Reviews of safaris to Etosha National Park
1247 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Etosha.
"My Oct 2023 trip"
It provided everything we wanted. The choice of accommodation for our budget was spot on, and some how we seemed on almost every occasion to be in one of the best rooms. Hard to believe that was by chance!
We experienced only two very minor 'hiccups' and both were resolved by the Namibian representative almost instantly - itself perhaps as good a recommendation as one can give.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Our experience of the availability of internet across Namibia was considerably better than the Notes to Travellers indicated we should expect.
We found every fuel station and lodge we visited expected us to pay by credit card, and in the end we were left with a large amount of SA currency which we were only able to use after a friendly SA lodge manager agreed to accept it in payment of our final account at the end of the trip." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"October Honeymoon 2023"
Although we have provided some comments that may be perceived as a negative, we both agreed that we were so spoilt for good service and locations that we were being picky about little things and really these elements were down to personal preference. We wouldn't have wanted to do much more driving than we did in the time frame - it was heavy going and the air con struggled to keep up with the 40 degree heat in the car.
The wildlife spotting was superb and the arrangements really clear and well designed to our requirements - especially where we had arranged the first week of travel ourselves - nothing was too much trouble to sort. By far the best aspect of the trip was Ongava for the stay as a whole. The accommodation, location, game drives, all inclusive service and wildlife activity at the watering hole as well as the private dinner for us on our tent terrace for our honeymoon. The only thing we didn't need there was the day trip to Etosha as we drove through ourselves the next day and that took 8 hours!
This is really a much higher "class" of holiday than we are used to and (other than the tipping at the end of each stay) was really lovely to experience without any hiccups or miscommunications. We had a little bit of everything thrown in but would have liked a little less sitting on tour vehicles and a little more opportunity to walk for the two weeks we were on the self -drive.
Okonjima was the first place that truly offered it but we weren't there long enough to take advantage (one night)." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
"Our Oct 2023 trip"
The people we met were all enthusiastic, friendly and knowledgeable. Several went out of their way to help us. We did not meet anyone who was antagonistic.
The accommodation was better than we were expecting. We found all the small lodges to be exceptional and very well appointed. The individual accommodation was always superb. As a retired geologist I found Mowani's great granite boulders to be inspiring.
There was a lot of travelling and some of the roads were a bit rough but our Toyota dealt with them easily and never let us down. On one occasion when we got stuck in deep soft sand it's four wheel drive got us out with aplomb!
We had gone to Namibia to see the scenery and animals and neither let us down. I will never forget the elephants of Etosha and Damaraland. The sand dunes of the Namib are unforgettable.
This was the best holiday we have ever had. Thankyou!" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2023 trip"
If we were booking this trip again we would allow at least three extra days and limit driving to about 4 hours so that we arrived by the early afternoon to allow time time to relax and enjoy the lodges facilities..
One night half way between Eningy Clay House and Hoodia Desert Lodge to break the journey. It took 7 and a half hours for this journey using the scenic route.
An extra night in Swakophund
An additional night in Okonjima, probably in the bush camp.
Ideally we would book earlier to ensure accommodation availability." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2023 trip"
The arrangements were flawless." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2023 trip"
Everything was just wonderful and people were so welcoming. I appreciated the varied landscapes, accommodations and experiences. We had such a variety and number of animal sightings - over 800 zebra in total, for example, and a mother cheetah with four cubs (a first for me). The 11 black rhino in one evening at the Okaukuejo waterhole was an experience I will remember forever. Despite the challenging roads in places, travelling around Namibia did not feel difficult, but a privilege.
I also appreciated the detailed notes about driving times and roads to take (though a couple of our driving times didn't seem to align with the notes for some reason). It might be worth noting too that the distance given to Desert Homestead from the last turn was off by several kilometres. The road from Solitaire to Walvis Bay was quite challenging; I wonder if it might be worth noting this in the notes for future travellers?
We would be happy to share details of two places we had a great lunch that don't appear in the Bradt guide (in Uis and Otjiwarongo) if it's helpful to add there or to the notes for future travellers. Cactus and Coffee in Uis and Bohemia Cafe in Otjiwarongo.
Thank you for another fantastic trip!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
keep up the good work! You stand out." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2023 trip"
Maruska set up and helped us with our trip at every turn, great advice, great execution, couldn’t be more pleased.
Wilderness Camps deserves high praise, well run company, efficient, on time, dependable.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No suggestions for improvement, none needed" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2023 trip"
"My Sep 2023 trip"
"My Sep 2023 trip"
Where to stay in Etosha
Our suggestions for safari camps in Etosha National Park
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.
Etosha Safari Camp
Funky, low-key and very original, Etosha Safari Camp is well placed for visiting Etosha National Park on a self-drive or guided safari.
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.
