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)
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.
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.