Etosha Pan
Etosha Pan
4.5
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Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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- Alessio MVerona, Italy615 contributionsI'think was betterA big park in namibia, we see many animals , in the park only in a few point is mobile phone signal, is better have with you iridium apparat. The road are good for all wheel drive car. At the entrance you must fill a card with all your data and at the data of car. Only few point to go out from the car, at the main station gas station and poor shop are presentVisited August 2023Traveled with friendsWritten October 21, 2023
- IndySigIndianapolis, Indiana4,119 contributionsUnbelievableThis place is utterly amazing. We were here after five months without rain and the pan was a bright shining oasis. We still saw quite a few animals but it is just a beautiful expanse. At the heat of the day, the heat waves radiate off the expanseVisited November 2023Traveled with friendsWritten November 10, 2023
- dianedinkyDunfermline, United Kingdom1,346 contributionsAbundance of wildlife in a surprising backdropTo say to come here when in Namibia is a no-brainer. However, if coming in the dry season (I wa there in Sept) be prepared for it to look dry and very, very white and pale from the salt pan. At times I thought I was taking a photo of a winter scene not an African desert! However, don't get me wrong, this surprise didn't detract from the experience. It just meant we had to hunt a little harder to spot the wildlife as some animals were under shade with the lone tree a good bit in the distance off the path. Make sure you have a zoom digital camera! I'd also recommend concentrating on the watering holes as this is where the animals will eventually end up each day. We saw an amazing amount at one early morning then another deep in the park later on. The rangers know where to go and when. Also be aware that in Namibia you see a lot of wildlife near the roads outwith the parks, just by driving place to place. Etosha is the same as we actually saw a cheetah and then next day a rhino on the road in to the park from our lodge - so keep your eyes peeled at all times!Visited September 2023Traveled soloWritten January 1, 2024
- JP_and_MariaSofia, Bulgaria561 contributionsStay in the western part of the park!if you can, enter from the western gate and spend as much time as possible in the western part of the park where there are tons of animals. The central and eastern parts are more touristic, and there are fewer animals. Some water holes indicated as active on the map were completely dry and empty. Grab one of the maps at the park entrance - they are very useful and contain a checklist for animals, which is great. Be prepared to drive long distances on bumpy gravel roads, but it is worth it. We stayed one night at Hobatere, one night at Okaukuejo, and two nights at Onguma, so we drove through the park for 2 days.ÂVisited September 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten September 22, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Nathalie S
7 contributions
Jul 2022
We stayed at Okaukuejo Waterhole chalet and Halali Bush chalet. Especially the waterhole chalets are too expensive for what they are. It was near the waterhole but if we would have taken a bush chalet in Okaukuejo then we would have been almost at the same distance from the waterhole and at a cheaper price.
The park itself is wonderful and there is no need to do a game drive, you can easily drive around yourself to find the animals!
The restaurant in Okaukuejo is not worth mentioning at all, we waited for 1h15 to get our dinner, it was cold and was food from a cafetaria.
The park itself is wonderful and there is no need to do a game drive, you can easily drive around yourself to find the animals!
The restaurant in Okaukuejo is not worth mentioning at all, we waited for 1h15 to get our dinner, it was cold and was food from a cafetaria.
Written August 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Willy
Geneva, Switzerland41 contributions
Jan 2020
Very disappointing hike. The indications on the various crosses are difficult to read, we did not see many animals except for two rhinos. You should know that a 4x4 is essential to visit Etosha without which a standard car could be seriously damaged in view of the general condition of the park's roads. The Fort of Namutoni is a real ruin and undergoes no maintenance from the authorities. As for the staff at the two entrances, Okaukejo and Namutoni, I cannot say that they will leave me with lasting memories. Obviously they would like to be somewhere else. In the end, two days are absolutely sufficient, even too much, to visit Etosha and I do not think of returning there.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francois T
Somerset West, South Africa2 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
We had three nights at Okaukuejo Camp and three night at Halali Camp in bush chalets in September 2023.
Staff were all friendly and helpful. The chalets were in a bad state of repair. It has never seen any renovations since it was build. All showers and taps are calcified. The fridges and air conditioners are noisy as hell and the chalets were dirty. In Halali we had to ask three times for another chalet due to the above.
We found the restaurants dated but the food was fine, Swimming pool at Okaukuejo looks new, but the one at Halali was ok.
We have seen plenty of animals on our daily excursions, but driving on the roads was a nightmare due to the corrugated gravel roads, thanks to all the foreign visitors who exceed the speed limits and do not deflate their rental vehicle tyres. The only saving grace for this place is the floodlit waterholes.
