Etosha Safari Camp: Our full report
Situated just 10km south of the Andersson Gate on the southern side of Namibia's flagship Etosha National ...
... Park, Etosha Safari Camp is a large and friendly lodge, with plenty of character. It is well placed for visitors to the national park, either on their own or on game drives with experienced guides from the camp.Etosha Safari Camp has 50 fairly simple brick chalets, this includes fives family rooms and 4 triple rooms. Each chalet with its own shaded concrete veranda and tin roof. Each chalet is furnished with a couple of deck chairs and a table. The chalets are comfortable, with paintings of animals on the polished stone floors, cheerful bedspreads and colourful artwork on the walls. Each has twin/double beds, a mosquito net, a safe, air conditioning and plug sockets for charging electricals. The en-suite bathroom has a sink and mirror, toilet, and funky shower with an elephant painted on the wall.
When we most recently visited in March 2017, they were trailing a couple of new colour schemes in an effort to incorporate the eccentric style of the shebeen more so in the rooms. So we expect the rooms to be redecorated in the near future.
The real highlight of Etosha Safari Camp is its fun, eccentric and colourful main area. Bringing the spirit of a township to life, it feels like every inch of wall space is covered by a quirky relic – from bicycles to gas lamps, and street signs to watering cans! Buffet meals are served here, and the bar is in the style of a traditional shebeen, complete with empty bottles, a serving window and a pool table.
Central to Etosha Safari Camp is a courtyard and campfire area laid out with funky furniture, such as chairs made from baths and reused car tyres. There's live music here almost every night and it's a sociable place to spend your evenings.
Up a level from the restaurant and shebeen is the sparkling round swimming pool, with sunloungers and a few umbrellas which offers some respite from the heat.
Activities at Etosha Safari Camp are focused on game viewing in Etosha National Park. For travellers with a hire car it's easy to drive yourself into the park, if you prefer if you can instead take a guided drive from the camp – morning, afternoon and full-day drives are offered here. It's advisable to book guided activities early, though, as the game-drive vehicles are shared with its sister property, Etosha Safari Lodge, so can get fully booked in high season.
Our view
Etosha Safari Camp is a great base from which to explore Etosha National Park. It's a friendly, funky lodge with plenty of character, offering a relatively simple, good-value and comfortable stay very close to Etosha's Andersson Gate.
Namibia expert
Geographics
- Location
- Etosha National Park, Namibia
- Ideal length of stay
- Two to three nights
- Directions
- Etosha Safari Camp is located on the C38, about 2.4km from Etosha Safari Lodge, and 10km south of Etosha's Andersson Gate.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Bed & Breakfast
- Food quality
- We didn't stay or eat here – but we understand that breakfasts and dinners are generally served as a buffet, in the main shebeen area and that there is a light lunch menu available.
- Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Drinks included
- No.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are welcome at Etosha Safari Camp.
- Property’s age restrictions
- None
- Equipment
- A baby cot and two highchairs are available.
- Generally recommended for children
- A great place for older children and teenagers – it’s a laid-back environment with plenty of space to burn off steam.
- Notes
- The pool is unfenced so children should always be supervised.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Etosha Safari Camp
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Etosha Safari Camp have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
50% success
50% success
50% success
50% success
50% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
0% success
Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is a back-up generator.
- Communications
- There is free WiFi in the main areas.
- Water supply
- Borehole
- Water supply notes
- There are flushing toilets and plumbed in showers.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The nearest doctor is in Outjo, about 75km away.
- Dangerous animals
- Moderate Risk
- Security measures
- There are security guards at the gate during the day, and at night they patrol in camp.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers in the rooms and in the main area.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- There is a laundry service for an extra cost.
- Money
- There are safes in the rooms.
- Accepted payment on location
- Namibian dollars and South African rand are accepted. Travellers can also pay with Visa and Mastercard, but not travellers’ cheques.
Other lodges in Etosha National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Okaukuejo Camp
Set within Etosha National Park, Okaukuejo Resort is a large camp with a productive, floodlit waterhole.
