Etosha National Park

Namibia's Wildlife Sanctuary

Etosha National Park spans over 14,000 square kilometers in northern Namibia. The landscape features vast salt pans surrounded by savanna and acacia woodlands. Waterholes attract diverse wildlife year-round including elephants, lions, giraffes and hundreds of bird species. Visitors can explore the park via well-maintained roads with frequent stops at observation points for photography or quiet viewing. Ranger stations provide maps and safety advice. The dry season brings clear skies ideal for stargazing after daytime game drives.

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National Park in Namibia

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$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.0

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	3
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	3

Read details

5/5

English is widely spoken throughout Namibia, including Etosha National Park, making communication with staff and guides straightforward for English-speaking visitors.

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Last update: 25 Oct 2026

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Etosha National Park Summary

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World-class for wildlife safaris. Drive across open savannas, watch elephants and lions at waterholes, photograph wildlife and enjoy sunset game viewing.

Place score

7.7

Best at:

Wildlife

Natural sites

Spotless

Camping

Luxury

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

Namibia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type D , Type M Type D: Type M: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Namibian Dollar (NAD) £1 ≈ NAD 22.10
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more widespread in Namibia, especially in urban centres. However, many rural areas and smaller businesses may still rely on cash. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is common in Namibia, with 10% being standard in restaurants. Taxi drivers may expect a tip of around 10% or rounding up the fare. Hotel staff and guides appreciate small tips of N$20-50.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally accepted in Namibia, especially in designated areas or during festivals. Some municipalities may have restrictions on alcohol consumption in public spaces.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in public places, including restaurants and shops. Designated smoking areas are available in most places.

Independence Day (March)	Celebrations in major cities, expect some closures and increased local activities.
Christmas (December)	Christmas celebrations are popular, expect crowded areas and higher prices.
Oshana Harvest Festival (September)	Traditional cultural event with festivities and celebrations.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Yego
Other:	Namibia is known for its stunning landscapes and wildlife. Be prepared for long distances between towns and ensure you're adequately prepared for travel in remote areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Etosha National Park, Namibia

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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High season:	June - Oct.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Nov.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Dry season May to October is best for game viewing, as animals concentrate at waterholes

Rainy season November to April: lush and good for birding, but game is dispersed and harder to spot

Gates close at sunset and open at sunrise, camps fill up quickly in the dry season, book well ahead

Don't miss

🐘 Watch elephants gathering at the Okaukuejo waterhole
🦁 Join a guided safari to spot lions and rhinos
🌅 Drive the Etosha Pan’s vast salt flats at sunrise
📸 Photograph giraffes and zebras in golden light
✨ Stay overnight in a park lodge under starry skies

You've been here?

Why travel to Etosha National Park?

Visiting Etosha offers an unparalleled safari experience. The park is home to the Big Five – lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo – as well as numerous other species like giraffes, zebras and over 340 bird species. The Etosha Pan, a vast salt flat, provides a surreal landscape that's a photographer's dream. However, be prepared for the semi-arid climate, which can be quite hot and dry, especially during the peak season.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Halali Camp
2 Olifantsrus Camp
3 Fort Namutoni
4 Onkoshi Camp
5 Galton Gate
6 Dolomite Camp
7 King Nehale Gate
8 Okaukuejo Camp

🎡Places for activities

1 Rietfontein (natural waterhole)
2 Salvadora (natural waterhole)
3 Etosha lookout (Get-out point)
4 Goas (natural waterhole)
5 Okaukuejo Waterhole
6 Olifantsrus Waterhole

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Etosha Pan
2 Ekuma
3 Fisher's Pan

🛍️Shopping

1 Etosha Trading Post

🎈Events

Etosha Birding Weekend
Namibia Tourism Expo
Windhoek Show
Oshikuku Cultural Festival
Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair
Olufuko Festival
Omagongo Festival
Marula Festival
Oshituthi shomagongo
Etosha Marathon

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Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Book accommodations and entry permits early.
Visit floodlit waterholes at night from camps for nocturnal wildlife viewing.
Drive slowly and stay in vehicle; animals gather at Etosha Pan edges.
Dry season June-October offers best game viewing around shrinking waterholes.

How to travel to Etosha National Park

The nearest major airport is Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek, about 400 kilometers south of the park. From Windhoek, you can rent a vehicle or join a guided tour to reach Etosha. The roads are generally in good condition, but a 4x4 vehicle is recommended, especially during the wet season.

Access summary

From Windhoek Airport (WDH): Drive north on C33/B1, about 5–6 hours.
From Windhoek city: Self-drive via paved roads to park gates, roughly 4.5–5 hours.
Charter flights to park airstrips (e.g. Okaukuejo) from Eros/Windhoek, 1–2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Etosha National Park

Etosha offers a range of accommodations, from luxury lodges to basic campsites. Notable camps include Okaukuejo, Namutoni, Halali, Onkoshi, Dolomite and Olifantsrus, each providing unique experiences. It's advisable to book in advance, especially during peak seasons.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Etosha Village

8.6

Epacha Game Lodge & Spa

Gondwana Etosha Safari Lodge

Eldorado Guest House & Camping

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Etosha National Park

The park is accessible via four main gates: Andersson's Gate (south), Von Lindequist Gate (east), Galton Gate (west) and King Nehale Gate (north). Within the park, self-drive safaris are popular, but be sure to adhere to park regulations and speed limits. Guided game drives are also available and can enhance the wildlife viewing experience.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-56 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 56% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-2 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to NAD) is 2% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Oshikango, Namibia - 159 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£51	£115	£263
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£30	£75	£165
🍝 Food per day	£18	£36	£86
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£4	£12

Notable additional fees: NAD 150 (£6.79) per foreign visitor per day plus NAD 50 (£2.26) per vehicle. Pay at the gate or at your camp reception before leaving.

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£14
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£10.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£6
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£6.50
☕ Cappuccino	£1.40
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.15

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.60
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£7.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£19
🤧 Cold medication	£6
💇 Basic haircut	£5.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Etosha is generally safe for tourists. However, always stay inside your vehicle during self-drives, adhere to park rules and be cautious of wildlife. Lock vehicles when unattended.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities within the park are limited. It's essential to carry a basic first-aid kit and any personal medications. Malaria is a concern; consult a healthcare provider for prophylaxis before traveling.

Accessibility

Main roads in Etosha are gravel but well-maintained. Some remote areas may require a 4x4 vehicle. Most camps are accessible by standard vehicles, but mobility-impaired visitors may face challenges.

Tap water

Tap water in the main camps is generally safe to drink. However, carrying a reusable water bottle is advisable to stay hydrated, especially during game drives.