Etosha Gate Times and Entry Fees (2026)
All entry into Etosha National Park is through NWR-controlled gates. Gates have strict opening and closing times that vary by month. You must be inside your camp before closing time — there is no late entry, and driving after dark outside your camp is not permitted except on authorised night drives.
Etosha Gate Opening and Closing Times by Month
| Month | Gate Opens | Gate Closes |
|---|---|---|
| January | 06:00 | 19:30 |
| February | 06:00 | 19:30 |
| March | 06:00 | 19:00 |
| April | 06:00 | 18:30 |
| May | 06:00 | 18:00 |
| June | 06:00 | 18:00 |
| July | 06:00 | 18:00 |
| August | 06:00 | 18:00 |
| September | 06:00 | 18:30 |
| October | 06:00 | 19:00 |
| November | 06:00 | 19:30 |
| December | 06:00 | 19:30 |
Note: Times are approximate and can vary slightly. Always confirm with your camp on arrival. Gates typically open at sunrise and close at or after sunset.
Etosha Entry Gates
| Gate | Location | Closest Camp | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson Gate | South (Outjo road) | Okaukuejo (12 km) | Most popular; main route from Windhoek |
| Von Lindequist Gate (Namutoni) | East (Tsumeb road) | Namutoni (1 km) | Entry from the eastern outside-park area, east circuit |
| King Nehale Gate | Northeast | Halali / Namutoni | Entry from Oshakati/northern Namibia |
| Galton Gate | West | Olifantsrus (50 km) | Western circuit only; remote |
Etosha Entry Fees (2026/2027 Rates)
Etosha Entrance Fee Calculator 2026 RATES
Calculate your total Etosha National Park entry costs. Fees are paid at the gate, valid for 24 hours per entry. Updates apply NWR's April 2026 rate schedule.
Fees were revised on 1 April 2026 by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism. All fees are quoted in Namibian Dollars (NAD) and include both the park entrance fee and the conservation fee. Exchange rates fluctuate — check with NWR or your operator for current USD/EUR equivalents.
Children aged 8 and under
Free entry — all nationalities.
Persons (per person per day)
| Category | Fee (NAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Namibian adult | NAD 60 | Namibian ID required |
| SADC adult | NAD 180 | Proof of SADC citizenship required |
| International adult | NAD 280 | Standard rate for most visitors |
| Namibian child (aged 9–16) | Free | Namibian ID required |
| SADC child (aged 9–16) | NAD 100 | Proof of SADC citizenship required |
| International child (aged 9–16) | NAD 180 |
Vehicles (per entry)
| Vehicle size | Fee (NAD) |
|---|---|
| 10 seats or fewer | NAD 60 |
| 11–25 seats | NAD 150 |
| 26–50 seats | NAD 600 |
| 51+ seats | NAD 1,000 |
Conservation levies are included in accommodation rates when booking Etosha camps. Day visitor fees are separate and payable at the gate.
Planning Tips
- Build in buffer time — plan to be at your destination camp at least 30 minutes before closing time. Gate-to-camp distances vary significantly (Galton Gate to Olifantsrus is approximately 50 km of gravel road).
- Anderson Gate is busiest in peak season (July–September). Allow 20–30 minutes for queuing during school holidays.
- If you are arriving via Von Lindequist Gate and staying at Namutoni, you can be inside the camp within 5 minutes of entry.
- Night drives (where available) depart from inside camps and are authorised to operate after gate closing. You do not need to leave and re-enter the park.
Etosha Gate Fees and Times — Quick Answers
What are Etosha National Park’s entrance fees in 2026?
International (non-SADC) adults pay NAD 280 per day (NAD 140 entrance plus NAD 140 conservation, effective 1 April 2026). SADC adults pay NAD 180. Namibian adults pay NAD 60. Children 8–under-16 pay NAD 180 (international), NAD 100 (SADC), or free (Namibian). Children under 8 are free for all nationalities. The vehicle fee is NAD 60 for vehicles up to 10 seats, NAD 150 for 11–25 seats, NAD 600 for 26–50 seats, and NAD 1,000 for 51+ seats. Source: Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) rate schedule, signed 15 January 2026.
What time do Etosha gates open and close?
Etosha’s four main entry gates — Anderson (south), Von Lindequist (east), Galton (west), and King Nehale (north) — open at sunrise (between 06:00 and 07:30 depending on month) and close at sunset (between 17:30 and 19:30). Exact monthly times are listed in the table on this page. Inside the park, you must be at your camp’s gate by sunset; driving after dark is not permitted.
Are Etosha fees different for SADC residents?
Yes. SADC nationals pay NAD 180 per adult per day, compared to NAD 280 for non-SADC internationals. SADC children (8–under-16) pay NAD 100; children under 8 are free for all nationalities. Bring proof of nationality at the gate — passport for non-Namibians, national ID for SADC residents.
Where do I pay the Etosha entrance fee?
Fees are paid at the gate on entry and are valid for 24 hours from the time of entry. Cash in NAD and card payments are accepted at the gates, or pre-payment may be possible through your accommodation booking. Keep your receipt — you may be asked to show it on exit.
Quick reference: for a single-page summary of the key 2026 planning numbers — entry fees, distances, wildlife counts, gates, camps and seasons — see Etosha National Park 2026: Planning by Numbers.
Quick answers
How much does it cost to enter Etosha National Park in 2026?
International adults pay NAD 280 per day (SADC NAD 180, Namibian NAD 60), plus NAD 60 per vehicle up to 10 seats. Children under 8 are free; ages 8-15 pay NAD 180 (international). Fees are paid at the gate and valid for 24 hours.
What time do Etosha's gates open and close?
Gates open at sunrise and close at sunset - roughly 06:00-07:30 to open and 17:30-19:30 to close, depending on the month. You must reach your camp before gate-closing time.
Which Etosha gate should I use?
Use Andersson Gate (south, via Outjo) for Okaukuejo, Von Lindequist (east, via Tsumeb) for Namutoni, Galton (west) for Dolomite, or King Nehale (north). Pick the gate nearest your first camp.
Etosha Trip Planning Tools VIEW ALL →
Five free interactive tools to plan every part of your visit — fees, distances, camps, timing, and wildlife.
About this guide
Our planning team has personally driven every Etosha gate-to-camp route, stayed at multiple inside-park rest camps and outside-park lodges across both wet and dry seasons, and helped past travellers plan dozens of custom itineraries. Specific dates, distances, and pricing reflect our first-hand visits and verified published sources.
Verified sources for this article: Namibia Wildlife Resorts, IUCN Red List, BirdLife International, Etosha Wikipedia. See our editorial policy and corrections log.