How to Register a Caravan Park with the NTB in Namibia

Learn how to register a caravan park with the NTB in Namibia, including NTB registration forms, caravan park requirements, inspection, registration fees, tourism levy regulations and the registration process.

If you want to operate a caravan park in Namibia, NTB registration is an important part of establishing the business legally and meeting the standards that apply to regulated accommodation establishments.

The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) regulates tourism-related businesses, including caravan parks. The registration process involves selecting the correct tourism category, preparing your business and property documentation, completing the appropriate application, paying the prescribed fees, and undergoing an inspection before approval.

This guide explains the caravan park registration process, likely requirements, fees, inspection considerations and ongoing tourism business compliance in Namibia.

What Is an NTB-Registered Caravan Park?

A caravan park is a tourism accommodation establishment designed to provide facilities for visitors travelling with caravans, motorhomes or similar camping vehicles.

Caravan parks are specifically included among the accommodation categories for which the NTB provides registration forms. The official NTB registration forms include a dedicated Caravan Parks Application Form alongside forms for campsites, guest farms, lodges, bed and breakfasts and other tourism businesses.

Registration is more than simply registering a company. Tourism business registration with the NTB deals with the operation of the tourism establishment and its compliance with applicable accommodation standards.

Is NTB Registration Required for a Caravan Park?

A caravan park falls within the accommodation sector regulated by the NTB. Namibia’s accommodation regulations provide for the registration of different types of accommodation establishments, including several forms of visitor accommodation.

The Regulations relating to the registration of accommodation establishments provide the regulatory framework for accommodation businesses and establish requirements concerning registration and operating standards.

The NTB has also communicated the importance of registration for businesses operating in the tourism industry, including overnight accommodation businesses.

Therefore, someone planning a caravan park should not treat BIPA company registration as a substitute for NTB registration. The two processes serve different purposes.

Caravan Park Registration Requirements in Namibia

The exact documentation required can depend on the nature and location of the establishment. However, you should prepare your application around several core areas.

Business Documents

Your caravan park should have its underlying business structure in place before applying for tourism registration. Depending on your structure, this can include:

• BIPA registration documents
• Identification documents of owners, members or shareholders
• Manager identification documents where applicable
• Relevant tax or business documentation
• Proof of the business or trading name
• Contact details and physical address

The NTB application should accurately reflect the legal entity operating the caravan park.

Property Documents

Because a caravan park operates from a physical property, information about the premises is particularly important.

You may need documentation relating to:

• Ownership or lawful occupation of the property
• Physical location
• Local authority requirements
• Zoning or land-use considerations
• Municipal health or fitness requirements where applicable
• Site plans or other information requested during the application

The property should be suitable for the services advertised to guests and capable of meeting the applicable accommodation standards.

Caravan Park Facilities

A caravan park is not simply an open piece of land where visitors park vehicles. Facilities and infrastructure should be planned around guest safety, sanitation, convenience and the type of accommodation being offered.

Depending on the establishment, this can include:

• Clearly defined caravan or camping stands
• Ablution facilities
• Toilets and showers
• Water supply
• Waste disposal facilities
• Wash-up areas
• Appropriate electrical facilities
• Access roads and parking arrangements
• Lighting where required
• Reception or guest-service facilities
• Fire and emergency arrangements
• Clean and properly maintained common areas

The NTB inspection is intended to establish whether the establishment meets the applicable requirements before registration is approved.

Complete the Caravan Parks Application Form

Using the correct lodge application form would not be appropriate for a caravan park. Each NTB accommodation category has its own application documentation.

When completing the Caravan Parks Application Form, provide accurate information about the establishment, ownership, location and services.

The general instructions on NTB application forms emphasise completing the form fully, answering the questions and using capital block letters where required. Supporting documents should also be prepared in the format requested by the Board.

Avoid submitting an incomplete application simply to start the process. Missing information or documents can delay processing.

Caravan Park Inspection Requirements

One of the most important parts of NTB registration is the physical inspection.

After the application has been submitted and processed, NTB inspectors can assess the premises against the applicable requirements. The inspection gives the Board an opportunity to verify that the information provided in the application corresponds with the actual establishment.

Typical areas of attention can include:

• General cleanliness
• Guest safety
• Ablution facilities
• Water and sanitation
• Waste management
• Caravan stands and site layout
• Accessibility and internal movement
• Fire-safety arrangements
• Maintenance of buildings and facilities
• Condition of guest areas
• Signage and operational facilities

The inspection should therefore be treated as part of the preparation process rather than something to address only after submitting the application.

NTB Registration Fees for a Caravan Park

The lodge registration cost is not necessarily the same as the fee for a caravan park because NTB charges can differ according to the tourism category.

A 2026 fee guide reports a flat fee structure for caravan parks, listing N$1,500 for registration and N$500 for the application. Because fees can change and third-party summaries may not always reflect the latest official schedule, applicants should confirm the amount payable with the NTB when lodging an application.

The 2026 NTB registration cost guide is useful for comparing accommodation-category fees, but the amount applicable to your specific establishment should be confirmed before payment.

Other Costs to Consider

The NTB fee is only one part of the total cost of establishing a caravan park.

Your budget may also need to cover:

• Business registration
• Property development
• Ablution construction
• Water infrastructure
• Electrical installation
• Waste-management systems
• Signage
• Insurance
• Municipal approvals
• Professional services
• Landscaping and maintenance
• Marketing and booking systems

This distinction is important when preparing a business plan because the regulatory fee may be relatively small compared with the capital required to develop the property.

