Where To Stay In Etosha National Park, Namibia

Etosha is one of the best safari experiences in the world. But knowing where to stay is critical to getting the most out of your trip. This guide covers all you need to know about booking accommodation in Etosha National Park.

We love going on safari; it’s one of our favourite travel experiences, but it’s fair to say it’s not cheap.

Etosha National Park has some of the best wildlife viewing anywhere on the planet, and from our experience, it’s one of the most affordable safari experiences.

However, you still need to pick the right place to stay to get the most out of it.  

Different accommodation options inside and outside the national park, provide a very different experience.

Some are well-located but have minimal facilities, allowing you to view the best possible wildlife at a cost-effective price.

Others are luxury establishments where you relax in a beautiful bush setting.

Then, there are a few options in between.

Over the years, we have stayed in government-run camps and luxury safari lodges; each has its own appeal.  

We have also spent a lot of time in Etosha, driving most of the roads and staying in several different lodges, so we have a good sense of what the park offers and where we think you should base yourself.

Here is everything you should know about booking accommodation in Etosha National Park.

For general information and tips on visiting, read our first-timer’s guide to Etosha.

HOW LONG DO YOU NEED?

We think 3 to 4 nights is the ideal amount of time to spend in Etosha National Park.

The prime viewing times are sunrise and sunset, so you should give yourself as many opportunities as possible to be up and spotting wildlife at those times.  

The park covers 20,000 square kilometres, so it won’t be enough time to drive every road, but 3 or 4 nights will be enough time to stay in different areas and experience different corners of Etosha.

You’ll have great wildlife experiences, see the best waterholes and collect fantastic photos.

Our detailed 2-week Namibia itinerary has all the information for incorporating Etosha into a longer road trip.

STAYING INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE NATIONAL PARK

The big decision you need to make about accommodation at Etosha is whether to stay inside or outside the park.

There are 6 government-run camps inside Etosha National Park. You can either camp or stay in rooms.

The rooms usually have ensuite bathrooms, and communal areas include a buffet restaurant and a shop on site. The facilities are clearly explained on the official website, which we have linked below.

The accommodation options outside Etosha National Park are all privately run.

Most are situated either just outside Anderson’s Gate (the southern gate) or Von Lindequist Gate (the eastern gate).

They range from budget accommodation to high-end luxury lodges.

Here are the pros and cons of each option.

STAYING INSIDE NATIONAL PARK

PROS

The main advantage of staying inside the park is the quality of wildlife viewing.

The best times to view wildlife are sunrise and sunset when the animals are most active, and the light conditions are optimal for photography.

If you stay inside the park, you can drive out of your camp gate at sunrise, and you will be immediately within some of the best viewing locations.

At the end of the day, you can be out looking for wildlife right up until sunset.

Furthermore, many of the rest camps have waterholes. You can sit on a bench and watch various animals come and go throughout the day.

The waterholes are floodlit at night, allowing you to continue wildlife viewing after the sun has gone down. The best waterhole in Etosha is the one at Okaukuejo Camp.  

Staying inside the park can be significantly cheaper than staying at the luxury lodges outside the park. Still, it could also be on par with (or even slightly more expensive) the budget options outside the park.

CONS

The main disadvantages of staying inside the park are that the rest camps are government-run, fairly basic and difficult to book.

We stayed in three of the camps and visited the others. The facilities are a bit tired and basic, and they definitely have a government-run feel. The service can be a bit process-oriented.

Check-in was quite a chore. We had to write our car registration on four different forms, and most meals were buffet-style, with an institutional vibe.

The only way to book is through the Namibian Wildlife Resorts website, which can be a bit awkward to use. However, the main issue is that accommodation can be fully booked up to six months or more in advance.

The best way we found to secure accommodation inside the camp was to email them as early as possible with the combination of camps and dates you want to stay.

STAYING OUTSIDE NATIONAL PARK

PROS

The main advantage of staying outside the park is the wide range of accommodation options.

There are budget camps, mid-level guesthouses and luxury tented camps. They are privately run, and the service is much better than you’ll find inside the park.

Although you can self-drive, most lodges provide morning and afternoon guided drives. These drives are usually of higher quality and in better vehicles than those offered by the camps inside the park.