The card machines at the filling stations does not work due to a “network problem”. Personally, I think it is a scheme siphon the cash as there is no record of the fuel sold. Due to this inconvenience we had to drive out of the camp to get fuel.
Our stay in one of the private game lodges outside of the park costs more or less the same but is by far superior.
This is not our first stay in Etosha. We did similar tours in 2005, 2009 and 2017. Over the years the facilities and service have just gone one way (South).
NEVER AGAIN...
Staff were all friendly and helpful. The chalets were in a bad state of repair. It has never seen any renovations since it was build. All showers and taps are calcified. The fridges and air conditioners are noisy as hell and the chalets were dirty. In Halali we had to ask three times for another chalet due to the above.
We found the restaurants dated but the food was fine, Swimming pool at Okaukuejo looks new, but the one at Halali was ok.
We have seen plenty of animals on our daily excursions, but driving on the roads was a nightmare due to the corrugated gravel roads, thanks to all the foreign visitors who exceed the speed limits and do not deflate their rental vehicle tyres. The only saving grace for this place is the floodlit waterholes.
The card machines at the filling stations does not work due to a “network problem”. Personally, I think it is a scheme siphon the cash as there is no record of the fuel sold. Due to this inconvenience we had to drive out of the camp to get fuel.
Our stay in one of the private game lodges outside of the park costs more or less the same but is by far superior.
This is not our first stay in Etosha. We did similar tours in 2005, 2009 and 2017. Over the years the facilities and service have just gone one way (South).
NEVER AGAIN...
Written October 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ManoCCC
Lyon, France3,882 contributions
Aug 2024
We take the road to do 280 km, passing in the golden triangle of Namibia composed of the 3 cities Otavi, Tsumeb and grootfontein.
Higher rainfall than in the rest of the country results in greener vegetation.
You then turn right to pass the eastern entrance to Etosha Park through Van Lindequist Gate.
And we stop in Namutoni for the night. There is a German fort built in 1904.
We have lunch then start a tour of the park and its water points for 2h30.
We will see giraffes, springboks, wildebeest, elephants, zebras, ...
But no felines on that first day of safari. We will see them the next day with a lion and his family squatting in a waterhole.
In this dry period, the park is dusty and with rather white colors with dust raised by 4x4.
Our SUV has the roof up. Cool we have a super 360 degrees!
The temperature rises to 30 degrees during the day but it remains bearable.
We were treated to a beautiful sunset overlooking a waterhole where a herd of elephants came to cool off.
You can enter and climb one of the towers of the German fort to have a nice panoramic view of the waterhole and the surrounding savannah.
Higher rainfall than in the rest of the country results in greener vegetation.
You then turn right to pass the eastern entrance to Etosha Park through Van Lindequist Gate.
And we stop in Namutoni for the night. There is a German fort built in 1904.
We have lunch then start a tour of the park and its water points for 2h30.
We will see giraffes, springboks, wildebeest, elephants, zebras, ...
But no felines on that first day of safari. We will see them the next day with a lion and his family squatting in a waterhole.
In this dry period, the park is dusty and with rather white colors with dust raised by 4x4.
Our SUV has the roof up. Cool we have a super 360 degrees!
The temperature rises to 30 degrees during the day but it remains bearable.
We were treated to a beautiful sunset overlooking a waterhole where a herd of elephants came to cool off.
You can enter and climb one of the towers of the German fort to have a nice panoramic view of the waterhole and the surrounding savannah.
Automatically translated
Written August 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seaside08862201935
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Couples
What a huge disappointment our visit to Ethosa was a couple of weeks ago. We previously visited the park in 2012. We stayed 2 nights in the park, one at Okaukeujo camp and one at Nanutomi camp. We had a great time and really enjoyed our visit to the park. The waterhole at Okaukeujo was incredible with animals coming and going all day and night long. So this year we decided to go back. First of all when we looked at booking at the lodges we stayed at 12 years ago, the prices we were quoted were outrageous. Then we started looking at the reviews of this accommodations, which were bad. So we decided not to stay in the park overnight and stayed outside.
Now, what was so different from 2012 and so disappointing, were the roads. They were so bad that it totally spoilt the whole experience of visiting the game park. It appears to me, as a civil engineer, that the roads have not been maintained for years. There were many places where you couldn't drive more than 20 km/hr. I was in my own car, not a hire one, and I was therefore concerned about my car.
