Taleni Etosha Village: Our full report
Opened in 2008, Taleni Etosha Village is an affordable option just 4km south of Etosha National Park's Andersson Gate.
Built in the style of a traditional African village, or kraal, with spacious en-suite rooms, it's geared mostly to families wishing to explore Namibia's flagship safari park. Taleni also has campsites that cater for individuals as well as groups.Beyond a secure parking area and the reception, central facilities at Taleni Etosha Village include a well-stocked general store which sells a bit of everything - beverages, ice cream, books as well as souvenirs. Laid out kraal-like around the restaurant are three canopied outdoor dining sites (Oshoto, Etala and Omuhama), where buffet-style breakfasts and dinners and a la carte lunches can be enjoyed. After dinner, you can enjoy a cool drink at the open-air bar, which also has satellite TV. Free WiFi is available throughout the reception and restaurant, and tea, coffee and biscuits are available 24 hours. Families will particularly appreciate the three swimming pools, one of them shallow so good for younger children.
Taleni's 45 luxury rooms are arranged in amongst the mopane forest that surrounds the camp and positioned to ensure privacy. When we last visited in March 2017, Taleni’s accommodation had been recently renovated, and the tented rooms replaced with more solid concrete units. Each room is built on a raised stone base with its own private patio over looking the bush, and inside the rooms are spacious and light with tiled floors and tastefully rustic décor.
The rooms at Taleni Etosha Village feature twin beds, plus an additional sleeper couch for up to two children under 12 – who stay free of charge when sharing a room with their parents. There are shelves and hanging space for clothes, and a writing desk with a chair. Air conditioning, a fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, a safe and sockets for charging batteries are standard. The en-suite bathrooms are modern and equipped with a walk-in shower, a handbasin, and separate toilet.
Outside each room are a car parking area and a picnic table - both set in the shade.
Although many guests choose to drive themselves around Etosha National Park, Taleni Etosha Village offers a range of activities. Prime among these are early morning, afternoon and full-day guided game drives into the park in one of two semi-open vehicles, each taking up to ten guests. A half-day drive lasting up to six hours will cost around N$500 (US$40) per person, including entrance fees and light refreshments. Typically, the drive will initially head for the waterhole at Okaukuejo, before exploring other waterholes and returning to Okaukuejo. A full day drive, which includes lunch, is also possible and cost N$750 (US$55).
Other activities include stargazing, and sundowner trips in the mopane bush surrounding the lodge, cost around N$210 (US$15) per person.
Our view
Taleni Etosha Village is a comfortable, affordable option for families, and a good base from which to explore Etosha National Park and its fantastic wildlife. Visitors who would prefer not to drive themselves can take guided excursions into the park.
Namibia expert
Geographics
- Location
- Etosha National Park, Namibia
- Ideal length of stay
- 2-3 nights
- Directions
- Taleni Etosha Village is located about 4km south of Etosha's Andersson Gate, on the C38.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Half Board
- Food quality
- Breakfast is usually served as a buffet. Lunch is served à la carte. Dinner is usually served as a buffet, unless there are only a small number of guests in camp in which case it will be a set menu.
- Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Outdoor Dining
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children are welcome at Taleni Etosha Village.
- Property’s age restrictions
- There are no age restrictions.
- Special activities & services
- Taleni Etosha Village has a shallow children’s pool as well as two larger swimming pools.
- Equipment
- Highchairs and cots are available on request. There's a sleeper couch for children in every room, and children under the age of 12 stay free of charge, when sharing a room with their parents.
- Generally recommended for children
- Taleni is a very child friendly environment, but aside from the pools, there isn’t a tremendous amount for children to do here.
- Notes
- Children must be supervised at all times, especially nearby the unfenced swimming pools.
Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Taleni Etosha Village
Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Taleni Etosha Village 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
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Communications
- Power supply notes
- There is a back-up generator.
- TV & radio
- The open-air bar has satellite TV.
- Water supply
- Borehole
Sustainability
Powered by the sun
Etosha Village uses the power of the sun to contribute to existing wildlife conservation projects, and also ensure the lodge is self-sufficient when it comes to hot water supplies.
Glass tube-filled solar panels are connected directly with geysers. Water in these tubes is heated during the day by the sun, and is then stored in the geysers before being used within the lodge. The lodge uses solar panels to heat its water which is used by its staff and guests throughout their stay. In addition, the lodge uses solar panels to power its battery-operated electric gates and solar lamps to light its paths and walkways – lessening the impact of visitors’ stay on the environment and lowering Etosha Village’s overall energy consumption.
The team at Etosha Village also harnesses solar power to fill waterholes, helping animals have uninterrupted access to clean water. In the same time, the solar powered pumps keep the waterholes at a specific depth to ensure animals aren’t trapped in the water, and are surrounded by fencing to keep wildlife safe from injury.
Etosha Village’s sustainable practices represent the lodge’s unwavering passion for environmental preservation through renewable energy. This has been recognized by tourists, who brought the lodge TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence in 2017.
See more great sustainability projects in Namibia
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Medical care
- The nearest doctor is in Outjo.
- Dangerous animals
- Moderate Risk
- Security measures
- There's secure parking area on site.
- Fire safety
- Every room has a fire extinguisher and there is a fire hose in the main building.
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Extras
- Disabled access
- In Place
- Laundry facilities
- There’s a full laundry service, at an extra charge.
- Money
- There's a safe in every room.
- Accepted payment on location
- Taleni Etosha Village accepts all major credit cards.
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.
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.
