Toshari Lodge: Our full report
About 25km south of Etosha National Park’s Andersson Gate, Toshari Lodge (formerly known as Etosha Gateway) ...
... is smart and modern, featuring hotel-style efficiency within an oasis-like environment.Although the Expert Africa team has not stayed at Toshari, we visited the lodge in 2018 and were impressed by its standards. We are also familiar with two of its sibling properties, Swakop Sands in Swakopmund, and the more established Olive Grove in Windhoek.
Less opulent than many of the places near Etosha, Toshari is a popular base for South African bus tours and DIY safari travellers, so it definitely does not feel personal. This is emphasised by its 38 en-suite rooms and chalets, each with twin or double beds, fans and air conditioning, tea/coffee-making facilities and an outside seating area.
- 21 bush rooms have twin beds beneath mosquito nets.
- 10 bush chalets also have a private terrace, heating as well as air conditioning, and a minibar.
- For families, there are a further 7 bush chalets in two different styles, each sleeping up to five people, and each with a minibar fridge.
While there are self-guided walking trails on the property, most guests focus their activities on exploring Etosha National Park, either in their own vehicles or on a guided game drive from the lodge. It’s also possible to visit Omapaha Himba Village, about a 20-minute drive away, and a predator sanctuary although we cannot vouch for the quality of these extra activities.
Our view
We didn't stay at Toshari when we visited in 2018, but we’d be happy to do so. It felt well-managed, with good-value accommodation, and we liked the sense of professionalism.
Toshari makes an ideal base for those who would prefer to drive themselves around Etosha, and might also be an option for late bookings, when accommodation inside or closer to the park can be difficult to find.
Namibia expert
Geographics
- Location
- Etosha National Park, Namibia
- Accessible by
- Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Half Board
- Food quality
- We have not eaten at Toshari Lodge, but we understand that breakfast, lunch and a barbecue dinner are served in the on-site restaurant. The lodge has its own vegetable garden.
- Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service is available on request.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are welcome.
- Property’s age restrictions
- None
- Special activities & services
- Meals can be provided outside normal hours on request.
- Equipment
- 7 family rooms
- Generally recommended for children
- With seven family rooms, a splash pool and another two pools, Toshari is well set up for children.
- Notes
- Children must of course be supervised at all times, especially around the pools and when on walking trails.
Communications
- Communications
- There is free WiFi at the lodge, as well as cellphone connectivity.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- Yes
- Dangerous animals
- Moderate Risk
- Fire safety
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Private activities
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- Toshari offers a laundry service.
- Money
- Each room has a safe.
- Accepted payment on location
- Both credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) and cash are accepted.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
