Guide to Etosha National Park Namibia

Guide to Etosha National Park Namibia : Top Tips for Your Etosha Safari in Namibia

Regarded as one of Africa’s greatest wildlife reserves by safari aficianados, Etosha National Park is one of the easiest, safest and most rewarding big game destinations in South Africa. Etosha is founded in the Kunene Region of Namibia and it lies in the northwest of the country, with Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport being the closest airport.

As you are planning a Namibia Safari to Etosha National Park, this guide gives you the top times for your Etosha Safari in Namibia.

Where to See Wildlife in Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park is vast, and the animals are free to roam around the park. Here are some places to head to maximize your wildlife viewing opportunities.

Waterholes (for every wildlife species)

In general, the waterholes in Etosha National Park offer the best opportunity to see great wildlife. Here you will not only see herds of antelopes but also giraffes, rhinos, and elephants who are regular visitors.

The best waterholes for incredible game viewing in Etosha National Park during day are

• Ozonjuitji m’Bari
• Okaukuejo
• Chudob
• Groot Okevi
• Ombika
• Gemsbokvlakte
• Charitsaub
• Rietfontein
• Sonderkop

Lions

Lions in Etosha National Park are fairly widespread, but you need to catch them early in the morning, otherwise, they will just sit in the shade of a tree. Some good locations to see these majestic creatures include Groot Okevi, Rietfonteinis the under Okondeka and along the road past Ozonjuitji m’Bari and Sonderkop to Dolomite Camp.

Leopards

Leopards are shy loners and are notoriously difficult to spot and you will be lucky to spot them walking across the road, but that is a fairly rare experience in Etosha National Park.

The best spots to see leopards in Etosha National Park are Halali and Goas.

Cheetahs

 Cheetahs are fond of wide open spaces, so this is where you need to look. They are best found around Charitsaub, Gemsbokvlakte Leeubron and on the road to Twee Palms.

Cheetahs hunt in the day but like the cooler weather, so morning and evening are ideal.

Black Rhino

At Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni there are three floodlit waterholes providing great nighttime viewing of rhino. By far, the best of these is Okaukuejo, where a steady procession of wildlife makes its way to and from the pool well into the wee hours.

Black rhinos, lions and hyenas are not uncommon here, and there ae regular stand-offs as animals scrap for water rights.

How long to Stay in Etosha National Park

Just like other African safaris, the longer you stay, the higher the chances are that you will encounter a wider a variety of wildlife, witness rare animal behaviors, and experience more memorable sightings. However, you don’t have unlimited safari time so may be wondering what is the ideal time to stay in Etosha.

We recommend a 3-4 days in Etosha National Park. This duration allows you to explore the diverse landscapes and wildlife across the park’s various sectors, such as the open plains, dense bush, and unique salt pans. Also, you can take the time to visit the primary watering holes at the different lodges, where the wildlife activity is often most concentrated and you can witness the activity at night.

Entrance Gates to Etosha National Park

Anderson Gate on the South-western border of Etosha National Park is one of the most popular entrance gates in the park and also the closest to Okaukuejo Lodge. You can also access the park from the Von Lindequist gate in the east.

From Windhoek, it takes over 4 hours to reach Anderson Gate and around 6 hours from Swakopmund.

Opening Hours & Fees at Etosha National Park

• Per day cost: NAD 150 eper adult, NAD 50 per vehicle with 10 seats or less
• Children – Under the age of 16 are free of charge
• When enter the park, you must show proof of identification, either in the form of a passport or driver’s license due to protection against poachers.
• Entrance fees are paid at the first lodge that you will be staying at.

For the most up-to-date information, visit the official Etosha Website.

Opening Hours

• Opening hours vary significantly based on the time of the year following the time of sunrise and sunset. There are primary Park Gate (Anderson Gate and Von Lindequist Gates) that are located at periphery of the Great Etosha Park, and then there are the individual Camp gates
• Keep in mind that the drive from Anderson Gates to Okaukuejo Camp takes around 30 minutes so make sure to factor in this time to arrive at your camp before sunset.

