n order to enter any state-owned conservation area in
Namibia a so-called Permit is required. It refers to an authorization paper to enter a specific area in the country.
It is not possible to buy permits online. All permits are issued by the Ministry of Environment & Tourism only. This is often confusing, as travellers think that they can get a permit also with
Namibia Wildlife Resorts, however, NWR is only the public operator of different accommodation establishments in the parks. It has nothing to do with permits whatsoever.
Permits can be bought at the following places:
At the entrance of a nature reserve, national park, etc., however, it has in most cases to be paid in the next accommodation en-route (e.g. you get a permit when you enter
Etosha through the south gate, but you pay for it at Camp Okaukuejo). This is NOT the case for
Namib-Naukluft-Park and Dorob National Park (keep in mind: here only the main through-roads are permit-free)!
For
Namib-Naukluft-Park and Dorob National Park you get the permit in
Sesriem.
For the Naukluft section of the
Namib-Naukluft-Park the permit can be bought at the small office close to the start of the Olive Trail; this office is often not operating and thus it is strongly recommended to get the permit in
Sesriem beforehand.
For Mudumu and Nkasa Lupala (Mamili) National Park as well as Bwabwata National Park you get the Permit at the closes ranger station to the parks entrance.
Always and for any nature reserve, national park, etc. a permit can be bought at the MET offices in
Windhoek,
Walvis Bay and
Swakopmund.
Entering a restricted section or nature reserve, national park, etc. without having a valid permit is an offence and you might get a fine (first fine generally N$ 300) and/or you are ordered to leave the park immediately.
In most cases you may pay the permit by credit or debit card. However, DO NOT rely on it! Cash is accepted in N$ and ZAR only!
Permit Office Opening
Windhoek (Post St Mall): Mon-Fri 8-17 hrs (8 am-5pm), Sat/Sun 8-13 hrs (8am-1pm)
Walvis Bay (643 Heinrich Baumann St) &
Swakopmund (corner Bismarck St & Sam Nujoma Ave): Mon-Fri 8-13 hrs (8 am until 1 pm) and 14-17 hrs (2 pm until 5 pm), Sat/Sun 8-13 hrs (8am-1pm)
Parks: sunrise to sunset 7 days a week