Some of the more luxurious lodges have their own private reserves. There are fewer animals here, but the drivers have more flexibility. They can leave the main road to head down smaller tracks and some tours allow you to get out of the vehicle and go on a bush walk.

Another great advantage is that the luxurious camps offer the quintessential African safari experience.

The chalets, tents, and communal areas are all African-styled, and none are too big. You can spend the evenings having a great meal, sitting in front of a fire and chatting with other guests about the day’s sightings.

The other big advantage of staying outside the park is that they don’t book out so quickly, and the booking process is much more efficient.

CONS

The main disadvantage of staying outside the park is that you’ll have less time to view wildlife at sunrise and sunset.

The park gates open at sunrise, so you’ll need to drive a bit further to reach the best viewing locations than you would if you were staying inside the park.

This is particularly true on your first day when you’ll need to go to a camp to pay and fill out several forms.

The other downside is that not all private lodges have their own waterhole, and even if they do, they attract far fewer animals than those inside the park.

Even if the lodge has its own waterhole (which many do not), they attract far fewer animals than those inside the park.

WHERE WE STAYED LAST TIME

Our main goal was to see as much wildlife as possible, so we stayed inside the park in three different rest camps.

They were Dolomite Camp in the west, Okaukuejo Camp in the centre, and Halali Camp in the east.

Each camp was situated on different terrains in different sections of the park. They all offered a slightly different experience, and the game viewing at each of them was excellent.

However, Dolomite Camp is at the luxury end of the government-run camps. In peak season, it costs around US$500 a night for two people sharing. The location was great, but the service and food were average, especially for the price.

WHERE WE’D STAY NEXT TIME

To get the best experience, we recommend staying two nights at Okaukuejo Camp and self-driving the central part of the park.

We’d then spend one or two nights at Onguma or Mushara for a more comfortable experience outside the park (near the eastern gate), going on their guided drives.

This would give you a mix of both experiences. You can enjoy the thrill of a self-drive safari and then the expertise of a guided tour.

WHERE TO STAY INSIDE ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

OKAUKUEJO

Okaukuejo is located in the south of the Park, around 17 kilometres from Andersson Gate.

They have a 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 ensuite 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.

By far, the best viewing spots are from shaded benches surrounding the waterhole, which anyone can use (even if you’re not staying there).

HALALI

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

They also have a floodlit waterhole. However, the number of wildlife is generally much lower than in Okaukuejo.

Rooms have ensuite bathrooms, and some come with kitchenettes. There is a swimming pool, bar/restaurant, and fuel.

NAMUTONI

Namutoni is in the eastern part of Etosha, and the closest gate is Von Lindequist Gate.

There is a deck overlooking the waterhole that has lots of reeds. It’s particularly 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

Olifantsrus Camp is a camping-only location in the remote western section of the park. It’s approximately 60 km from Galton Gate, 130 km from Okaukuejo and 50 km from Dolomite Camp.

The area 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 Olifanstrus, and it’s more of a bush experience. There is a communal shower block, communal kitchen and very basic kiosk.

Most importantly, there is no fuel at Olifanstrus.

DOLOMITE CAMP

Dolomite Camp is on the western side of the park in an area of restricted visitor numbers. The closest gate is Galton Gate.

The wildlife that have established themselves in the area with minimal human disturbance include black rhinos and impalas, elephants, gemsbok and lions.

There are 20 luxury tents with elevated views of the plains. The pool is stunning, and there’s a small campfire where you can have pre-dinner drinks under the stars.

All chalets have ensuite bathrooms, tea and coffee-making facilities, nice toiletries and a small lounge area.

It’s the nicest government camp in terms of style, but unfortunately, the service and food leave a lot to be desired.

There is no fuel station at Dolomite Camp.

ONKOSHI CAMP

Onkoshi Camp is an upmarket camp in the remote northeastern section of the park on the edge of the Salt Pan.

This is a low-impact camp in an enormous expanse of nothing, far removed from other visitors. It was once so remote that you couldn’t even self-drive here. However, since 2017, the road has been graded, and it’s now driveable.

There are 15 free-standing chalets facing the salt pan, each with an ensuite bathroom and indoor/outdoor showers.

