Namibia has reversed its decision to restrict self-drive access and limit shuttle operations in Deadvlei to the concessionaire and lodge-based operators.
In a public notice issued on May 2, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) stated that Deadvlei will remain accessible to tour guides registered with the Namibia Tourism Board and to self-drive visitors with 4x4 vehicles. Visitors may also use the concessionaire’s shuttle service but buses and trucks are not permitted.
“The status quo remains,” said Vilho Hangula, spokesperson for MEFT, who told Tourism Update the ministry has been responding to stakeholder concerns either bilaterally or through industry associations. “The ministry remains committed to ensuring that the sector thrives for social and economic development.”
Concessionaire disputes position
However, Heiko Dörgeloh, CEO of About Africa Co, the concessionaire awarded the shuttle contract, said the company's rights under the contract and request for proposal (RFP) remained intact. "Our rights in terms of the contract and RFP remain reserved, and well in place," said Dörgeloh.
He added that the company was engaged with government to clarify the matter and maintained that any suggestion to the contrary was incorrect.
Industry concerns
Tourvest COO Central Southern Africa Paul Brinkmann said the main issue with the shuttle service is that it will effectively make access to the area exclusive. He alleged there was no mention of exclusivity in the published tender notice.
“The ministry initially buckled and advised that only the concessionaire and lodges in the area were allowed to transport visitors along the final 4x4 stretch to Deadvlei. The inclusion of area lodges provided a narrow ambit for the ministry to claim it was not awarding exclusive rights,” said Brinkmann.
“I do not believe exclusivity was contemplated initially and it was not advertised,” he added, reiterating the industry’s objection to the creation of a monopoly. “Monopolies create price gouging, which makes us less competitive and reduces demand for Namibia.”
Brinkmann also expressed concern about the impact on small businesses that have invested in 4x4 vehicles specifically to service the final stretch to Deadvlei.
“We are already perceived as an expensive destination. Lower demand will result from the same products being sold at higher prices with no additional benefits,” he said.
“Self-drive tourism remains larger in volume than group travel in Namibia and is particularly vulnerable to attempts to introduce an exclusive service provider at one of the country’s key tourism attractions.”
Industry clarification and uncertainty
A member of the Executive Committee of the Tour and Safari Association of Namibia (TASA), Mureal van Rooyen, told Tourism Update earlier this month that the ministry had not yet clarified key areas of concern about the original tender notice. These included concerns that the Namibia Tourism Board did not have registered guides and that the original public concession advert did not offer “exclusive” rights to the concessionaire.
“At present, there are still unanswered questions,” said TASA, adding that it is too early to quantify long-term effects and uncertainty about the country’s iconic flagship attraction will influence operator and traveller confidence in a competitive market where consistency and predictability are essential.
Itineraries had to be restructured or delayed at short notice. “Clients have expressed confusion, mainly because information has changed several times in a very short period. Self-drivers in particular have raised questions about continuing to explore independently, which has always been one of Namibia’s strong selling points,” added TASA.
Stakeholders call for certainty
TASA has called for clear communication, compliance with existing tourism and transport regulations and the implementation of a fair, non-exclusive operational model that supports conservation objectives and the economic contribution of the tourism industry while ensuring predictability for trade partners.
“The industry fully supports conservation and the responsible long-term management of Sossusvlei. Our concern is not with the shuttle service but with the manner in which the concession is being managed and communicated to stakeholders.”
