Situated in northwestern Namibia, Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s most diverse and unique wildlife reserves. It boasts an extensive range of fauna and flora, including the rare black rhino, elephants, lions, and a myriad of bird species.
The park is well known for its vast Etosha Pan, a salt pan so large it can be seen from space. Selecting the right accommodation is a crucial part of planning your safari experience. Here, we’ve rounded up the top 10 camps and lodges in Etosha National Park to make your stay memorable.
Ongava Tented Camp
Located in the private Ongava Game Reserve on the southern boundary of Etosha, Ongava Tented Camp offers an exclusive safari experience. The camp features eight canvas tents, each equipped with en-suite facilities and private verandas.
The camp is strategically located within the Reserve, offering easy access to both the Reserve and the Etosha National Park. Ongava Game Reserve is well known for its high density of wildlife, including lions, elephants, and black and white rhinos.
The camp offers eight comfortable and spacious safari tents, which are all made of canvas and built on wooden platforms. Each tent is fitted with en-suite bathrooms and private verandas, from where guests can enjoy wildlife viewing in a comfortable and safe environment. The decor is simple yet tasteful, complementing the natural surroundings.
Ongava Tented Camp provides a wide range of activities. Guests can embark on game drives into Etosha National Park and the Ongava Game Reserve, led by experienced guides who provide detailed insights into the fauna and flora of the region.
Guided walks within the Ongava Game Reserve offer a more intimate experience with nature. Bird watching is also a popular activity due to the diverse birdlife in the area.
Little Ongava
Little Ongava, located within the private Ongava Game Reserve adjacent to Etosha National Park in Namibia, is one of the most luxurious safari lodges in Southern Africa. Here’s more detailed information about the lodge:
Little Ongava is positioned on a hill with breathtaking views across the plains below. The Ongava Game Reserve is renowned for its high concentration of wildlife, with everything from lions and elephants to the endangered black and white rhinos.
Little Ongava offers three luxurious and spacious units, making it an exclusive and intimate safari experience. Each suite has a private plunge pool, outdoor shower, and viewing deck, providing guests with personal and private wildlife viewing opportunities. The en-suite bathrooms come with both indoor and outdoor showers.
The main lodge, built atop a rocky outcrop, provides panoramic views over the waterhole and the vast wilderness of the reserve. It includes a lounge, dining area, and infinity pool, all of which overlook the waterhole and provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
Mushara Collection
The Mushara Collection, just 8km from Etosha’s eastern Von Lindequist Gate, includes Mushara Lodge, Mushara Outpost, Mushara Bush Camp, and the exclusive Villa Mushara. Each accommodation option has its unique charm and caters to various needs, from luxury-seeking tourists to families.
The collection offers game drives in Etosha and children’s activities at the Bush Camp, making it an ideal choice for families.
All of the Mushara accommodations offer daily game drives into Etosha National Park, led by experienced guides who can offer insightful commentary on the local wildlife.
Depending on the accommodation, other activities may include bird watching, swimming, or enjoying the children’s activities at Mushara Bush Camp.
Onguma Tented Camp
Onguma Tented Camp is a beguiling mixture of sophistication and relaxation, of elegance and the earth. It is located in the private Onguma Game Reserve, which borders the eastern side of Etosha National Park.
The Onguma Game Reserve is home to numerous species of game including giraffe, zebra, lion, and a variety of antelope species. The camp overlooks a stunning waterhole, providing guests the opportunity to view wildlife right from their accommodation.
Onguma Tented Camp has seven luxurious, safari-style tents. The tents are spacious and designed with modern and stylish interiors that create a fascinating contrast with the rugged outdoors.
Each tent overlooks the waterhole and is equipped with modern amenities, including an en-suite bathroom, a large bathtub, and an outdoor shower.
The main area of the camp includes a dining room and a lounge area, which also overlooks the waterhole. There’s also a swimming pool, offering a fantastic spot to relax during the heat of the day.
Game drives are offered in both the Onguma Game Reserve and Etosha National Park, providing excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.
Besides, guided walks and bird watching excursions are available within the reserve. Nature drives are also popular, especially in the late afternoon when animals are more active.
Dolomite Camp
Dolomite Camp is a unique and memorable lodge located in the western region of Etosha National Park, Namibia. It is notable as the first camp to be established in this previously restricted scenic area. The camp is positioned on a dolomite hill, offering unrivalled panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Nestled amidst dolomite outcrops, the camp overlooks a rich landscape teeming with diverse wildlife, including Hartmann’s mountain zebra, giraffe, elephant, and even the elusive leopard.
Being in the previously restricted area of the park, the camp allows guests to explore parts of the park that were until recently uncharted.
Dolomite Camp consists of 20 luxuriously appointed safari-style tents. The tents are built on wooden decks and offer magnificent views of the savannah. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom and two beds, and three of the tents are deluxe with their own plunge pools.
The main area of the camp includes a restaurant, bar, and a swimming pool. The communal areas are ideal for relaxation and offer impressive views of the surrounding landscapes, particularly the dramatic African sunsets.
The camp offers guided game drives throughout the western region of Etosha National Park. The game drives are conducted by experienced guides, providing insights into the park’s ecology and the various species that inhabit the area. There are also self-drive options for guests who prefer to explore the park at their own pace.
Okaukuejo Camp
Okaukuejo Camp is one of the primary lodges in Etosha National Park, located in Namibia. It’s renowned for its floodlit waterhole, which attracts a variety of wildlife, making it a prime destination for wildlife viewing.
