Olifantsrus Camp

Why stay at Olifantsrus Camp

Olifantsrus Camp is the only camping-only base inside Etosha National Park and the principal foothold in Western Etosha, just 5 km from Galton Gate. The site has an unusual history: from 1983–1988 it served as the park’s elephant culling station, processing 525 elephants during a controversial population-management programme. The infrastructure was decommissioned and reopened as a campsite in 2014, with a small interpretive exhibition documenting the period and the science behind it. The campsite’s defining feature is the double-storey waterhole hide overlooking a year-round waterhole, where elephants, black rhino, and lion arrive through the dry season. The camp suits self-sufficient travellers exploring Western Etosha and the Galton Gate / Damaraland corridor.

Accommodation at Olifantsrus Camp

Camping only. No chalets, lodges, or serviced rooms.

• Camp Site (max 8 people per pitch) — individual shaded pitches with private ablutions and braai facilities; electricity at most sites

Campers must bring their own tent or rooftop-tent equipped vehicle, bedding, cooking equipment, and food. A small kiosk sells basics; for groceries and fresh produce, stock up in Kamanjab or Outjo before arrival.

The Olifantsrus waterhole hide

The Olifantsrus waterhole has a purpose-built two-storey hide overlooking a year-round water source, giving the most concentrated dawn-to-dusk elephant viewing anywhere inside Etosha National Park. Black rhino arrivals are reliable from June to October, with lion and leopard recorded regularly through the dry season. The upper deck offers panoramic photography angles; the lower level is closer to the water for sound recording and intimate viewing. The hide is open 24/7 to camp guests. Bring binoculars, a thermos, and patience — a 2-hour sit typically rewards.

Wildlife and waterholes near Olifantsrus Camp

Olifantsrus opens Western Etosha’s least-trafficked routes, including the road network west of Dolomite. Productive nearby locations:

• Olifantsrus waterhole hide — in-camp; the camp’s primary wildlife asset
• Renostervlei — 18 km; black rhino sightings
• Dolomietpunt — 30 km; mixed game with rocky-outcrop scenery
• Klippan — 25 km; elephant aggregations late in the dry season
• The road to Dolomite Camp — productive driving route for predators

See the Etosha Waterholes Guide for the full inventory.

Activities at Olifantsrus Camp

• Self-drive game drives — Western Etosha low-traffic routes
• Waterhole hide viewing — included, 24/7
• Interpretive exhibition — elephant culling history and science (1980s programme)
• Kiosk — basic supplies and curios

Note: No guided drives are offered from Olifantsrus. No fuel station; refuel at Galton Gate (no fuel) or Kamanjab before arrival.

Olifantsrus Camp rates (2026–2027)

What’s included with your stay

• Use of the campsite pitch (max 8 people per pitch)
• Access to ablutions, communal kitchen, kiosk, and waterhole hide
• Braai facilities and electricity at most sites

What’s not included

• Park entry fees: NAD 280 per foreign (non-SADC) adult per day (NAD 140 entrance + NAD 140 conservation, effective 1 April 2026 per MEFT); SADC adults NAD 180; Namibian adults NAD 60; vehicle ≤10 seats NAD 60 per day — payable at the gate
• Camping equipment (tent, bedding, cooking gear)
• Food, fuel, ice, firewood (limited availability at kiosk)
• Any conservancy or community levies

Compare Olifantsrus with the other Etosha National Park camps

Frequently asked questions about Olifantsrus Camp

Are there chalets at Olifantsrus?

No. Olifantsrus is the only camping-only site in Etosha National Park. For chalets in Western Etosha, the nearest options are Dolomite Camp or Okaukuejo Camp.

What’s the elephant culling history about?

Between 1983 and 1988, Olifantsrus operated as a culling station processing 525 elephants from Etosha’s growing herd. The site’s interpretive exhibition documents the controversial programme and the conservation science of the period. Operations ended in 1988 and the site reopened as a campsite in 2014.

How far is Olifantsrus from Galton Gate?

Olifantsrus Camp is approximately 5 km east of Galton Gate — the shortest gate-to-camp transfer of any in-park western camp.

Is the waterhole hide worth the visit?

Yes. The double-storey hide is the only purpose-built viewing hide on a year-round waterhole inside Etosha. Two-hour morning and late-afternoon sits typically reward with elephant and rhino activity.

Do I need to bring my own food?

Yes. The kiosk sells basics only. Stock up in Kamanjab (~80 km south of Galton Gate) or Outjo before arrival.

Plan your Etosha visit

Olifantsrus Camp is the western foothold for self-sufficient travellers. Pair it with Dolomite Camp (45 km north) for a Western Etosha focus, or use it as a one-night stopover en route from Damaraland to Okaukuejo Camp. Read the complete Etosha National Park guide or browse other Etosha National Park camps.