Namibia: Etosha National Park

Park Overview


Etosha National Park is one of Southern Africa's finest and most impressive Game Reserves. Declared a National Park in 1907 and covering an area of 8,600 square miles, it is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, and 16 amphibian species. Etosha, meaning "Great White Place", is covered by a massive mineral pan. The pan (or waterhole) is part of the Kalahari Basin, the floor of which was formed around 100 million years ago. Today, the Etosha Pan rarely accumulates water as it is supplied mostly by rainfall. With high temperatures, evaporation quickly eliminates any water. Activities are plentiful in this unusual and exotic National Park. Game viewing in Etosha is excellent with the best time being from May to September. Visitors can expect to see many buck species, elephant, giraffe, rhino and lions. More fortunate guests will have the opportunity to spot leopard and cheetah.

Camps

Description

Price Range
($/person/night)

Okonjima

Okonjima lies nestled in the unspoilt beauty of the Omboroko mountains, part of the Namibian Waterberg Plateau. In the Herero language, Okonjima means "place of the baboons." This private, family-run guest lodge has ten luxury en-suite double rooms and a secluded swimming pool. Feel free to stroll around the beautiful English gardens where you may encounter a variety of animals, all of them rescued by the AfriCat Foundation. Get in touch with nature on our numerous walking trails. Follow in the footsteps of an Ancient People on the guided Bushman Trail. The spacious bird hide is within easy walking distance of the lodge: over three hundred have been identified at Okonjima, including most of Namibia's endemics.

 

Ongava

Ongava is situated on the 35,000 hectare Ongava Private Game Reserve which shares a common border with Etosha on its southern boundary. The lodge offers the full Etosha experience but, at the same time, also offers great accommodation and service - as well as the opportunity to do night drives and nature walks which are not allowed within Etosha. Ongava Lodge accommodates a maximum of twenty guests in ten chalets attractively built out of rock and thatch. All your creature comforts are taken care of. Each chalet has en-suite bathrooms with flush toilets, a bath and a shower. The main lounge, pub and dining area is under thatch and is situated close to the top of a hill with wonderful views across the plains below. There is a pool as well.

 

Entendeka

Etendeka is a land of layered hills, wide-open space, rugged natural beauty and endless vistas. It is a land where time stands still, and where plants and animals have evolved side by side with the harsh environment over the millennia. The Etendeka concession is an area of 45 000 hectares in the foothills of the Grootberg on the edge of the Namib Desert. As part of the larger Damaraland, where wildlife and nomadic pastoralists exist alongside one another, the area is host to Hartmann's mountain zebra, oryx, springbok, giraffe, desert elephant and black rhino. Many of Namibia's endemic birds and the 'Etendeka Big Five' trees occur in the area. The camp accommodates sixteen people in ten shaded tents with basic luxuries provided. Since water is in short supply, wash basins, hot showers and dry toilet facilities are provided in true African bush style with an emphasis on conserving water.

 

Makuti

Mokuti Lodge is situated at the entrance to the renowned Etosha National Park and is known not only for its modern accommodations and excellent guest service, its unique location in an African bushveld paradise, but also for its Best Hotel of the Year and Best Customer Service awards. Mokuti covers a park area of 200 hectares where antelopes, gazelles and other African wildlife species graze peacefully on grasslands. Nature lovers can get a close experience of the African bush on walking and riding trails. kGuided tours in open vehicles into Etosha National Park will make your encounter with African wildlife a perfect and lasting experience. Accompanied by the sound and beat of African music, delicious food will be served in the boma or the restaurant at night.

 

Aoba

Just outside of Etosha, Aoba is located only ten km east of Lindequist Gate - the eastern entrance gate to Etosha National Park. The lodge is a comfortable base for embarking on half- or full-day selfdrive tours through one of Africa's premier parks. The ten well-appointed thatched cottages offer such comforts as shower, ceiling fan and generous sized verandah. Main line power in the middle of the bush complete the luxury. Great emphasis is laid on excellent cuisine. Home grown and local produce provide fresh ingredients for a variety of Euro-Namibian meals. Anticipate friendly and personal service from the owners in a relaxed natural atmosphere under the large thatched roof of the main building.

 

 
Map