Etosha National Park is Namibia's greatest wildlife reserve, a vast area of savannah, woodland and a huge, shimmering white salt pan that can be seen from space. The park is famous for its waterholes, where animals gather in the dry season, and it is one of the easiest places in Africa to see elephants, lions, giraffes and rhinos without travelling far.
Etosha holds Namibia's largest population of black rhino, and the floodlit waterhole at Okaukuejo offers a quiet, unforgettable evening as rhinos, elephants and lions come to drink. Springbok, zebra, wildebeest, gemsbok, kudu and the endemic black-faced impala are common, and more than 340 bird species have been recorded.
The park is easy to reach, so it suits first-time safari-goers and families, and it ends a classic Namibian circuit.
Etosha has the Big Five except buffalo. Elephants gather in large herds, lion prides hunt springbok and zebra on the plains, and black and white rhino drink at the waterholes. Giraffe, cheetah, leopard, spotted hyena, wildebeest, springbok, kudu and black-faced impala are common. The salt pan fills with flamingos after good rains.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
The vast white Etosha Pan lies like a silvery lake, ringed by grassland, mopane woodland and dolomite hills. Dust devils dance at midday, and the sunsets across the plains are dramatic.
Activities here
Etosha is hot in summer, with daytime temperatures of 32°C to 36°C and rain from November to April, and warm to cool and dry in winter, with cold nights near freezing.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33 | 20 | 80 |
| Feb | 32 | 20 | 90 |
| Mar | 32 | 19 | 90 |
| Apr | 31 | 16 | 40 |
| May | 29 | 11 | 10 |
| Jun | 26 | 7 | 0 |
| Jul | 26 | 7 | 0 |
| Aug | 29 | 10 | 0 |
| Sep | 33 | 14 | 0 |
| Oct | 35 | 18 | 10 |
| Nov | 35 | 19 | 30 |
| Dec | 34 | 20 | 60 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
May to October is dry. Waterholes become the focal point of the park, and the animals gather around them, which makes it the best time for game viewing. Evenings are cold, so bring a fleece.
November to April is hot and green, with afternoon thunderstorms. The animals disperse, game viewing is harder, but birds and baby animals are plentiful and the park is quiet.
May to October is the best time, with waterhole viewing at its peak. The green season from December to March is quiet and lush, with excellent birdlife, newborn antelope and lower rates.
Best time to visit Jun to Oct
Etosha is about 410 kilometres from Windhoek, a drive of around five to six hours on good tar roads to the Anderson Gate. Light aircraft fly from Windhoek’s Eros Airport to the park’s airstrips and lodges in about 90 minutes. It links by road with Damaraland to the west and the Zambezi Region to the north-east.
Park fees are included in our safaris. Visitors from many countries, including the UK and US, need a Namibian visa, which can be applied for online or on arrival (about N$1,600 at the time of writing). Please check the rules for your passport.
Etosha lies in a low-risk malaria area, especially from November to June. Please take advice before you travel. The park is hot and dusty, so bring sun protection and a scarf.
Scenic AreaSossusvlei and the NamibThe world's tallest red dunes
RegionDamaralandDesert elephants and ancient rock art
National ParkSkeleton CoastFog, shipwrecks and roaring seal colonies
City & TownSwakopmundSeaside town between dunes and ocean
City & TownWindhoekNamibia's small, friendly capitalOur take
“Our take”
Give Etosha at least two nights, and spend long hours at one good waterhole rather than driving constantly.
Safaris from
US$1,598 per person
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