Etosha National Park
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

Etosha National Park

6 tours available