Namibian lodges and tour operators collecting from foreign tour operators

German, British and American tour operators send travellers to Etosha, Sossusvlei and the Skeleton Coast. They pay Namibian lodges deposits and balances in euros, pounds and dollars. Exchange control applies, and the rand-linked dollar shapes what those payments are worth.

Rashidatou K.Payments editor

Published: 3 November 2026
Reading time: 1 min read

A family-run lodge near Etosha takes 60 percent of its bookings through German tour operators, the rest from British and American ones. Deposits arrive in euros, pounds and dollars months before the dry season. The lodge's costs, staff, food, fuel and maintenance, are in Namibian dollars. When the rand weakens, those deposits are worth more; when it strengthens, less.

Who pays

German tour operators, Namibia's largest overseas market, pay in euros.
UK operators pay in pounds.
US operators pay in dollars.
South African operators pay in rand, which moves freely within the CMA.

Exchange control

Receipts from outside the CMA come into Namibia through authorised dealers under Bank of Namibia rules. Lodges provide contracts and invoices when banks ask.

Terms

Deposit on booking.
Balance 30 to 60 days before arrival.
Clear cancellation terms and refund currency.

The rand link

The Namibian dollar is pegged to the rand, which is volatile. Converting a planned amount ahead of each month, rather than all deposits on arrival, spreads the risk.

Seasons

Set aside a share of dry season receipts for the green season's fixed costs.

Where Rivet fits

Rivet opens business accounts for registered companies after verification. Namibian lodges receive foreign proceeds under exchange control through authorised dealers. Where available, tour operators abroad that bank with Rivet can pay Namibian bank accounts through Rivet's payouts. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds.

Questions people ask

How do foreign tour operators pay Namibian lodges?

By international transfer to the lodge's Namibian bank, in euros, pounds or dollars, under the contract.

Does exchange control apply to tourism receipts?

Yes. Receipts from outside the CMA come through authorised dealers under Bank of Namibia rules.

What payment terms are common?

Deposits on booking and balances 30 to 60 days before arrival.

How should lodges plan for the green season?

Set aside part of dry season receipts for the quieter months.

Sources

Written by

Rashidatou K.

Payments editor

Rashidatou writes Rivet's guides to how money moves between countries: the payment rails, what each one costs, and the account details a company needs to get paid in another currency. Every figure in Rashidatou's articles is traced to the scheme rulebook, the regulator or the provider's published price list, and those sources are listed at the end.