Etosha – The place of White Open Spaces

Main photograph: Yellow billed hornbill and full moon at Halali. Photo ©Annabelle Venter

Etosha National Park covers an area of approximately 22 270 square kilometres and is home to around 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptiles, 16 amphibians and even a fish.

Luckily, tracking this noah’s arch of animals is made easier with the five great accommodation options spread throughout the park. From ultimate luxury to down to eartch camping facilities, the Etosha National Park facilities offer something for everyone. Here we offer a great guide to each of them.

Dolomite Camp 

Dolomite Camp, which opened in mid-2011, is in the previously restricted western third of the park, where animals abound.

Built by hand atop a dolomite ridge, Dolomite offers panoramic views unique in Etosha. The ecologically designed thatch-roofed chalets blend into the mountaintop, creating a sense of being one with nature. Three of the twenty chalets are deluxe, with their own plunge pools.

 

One chalet was designed for the physically challenged. There is a large pool at the camp, with several pavilions and other structures, such as a fireside boma for game viewing, dining, and relaxing.

There are more than fifteen waterholes in the vicinity of Dolomite Camp and game drives are organised to venture into areas of the park that have been closed to visitors for fifty years. Etosha’s western entrance (Galton Gate) is currently accessible only to those lodging at Dolomite Camp.

The gate is expected to be opened to the public in 2014. Distances between Dolomite Camp and the other rest camps in Etosha are Okaukuejo Camp (180 km), Halali Camp (250 km), Namutoni Camp (320 km) and Onkoshi Camp (350 km).

 Onkoshi Camp

Onkoshi Camp is an exclusive, low-impact environmentally friendly upmarket accommodation facility on the eastern edge of the Etosha Pan.

Built on elevated wooden decks, it offers 15 units (30 beds), a restaurant and bar area, and an infinity pool overlooking the pan.

Guests enter the park at Namutoni, from where they are transported to Onkoshi Camp in NWR vehicles. Situated on a secluded peninsula overlooking the immense Etosha Pan, Onkoshi Camp is completely out of view of current tourist routes. It offers a pristine, tranquil and unique experience to its guests. Activities include professionally guided game drives.

 

Okaukuejo

Okaukuejo is located 17 km from the southern entrance of the park. The rest camp is famous for its floodlit waterhole where visitors can observe at close quarters a spectacle of wildlife congregating and interacting.

 

The waterhole experience has been enhanced by reducing disturbance in this area. Five of the waterhole chalets are premier double-storey units with a balcony overlooking the waterhole. Accommodation suits every need, from premier bush chalets overlooking the waterhole to family chalets, bush chalets and double rooms.

Namutoni 

Namutoni is located on the eastern side of the Etosha National Park. It centres around an old German Fort, overlooking the King Nehale waterhole.

 

Namutoni has been redeveloped to highlight the fort itself, which is a National Monument. Privacy for each unit has been enhanced. An elevated, decked walkway along the edge of the waterhole provides opportunities for enjoying the surrounding scenery, wildlife and spectacular sunsets. Accommodation is in comfortable double rooms or bush chalets. Camping sites are also available.

Halali 

Halali is situated at the base of a dolomite hill, amongst shady mopane trees.

 

A flood-lit waterhole which is viewed from an elevated vantage point provides exceptional wildlife viewing day and night. Accommodation units have sliding doors to the outside, allowing visitors to experience and benefit from the natural surroundings. The largest swimming pool in the park provides a welcome respite. Other facilities include a restaurant, bar, shop and fuel station. Accommodation is in family chalets, two- and four-bed bush chalets, and double units.

CONTACT DETAILS 

• P/Bag 13378, Windhoek
• Tel (+264 61) 285 7200, Fax (+264 61) 22 4900
• Email: reservations@nwr.com.na, Web: www.nwr.com.na

READ MORE:

NWR accommodation

• Sossus Dune Lodge 
• Sesriem campsite – Sossusvlei
• Terrace Bay
• Khorixas Lodge 
• Fish River Canyon
• Waterberg Camp

Etosha National Park

• Photography in Namibia, including Etosha 
• Night drive in Etosha
• Dreaming at Dolomite
  
• Etosha wetlands of international importance 
• Did you know: Zebra in Etosha & the rest of Namibia
• Did you know: Elephants in Namibia 
• Etosha – major wetland 
• Etosha in years 
• Etosha – a bush stage with an all-star cast 
• Stay at Halali 
• Etosha & Surroundings

Southern Namibia

• All roads lead to Sossusvlei 
• Stay in the Namib Naukluft Park and Sossusvlei 
• Sesriem campsite 

Fish River Canyon

• The hike
• Another hike 
• Hiking the mighty Fish River Canyon