By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Hangala
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), and partners have renovated and constructed infrastructure across Etosha, Hardap, and Bwabwata National Parks to the value of N$166 million.
The ministry announced this in a joint statement last week at the official inauguration, held on 28 March 2026 at Ombika within Etosha National Park.
The upgraded infrastructure includes park entrance gates and comfort stops, alongside duty stations for Wildlife Protection Services (WPS).
These facilities are designed to enhance park management, improve the visitor experience, and strengthen wildlife protection efforts, read the joint statement.
MEFT and German development bank KfW co-funded the parks’ infrastructure upgrades, valued at approximately N$48 million.
Key upgrades in the Etosha National Park include the renovation of the Ombika, Namutoni, and King Nehale entrance gates, along with upgrades to ablution facilities, with added picnic areas. Other upgrades include information displays, viewing platforms, parking areas, and the installation of large signage blocks with information plates.
At Hardap National Park, the main gate and smaller entrance gates, such as the Fish Route Gate and Game Park Gate, were renovated alongside the construction of new ablution facilities, updated MEFT.
As for the duty stations for WPS, an investment of around N$118 million was made in the infrastructure upgrade, which includes the Buffalo and Susuwe West stations in Bwabwata National Park, the Leeudrink and Otjovasandu stations in Etosha National Park, and the Sesfontein station in the Kunene Region.
The infrastructure upgrades encompass the construction of new staff houses and offices, as well as the renovation of existing houses and the conversion of buildings into office spaces.
Additional improvements include the construction of service blocks, storerooms and new administration buildings featuring operations rooms, as well as new carports. Upgrades to power and water supply systems, sewage infrastructure, fencing, and kennels for canine (K9) units were also undertaken, MEFT revealed.
The WPS was established in 2015 in response to rising poaching, under the Directorate of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) within MEFT, with a focus on reducing wildlife crime and enhancing species protection.
The infrastructure developments were co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), via the KfW Development Bank, and the Namibian government through MEFT.
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