Halali Camp
The smallest of Etosha's erstwhile restcamps, overlooking its own floodlit waterhole, Halali has a superb location near the centre of Etosha Pan.
Mushara Bush Camp
The family-friendly Mushara Bush Camp offers great value and is an excellent base from which to explore Etosha National Park.
Ongava Lodge
With fantastic views over a private reserve bordering Etosha, the smart Ongava Lodge offers driving and walking safaris on the reserve, and guided drives in Etosha.
Ongava Tented Camp
Set around a waterhole on a private reserve, the small Ongava Tented Camp combines understated comfort with activities that include walks and night drives.
Onguma Tented Camp
Onguma Tented Camp is a lovely, little tented camp which centres around an attractive waterhole a short drive from the Von Lindequist Gate to eastern Etosha.
Dolomite Camp
Opened in 2011, Dolomite Camp allows visitors access to the far west side of Etosha National Park, which was previously off limits to most visitors.
Mushara Lodge
Close to the eastern entrance to Etosha, the comfortable Mushara Lodge is well-placed for exploring the park in your own vehicle or on a guided drive.
Namutoni Camp
Centred on an old fort, the government run Namutoni Camp is located just inside Etosha National Park, close to Fisher's Pan.
Onguma Bush Camp
For great wildlife viewing without breaking the bank, the affordable and understated luxury of Onguma Bush Camp could be perfect.
Hobatere Lodge
To the west of Etosha National Park, on the edge of Damaraland, Hobatere Lodge offers good game-viewing on its own reserve.
Mushara Outpost
Intimate and luxurious, Mushara Outpost is well-placed on a private reserve to explore nearby Etosha National Park on your own or on a guided drive.
Onguma Camp Kala
For a bird’s eye view across African bush, the stilted rooms at Onguma Camp Kala are truly special.
Onguma The Fort
The Fort is the jewel in the crown of the Onguma lodges, and arguably the whole of eastern Etosha.
Safarihoek Lodge
At the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, Safarihoek Lodge offers comfortable accommodation and excellent game-viewing.
Onguma Forest Camp
From its woodland setting on the Onguma Reserve, Forest Camp is within easy striking distance of Namibia’s flagship national park.
Taleni Etosha Village
Only 4km from Etosha's southern entrance, Taleni Etosha Village is an affordable base from which to explore the park.
Etosha Safari Lodge
A short drive from Etosha National Park's southern entrance, Etosha Safari Lodge is a convenient base from which to explore the park.
Little Ongava
The beautifully located and luxurious Little Ongava is a stunning place to stay in order to explore Etosha National Park and the private Ongava Reserve.
Andersson's at Ongava
With game drives on both its private reserve and in Etosha, Andersson's at Ongava also offers access to the Ongava Research Centre.
Mountain Lodge
In the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, the family-friendly Mountain Lodge offers game drives and bush walks within an exclusive environment.
Mokuti Etosha Lodge
With 106 rooms, child-friendly Mokuti Etosha Lodge is more like a hotel than a lodge. Facilities to include a gym, spa, tennis courts and even a snake park.
Etosha Oberland Lodge
A short drive from Etosha National Park's southern entrance, Etosha Oberland Lodge is a very comfortable base from which to explore the park, with excellent food.
Vreugde Guest Farm
Vreugde Guest Farm is a delightful owner-run and working sheep farm where you can expect a warm welcome and charming hospitality.
Villa Mushara
Offering luxury on a peaceful private reserve close to Etosha, Villa Mushara is a great choice for honeymooners & those wishing to indulge themselves.
Etosha Garden Hotel
Safari in Etosha National Park Namibia, whilst based at the nearby Etosha Garden Lodge.
Etosha King Nehale
A short drive from the national park's northern entrance, Etosha King Nehale Lodge is an interesting and comfortable base from which to explore the park.
Safari House
The private Safari House on the Etosha Heights reserve is a great option families or friends travelling together.
Onkoshi Camp
Onkoshi Camp is owned and run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. Built on elevated wooden platforms it overlooks Etosha Pan.
