Reviews of safaris to Etosha National Park
1304 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Etosha.
"My Oct 2024 trip"
Would’ve been helpful to have a realistic time of each journey as we found Google underestimated each one by about an hour!
Great choice of lodges - enjoyed them all. Although Ongava Tented by far the favourite." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"My Oct 2024 trip"
The lodges were all fantastic. The scenery is a landscape photographer’s dream. People we came across were all very friendly, helpful and happy to see us.
The food was much better than we had anticipated. Animals were very plentiful - I even saw a honey badger!
The lodge game drives were all really excellent with good, very knowledgeable guides.
All in all, a terrific experience and we will recommend Expert Africa to all." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"My Oct 2024 trip"
Partly due to booking late in the day we sorted our own flights from Manchester. The route is to Addis Ababa and then change for Windhoek. There is also an hour downtime at Geneva on the longer leg as some passengers get on/off. Another time I might prefer to change at Frankfurt and then go direct to Windhoek.
The driving is a challenge, especially as it was all down to me. You need the height of a big 4WD to protect you against the worst of the roads and elevate you for spotting wildlife. Make sure you have a coolbox included. This came up almost by accident in discussion but is an essential. Unless you fancy drinking 'bathwater' as you bounce along then you'll need one.
Food, drink, incidentals, fuel and generous tips are not very costly for us. Our main expense was the cost of trips we hadn't pre-booked but it gave us some flexibility. We recommend doing the hot air balloon trip.
The wildlife survey is a little misleading. It omits bird and sea life entirely. Presumably, it lists the animals that people are most interested in but we saw lots of other animals, large and small, that are unlisted. For example, we saw a striped jackel between the road and dunes near Walvis Bay and much more." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"My Oct 2024 trip"
Expert Africa and great with suggestions and organising. I had one hic up when I needed to back track and then come back again so I forfeited that route as the roads in Namibia have deteriorated over the years in my opinion. I think a great deal more lobbying is needed by lodges and tour operators to get those roads sorted out. Certainly back tracking makes no sense.
I love Namibia and this will not be the last time I visit." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"My Oct 2024 trip"
Sabina was very helpful and enhanced our experience. It was fun to go and meet her in Windhoek." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
"My Oct 2024 trip"
Sabina was remarkably good about tailoring this to our requests and interests.
She always had good suggestions, and arranged a last minute change to our itinerary at our request.
Sabina was clearly knowledgeable and most helpful in every way." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"Our October Namibia Trip"
We loved having the freedom of driving ourselves around and having our own vehicle. If we had had more time, we should have done a little more research and maybe could also have gone to see the dunes at Sossusvlei, but this trip came up fairly suddenly and it was great to have someone else, someone who knows the area, do the planning for us.
The places we stayed were much fancier than what we are accustomed to, but we sure appreciated that every place we stayed had a pool, and we made use of most of them. Always staying at such fancy places we felt like we didn't really get as much of a sense of what Namibia is like for the people who live there, but I guess that wasn't the purpose of this trip.
As a safari experience, it was top notch. Overall, no complaints, and we'd certainly use this service again in similar circumstances." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2024 trip"
The guidebook you kindly sent us was excellent and in the locations and lodges you recommended was well chosen and as per the advertised experience.
In hindsight, we could have chosen slightly lower key/cheaper lodges.
Saying that, we really enjoyed excellent food and beautiful rooms and facilities everywhere.
So we got our money's worth." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2024 trip"
Travelling in Namibia was quite easy, even for oldies like us. A combination of the map, directions in the paperwork and Maps.Me worked very well. There are phone charging usb’s in the car and at all the camps. Tarmac roads from Windhoek to Etosha are all good. The only problem we had was in Etosha. The roads are very rutted and uncomfortable to drive on. Those turnoffs to the waterholes are even worse, and although they can be traversed with care, it does take time.
I think that the estimated time to travel from the Namutomi gate to Okaukuejo of 3hrs direct is quite optimistic. We stopped at three waterholes at the start then realised that we were well behind time, so just drove directly to the camp. That took about 6hrs overall. Despite that we did see some wildlife on the way, including two leopards under a tree. It seems that the park fees cover you for 26 rather than 24 hours. Having spent the night in the park we were going to go to the waterholes close to Okaukuejo, so checked with the staff there who wrote our latest departure time on our receipt, which was 26 hours after our entry. Incidentally the park fees were N$350 per day, not the N$170 we were expecting.
Although there was no diesel in Etosha when we were there, there is now a new filling station just a few kilometres from the Andersson gate. On the way back to Windhoek we stop the Village Boutique Coffee shop in Otjiwarongo which was very nice.
It was very slow getting in via Windhoek airport, with long queues to get through passport control (an hour). Fortunately for us a local official took pity on us and allowed us through earlier. You need to fill in a form on the way in, which they take, and fill in the same form on the way out, which you can collect just before passport control.
Lusaka airport was good. We were met on arrival and looked after before our flight to Anabezi and on the way back we were able to sit in Dave’s office with coffee and snacks, and helped with all the boarding requirements. All much appreciated
So, overall we did what we wanted to do and saw pretty well everything we wanted. The accommodation and people were great and despite the tedium of the long haul there and back, we had a fabulous time. Many thanks to Megan for putting it all together for us and always being helpful and available" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2024 trip"
They were able to turn round a trip that was becoming problematic in to one that we will remember for many years.
That is why we keep using them !" Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 22 on a Namibia 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.
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.
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.
Onguma Bush Camp
For great wildlife viewing without breaking the bank, the affordable and understated luxury of Onguma Bush Camp could be perfect.
Namutoni Camp
Centred on an old fort, the government run Namutoni Camp is located just inside Etosha National Park, close to Fisher's Pan.
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.
Safarihoek Lodge
At the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, Safarihoek Lodge offers comfortable accommodation and excellent game-viewing.
Onguma The Fort
The Fort is the jewel in the crown of the Onguma lodges, and arguably the whole of eastern Etosha.
Onguma Camp Kala
For a bird’s eye view across African bush, the stilted rooms at Onguma Camp Kala are truly special.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
