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.
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
Camp Site (max 8 people per pitch)
individual shaded pitches with private ablutions and braai facilities; electricity at most sites
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)
| Camping | Nov 2026 - Jun 2027 | Jul 2027 - Oct 2027 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per Person Sharing | Per Person Sharing | ||||
| Camp Site (Max 8 People) | NAD 510 | NAD 510 |
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
Payable separately
- ✗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
| Camp | Setting | Signature feature | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Okaukuejo | Western Etosha, southern access | Floodlit waterhole — nightly rhino sightings | First-timers; book waterhole-view chalets 9–12 months ahead |
| Halali | Central, mopane woodland | Moringa floodlit waterhole; smaller, quieter | Mid-park base splitting east/west itineraries |
| Namutoni | Eastern Etosha, historic fort | 1906 German fort; adjacent to Fischer’s Pan wetland | Birding, leopard & cheetah viewing |
| Dolomite Camp | Western concession | Elevated dolomite-outcrop chalets | Premium experience; exclusive western-zone access |
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.
Enquire about Olifantsrus Camp
Send your dates and party size and we reply within 24 hours (Mon–Fri, 8:00–17:00 CAT) with availability and one clear recommendation.