A new thing that we saw this time is camping vehicles (pickup trucks with roof top tents) hired by Europeans. Many of them, everywhere. A hired car can go at 80km/hr, 100km/hr, any speed really on bad roads (not your car, right?). Many of these vehicles were going from one waterhole to the next one at great speed (above the 60km/hr speed limit). Not bothering to look for the little things like tortoises, mangooses, ground squirrels, birds, etc. In doing so, the amount of dust generat was ridiculous. Furthermore, these sort of speeds, damage the roads even further.
The last day we were in the park, we left about 2 hours before closing time because of the state of the roads. We couldn't take being rattled anymore.
The park is run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. They clearly need to look at the current situation and do something about it, because it is not worth going to Ethosa.
Don't go, unless you like having your teeth rattled by the corrugated road.
Now, what was so different from 2012 and so disappointing, were the roads. They were so bad that it totally spoilt the whole experience of visiting the game park. It appears to me, as a civil engineer, that the roads have not been maintained for years. There were many places where you couldn't drive more than 20 km/hr. I was in my own car, not a hire one, and I was therefore concerned about my car.
A new thing that we saw this time is camping vehicles (pickup trucks with roof top tents) hired by Europeans. Many of them, everywhere. A hired car can go at 80km/hr, 100km/hr, any speed really on bad roads (not your car, right?). Many of these vehicles were going from one waterhole to the next one at great speed (above the 60km/hr speed limit). Not bothering to look for the little things like tortoises, mangooses, ground squirrels, birds, etc. In doing so, the amount of dust generat was ridiculous. Furthermore, these sort of speeds, damage the roads even further.
The last day we were in the park, we left about 2 hours before closing time because of the state of the roads. We couldn't take being rattled anymore.
The park is run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. They clearly need to look at the current situation and do something about it, because it is not worth going to Ethosa.
Don't go, unless you like having your teeth rattled by the corrugated road.
Written September 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KarenZwSA
South Africa144 contributions
Oct 2019
Nice wildlife park. On hot days visit the waterholes where it is all happening. Doable in a sedan, but is a bit bumpy on the roads. Recommend to stay overnight for great sunsets and animal noises at night.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dhw3
Hindhead, UK58 contributions
Sep 2022
This is more of a word of warning to potential bookers than a review of Etosha itself. If you live outside Namibia and book directly with Etosha's booking office you will be charged VERY HIGH bank fees by their bank even if you agree to pay the fees in your home country. My advice is to book via a third party where no fees are incurred at all and you may very well get a better rate.
Written September 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julien666
Ivry-sur-Seine, France177 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Very nice family experience over 3 days crisscrossing the (very bad) slopes of the park. Animals are numerous and easy to see and enjoy in their natural environment, engine off, armed with patience, cameras and binoculars.
To everyone his experience Etosha, on our side we were rather lucky to have seen the big 4 (elephants, lion, leopard, rhinoceros), as well as hyenas, cheetahs, and many antelope, birds.
It is better to make your itinerary in advance, at least in large parts, because the park is very large, we drive at low speed to try not to miss an opportunity for animal encounters. In three days we barely made half the park. We did not do the western part of the park which is a little less accessible but French people we met told us that they had seen many animals.
We rested one morning by offering us a morning drive, it's definitely worth it.
At the entrance level, if you sleep outside, the ticket is valid until the exit of the park, if you sleep inside the ticket is valid 24 hours. We had bad information at the base, we discovered this organization on the spot.
The few camps are convenient for daily stops or a picnic during the day but they are few and far between. There are a few picnic areas if not in the park, there are also few, hence the interest of making your itinerary roughly in advance, especially with children to plan small breaks to stretch your legs.
To everyone his experience Etosha, on our side we were rather lucky to have seen the big 4 (elephants, lion, leopard, rhinoceros), as well as hyenas, cheetahs, and many antelope, birds.
It is better to make your itinerary in advance, at least in large parts, because the park is very large, we drive at low speed to try not to miss an opportunity for animal encounters. In three days we barely made half the park. We did not do the western part of the park which is a little less accessible but French people we met told us that they had seen many animals.
We rested one morning by offering us a morning drive, it's definitely worth it.
At the entrance level, if you sleep outside, the ticket is valid until the exit of the park, if you sleep inside the ticket is valid 24 hours. We had bad information at the base, we discovered this organization on the spot.
The few camps are convenient for daily stops or a picnic during the day but they are few and far between. There are a few picnic areas if not in the park, there are also few, hence the interest of making your itinerary roughly in advance, especially with children to plan small breaks to stretch your legs.
Automatically translated
Written July 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dianedinky
Dunfermline, UK1,346 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
To say to come here when in Namibia is a no-brainer. However, if coming in the dry season (I wa there in Sept) be prepared for it to look dry and very, very white and pale from the salt pan. At times I thought I was taking a photo of a winter scene not an African desert!