Guided Game Drive Costs

• The cost of game drives varies depending on which campsite you are at. But for an overall idea, the cost of a day game drive at Okaukuejo costs 650 NAD per person, while the Guided night drive costs 750 NAD per person.
• Alternatively there are privately run guided game drives.
• If you are doing self-driving through Etosha National Park, then it’s free.

When to visit Etosha National Park

Generally, for incredible wildlife viewing the best time is the dry season running from May to October, with September and October being particularly rewarding for concentrated sightings around waterholes.

During this season the temperature is also a lot more comfortable, with frequent clear and sunny days. Also, during the dry season, the vegetation is thin ensuring few obstructions from spotting the wildlife. The dry season in Etosha National Park is also considered the high season, thus resulting in higher prices and the lodges normally fill out quickly.

If you prefer fewer crowds and lush landscapes, the green season from November to April can be rewarding as well, especially for bird watching and photography. Also, many animals give birth during this season so you have a higher chance of spotting young animals. However, the weather can be unpredictable, with occasional thundershowers, and at times, temperatures rise to over 30°C.

How To Get to Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park is approximately a 4 hour drive north of Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, and the gateway for most international flights. The driving is very easy as the road between Windhoek and Etosha National Park is one of the few sealed roads in Namibia.

If you are interested in breaking up your journey from Windhoek to Etosha. Kameldorn Garten in Ojitiwarango is a great place to stop for lunch. They have a nice courtyard garden and a good menu for local specialties at reasonable prices.

There are 4 entrance gates used to access Etosha National Park that is

• Anderson Gate in the south.
• Galton Gate in the south-west.
• King Nehale Lya Mpingana Gate in the north.
• Von Lindequist Gate (Naumutoni Gate) in the east.

Where to stay in Etosha National Park (Camps in Etosha National Park)

There are 6 rest camps in Etosha National Park, all run by the government – owned Namibian Wildlife Resorts.

• Okaukuejo – Located in the south of the park, approximately 17 kilometers from Anderson Gate. Facilities at the camp are bar/restaurant, swimming pool, shop and fuel station. The waterhole is lit at night and is considered one of the best places for nighttime game viewing in Etosha.

All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, and you can pay extra to have a premium chalet overlooking the waterhole. However, the balconies are drab, and some have their view of the obscured by trees.

• Halali – Located in a central location of the park, halfway between Namutoni and Okaukuejo. The thicker vegetation in the area makes it more popular with leopards, rhinos and elephants.

Also, they have a floodlit waterhole. However, the number of wildlife is generally much lower than in Okaukuejo. Rooms have en-suite bathrooms, and some come with kicthenettes. There is a swimming pool, bar/restaurant and fuel.

• Namutoni – Located in the eastern part of Etosha, and the closest gate is Von Lindquist Gate.

There is a deck overlooking the waterhole that has lots of reeds. Particularly, it is good for bird spotting but probably not as good for large mammals. Each chalet has an en-suite bathroom, and some have outdoor showers.

• Olifanstrus Camp – is a camping only location in the remote western section of Etosha National Park. It is approximately 60 km from Galton Gate, 130 km from Galton Gate, 130 km from Okaukuejo and 50 km from Dolomite Camp.

  

There are is good for black rhinos, impala and elephants. In particular, the state of the art hide is great for watching elephants. There are fewer facilities at this camp, and it’s more of a bush experience. There is a communal shower block, communal kitchen and very basic kiosk.

There is no fuel at Olifanstrus.

• Dolomite Camp – Located on the western side of Etosha National Park which is an area of restricted visitor numbers. The closest gate is Galton Gate. There are 20 luxury tents with elevated views of the plains, the pool is stunning and there is a small campfire where you can have pre-dinner drinks under the stars.

Dolomite Camp is the most expensive of the government-run camps, but unfortunately, the service is not really up to scratch.

There is no fuel station at this camp.

• Onkoshi Camp – This upmarket camp is located in the remote northeastern section f the park on the edge of the Salt Pan. There are 15 free-standing chalets in an enormous expanse of nothing, facing the salt pan, far removed from other visitors.

Each chat has an en–suite bathroom and indoor/outdoor showers.

Onkoshi has no fuel, so make sure you fill up before you go.