Etosha National Park, Namibia

The “Great White Place” is dominated by a huge salt pan which is part of the Kalahari Basin, the floor of which was formed around 1000 million years ago. The Pan covers around 25% of the National Park. Originally a lake fed by the Kunene River, it now only fills if the rains are heavy and even then only holds water for a short time. This temporary water attracts thousands of wading birds.

The perennial springs along the edges of the Etosha Pan draw large concentrations of wildlife and birds and offer plenty of great spots to just sit and watch. We recommend you stay in one of the private lodges outside the Park, and drive in for game viewing. To make the long journey from Windhoek worthwhile, you can combine other activities and lodges along the way with your visit to Etosha.

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The rest camps inside Etosha National Park are basic but clean. And we think pretty overpriced as well. The private lodges outside Etosha offer better value for money, better service and a more luxurious standard of accommodation. These private lodges also offer game drives into the Park with experienced rangers, so you get an indepth safari experience. Even though you are not staying in the park, you can stop off at the camps for rest and refuelling.

Etosha National Park is the best place in Namibia to see animals. The vast salt pans are home to huge herds. During the rainy season Etosha is excellent for birding.
Our favourite lodges in Etosha:
Onguma Tented Camp - awesome location and tents
Ongava Lodge - has its own private game area
Mokuti Lodge - good value and great location
Epacha Lodge and Spa - for the romantic

Etosha National Park is accessible by road from Windhoek. The drive takes about 5 hours on tar roads. It is an excellent and easy self-drive option. Windhoek's airport has desks for all the major car hire companies. There is an airport at Etosha, but as yet there are no scheduled flights. You could charter a plane and fly in, but this can be expensive. There is an airstrip at Mokuti Lodge which services all lodges in the area.

With Etosha being a 5 hour drive from Windhoek, you might like to break the drive with a stop at Okonjima Lodge, home to the AfriCat foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to the conservation of large carnivores in Namibia. Here you can track cheetah or interact with Bushmen, a unique experience. The 2 lodges and private luxury house cater to all budgets. You could also visit Damaraland and track desert rhino or the northern Skeleton Coast and see the Himba people.

Etosha National Park becomes extremely hot in the summer months which are from October to April. If you have the spirit to brave this heat, you will have a lovely time. We recommend you pick a lodge with air conditioning and even a pool to cool off! The winter months of May to September are cooler and therefore the most popular. If you are visiting the Park during this time, make sure to book well in advance as it gets busy.