases to boost conservation, tourism

The environment, forestry and tourism ministry has proposed slight increases to national park entrance and conservation fees valid as of April 2026.Officials assured that Namibians will face only minimal changes, while foreign visitors—particularly those from outside the SADC region—will bear the bulk of the adjustment.Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Swakopmund, deputy executive director for natural resources management Colgar Sikopo said the review of park fees, last implemented in 2021, is part of a five-year cycle mandated by law."This consultation is very important,” Sikopo said. “As a ministry, in whatever decisions we take that affect the public, there will always be consultation.”Sikopo emphasised that fees for Namibians will remain affordably low to ensure locals can continue to access and enjoy the country’s natural heritage."We want to make or continue to have our national parks and protected areas accessible by Namibians, by SADC nationals, by the foreign nationals that come and see the beauty of this country,” he said.Sikopo explained that the most significant changes will affect foreign nationals from outside the SADC region. He added that even with the proposed increases, Namibia’s park fees remain considerably lower than those in other southern African countries.Much-needed revenueSandwich Harbour, part of the Namib-Naukluft Park, will be exempt from the increases, as it is being designated a concession area.“There will be no increment for entering Sandwich Harbour... because there will be a fee in the name of concession that will be paid,” Sikopo confirmed.He also explained that revenue from the conservation fee, which currently generates between N$70 million and N$80 million annually, is reinvested into the maintenance and protection of the country’s parks.“With this change, that should increase possibly to over N$100 million,” he noted.Funds from the conservation fee are used for infrastructure upgrades, anti-poaching operations and managing human-wildlife conflict.Examples include the recent purchase of a grader and water tanker for Etosha National Park, the recruitment of park maintenance volunteers and upgrades to public facilities.Sikopo said the ministry aims to convert certain rest stops in parks into full-fledged “comfort zones” that include small kiosks and service points, potentially operated through long-term private concessions.Stakeholder concerns raisedStakeholders at the meeting raised concerns about inadequate maintenance of toilets and rest facilities at some parks, especially Etosha and Mahango. Several tour operators also called for annual or monthly permit options for professional guides who regularly enter parks. Ministry officials said such requests would be considered but noted the challenge of preventing misuse.“We definitely want to reinvest this money. That was the purpose when Cabinet directed that the money should be reinvested in the management and maintenance of national parks... including anti-poaching operations,” Sikopo said.

Park fee increases to boost conservation, tourism

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-25

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Park fee increases to boost conservation, tourism

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-25

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