National park · Namibia
Etosha National Park
Enter Etosha for N$120 per adult, drive the main road to see waterholes; best in dry season May–Oct, avoid rainy season Nov–Apr.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
20,000 km² (7,722 sq mi)7,722 sq mi (20,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1907
Best months
May–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Namibia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Namibian government sources before booking: since 1 April 2025 citizens of 33 countries, including the US, UK, most of the EU, Canada and Australia, need a visa on arrival or an e-visa.
- Namibia ↗Taking a rental car into Botswana, South Africa, Zambia or Zimbabwe needs written permission from the rental company and the right papers; ask when you book.
- Namibia ↗Etosha gates open at sunrise and close at sunset: you must be inside a camp or out of the park by closing time.
- Four-O region ↗All of northern Namibia is a malaria risk zone; take precautions before you arrive.
- Four-O region ↗Drive the B-roads by day only; gravel C-roads are fine for a sedan, D-roads are not.
At a glance
- Country
- Namibia
- Area
- 20,000 km² (7,722 sq mi)7,722 sq mi (20,000 km²)
- Park area is often quoted as 20,000 km²; some sources give slightly different figures (check).
- Established
- 1907
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Windhoek
Etosha National Park is Namibia’s flagship wildlife reserve, centered on a huge salt pan and a network of permanent waterholes that attract large concentrations of animals, especially during the dry winter season.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteFlagship park of Namibia
Size and age
20,000 km² (7,722 sq mi)7,722 sq mi (20,000 km²) · national park since 1907
Park area is often quoted as 20,000 km²; some sources give slightly different figures (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Windhoek.
Why go
- Open‑road wildlife viewing at permanent waterholes.
- Spectacular Etosha Pan landscape, especially after rains.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanCool nights, dry roads.
- FebMild, still dry.
- MarEarly rains may start.
- AprTransition month, good visibility.
- MayStart of dry season, waterholes full.
- JunCool days, excellent wildlife.
- JulDry, cold nights, high animal concentration.
- AugPeak dry season, easy spotting.
- SepDry, warm days, good for drives.
- OctDry, occasional showers, still good.
- NovRain may start, roads muddy.
- DecWarm, occasional rain, fewer animals at waterholes.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephants, lions, black rhinos, leopards, cheetahs, springbok, zebra, giraffeAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Flamingos, pelicans, waterbirdsNov–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Windhoek
Drive B1 north to Oshakati, then B1 east to the Namutoni gate (≈350 km (217 mi)).Drive B1 north to Oshakati, then B1 east to the Namutoni gate (≈217 mi (350 km)).
5–6 h
Open the page →
From Swakopmund
Drive B2 south to Rehoboth, then B1 east to Namutoni gate.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Outjo
Take C38 south to the southern gate at Namutoni.
1–1.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Okaukuejo camp | Southern camp with flood‑lit waterhole, shop and accommodation. | Open with park entry ticket. |
| Halali camp | Central camp with waterhole and basic facilities. | Open with park entry ticket. |
| Namutoni camp | Eastern historic fort camp with waterhole and museum. | Open with park entry ticket. |
Sketch map
- 1Okaukuejo camp · Sleep≈-18.985, 16.064Approximate location of the southern camp.Map ↗
- 2Halali camp · Sleep≈-18.935, 16.164Approximate location of the central camp.Map ↗
- 3Namutoni camp · Sleep≈-18.835, 16.264Approximate location of the eastern camp.Map ↗
- 4Etosha Pan viewpoint · Viewpoint≈-18.785, 16.264Pan centre, visible from surrounding roads.Map ↗
- 5Fischer's Pan · Viewpoint≈-18.850, 16.150Seasonal birdwatching site.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are centre of the park; camp points are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | NAD 120 | person | Check official site for current rate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Vehicle only
- Walking outside of camps is prohibited; use a vehicle for all travel.
- Night closure
- Park gates close at sunset; stay inside camps after dark.
- Fires
- Open fires only in designated camp areas.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; use camp waste facilities.
Where to stay
In the park
Okaukuejo camp
Self‑catering huts, restaurant, pool and waterhole.
In the park
Halali camp
Basic huts, shop and flood‑lit waterhole.
In the park
Namutoni camp
Historic fort with rooms, museum and waterhole.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Wild animal encounters high
Malaria low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- All main roads are graded gravel; 4WD not required but recommended for comfort.
- Camps have basic facilities; no wheelchair‑accessible trails.
Visiting lightly
- Buy water and supplies outside the park to reduce waste.
- Stay in camps and use designated waste bins.
- Support Namibia Wildlife Resorts by booking directly.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Etosha National Park?
Adult entry is about N$120 per person; children and seniors pay less (check current rates on the Namibia Wildlife Resorts site).
What are the best hikes in Etosha National Park?
Etosha is a drive‑only park; the main ‘hikes’ are self‑drive routes to waterholes such as Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni, plus short walks around the flood‑lit waterholes.
When is the best time to visit Etosha National Park?
The dry season May–October offers the most reliable wildlife viewing at waterholes; the rainy season November–April brings fewer sightings and muddy roads.
Can I camp outside the designated camps?
No. Camping is only allowed inside the fenced rest camps; bush camping is prohibited.
Do I need a 4WD vehicle?
A standard 2‑WD vehicle is sufficient on the main gravel roads, though 4WD adds comfort on secondary tracks.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Etosha National Park
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