Camping in Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park offers some of Africa’s finest camping experiences. Staying overnight inside the park means access to floodlit waterholes after dark, early-morning game drives before the day-visitors arrive, and the extraordinary sounds of the African bush at night. All camping is located within the park’s Etosha rest camps.
Camping Options in Etosha
| Camp | Location | Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| Okaukuejo Camp | Southern/central Etosha | Powered & unpowered sites, pool, restaurant, famous waterhole |
| Halali Camp | Central Etosha | Powered & unpowered sites, pool, restaurant, floodlit waterhole |
| Namutoni Camp | Eastern Etosha | Powered sites, pool, restaurant, Fort Namutoni landmark |
| Dolomite Camp | Western Etosha | Chalets only (no campsites), pool, restaurant |
| Onkoshi Camp | Far eastern Etosha | Exclusive tented camp, no campsites |
The campsites
The Etosha rest camps that allow camping — Okaukuejo, Halali, Namutoni and Olifantsrus — each have a campsite of standard pitches: a power point (220V), a water tap and a braai (BBQ) area, with shared ablution blocks (hot showers and toilets) nearby. Sites take up to 8 people and are charged per person, and suit rooftop tents, ground tents, caravans and motorhomes. Camping is popular and books out months ahead in peak season (July–October), so book well in advance.
Camp Facilities for Campers
- Hot showers and flush toilets in ablution blocks
- Swimming pools (seasonal, check availability)
- Camp shops stocking basic groceries, firewood, ice, and gas
- Restaurants for sit-down meals or takeaways
- Floodlit waterholes for night-time wildlife viewing
- Fuel stations at Okaukuejo, Halali, and Namutoni
- Reception for booking activities and extensions
What to Bring Camping in Etosha
- Tent and sleeping gear rated for cool nights (June–August can drop below 10°C)
- Camping stove or portable gas burner
- Cooler box with sufficient ice (resupply at camp shops)
- Insect repellent — especially important during the wet season
- Headlamp or torch for moving around camp at night
- Binoculars for waterhole viewing from your camp chair
- Sufficient food and water for your stay; restock at camp shops as needed
Campfire Rules
- Fires are permitted only in the provided braai stands at each site
- Do not collect firewood from inside the park — purchase from the camp shop
- Fires must be extinguished before leaving the campsite or going to sleep
- Open ground fires (outside braai stands) are prohibited
Safety in Camp
Rest camps are fenced but wildlife occasionally enters. Always be aware of your surroundings after dark.
- Never leave food unattended outside — it attracts jackals, honey badgers, and other animals
- Do not walk outside the camp fence at any time
- Store food in a vehicle or hard-sided container overnight
- Report any wildlife inside camp perimeter to camp staff immediately
Booking Campsites
All campsites in Etosha are managed by Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) and must be booked in advance, especially during peak season (June–October). Bookings can be made through the park reservations website or reservations office in Windhoek. Walk-in availability is rare during busy periods.
- Check-in: 14:00 | Check-out: 10:00
- Maximum stay: usually limited to a set number of nights per camp — check NWR policy
- Payment: NWR accepts card at all camps; cash (Namibian dollar) also accepted