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

WHERE TO STAY OUTSIDE ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

ANDERSON’S GATE (SOUTHERN GATE)

Anderson’s Gate is a 4-hour drive from Windhoek. There are several campsites in the area, ranging from budget options through to high-end resort-style camps.

It’s a great location for staying outside the park, as Okaukuejo Camp, one of Etosha’s best wildlife viewing areas, is 20 minutes inside the gate.

ETOSHA VILLAGE

Etosha Village (booking.com | expedia.com) is just 2 kilometres from the Anderson Gate. It has 50 air-conditioned chalets with large, comfortable rooms and an outdoor terrace.

According to all reports, the buffet food is excellent, and there is a pool to lounge around in the heat of the day.

Guided game-viewing trips can be arranged, and you can bushwalk on the reserve’s private trails.

This is a good budget option right outside the gates.

ETOSHA OBERLAND LODGE

Etosha Oberland Lodge (booking.com | expedia.com) is a luxurious safari retreat 10 kilometres southeast of the Anderson Gate. It is located within a 5,500-hectare private game reserve that shares a 10-kilometer border with the park, combining luxury with privacy.

There are 20 luxury tented chalets which are spacious and beautifully furnished. The central lodge has a bar and indoor and outdoor dining areas.

Facilities include a large infinity pool with views of the plains and waterholes, a curio shop, and a lounge with a fireplace.

VON LINDEQUIST GATE EASTERN GATE)

Von Lindequist Gate is often referred to as Namutoni Gate. It is at the eastern edge of Etosha National Park, a five-hour drive from Windhoek. The Namutomi Rest Camp is just a 15-minute drive through the gate.

Below are several well-rated options catering to different budgets.

MUSHARA COLLECTION

Mushara Collection is a well-established brand run by a Namibian family from eastern Namibia. They have a few different properties within close proximity of Von Lindequist Gate, each with their own style.

Mushara Lodge – 10 beautiful chalets arranged around a central swimming pool with air-conditioning, mini bar and ensuite bathroom. Much of the homemade food is sourced from their own garden.

Mushara Bush Camp – An authentic African experience with accommodation in private tents with ensuites. The main house has activities for children, including a jumble gym, an old tractor and a sand pit.

Mushara Outpost – Individual tented accommodation features a wooden deck with wonderful bush views. All rooms have air conditioning and open-plan bathrooms. The main house has the feel of an African homestead.

Villa Mushara – Their most exclusive offering with 2 luxury chalets, each with their own unique style. They are beautifully styled with all the comforts you could want, plus a private library, plunge pool and high-end amenities.

ONGUMA LODGE

Onguma Lodge (booking.com) is located on a 34,000-hectare private reserve on the eastern edge of Etosha. Only guests can visit, so vehicle numbers are lower and sightings more exclusive.

Accommodation covers a range of prices from bush camp to luxury lodge. The dining is excellent and there is an option to eat under the stars.

In the evening, you can have a drink around the firepit overlooking the waterhole, where Steenbok, zebra, kudu, and giraffe are regularly seen.

This is a great mix of quality game viewing in a lovely environment.

MOKUTI ETOSHA

Mokuti Etosha (booking.com | expedia.com) is an upscale, family-friendly lodge in a lovely rural location.  

In terms of facilities, it’s probably the pick of the bunch with 2 fantastic pools, 2 tennis courts and a spa and gym.

Rooms have air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, 32” flat screen TV and terrace or garden access.

They can organise game drives, night drives, sky safaris and give information on the walking trails and bushmen bushwalks.

With 114 rooms, it feels more like a hotel than a bush camp, but it does have the best facilities of any of the other options near Etosha.

WHEN & HOW TO BOOK

More than any other destination we have been to, accommodation in Namibia gets booked up well in advance. Ideally, start booking your safari 9 months to a year before you plan to travel. 

For rest camps inside the park, you can book online through the Namibia Wildlife Resorts website. However, it is not the easiest portal to use, so you can also email them with your dates and camp preferences.

If you want to stay inside the park but are struggling to find availability, book a budget place outside the park with free cancellation. Then, keep checking the Namibia Wildlife Resorts website, as they get regular cancellations throughout the year.

Lodges outside the park can also be booked up way in advance. It’s not as bad as the camps inside the park, but you still want to book as early as possible.

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