Okaukuejo Camp is situated at the southern entrance of the park, about 17km from Andersson’s Gate. It’s strategically located near the Etosha Pan, a salt pan that’s visible even from space and is the park’s most distinctive and dramatic feature.
The camp offers a variety of accommodation options ranging from premier waterhole chalets, which offer excellent views of the nearby waterhole, to family chalets, double rooms, and camping facilities. All rooms are comfortable and equipped with basic amenities for a pleasant stay.
The main area of the camp hosts a restaurant, a bar, and a shop for basic groceries and curios. There’s also a swimming pool for guests to cool off during the warm afternoons.
The camp is an excellent base for game drives in the park. The drives can be done independently or as part of a guided safari. One of the major highlights is the floodlit waterhole viewed from the camp itself. It attracts a variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, and rhinoceros, especially in the dry season.
Halali Camp
National Park, Namibia. Positioned between Okaukuejo and Namutoni camps, Halali is often a preferred stopover for travelers exploring the expansive park.
The camp is nestled among some of the most popular waterholes of Etosha, allowing guests to encounter a rich diversity of wildlife. Named after the German word for the horn used in traditional hunts, Halali offers a serene retreat in the rugged wilderness.
Halali provides a range of accommodation options, from comfortable double rooms to larger family chalets and bush chalets, as well as camping facilities for the more adventurous guests. Each of the rooms and chalets comes with air conditioning, a refrigerator, and tea/coffee facilities.
The main area of the camp features a restaurant and bar serving a variety of meals and beverages. There is also a well-stocked shop where guests can buy groceries and curios. A highlight of Halali Camp is its large swimming pool, perfect for a refreshing dip after a day of game drives.
The camp offers both day and night game drives, giving guests the opportunity to observe the wildlife at different times. Halali is near some of the best waterholes in Etosha, providing great wildlife viewing experiences. The camp itself also has a floodlit waterhole which attracts a variety of wildlife, particularly in the dry season.
Namutoni Camp
National Park in Namibia. This historic camp, named after the old German fort around which it is built, provides guests with an immersive and enriching safari experience.
Namutoni is located close to the von Lindequist Gate, making it easily accessible for guests entering the park from this side. The camp overlooks the King Nehale waterhole, offering guests a chance to witness a variety of wildlife right from the camp.
Namutoni offers a variety of accommodation options to suit the needs of all guests. This includes double rooms and spacious bush chalets, as well as campsites for those who wish to camp. Each chalet and room is equipped with en-suite facilities, air conditioning, a refrigerator, and tea and coffee making facilities.
The main area of Namutoni Camp is centered around the old German Fort, which has been restored and now houses a restaurant and bar, offering a unique dining experience. There’s also a second restaurant and bar by the swimming pool, as well as a curio shop where guests can purchase souvenirs.
Game drives, both self-guided and guided, are the main activities at Namutoni. The camp is located near some of the most visited waterholes in Etosha National Park, providing fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. The floodlit waterhole at the camp itself is a hub of animal activity, especially during the dry season.
Fort Namutoni
The fort overlooks the King Nehale waterhole, providing a vantage point for viewing the diverse wildlife that frequent this watering point. Etosha Pan, a prominent feature of the national park, is also easily accessible from the fort.
Guests at Fort Namutoni can take part in guided game drives, bird watching, and visit the various nearby waterholes for exceptional wildlife viewing. The fort also features a curio shop where guests can purchase souvenirs to remember their visit.
In summary, Fort Namutoni is a historic landmark that enhances the overall experience of staying in Namutoni Camp. The opportunity to dine and relax within its historic walls, coupled with the exceptional views of wildlife from its tower, makes it a must-visit when in Etosha National Park.
Ongava Lodge
Situated along the southern boundary of Etosha National Park, Ongava Lodge is nestled on a hill, providing guests with spectacular views over the plains below. The lodge is surrounded by lush African bush, with abundant wildlife such as lions, elephants, and rhinos frequently sighted in the vicinity.
The lodge consists of 14 brick, rock, and thatch chalets, each with air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, and private verandas offering views over the bush. The overall aesthetic of the lodge is one of comfort blended with an ambiance of African charm.
The main area of the lodge is built in an elevated position, offering fantastic views over the surrounding plains. It includes a bar, dining area, lounge, and a swimming pool. A highlight is the outdoor dining deck where guests can enjoy meals under the African sky.
Ongava Lodge offers a wide range of activities including game drives into Etosha National Park, guided walks with experienced guides, and night drives within the private Ongava Game Reserve. This reserve is one of the few places in Namibia where guests can see both black and white rhino.
Ongava Lodge and Game Reserve play a crucial role in the conservation of Namibian wildlife. The Reserve is involved in various conservation initiatives and research efforts, particularly aimed at the preservation and monitoring of rhino populations.
The lodge offers comprehensive services to ensure guests have a memorable stay. These include laundry service, complimentary Wi-Fi in the main area, and a curio shop. The experienced and welcoming staff at the lodge ensure guests feel at home while enjoying their African safari experience.
In summary, Ongava Lodge provides a truly luxurious and intimate safari experience
Each of these camps and lodges in Etosha National Park offers a unique and luxurious safari experience. While enjoying the remarkable landscapes and abundant wildlife of Etosha, these accommodations also provide comfort and style, enhancing your overall safari experience.
Remember, each visit contributes to the preservation of this unique ecosystem, making every stay a part of the ongoing conservation effort.