This well-priced short Namibia Safari explores Etosha National Park, one of Southern Africa’s most loved safari destinations. This accessible park includes the 4800km² Etosha Pan, which, after good rains, teems with flamingos. The many waterholes in Etosha Park attract a multitude of wildlife, which includes the white rhino and endangered black rhino, lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, giraffe and numerous species of antelope, as well as an impressive variety of birds.
Our first night in Etosha National Park is spent at Halali Camp, featuring a floodlit waterhole, which is viewed from an elevated vantage point and provides excellent wildlife viewing during the day and night. Our second night is spent in a comfortable lodge outside Etosha National Park.
You will be drawn to the shimmering horizons of the Etosha Pan so vast it can be seen from space. Most of the time the pan is clay-baked mud, but when the rain falls it produces verdant grasses and with heavy rainfall, it becomes a lake again.
This Budget Etosha Lodge Safari starts in Windhoek and ends in Swakopmund traveling via the infamous Skeleton Coast of Namibia.
Leaving our backpacker lodge in Windhoek behind, we set out early on this budget Etosha Lodge Safari. Heading north to Etosha Park, we pause along the way at Otjiwarongo for lunch, before we enter Etosha National Park.
Accessing the park via the Anderson Gate, we embark on the first of our game drives to some nearby waterholes. We are searching for zebra, giraffe, elephant and rhino, but most especially we are looking for predators.
Our first night is spent inside Etosha Park in twin rooms. We arrive just before sunset at Halali Camp where we take advantage of the floodlit waterhole, where guests can watch wildlife come to drink during the evening. There's even the chance of spotting some of the more elusive nocturnal creatures.
Our dinner is prepared by our safari guide, after our first exciting day on safari in Etosha.
We get an early start, setting out before sunrise, and head back into Etosha National Park on an early morning game drive. This is the best time for game viewing as the animals are at their most active.
We stop mid-morning at Etosha Pan, Namibia's largest salt pan, for a light breakfast. Guests should walk out onto the flat pan to experience the immenseness of this 4500 sq km saltpan, noting that this is a seasonal experience.
Traveling back to Halali Camp we visit numerous waterholes along the way, searching for lion, rhino, leopard and elephant, as well as the abundant plains game found in this wilderness area.
Back at the camp, our guide prepares a picnic lunch, after which there is time to relax, have a swim or rest during the hottest time of the day before we continue to Okaukuejo Camp. En-route we stop at a waterhole to watch a spectacular African sunset over the bush.
Heading out of the park we make out way to our next overnight safari stopover, just outside the game park.
We stay at a safari lodge near the Etosha gates, in twin-share permanent tents with en-suite bathrooms.
Dinner is prepared by your safari guide and we spend the evening relaxing around the campfire and swapping tales of our game viewing adventures.
The day begins with a leisurely breakfast and then we head off for Swakopmund. We travel via arid Damaraland, in the Kunene Region, passing communal lands and stopping at the Ugab River bridge to visit the striking Herero ladies selling arts and crafts to support their families.
We stop for lunch at the foot of Namibia's tallest mountain, the Brandberg Mountain. Here there is an opportunity to purchase handcrafted jewelry and other African curios from a Himba group.
After lunch, we drive through the Namib Desert, along the dramatic Skeleton Coast, home to many shipwrecks. We pause along the way to take in the desolate scenery of the rugged Skeleton Coast and see the latest shipwreck.
Arriving in the coastal town of Swakopmund in the late afternoon allows time for you to explore this quaint seaside town. Guests are dropped off at their accommodation of choice in Swakopmund, bringing this short Budget Etosha National Park Safari to a close.
Our preferred Etosha Lodge accommodation for the second night is located near Etosha National Park, just 2 km's outside the game reserve. We stay in twin-share permanent tents or rooms, featuring en-suite bathrooms with private shower and toilet facilities.
Each spacious safari-style tent is fitted with interior lighting and twin beds. Towels, good quality linen and extra blankets are provided and the tents offer self-catering facilities.
Our other Etosha lodge options are all located within 25km of the Anderson gate on the western side of Etosha National Park and will be of a similar standard.
Etosha National Park, situated in the Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia, is renowned as one of the best and most loved game reserves in Africa.
Covering 22,270 km² this vast game park is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and even one species of fish. The unusual terrain of Etosha Park supports rare and varied wild animals and birds making it a unique safari destination.
The national park is dominated by the arid Etosha Pan, at about 5 000km², with 'Etosha' meaning place of dry water or great white place. The expansive silvery-white salt pan is an awe-inspiring sight with its wide horizons and shimmering mirages stretching into the distance.
Etosha Park hosts four of Africa's Big Five, including both white rhino and endangered black rhino, as well as lion, leopard and elephant. Other wildlife includes giraffe, cheetah, zebra and various antelope species, such as black-faced impala, tsessebe and gemsbok.
The type of tour vehicle used for specific departures will be determined by the size of the safari group at the time of departure.
This tour does take children.
Child Rates are applicable to children Aged 5 to 11 who shares accommodation with 2 Adults only.
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