Etosha National Park: Multi-day Trips and Tours from Windhoek

Etosha National Park is Namibia’s foremost wildlife sanctuary. The reserve’s unique landscape and climate makes it home to a wide variety of wildlife, including species specially adapted to the environment.

In the summer months, the wide-open pans fill with rainwater, hosting a spectacular number of flamingos and other wetland birds. Take in all nature has to offer on a multi-day trip to Etosha from Windhoek.

Here's all you need to know about Etosha, one of the most exciting multi-day trips from Windhoek.

How to get to Etosha from Windhoek?

Etosha National Park is north of Windhoek and is accessible via various routes. The distance to the park by road varies between 400 and 600 kilometers, depending on the route and reserve entrance point.

From Windhoek to Etosha by car

There are several routes to Etosha National Park from Windhoek which can be driven in 6-8 hours. The park has multiple entry points and traveling time is determined by where you plan to enter the park.

When self-driving you will need to include the time it takes to reach your accommodation within the park. This can increase your overall travel time substantially, and an overnight stop enroute is recommended.

From Windhoek to Etosha by air

To get to Etosha by air, fly from Eros Airport in Windhoek to the Ondangwa Airport, just north of the National Park, or to the Ongava Lodge airstrip. These flights take approximately one hour.

Guided tour to Etosha from Windhoek

Guided tours from Windhoek are the best way to visit Etosha. Your tour operator will collect you from the airport or hotel and take care of all your transport and accommodation arrangements.

Tours ranging from 2 to 8-days are available for visitors wanting to visit this magnificent game reserve.

How much does the entrance ticket to Etosha cost?

Park fees cost NAD150 (US$10) per adult per day. Children under 16 can enter for free. There are also per vehicle costs that depend on the number of passengers.

Residents of other Southern African countries receive a 30% discount and Namibian residents, a 60% discount on park fees.

On guided tours, entry fees to Etosha are typically included in the tour price.

What is the typical itinerary?

The route of an Etosha tour usually makes the most of the time available by incorporating other destinations into the journey. Tours typically start with an airport or hotel pickup.

Trips that follow a circular route along with Etosha can include places such as the coastal town of Swakopmund and the dunes of Sossusvlei.

In Etosha, days are spent out on game drives while evenings are for relaxing, star-gazing and enjoying the ambiance of your bush accommodation.

When the tour comes to an end, your guide will see you safely back to your hotel or the airport for your onward arrangements.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Etosha?

Namibia is a vast country and distances between destinations can be substantial. The park itself also covers a large area and you should ideally plan to spend a few days in the region. To visit Etosha, several types of multi-day tours are available.

Self-drive 3-day trip to Etosha from Windhoek

On a self-drive itinerary that includes a rental vehicle, you can drive from Windhoek to Etosha. Spend two nights in the park, and explore prime wildlife sighting areas in your own time.

On your return journey to Windhoek, you can stop and visit one of the area's wood carver’s craft markets.

Multi-day guided tours to Etosha from Windhoek

Small group guided 3-day tours arrive at the park in the late afternoon after an early morning Windhoek departure. Some tours include luxury accommodation while others include more basic facilities or even tented accommodation.  

Day 2 is spent on a full day game drive. After breakfast on Day 3, the group returns to Windhoek via a local craft market.

A 4-day guided tour to Etosha either includes a Windhoek city tour, or two full days in the reserve.

Multi-day trip to Etosha plus Swakopmund or Sossusvlei from Windhoek

Add an additional destination with a 4-or 6-day tour that travels to Etosha and includes a visit to the coastal town of Swakopmund and/or the impressive red dunes of Sossusvlei.

Luxury 6-day Etosha safari from Windhoek

A luxury 6-day tour to Etosha is an option for a minimum of two people. Spend five nights in Etosha at multiple lodges and camps.

The tour includes a light aircraft flight over the park for a bird’s-eye view of the vast plains and wildlife in the reserve’s remote regions.

How much does a day trip to Etosha from Windhoek cost?

The cost of a 3-day self-drive trip from Windhoek to Etosha starts at US$450 per person sharing.

A 3-day guided tour to Etosha from Windhoek costs from US$4,900 per group of up to 7 people.

The 4-day guided tours to Etosha from Windhoek cost from US$850 per person sharing in tented accommodation to US$900 per person sharing in a cabin.

Multi-day trips to Etosha plus Swakopmund or Sossusvlei from Windhoek range from US$1,000 per person to US$2,300 per person on a sharing basis.

Multi-day tours to Etosha plus Sossusvlei and Swakopmund from Windhoek cost from US$1,400 to US$2,500 per person sharing.

A luxury 6-day guided tour to Etosha from Windhoek costs up to US$40,000 per person, minimum of two people per trip. The tour includes all accommodations, breakfast and dinner, game drives and a light aircraft flight over the reserve, as well as transfers.

What will you see and do?

Etosha Game Reserve is a unique reserve with an arid climate and desert-like landscape. On a visit to Etosha, your primary activity will be game drives and walks and other nature related activities.

Animals such as the renowned “Big Five,” as well as smaller but equally fascinating creatures will be on your game viewing sighting list.

During the summer months the bird life is especially spectacular and Etosha offers bird watchers the opportunity to view both endemic and migratory bird species.

In the evenings or between game drives, you will be able to relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the African bush.

When is the best time to visit Etosha?

The summer months (November to April) are the best time to visit Etosha, especially if you are a bird watcher, with Etosha Pan becoming a wetland that attracts flamingos and other birds.

During the dry season from May to October, wild animals tend to congregate close to the waterholes and the vegetation is less dense.

Travel tips

• Pack neutral colored clothes and comfortable footwear.
• Advise your operator of any dietary restrictions.
• Bring a hat and sunscreen.
• Pack insect repellent.