Zimparks Raises Entry Fees At Victoria Falls Rain Forest
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has reviewed entry fees into the Victoria Falls Rain Forest and Zambezi River.
The new conservation fees for entry into the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls are with effect from 1 January 2023.
According to the new fees schedule, locals will pay US$10 to enter through the ordinary gate up from US$7 per person.
SADC and clients from overseas will pay US$30 and US$50, up from US$20 and US$30 respectively.
Locals will pay US$30 per person to enter through the VIP gate, SADC clients will pay US$75, while international clients will pay US$150.
Locals who want to tour the rainforest under the moonlight will be expected to pay US$15 per person while SADC clients will pay US$70 and US$100 for international clients.
To visit the Zambezi River, international clients will pay US$15, SADC clients will pay US$12 and locals will pay US$5.
Children above five years of age will pay half the adult fees.
Tourism industry players say they were not consulted before the new fees were announced but Zimparks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said they do not get funding from Treasury. Farawo said:
The fees will be effective in January and I think the prices are fair if we do a comparison with our competitors in the region.
We have a sensitive Government that wants people to access these things which is why we always try to maintain affordable rates.
This is our most prized asset, Victoria Falls and as our premier tourist destination, I don’t think US$10 is too steep for locals because the asset must generate its own income.
Compared to other destinations around the world you find that viewing gorillas in Rwanda is between US$750 to US$1 500 while park entrance fees in Tanzania are US$30 while visiting the rainforest is the cheapest thing that a person can get in Victoria Falls.
