Etosha National Park lies in northern Namibia around a large salt pan covering roughly a quarter of its area. It is managed by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, and the rest camps inside are run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts.
- Country
- Namibia
- Type
- National park
- Approx. area
- 22,935 km²
- Best time
- August to October
- Suggested stay
- 3–4 days
- Main gateway airport
- Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH)
- Big Five
- Not all five
- Malaria
- Low risk: check with a doctor
Why go to Etosha
- The vast Etosha salt pan
- Floodlit waterholes at the rest camps
- Black rhino
- Well suited to self-drive
- Game viewing in open terrain
Best time to visit Etosha
Based on average weather and wildlife seasons, the best period to visit Etosha is August to October.
Dry season: animals gather at waterholes, and floodlit waterholes at the camps allow night viewing.
After good rains parts of the pan may hold water and attract flamingos, while animals disperse from waterholes.
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain | Experience | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19–33 | rainy season | ★★★★★ | quiet |
| February | 19–31 | rainy season | ★★★★★ | quiet |
| March | 18–30 | some rain | ★★★★★ | quiet |
| April | 15–31 | some rain | ★★★★★ | moderate |
| May | 10–28 | mostly dry | ★★★★★ | moderate |
| June | 7–26 | mostly dry | ★★★★★ | moderate |
| July | 6–26 | mostly dry | ★★★★★ | busy |
| August | 9–29 | mostly dry | ★★★★★ | busy |
| September | 13–33 | mostly dry | ★★★★★ | busy |
| October | 17–35 | mostly dry | ★★★★★ | busy |
| November | 18–34 | some rain | ★★★★★ | quiet |
| December | 18–35 | some rain | ★★★★★ | moderate |
What you can see
Wildlife you may see in Etosha includes lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, black rhino, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, hyenas, oryx, kudu, eland, ostriches, flamingos, foxes and birdlife.
Things to do
Getting there
Most visitors drive from Windhoek on tarred roads to Andersson Gate in the south or Von Lindequist Gate in the east. Light-aircraft flights serve lodge airstrips near the park.
Trips to Etosha
No trips are listed for this destination yet. Send a request and we will check with providers.
Plan by travel style
- Etosha for families
- Etosha for a honeymoon
- Etosha for photographers
- Etosha for a first safari
- Etosha on a budget
- Etosha for luxury travel
Compare with
- Etosha vs Sossusvlei
- Etosha vs Addo
- Etosha vs Hwange
- Etosha vs Kruger
- Etosha vs Pilanesberg
- Etosha vs South Luangwa
Travelling to Etosha from
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Etosha?
Generally August to October. Dry season: animals gather at waterholes, and floodlit waterholes at the camps allow night viewing.
How many days do I need in Etosha?
Most visitors spend 3 to 4 days there, not counting travel days.
How do I get to Etosha?
Most visitors drive from Windhoek on tarred roads to Andersson Gate in the south or Von Lindequist Gate in the east. Light-aircraft flights serve lodge airstrips near the park.
Is there malaria in Etosha?
Yes, it is in a malaria-risk area. See a doctor or travel clinic well before your trip.
Sources: MEFT Namibia - Etosha National Park · Namibia Wildlife Resorts - Etosha National Park · Weather2Travel - Etosha climate
Figures are approximate averages and vary from year to year.