HARARE, Zimbabwe — Budget-minded adventurers have fresh cause to eye Zimbabwe: the government has sharply reduced entrance fees for its national parks, a move officials hope will pull the country back onto the Southern African tourism map. The capital, Harare, is betting that lower prices at marquee sites such as Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park will reverse years of visitor decline linked to politics and currency turmoil.
Why Zimbabwe Trimmed Its Park Tariffs
Television network eNCA reported that the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry approved the cuts after internal data showed that high levies were discouraging both regional and long-haul travelers. “The levies had turned the country into one of the most expensive tourist destinations in SADC,” correspondent Pindai Dube said during a broadcast. Before the decision, non-resident visitors routinely paid more to enter Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) than to see comparably famous landmarks elsewhere in southern Africa. According to the report, officials acknowledged that the premium pricing no longer made sense in a post-pandemic recovery phase marked by tighter wallets and fierce regional competition.
What the New Fees Mean for Travelers
While the government has not released a detailed price list, authorities confirmed that the reductions apply across the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) network, which includes iconic reserves such as:
- Victoria Falls National Park on the Zambezi River
- Hwange National Park, known for one of Africa’s largest elephant populations
- Mana Pools National Park along the Lower Zambezi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Matobo National Park, famed for its granite kopjes and ancient rock art
Travel agents in Harare told Jetsetter Guide that the biggest savings are likely to appear in the high-season rates paid by foreign tourists. Domestic visitors, who already enjoyed discounted entry, could also see modest price adjustments designed to stimulate weekend getaways.
Regional Context: Competing With the Neighbors
Southern Africa’s safari circuit is crowded. Neighboring Botswana and Zambia actively court travelers with streamlined visa policies and flexible park permits, while South Africa leverages robust infrastructure and aggressive marketing. Against that backdrop, Zimbabwe’s fee rollback signals a strategic pivot toward value. Industry analysts say the country’s natural assets remain world-class—Victoria Falls is the planet’s widest curtain of falling water, and Hwange’s 14,650-square-kilometer expanse hosts more than 100 mammal species. Yet elevated park charges, combined with Zimbabwe’s dual-currency quirks and sporadic fuel shortages, have nudged many tourists toward alternatives in Zambia or Namibia.
Exchange-Rate Advantage
The Zimbabwean dollar’s volatility can complicate trip budgeting, but it also gives holders of hard currency added leverage. Most park entrance booths accept U.S. dollars, and a weaker local unit means the new tariffs translate into even deeper savings for travelers paying in foreign cash.
Tips for Travelers
- Check the fine print. ZimParks typically distinguishes among day visitors, overnight guests and tour-operator clients. Rates may vary by site and season.
- Bring cash. Card terminals exist at main gates but can be offline in remote areas. U.S. dollars and South African rand are widely accepted.
- Plan around the spray. Victoria Falls peaks from February to May, when Zambezi flow is highest. Lower water later in the year allows better photography inside the gorge.
- Combine parks. Hwange lies roughly 180 kilometers south of the falls. The reduced fees make a dual-park itinerary more cost-effective than ever.
- Book national-park lodges early. State-run camps such as Main Camp and Sinamatella offer affordable rooms and campsites that fill quickly during school holidays.
How Tour Operators Are Reacting
Local safari companies welcomed the development. “Now it will be a lot cheaper to visit,” Dube said during the eNCA segment, noting that packaged tours can pass savings directly to clients. Many operators are revising 2025 brochures to highlight reduced entry costs alongside long-standing strengths: uncrowded game drives, expert guiding and intimate bush camps. Hoteliers around Victoria Falls town—already buoyed by the recently upgraded international airport—expect higher occupancy once word spreads. Independent backpacker lodges and luxury riverfront resorts alike anticipate broader market reach, from gap-year explorers to honeymoon couples seeking bucket-list waterfalls.
FAQ: Zimbabwe’s New Park-Fee Policy
When do the lower fees take effect?
Authorities said the reductions are effective immediately, though on-site implementation may vary in the first few weeks.
Are visas or carbon-tax charges also changing?
No adjustments have been announced; the update applies strictly to ZimParks entry fees.
Will concession fees for activities such as white-water rafting drop?
Those charges are regulated separately and remain unchanged for now.
Can I pay in euros or British pounds?
Most park gates accept U.S. dollars and rand. Visitors using other currencies should exchange before arrival.
Does the reduction apply to guided walking safaris?
Yes, the base park fee embedded in walking-safari pricing will reflect the new lower rate, but guiding and conservation levies may remain.
The Bottom Line for Jetsetters
With Zimbabwe slashing national-park fees, travelers can now stretch their budgets further—whether splurging on a helicopter flip above Victoria Falls or tacking an extra night onto a Hwange safari. Lower costs also sweeten overland itineraries that link Zimbabwe with Botswana’s Okavango, Zambia’s Lower Zambezi or South Africa’s Kruger. For international visitors willing to navigate the country’s logistical quirks, the reward is access to some of Africa’s most dramatic landscapes at prices not seen in years. — as Dube said during a broadcast on eNCA.
