Camping in Etosha

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 NWR 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

Campsite Types

Powered Campsites

Powered sites include electrical connections (220V) for appliances, lights, and charging. These sites are ideal for campers using electric coolers, lights, or CPAP machines. Powered sites typically include a braai stand, water tap, and nearby ablution blocks.

Unpowered Campsites

Unpowered sites are located slightly further from the main camp facilities. They offer a more bush-like atmosphere and suit self-sufficient campers with solar power or gas appliances. Shared ablution blocks with hot showers are available nearby.

Exclusive-Use Campsites

Okaukuejo and Namutoni offer a limited number of exclusive-use campsites for single parties. These provide greater privacy and are popular with families or groups. Advance booking is essential.

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 NWR 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