Etosha National Park is the highlight of our trip to Namibia. It’s also one of our favorite places in the world .
It is one of the largest wildlife reserves in Africa, with no less than 114 species of mammals and 340 species of birds. You will not see the time passing by!
You have the possibility to realize this safari by your own means. You can explore the park on your own in your rented 4×4. Each day was extraordinary, a new show was waiting for us!
You can ask some advice to the different guides you will meet in the lodges and campsites. They are generally happy to interact with self-directed explorers.
You can also count on the mutual aid between travelers. We were able to observe a lioness and her cubs at the end of their feast, an unforgettable moment!
We chose to stay there for 4 days to enjoy the park. We give you all our tips below to make sure you don’t miss a thing, and our tricks for seeing Lions!
1. Where is Etosha National Park in Namibia located [Carte]?
The park is located in the north of Namibia, about 4 hours from Windhoek the capital of Namibia.
The park is accessible through four different entrances: Galton Gate to the west, Anderson’s Gate to the south, Von Lindquist Gate to the east, and King Nehale Lya Mpingana Gate to the northeast.
We did not explore the western part of the park. Coming from Palwag park (west of Namibia) we entered through Anderson’s Gate and then exited through Von Lindquist Gate to reach Windhoek.
Park opening and closing times change daily.
It’s an affordable price for such an experience! Expect to pay around NAD 80/adult/day (approx. €5) + NAD 10/vehicle/day (approx. €0.65).
Check schedules and prices on the national park website (in French).
2. Where to sleep, in camping and/or lodges?
Lodging inside the park
The park has 5 accommodation options, offering bothlodges and campsites:
1. Dolomite camp in the west : part we did not explore !
2. Okaukuejo Camp: in the center of the park, a must-see because its watering hole lit up at night is the most frequented by the park’s wildlife.
You will certainly see oryx, impalas, giraffes, zebras, elephants, rhinoceroses and maybe lions if you are lucky!
We loved waiting for them and then watching them for a long time.
3. Halali camp to the east between Okaukuejo and Namutoni: the site is ideally located, with a large swimming pool and, above all, a wooded waterhole where you can observe a few animals.
4. Namutoni camp in the east, the water point surrounded by reeds is pleasant however we did not observe any animal. The site is also equipped with a swimming pool. Ideally located to visit theeastern part of the park.
5. Onkoshi camp in the north east of the park site that we did not explore.
Our selection of lodges and campsites
We stayed at theEtosha Village lodge before entering the park, 2 km south ofAndersson Gate.
So you can enter the park as soon as the gates open. The rooms are comfortable and clean. The staff is adorable, they will give you lots of tips to visit the park!
Then we had rented a vehicle with a roof tent so we preferred the campsites.
A restaurant and a small mini-market are present on all sites.
Night 1: ❤❤❤ Etosha Village lodge, ideally located and very pleasant, you can enter the park as soon as it opens and you’ll be well rested to explore the park! Accommodation with a lovely swimming pool.
Night 2: ❤❤❤ Okaukuejo Camp, our favorite inside the park, not for its campsites, but for its waterhole populated by incredible wildlife.
You can see impalas, oryx, elephants and giraffes all at the same time. We saw over 35 elephants by late afternoon. We recommend a two-night stay.
Each pitch is equipped with electrical outlets and a barbecue. Swimming pool.
Night 3: ❤ Halali camp, the pitches are equally sketchy, the waterhole is pleasant even if we saw few animals (impalas, zebras and oryx).
Each pitch is equipped with electrical outlets and a barbecue. Swimming pool.
Night 4: ❤❤ Namutoni camp, this is an old colonial fort, the setting is pleasant and the site equipped with a swimming pool. We didn’t see any animals, however, as the watering hole is certainly too close to the accommodation.
Each pitch is equipped with electrical outlets and a barbecue. Swimming pool.
How to book your Etosha campsite or lodge?
- The park’s website exclusively for accommodations inside the park: you can book directly on the site via a form gathering all the campsites
- The NWR (Namibia Wildlife Resorts) website : for accommodation inside and outside the park.
- The Booking platform: for lodges and campgrounds near the park you will find all the available accommodations for your dates and reviews from other travelers.
- Go through the Evaneos organization, which offers organized tours that are 100% customizable. For Namibia it can be easier and faster. Don’t hesitate to ask them for a free, no-obligation quote – it might also give you some ideas!
Our advice is to book several months in advance, if possible. For example, the Onkoshi campsite was fully booked in August. Note that, the locations are sketchy and close to each other. For sleeping it is more than enough!
3. When to go to Etosha?
The ideal time to visit the park is during the dry season, from May to September. The animals gather at the few remaining waterholes so you will have more opportunity to see many animals.
We went in August, we observed by ourselves a great number of animals and birds.
During the wet season, from November to April, you can observe migratory birds (flamingos…). The vegetation is more important, the park is flowery and green, but the animals are more difficult to observe!
4. Where to see the animals in Etosha?
Wait for the animals at the watering holes provided by the accommodation
All the animals need to drink, so they are obliged to meet at the different water points of the park.
In the dry season, from May to September, the concentration of animals is impressive. We didn’t expect to see so many!
As mentioned above, theOkaukuejo waterhole is the one where we saw the most animals at the same time.
It is impressive to observe them appropriating the waterhole according to their place in the animal kingdom.
As soon as the elephants arrive at the watering hole all the other animals leave.
Impalas, oryx, zebras and giraffes help each other to watch for potential predators.
You will also observe many species of birds, of multiple sizes and colors.
Explore the national park by 4×4
With your 4×4 and a pair of binoculars, in the dry season from May to September, you will not drive long before coming face to face with animals.
An advice to leave early, as soon as the sun rises. The animals come out to enjoy the morning coolness or return from their nightly hunt.
Every day you will come across numerous herds of impala, oryx and zebra.
Where to see lions in Etosha?
You will certainly come face to face with giraffes. Rhinos and lions are more discreet, ask the guides you will meet on the site to give you some recommendations.
Count on the help of other travelers to point out the positions of the animals that are more difficult to spot. We had the chance to observe a lioness and her cubs devouring a Zebra in the early morning.
Two rhinoceroses blocked our way, when we were wandering in the east of the park.
As you enter the park, pick up the map with the different water points. You can select a few each day to explore.
➡️ F ind our detailed article about our 3 days in Sesriem and Sossusvlei
In short, a safari in Etosha will remain engraved in your memories! Feel free to leave us a quick note or 5 stars below, to tell us if you’re planning this trip, to ask any questions you may have, here or on Instagram, we’ll get back to you with great pleasure.
2 Responses
Fantastic guide with superb photos of wildlife in the park ! We love your blog for the inspiration for places we want to visit.
Hello Jack, glad you like our blog and that you find it useful 🙂