Fees at the Brandberg
Contents
Park entry fee: None. The Brandberg White Lady site is not managed by Namibia Wildlife Resorts and there is no national park entry fee.
Guide fee: Mandatory. Paid at the Brandberg Rest Camp reception on arrival. The fee is set by the local community association and is reviewed periodically. It is paid in Namibian dollars. Cash is strongly recommended as card facilities may not be reliable at the site. As a guide, budget NAD 100 to 200 per person, though this should be verified before travelling as fees are subject to change.
Camping at Brandberg Rest Camp: A separate fee applies if you are staying at the campsite. Budget in the range of NAD 150 to 250 per person per night. Confirm current rates when booking.
No advance booking or permit required for the day hike. You arrive, pay at the reception, and are assigned a guide. No online booking system is in place for casual visitors.
Practical Cost Summary
| Item | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| Guide fee | NAD 100 to 200 per person |
| Campsite per person per night | NAD 150 to 250 |
| Nearby lodge (per person sharing, dinner bed breakfast) | NAD 1,500 to 4,000+ |
| Fuel: Windhoek to Brandberg return | Approx NAD 600 to 900 (vehicle dependent) |
| Fuel: Swakopmund to Brandberg return | Approx NAD 500 to 750 |
All figures are approximate and subject to change. Namibian dollar amounts should be confirmed closer to travel dates.
Payment
Bring Namibian dollars in cash. ATMs are available in Uis (approximately 35 kilometres from the rest camp) and in Khorixas (approximately 115 kilometres). Do not rely on card payment at the site itself.
The Namibian dollar is pegged 1:1 to the South African rand, and rand is accepted at most Namibian businesses, though change may be given in Namibian dollars.
What to Bring: The Packing List
Essential
- Water: Minimum 2 litres per person. 3 litres strongly recommended between October and April.
- Closed hiking shoes or trail runners with grip. Sandals are not suitable for the rocky terrain.
- Sun hat with full brim
- Sunscreen (SPF 50 minimum in the hot months)
- Sunglasses
- Snacks for the trail (no food available on site or at the rest camp)
- Cash in Namibian dollars for guide fees and campsite
- Camera (flash disabled before arrival at the shelter)
Highly recommended
- Trekking poles (useful on the uneven granite terrain, particularly for the descent)
- Headlamp or torch (useful for checking camera settings in the dim shelter)
- Small first aid kit including blister plasters
- Electrolyte sachets or tablets for hot-season visits
- Lens cloth (the dusty approach coats everything in fine grit)
- Lightweight daypack
Optional for photographers
- Travel tripod (generally permitted; confirm with guide)
- Extra camera batteries (heat accelerates drain)
- Wide-angle lens for full panel shots at the shelter
- Telephoto for compressing ravine wall detail
Leave behind
- Flash attachments or speedlights (not permitted at the shelter)
- High heels, dress shoes or smooth-soled footwear of any kind
- Large quantities of food (there is nowhere to store it and wildlife interest is limited but real)
Timing Your Arrival
The guide fee is paid on arrival and guides are assigned on a rotation. There is no pre-booking for the guide in most cases. Arriving early maximises your choice of departure time and avoids the heat of the mid-morning ravine.
A 7am arrival at the rest camp allows a comfortable 7:30am start on the trail. In the cooler months (May to August) a 9am start is perfectly adequate. In the hot months (October to April) an earlier start is strongly recommended.
The full timing picture is in the best time to visit Brandberg guide. For everything else needed to plan the visit, the White Lady complete guide is the starting point.