National ParkFeatured Destination
Etosha National Park
Namibia 22,270 km² (8,598 mi²) Est. 1907
About Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park is Namibia's premier wildlife destination and one of Africa's great game reserves. Centred around the vast Etosha Pan — a shimmering, mineral-rich salt flat visible from space — the park covers over 22,000 square kilometres of savannah, mopane woodland, and grassland.
The pan acts as a magnet during the dry season, drawing enormous concentrations of wildlife to its spring-fed waterholes. Etosha is home to over 114 mammal species including large populations of elephants, lions, black and white rhinos, giraffes, and the endemic black-faced impala. Its floodlit waterholes at rest camps allow for spectacular nocturnal game viewing — a unique Etosha experience.
6
Safari Tours
4.6
Avg Rating
4/5
Big Five
119
Years Protected
Highlights
- Exceptional waterhole-based game viewing, including floodlit night hides
- One of the best places in Africa to see both black and white rhinos
- Self-drive friendly with excellent road network and rest camps
- Vast salt pan creates a unique and photogenic landscape
- Affordable park fees and good-value rest camp accommodation
Considerations
- Can be very crowded at popular waterholes during peak season
- Only the southern third of the park is open to tourists
- Dry season temperatures can be extreme (October)
- Vegetation can be thick, limiting off-waterhole sightings
Wildlife
Big Five Status
🦁
Lion
common
🐆
Leopard
rare
🐘
Elephant
common
🦬
Buffalo
Not present
🦏
Rhino
common
Notable Species
Lion
Common
Leopard
Rare
Elephant
Common
Black Rhino
Common
Cheetah
Occasional
Giraffe
Common
Zebra
Common
Wildebeest
Common
Springbok
Common
Gemsbok
Common
Hyena
Common
Jackal
Common
Kori Bustard
Occasional
Lilac-breasted Roller
Common
Aardvark
Rare
Common Occasional Rare
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak Season Good Time Less Ideal
Climate Overview
Getting There
Etosha is approximately 4-5 hours drive from Windhoek via the B1 highway to Tsumeb, then west. Anderson Gate (south) and Von Lindequist Gate (east) are the main entry points. Scheduled flights to Mokuti Lodge airstrip near the eastern gate.
Nearest Airport
Mokuti Lodge Airstrip
Nearest City
Tsumeb
Drive Time
4.5 hours
Safari Tours (6)
Featured
Etosha Adventures
4.5
6 Days Etosha Waterhole Safari
6 days
From
$1,650 /person
Featured
Namibia Desert Safaris
4.5
8 Days Namibia Dunes & Wildlife
8 days
From
$2,400 /person
Featured
Etosha Adventures
4.5
8 Days Namibia Northern Circuit
8 days
From
$2,300 /person
Etosha Adventures
4.5
4 Days Etosha Self-Drive Package
4 days
From
$950 /person
Namibia Desert Safaris
4.5
12 Days Complete Namibia Adventure
12 days
From
$3,300 /person
Namibia Desert Safaris
4.5
5 Days Etosha National Park Safari
5 days
From
$1,400 /person
Etosha National Park
6 tours available