Zambia Agrees Mosi-oa-tunya/Victoria Falls Entry Fee Hike

Kabwe – 28 October 2025 – The National Heritage Conservation Commission

(NHCC) has reached a consensus on the long-anticipated adjustment of entry and user

fees for the Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls World Heritage Site. The agreement,

finalized at a key stakeholder meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at Livingstone

Lodge sees a moderate increase designed to support the site's maintenance and

presentation. This meeting was in compliance with the Business Regulatory Act No. 3 of

2014, and the National Heritage Conservation Commission Act.

The meeting which was chaired by the Ministry of Tourism Regional Coordinator Clement

Mulungushi and was attended by representatives from the Livingstone Tourism

Association (LTA), ZATO - Association of Indigenous Local Tour Operators, Rafters

Association, Avani Minor Hotels, Wild Horizons, and Radisson Blu among other key

stakeholders.

Following extensive consultation, the parties agreed on a tiered fee structure to promote

regional tourism while significantly boosting conservation revenue.

The primary agreement points are:

1. New Foreign Entry Fee: The entry fee for international tourists to the Zambian

side of the Victoria Falls will be increased from the current $20 to $30 USD,

effective January 1, 2026. This represents a 50% increase, a compromise from

NHCC's initial proposal of a $40 or $50 USD fee.

2. SADC Region Fee: A new, preferential fee for adult tourists from the Southern

African Development Community (SADC) region will be introduced to

encourage regional travel.

3. Local Fees: The entry fee for Zambian Adults/Residents will be K50, with

children under 16 years paying K25.

4. Forward Bookings: A transparent mechanism will be established to honor 2026

bookings made prior to the new fee's effective date.

The Livingstone Tourism Association raised concerns that the NHCC's original proposal

for a 100% increase (to $40 USD) was too sudden and would negatively impact tourism

in Livingstone. The Business Regulatory Review Authority (BRRA) through their

Director Regulatory Affairs Mr David Banda also echoed this caution.

However, stakeholders welcomed the introduction of a SADC-tiered fee structure. The

compromise of a $30 USD foreign entry fee was widely accepted as a balanced solution.

NHCC Executive Director Mr. Kagosi Mwamulowe said this undertaking was a major

milestone in heritage management.

”The Commission cannot over emphasize the need to increase revenue to match the

immense costs of maintaining a World Heritage Site as well as other heritage sites,” Mr.

Mwamulowe said.

“This agreement ensures that revenue generated at Mosi-oa-tunya will visibly contribute

to the maintenance and improved presentation of the World Heritage Site.” He

remarked.

He further extended his gratitude to all stakeholders for their mature and objective

submissions.

The parties also agreed to explore the possibility of a gradual annual percentage fee

increase in the future to keep pace with inflation.

With the consensus reached, the new fee structure is expected to take effect on January

1, 2026. The NHCC will now finalize the harmonized fee matrix across all site categories.

Ends.