Namibia
This safari will be unique thanks to the knowledge of the terrain and the good mood of the driver in a well equipped 4x4 and fresh water available.
Price €115
Min age 1
Rating 4.90 / 5 [75 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
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Safari in Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
Go on safari at the incomparable Etosha National Park, Namibia
Last updated: 22 July, 2024
‘The Great White Place of Dry Water’ is easily Namibia’s most popular safari destination, and one of the finest game reserves in Africa. Established in 1907, the highlight of the 20,000 sq km park is its namesake: a vast pan that – according to legend – was formed by the tears of a grieving widow.
Heavy rains can briefly fill the pan, transforming it into a haven of birdlife, but throughout the year waterholes and springs along its fringes attract the 114 species of mammal that call the park home.
Camps and lodges will offer daily game drives – usually at dawn and sunset when the animals are more active, and the temperature more amenable. Some camps will also be built around to close to waterholes, which brings the game to you.
It’s Namibia’s top safari destination and one of the best in Africa, good for both self-drive and guided safaris. A multi-day safari here is a must for any visit to Namibia.
Logistics
Price: Free
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 8+
When: All year around
Duration: 2-3 days
Getting there & doing it
Most visitors choose to drive the 550km from Windhoek to Etosha, as the B1 highway is tarred all the way and in good condition. Allow six hours for the journey. If you’re short on time, and staying at a lodge that offers guided safari drives, charter flights from Windhoek’s international airport are easily arranged.
Although guided safari drives are widely available, an extensive network of well-maintained gravel roads makes Etosha an accessible self-drive destination. There are two main gates to Etosha’s public section: Andersson in the centre of the southern boundary, and Von Lindequist on the eastern border.
Self-drive visitors must purchase a daily permit and sign in here before exploring the Park, or continuing on to pre-booked overnight accommodation. Remember that driving after dark is not permitted.
See our Etosha destination guide for recommendations of where to stay.
When to do it
Etosha is worth a visit at any time of the year, but Autumn (May to June) is best, when the bush is green, game is plentiful and the July holiday crowds haven’t yet arrived. Etosha is hot, dry and dusty in early summer (September to December), but the lack of water also concentrates game at the waterholes, leading to great sightings.
The opposite is true from January to April, when hot rainy days send humidity skyrocketing. The bushveld is beautifully green and the birding is excellent… but the game can be harder to spot.
Who to go with: organised tours
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
Swakopmund
This 3-day/2night budget camping safari starts in Swakopmund every Saturday and ends Monday afternoons in Windhoek. Leaving Swakopmund in the morning to Etosha National Park where you will spend 1 full day and an afternoon game driving, searching for predators & prey alike.
Spend your evenings at the flood-lit waterhole waiting for animals to come and drink. Etosha National Park stretches approximately 22,000sqkms and is named after the famed Etosha Pan. Upon leaving Etosha, make a final stop at the Okahandja craft market for some local souvenirs. We arrive in Windhoek in the afternoon where we will be dropped off at our accommodation within the city limits.
Price ZAR 9,000
Min age 16
Rating 4.87 / 5 [31 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Etosha National Park
We are responsible, reliable, professionals and we take care for all our client's needs. We know exactly where to find the animals and take our clients to hotspots where these animals are found. Our aim is to spot the 4 (lions, rhinos, leopards and elephants). All our vehicles are ideal for gravel roads and they are insured and fully serviced. A first aid kit and a fire extinguisher is in all vehicles. During cold mornings we offer mini blankets for our clients to keep warm.
Price €115
Min age 1
Rating 4.69 / 5 [26 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Windhoek
This 9 day tour is the perfect overview of Namibia’s highlights. Enjoy sightings of wildlife at the Okonjima Nature Reserve and Etosha National Park before immersing ourselves into the rich culture of the Himba tribe. We explore Namibia’s Skeleton Coast and visit the seals at Cape Cross before taking a short break from camping in Swakopmund, Namibia’s adventure capital. Here we can enjoy any number of adrenaline-inducing optional activities before starting our journey south. Our next stop after crossing the Tropic of Capricorn is Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert, home to some of the world’s highest sand dunes. This tour is a combination of camping and lodging, and the ultimate Namibian adventure for those looking for a combination of an affordable and comfortable safari!
Price ZAR 38,500
Min age 5
Rating 5 / 5 [17 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Windhoek
This budget accommodated Namibian wildlife safari provides a great opportunity to witness Namibia's wildlife up close in Etosha National Park. Ideal for wildlife & nature lovers, this lodging tour includes 2 nights in the Etosha area, and 1 night in the adventure capital of Namibia, Swakopmund. Optional activities here include quad-biking and sandboarding or instead visit the Walvis Bay Lagoon, a RAMSAR listed wetland, home to many bird species including the greater and lesser flamingo, endemic Damara Tern, pelicans and more.
Price ZAR 19,500
Min age 5
Rating 4.66 / 5 [15 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
