Read 155 traveller reviews of Okaukuejo Camp

Okaukuejo Camp (formerly known as Okaukuejo Restcamp) stands near the public southern entrance of Etosha National Park, at the western end of the famous Etosha Pan. It officially opened for visitors in 1957, and is the oldest and largest of the three former government-run rest camps (the other two are Halali Camp and Namutoni Camp).

Okaukuejo is now operated by the para-statal Namibia Wildlife Resorts. It was completely upgraded and re-furbished in late 2007, when there was a step-change for the better in its accommodation. The service and food proved harder to improve, but great strides have been made in these areas too – see our reviewers' comments. Okaukuejo Camp is also the administrative centre of the park, and home to Etosha Ecological Institute, responsible for the research and conservation of the park's flora and fauna.

Okaukuejo's main attraction is the large, flood-lit waterhole, which receives exceedingly regular visits from a wide diversity of wildlife. These animals include herds of antelope, lion, family groups of elephant and black rhino, which are seen remarkably frequently. It's not an over-statement to say that this is probably the best place in Africa to observe black rhino in the wild – as there are often a number of individuals which come down to this waterhole to drink at night.

The spectacle starts at dawn and continues throughout the day, and it's especially fun to sit back after dinner with a bottle of wine, watching the water's nocturnal visitors and their interactions. Beside this, the landmark stone tower at the heart of Okaukuejo rest camp is an excellent spot to relax and watch the sun go down behind distant mountains.

Okaukuejo Camp boasts a total of 104 chalets, scattered all over the camp's grounds. They are all equipped with fridges and tea-stations, and come in six different types, depending on their location and size:

• There are five Premier Waterhole Chalets set in close proximity to the waterhole. The double-storey buildings have two en-suite bedrooms (one queen-size bed, two single beds), lounge areas, private patios, as well as balconies, overlooking the waterhole and its wildlife activity. Note that these rooms are usually booked on a full board basis.

• The 30 Waterhole Chalets at Okaukuejo are considerably smaller than the Premier Chalets, with one en-suite double bedroom and a private patio, complete with chairs and a table. None the less, they are built close to the waterhole and provide good game viewing opportunities.

• The two self-catering Family Chalets have well-equipped kitchenettes, and braai areas adjacent to shaded verandas. They are very spacious, with two en-suite bedrooms and comfortable lounge areas.

• There are also 25 Bush Chalets at Okaukuejo Camp. Each has one double bedroom, a bathroom, a lounge area and barbeque facilities.

• In addition, Okaukuejo Camp has 40 en-suite Double Rooms and two Disabled Access Chalets. The latter are set close to the waterhole, and have double bedrooms and spacious, wheelchair-friendly bathrooms with low appliances, as well as braai facilities.

• As befits one of the country's original restcamps, there are 26 camping sites at Okaukuejo. Whilst staying here, guest have access to three ablution blocks with showers and toilets, and can use the three communal field kitchens, complete with cooking areas. Power points, hot & cold water, and braai facilities are available at all camping sites.

The main facilities at Okaukuejo are typical of a rest camp and include a restaurant, where all the meals are served as a buffet, a bar, a kiosk, a curio shop, a post office, as well as a fuel station and a swimming pool. There's also a tourist shop, selling basic food items, and a tourist centre, displaying the ongoing park research. In cases of emergency, there's a state clinic on site.

Whilst staying at Okaukuejo, activities mainly consist of wildlife viewing – and the vast majority of visitors come in their own cars, and drive themselves around the park. Etosha was set up as a reserve for visitors to drive themselves, with a network of very well-marked and signposted roads.

In addition to your own game drives, the flood-lit waterhole often delivers an outstanding game viewing experience in the evening. In recent years, the park authorities have started running their own guided game drives, which leave in the morning (06:30), in the afternoon (15:30) and in the evening (20:00). There's also a nature walk possible within the camp, and sometimes it's possible to visit to the Etosha Ecological Institute.

Lodge overview

Lodge type: Safari

No. of bedrooms: 104 units, 26 camping sites

Season: Open Year Round

Central facilities: Okaukuejo Camp has a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, a bar, a curio shop, a tourist shop & centre, a kiosk, a post office, a fuel station, as well as a swimming pool and conference facilities. A basic clinic is also on-site.

Geographics

Location: Etosha National Park, Namibia

Directions: From Windhoek, take the B1 and turn onto the C38 from Otjiwarongo through Outjo to Anderson Gate (about 400 km; 114 lm from Outjo). Okaukuejo is situated another 17 km from the southern entrance of Etosha National Park.

Accessible by: Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Key personnel

Owner: Okaukuejo Camp is run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts.

Food & drink

Usual board basis: B&B

Food quality: Okaukuejo Camp has a restaurant, providing buffets for breakfast (05:30 to 10:00 during winter, 06:00 to 10:00 in summer), lunch (12:00 to14:00), and dinner (18:00 to 21:30 in winter, 19:00 to 22:00 in summer). Okaukuejo's two Family Chalets are self-catering and have well-equipped kitchenettes and braai areas. The 25 Bush Chalets have barbeque facilities as well, and guests staying on one of the 26 camping sites have access to three field kitchens and communal braai areas.

Dining style: Inidividual Tables

Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining

Special interests

Wildlife safaris: Okaukuejo Camp's large permanent waterhole is flood-lit at night, and attracts vast numbers of wild animals, coming to quench their thirst. Black rhinos, zebra, lion, and herds of elephant are frequent visitors in the evenings, and whilst staying here, guests have most stunning opportunities to observe them at close range. - See more of our suggestions of the best places for wildlife safaris in Namibia

Children

Attitude towards children: Children are welcome at Okaukuejo Camp.

Notes: 6 to 12 year old children are charged at half price for game drives, children under the age of 6 are not permitted on game drives.

Central communications

TV & radio: There are no radios or TVs in any of the chalets and rooms.

Health & safety

Malarial area: Yes

Medical care: There's a basic clinic on-site.

Dangerous animals: High Risk

Security measures: There's a low fence and a wall in-between the flood-lit waterhole and the chalets, to reduce the chances of dangerous animals from entering the camp.

Extras

Disabled access: In Place

Laundry facilities: Full Laundry Service – Extra Charge

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