Etosha Entry Fees Explained for Self-Drive Visitors

Understanding Etosha Park Entry Fees

Entry fees are charged at all Etosha National Park gates for both people and vehicles. Understanding how they work prevents confusion at the gate and ensures you have the right payment ready.

2026 Fee Schedule

Category	Rate (NAD, per day)
International adult	NAD 180
International child (under 16)	NAD 80
SADC national (adult)	NAD 80
SADC national (child under 16)	NAD 30
Namibian citizen (adult)	NAD 30
Namibian citizen (child under 16)	NAD 10
Vehicle (under 3.5 tonnes)	NAD 10/day
Vehicle (3.5–12 tonnes)	NAD 50/day

How Fees Are Calculated

• Fees are charged per person per day, not per night
• A “day” in the park counts from gate entry to gate exit on any given calendar day
• If you enter on Day 1 and exit on Day 4, you are charged for 4 days per person (not 3)
• Vehicle fee is charged per day the vehicle is inside the park

Example: 2 International Adults, 3 Nights

Entering Day 1, exiting Day 4 = 4 park days per person

• Park entry: 2 adults × 4 days × NAD 180 = NAD 1,440
• Vehicle: 4 days × NAD 10 = NAD 40
• Total gate fees: NAD 1,480

Payment Methods

• Cash (NAD preferred; also USD and ZAR accepted at many gates)
• Credit/debit card accepted at Anderson and Von Lindequist gates (not always reliable — carry cash backup)
• No online pre-payment for gate fees (accommodation is separate)

Receipt Management

• Keep your gate receipt(s) accessible throughout your stay
• Receipts are checked at accommodation check-in
• Rangers may request receipt verification on park roads
• If exiting and re-entering the same trip, you pay again on re-entry

SADC Rate Eligibility

SADC (Southern African Development Community) national rates apply to citizens of: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, DRC, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Passport proof of citizenship required at gate.

Children and Family Fees

• Children under 16 pay a reduced daily rate
• Children under 6: confirm with NWR — some categories may be free
• Family totals add up quickly in peak season — factor this into your budget planning