Caravan Park Registration Process

A practical lodge registration process is different from a caravan park application, but the general sequence for an accommodation business can be understood as follows:

1. Establish the business and obtain the relevant business registration documents.
2. Secure suitable premises and establish lawful occupation or ownership.
3. Confirm local requirements affecting the property and proposed tourism operation.
4. Select the Caravan Parks Application Form from the appropriate NTB forms.
5. Complete the application accurately and provide the required supporting documents.
6. Pay the prescribed application fee.
7. Submit the application to the relevant NTB office or through the applicable submission process.
8. Prepare for the NTB inspection.
9. Address any identified deficiencies if the inspectors require changes or additional information.
10. Pay any applicable registration fee when required.
11. Receive the registration certificate once the application has been approved and registration requirements have been satisfied.

The NTB has also published material explaining the registration process for tourism-related businesses, including submission of the completed form, payment and subsequent inspection.

Caravan Park vs Lodge Registration

Caravan parks and lodges are both tourism accommodation businesses, but they are not interchangeable categories.

A lodge generally provides fixed accommodation units or rooms, while a caravan park is structured around visitors using caravans, motorhomes or camping facilities.

This distinction matters because:

• Different application forms may apply.
• Different infrastructure standards can apply.
• Registration fees can differ.
• The inspection focuses on facilities appropriate to the category.
• Your advertising and business activities should accurately reflect the registered operation.

If your property combines multiple accommodation types, explain the full operation to the NTB rather than assuming that one registration automatically covers every tourism activity.

A separate guide to registering a lodge with the NTB can help illustrate how the requirements differ between accommodation categories.

Caravan Park and Tourism Levy Regulations

NTB registration also introduces ongoing compliance responsibilities.

The tourism sector is subject to tourism levy regulations, and registered tourism businesses may have reporting and payment obligations depending on the nature of their activities and applicable rules.

The introduction of tourism and levy regulations established registration and levy-related requirements for tourism businesses. Historical reporting on the implementation of these rules is available in The Namibian’s coverage of the NTB tourism and levy regulations.

A caravan park operator should therefore keep proper records of bookings, guests, revenue and other information needed for regulatory reporting.

What About Activities Offered at the Caravan Park?

Some caravan parks provide more than accommodation. They may offer guided activities, excursions, recreational facilities or other tourism services.

If your business operates an additional regulated tourism activity, do not assume that caravan park registration automatically covers it.

For example, the NTB has separate documentation for activity operators. The Activity Operator application form provides an example of the separate registration approach used for another tourism category.

The correct category should be discussed with the NTB where your business provides several regulated services.

How to Prepare for the NTB Inspection

Good preparation can make the inspection process easier.

Before the inspector arrives, conduct your own practical assessment of the property.

Check Guest Facilities

Make sure toilets, showers, water points, wash-up areas and other guest facilities are clean, functional and accessible.

Check Safety

Review fire equipment, emergency procedures, electrical installations, lighting and other safety-related facilities relevant to your operation.

Check Documentation

Keep your business registration documents, property documentation, insurance and other supporting records organised and available.

Check the Site

Caravan stands, internal roads, parking areas, signage, waste facilities and common areas should be properly maintained.

Check Advertising

Your website, social media pages and booking platforms should accurately describe the facilities actually available at the registered establishment.

Ongoing Tourism Business Compliance

Receiving an NTB certificate does not mean the business can ignore regulatory obligations afterward.

Tourism business compliance can involve maintaining the establishment, meeting applicable standards, keeping records, paying applicable levies and fees, and notifying the Board when relevant business information changes.

The NTB has publicly encouraged tourism businesses to register and remain compliant. Its communication to overnight accommodation operators reinforces the importance of registration within Namibia’s tourism sector.

Keeping your registration information current is particularly important if you:

• Add accommodation facilities
• Change ownership
• Change the nature of the business
• Expand services
• Add regulated tourism activities
• Alter the physical establishment
• Change important business details

How to Avoid Delays

Several practical mistakes can slow down an NTB application.

Avoid:

• Choosing the wrong tourism category
• Submitting an incomplete form
• Providing inconsistent business information
• Forgetting supporting documents
• Ignoring municipal or property requirements
• Underestimating infrastructure requirements
• Treating BIPA registration as NTB registration
• Assuming another tourism licence covers the caravan park
• Waiting until inspection day to address obvious maintenance issues
• Using outdated fee information without confirming it

The NTB’s official FAQ section can also be useful when checking general tourism information, although category-specific requirements should be confirmed directly with the Board.

Caravan Park NTB Registration Checklist

Before submitting your application, work through this checklist:

• Business legally registered
• Correct NTB tourism category selected
• Caravan Parks Application Form obtained
• Application completed accurately
• Owner and manager identification documents prepared
• Property documentation available
• Municipal or local requirements checked
• Caravan stands prepared
• Ablution facilities completed
• Water and sanitation systems operational
• Waste-management arrangements established
• Safety and emergency measures reviewed
• Insurance requirements checked
• Application fee confirmed
• Supporting documents prepared
• NTB inspection preparations completed
• Levy and ongoing compliance obligations understood

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does it cost to register a caravan park with the NTB?

A 2026 third-party fee guide reports N$500 as the application fee and N$1,500 as the registration fee for a caravan park. Confirm the current prescribed amount with the NTB before making payment because fees may be revised.

2. Does a caravan park need to pass an NTB inspection?

Yes. The registration process includes an inspection of the establishment to determine whether the premises meet applicable tourism and accommodation requirements before registration is approved.

3. Can I operate a caravan park after registering my company with BIPA?

BIPA business registration and NTB registration are separate matters. Registering a company establishes the business entity, while NTB registration addresses the regulated tourism operation. A caravan park should meet the applicable NTB requirements before commencing the regulated accommodation business.