The Zimbabwe Guide

Zimbabwe National Park Entry Fees Rise for 2026 Season

· 3 min read Travel News
Zimbabwe National Park Entry Fees Rise for 2026 Season

Contents

  1. Updated Fees by Park
  2. Hwange National Park
  3. Mana Pools National Park
  4. Victoria Falls National Park
  5. Lake Kariba / Matusadona National Park
  6. Matobo National Park (Matobo Hills)
  7. What the Fees Fund
  8. Booking National Park Accommodation

Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) updated its fee schedule for the 2026 season, with entry fees at the country’s major national parks rising across the board. The increases reflect ongoing reinvestment in park infrastructure and anti-poaching operations, and bring Zimbabwe broadly in line with fees charged at comparable parks in Botswana and Zambia.

Updated Fees by Park

Fees below are for non-resident visitors (foreign nationals). SADC national rates and Zimbabwean citizen rates are lower - carry your passport to claim the applicable rate.

Hwange National Park

  • Day entry: USD 20 per person (up from USD 15 in 2025)
  • Camping (national park camps): from USD 15 per person per night
  • Private concession fees: set independently by each operator and typically bundled into lodge rates

Hwange remains Zimbabwe’s largest national park and the most accessible for independent travellers arriving by road from Bulawayo or Victoria Falls. Game drives are most rewarding from July through October when water sources concentrate elephants and predators around the remaining waterholes. See our Hwange safari guide for planning detail.

Mana Pools National Park

  • Day entry: USD 25 per person (up from USD 20)
  • Camping (national park camps - Nyamepi and satellite sites): from USD 20 per person per night

Mana Pools is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and arguably Zimbabwe’s most dramatic wilderness. Walking safaris are permitted here without a compulsory guide, which is rare in Africa and adds significantly to the park’s appeal for experienced safari-goers. The park is only accessible during the dry season (roughly April–October); the Zambezi River floods the access road in the wet season. Our Mana Pools walking safari guide covers logistics in detail.

Victoria Falls National Park

  • Entry to the falls viewpoints: USD 30 per person (up from USD 25)
  • This is separate from the Zambia-side entry fee, which is paid at Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park if you cross the border

The Victoria Falls entry fee covers access to the viewpoint path that runs along the Zimbabwean side of the falls. The views from Zimbabwe are widely regarded as superior during high water (February–June), while the Zambia side offers more dramatic spray-pool swimming access during lower water. Many visitors pay both entry fees on the same day.

Lake Kariba / Matusadona National Park

  • Day entry: USD 15 per person
  • Houseboat and lodge fees: bundled into accommodation rates in almost all cases

Matobo National Park (Matobo Hills)

  • Day entry: USD 15 per person
  • White rhino tracking: an additional guided activity fee applies, typically USD 30–50 per person, which goes directly into the rhino conservation programme

What the Fees Fund

ZPWMA has been explicit that the 2026 fee increases are earmarked for three priorities: water pump infrastructure at dry-season waterholes (critical for wildlife concentration), ranger recruitment and training, and the continuation of the country’s black and white rhino protection programme. Zimbabwe now holds one of Africa’s largest white rhino populations outside South Africa, largely as a result of sustained private-public conservation investment over the past two decades.

For a full breakdown of how to budget your Zimbabwe safari, including park fees, accommodation costs, and guide costs, see our Zimbabwe budget guide.

Booking National Park Accommodation

National park camps (Nyamepi at Mana Pools, Main Camp and Sinamatella at Hwange) book out months in advance for peak season. ZPWMA operates an online booking system - check the official ZPWMA website for current availability. Private concession lodges within or adjacent to the parks handle their own bookings directly or via specialist agents.