- Location: 8 km from Von Lindequist Gate, eastern Etosha — about 10 minutes to the park
- Size: 12 units — ten thatched chalets, one triple room, one family house
- From: NAD 8,200 per chalet per night (two guests), dinner, bed & breakfast; single use from NAD 5,500
- Levies: None billed separately — 15% VAT and the 1% bed levy are included in the rate
- Best for: Comfortable, owner-run first or last night on Etosha’s quieter eastern side
Mushara Lodge is the original property of the family-run Mushara Collection, set on private land 8 km from Von Lindequist Gate on Etosha’s eastern boundary. It takes its name from the purple-pod terminalia, the mushara tree that grows across the grounds.
Ten thatched chalets stand in a horseshoe around lawns and a large pool, with a family house and a triple room alongside. The defining feature is the pricing: rates are per chalet, not per person, which makes Mushara one of the better-value upmarket stays on this side of the park.
Why stay at Mushara Lodge
- Per-chalet pricing. NAD 8,200 for two in shoulder season works out at NAD 4,100 per person, dinner, bed and breakfast, with VAT and bed levy already in. Comparable eastern-boundary lodges charge similar figures per person.
- Ten minutes from the gate. You can be inside Etosha soon after it opens and back for lunch, without the long approach drives that come with lodges further out.
- Garden-to-table cooking. Meals lean on vegetables, herbs and fruit from the lodge’s own garden, a rarity in this dry corner of Namibia.
- A proper main lodge. Library, bar with a deep wine selection, lounge with fireplace and a curio shop, decorated with a mix of traditional African and modern art.
Accommodation at Mushara Lodge
The ten double chalets are thatched, spacious and air-conditioned, each with mosquito nets, a mini-bar, safe, tea and coffee station, charging points, telephone and an en-suite bathroom with shower and separate toilet. WiFi runs throughout the property.
The triple room adds a third bed and a bathroom with both shower and bath, which makes it the practical pick for a small family or three friends sharing. The family house sleeps a full family under one roof, also with shower and bath, and gives parents and children their own space.
A spa opened at the lodge in 2026, offering massage treatments with African oils — a sensible way to spend the hot midday hours between game drives.
The pool, gardens and main lodge
The chalets face inward over manicured lawns to a large swimming pool, so the whole property functions as one shaded, green courtyard in the mopane bush. The thatched main building holds the dining room, fireplace lounge, library and bar.
Dinner is a set affair built around the day’s garden produce; breakfast is served before the gate opens if you want first light inside the park. The atmosphere is closer to a well-run private home than a hotel, which is exactly what the owners intend.
Activities from Mushara Lodge
The lodge runs scheduled morning and afternoon game drives into Etosha with its own guides, who know the eastern waterholes, Fischer’s Pan and the Namutoni loops well. Published 2026 prices are NAD 1,450 per person until 31 March and NAD 1,500 per person from 1 April, including VAT, park entrance and the conservation fee.
A private vehicle and guide can be booked at NAD 11,600 per vehicle. Most guests split their stay: one guided drive to learn the area, then self-driving through the gate at their own pace.
Mushara Lodge rates (2026)
All rates are per unit per night (not per person), on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis, and include 15% VAT and the 1% bed levy. No separate conservation levy applies. Shoulder season runs 1 January to 30 June 2026; high season 1 July to 31 December 2026.
| Room type | Shoulder (Jan–Jun) | High (Jul–Dec) |
|---|---|---|
| Double chalet, single use | NAD 5,500 | NAD 5,900 |
| Double chalet (two guests) | NAD 8,200 | NAD 8,800 |
| Triple room (three guests) | NAD 12,300 | NAD 13,200 |
| Family house | NAD 16,400 | NAD 17,600 |
Published 2026 rack rates from the lodge’s official rate sheet. We confirm live availability and any specials when you enquire.
Who Mushara Lodge suits
Couples who want comfort without safari-circuit prices are the core guests, since the per-chalet rate rewards two people sharing. Families do well here too: children up to 3 stay free, normal rates apply from age 4, and the family house and triple room keep everyone together.
Photographers and early risers like the short gate run, and solo travellers get a fair deal with a dedicated single-use rate rather than a punishing supplement. If you want tents and open bush rather than lawns and thatch, look at Mushara Outpost or the more affordable Mushara Bush Camp instead.
Getting to Mushara Lodge
The lodge sits 8 km east of Von Lindequist Gate on the tarred approach road, so access needs no gravel driving at all. From Windhoek, take the B1 north through Otjiwarongo and Tsumeb, then follow the signs for Etosha’s eastern gate; allow a full day at roughly 530 km.
Many self-drivers enter here, cross the park westwards via Namutoni, Halali and Okaukuejo, and exit at Andersson’s Gate. Our park gates guide covers gate hours and the paperwork at Von Lindequist.
Frequently asked questions about Mushara Lodge
Are Mushara Lodge rates per person or per chalet?
Per chalet. The published NAD 8,200 shoulder-season rate covers two guests sharing on dinner, bed and breakfast, with 15% VAT and the 1% bed levy included. This is unusual — most Etosha-area lodges quote per person sharing, so compare carefully.
How far is Mushara Lodge from Etosha?
8 km from Von Lindequist Gate, about ten minutes by car. Namutoni and Fischer’s Pan lie a short drive inside the gate, so a full game-viewing morning is easy even before breakfast for late risers.
Can children stay at Mushara Lodge?
Yes. Children up to the age of 3 stay free of charge; from 4 years, normal rates apply. The family house and the triple room are the units to ask for, and the pool and lawns give children room to move.
Does the lodge run game drives into Etosha?
Yes — scheduled morning and afternoon drives at NAD 1,450 per person (NAD 1,500 from 1 April 2026), including park entrance and conservation fees, plus private vehicles at NAD 11,600. You can also self-drive through the gate with your own vehicle.
How far in advance should I book?
For July to December, book 6 to 12 months ahead; with only twelve units, high-season dates fill early. Shoulder season (January to June) is easier and NAD 600 cheaper per chalet per night.
Check availability at Mushara Lodge
We are an independent Namibian booking agent, not the lodge itself, and we combine Mushara nights with Etosha National Park camps inside the gates on one itinerary. Send your dates below and we reply within 24 hours (Mon–Fri 8:00–17:00 CAT) with availability and one clear recommendation.