However, don't get me wrong, this surprise didn't detract from the experience. It just meant we had to hunt a little harder to spot the wildlife as some animals were under shade with the lone tree a good bit in the distance off the path. Make sure you have a zoom digital camera!
I'd also recommend concentrating on the watering holes as this is where the animals will eventually end up each day. We saw an amazing amount at one early morning then another deep in the park later on. The rangers know where to go and when.
Also be aware that in Namibia you see a lot of wildlife near the roads outwith the parks, just by driving place to place. Etosha is the same as we actually saw a cheetah and then next day a rhino on the road in to the park from our lodge - so keep your eyes peeled at all times!
However, don't get me wrong, this surprise didn't detract from the experience. It just meant we had to hunt a little harder to spot the wildlife as some animals were under shade with the lone tree a good bit in the distance off the path. Make sure you have a zoom digital camera!
I'd also recommend concentrating on the watering holes as this is where the animals will eventually end up each day. We saw an amazing amount at one early morning then another deep in the park later on. The rangers know where to go and when.
Also be aware that in Namibia you see a lot of wildlife near the roads outwith the parks, just by driving place to place. Etosha is the same as we actually saw a cheetah and then next day a rhino on the road in to the park from our lodge - so keep your eyes peeled at all times!
Written January 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roberta F
Woollahra, Australia36 contributions
Nov 2019
We drove through Etosha National Park and explored the many waterholes that abound in the park. We saw everything we had hoped for - giraffes, elephant, zebra, white and black rhino, a small pride of lions with three cubs, many and assorted antelopes, oryx, kudu, hartebeest, eland and lots of different bird species.
To say we loved it is an understatement.
Take your time, be patient and visit as many waterholes as you can. Sometimes just waiting at a waterhole is the best thing to do and we were rewarded by this many times.
We didn't see it, but people in our group saw a lion kill on the pan at Okondeka. This is lion country and there are often sightings of lions on the pan here.
The other place worth visiting is the Etosha Lookout if you really want to see how spectacular the pan is.
Another place I'd recommend is the animal Hyde at Olifantsrus. You'll easily see it on the map the park provides. We saw a lot of animals coming and going to the waterhole as the Hyde keeps you invisible from the animals - highly recommended.
As this is a self-drive you cannot get out of your car unless you visit a secure area for a picnic or toilet. If you do get out of the car, you're likely to be someone's breakfast or dinner!
To say we loved it is an understatement.
Take your time, be patient and visit as many waterholes as you can. Sometimes just waiting at a waterhole is the best thing to do and we were rewarded by this many times.
We didn't see it, but people in our group saw a lion kill on the pan at Okondeka. This is lion country and there are often sightings of lions on the pan here.
The other place worth visiting is the Etosha Lookout if you really want to see how spectacular the pan is.
Another place I'd recommend is the animal Hyde at Olifantsrus. You'll easily see it on the map the park provides. We saw a lot of animals coming and going to the waterhole as the Hyde keeps you invisible from the animals - highly recommended.
As this is a self-drive you cannot get out of your car unless you visit a secure area for a picnic or toilet. If you do get out of the car, you're likely to be someone's breakfast or dinner!
Written February 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How are the road conditions in the park? We will have a 4x4. But we re reading a lot about really bad conditions at the moment.
Wie sind denn die StraĂźen im Moment? Wir haben einen 4x4 lesen aber aktuell viel ĂĽber die aktuell miserablen StraĂźenbedingungen. Wir sind im Oktober dort.
Written August 18, 2019
No problem. You can drive easily with your 4x4. We did it 4 days.
Written September 2, 2019
Quanti giorni consigliate all'Etosha? 2 pieni possono bastare? O meglio 3? Grazie
Written May 13, 2019
Secondo me due giorni pieni potrebbero bastare (3 notti); naturalmente se avete la jeep a noleggio; il parco è ampio, le pozze dove vedere gli animali sono tante.... Consigliato anche dormire nelle strutture dentro il parco, in modo da non essere obbligati ad uscire dai cancelli del parco prima del tramonto. Noi abbiamo dormito due notti ad Halali e una notte ad Okaukuejo. Fantastico!!
Written May 20, 2019
We wil visit Etosha next year on a self drive. This time we would like to enter it by the west gate.
Does anybody has the experience to do so without the obligation of having a stay at a lodge around this western part of the parc
Written April 24, 2018
We were there in May driving a low- clearance sedan. We stayed for 2nights at Dolomite Camp and loved it. You don’t need to stay at lodges outside Etosha. Look for my extensive review of the camps and roads published by Strudels later in May.
Written June 13, 2018
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