Arnoud Quanjer Wildlife Photography

Please be aware that prices for accomodation in parks managed by Namibia Wildlife and Resorts will rise by 200% - 300% from January 1st 2008. Prices in Etosha and Waterberg will more than double and prices for Sesriem campsite will more than triple. The reason for the price increase is a new pricing system and refurbishment of facilities. The new pricing for Etosha means that staying at a Chalet or double room will set you back at least N$1500 which is three times more than a stay in the Kruger National Park in South Africa would cost. Even camping in Etosha will set you back N$300 minimum. Camping in Sesriem is even worse; a camping site will cost a minimum of N$450....and that's if you're staying there alone. Any extra person will cost an additional N$150.  This means that from January 1st 2008 camping in Namibian parks is more expensive than camping in Botswana. In my opinion this means that Namibian parks will be ridiculously overpriced from 2008 onwards.

The 2007 and 2008 Namibia Wildlife pricing system can be found here for 2007, and here for 2008.

November 2007

I have just returned from a trip to Namibia and I've had a chance to see some of the upgraded facilities at Sesriem. Naukluft campsite and Etosha. Lets start with the good news; facilities in Etosha have been upgraded and look stunning. Campsites have been upgraded, ablutions look like they've been made for a private lodge (not kidding) and everything actually worked (including the hot water). I was stunned by the improvement over what Etosha looked like two years ago. The bad news is that it looks like Etosha is the only park which has been upgraded. Nothing at all has been done at Sesriem and Naukluft campsite. Some additional campsites have been developed at Sesriem and they are building an extra ablutions block, but the old ablutions block is still as dirty and rundown as it always was. The same goes for Naukluft campsite, nothing has been done to improve it.

I still think that the price increase is ridiculous, but at least in Etosha you get something for the extra money. In Sesriem and Naukluft campsite the price increase is pure robbery.