MEFT defends Etosha vehicle access restrictions
Auleria Wakudumo The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has defended its decision to restrict empty game-viewing vehicles from entering Eto
National
2026-08-032026-08-03By Correspondent
Auleria Wakudumo
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has defended its decision to restrict empty game-viewing vehicles from entering Etosha National Park, saying the directive is a long-standing management measure aimed at enforcing conservation laws and protecting the integrity of one of Namibia’s premier tourism destinations.
The ministry’s response follows a media statement issued by a group of legally registered Namibian tour operators and professional guides, who claimed the restrictions have affected their businesses by preventing them from entering the park with empty vehicles to collect or drop off clients who have already booked guiding services.
The operators argued that the measures have resulted in lost bookings, reduced income and fewer employment opportunities for local guides and small tourism enterprises.
