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Etosha Luxury Safari Tours

4.4/5  –  152 Etosha Reviews

Etosha is a great destination for a luxury safari. It is one of the best places to see wildlife in Africa, and among experts it regularly ranks in the top five places for a safari. While it may be accessible to all, it’s at the luxury end of the market where travelers get the richest experience of everything that the ecosystem has to offer. Etosha’s popularity makes it crowded, but you’d never know that in many of the secluded luxury camps and lodges. They have access to private, wildlife-rich areas that others can’t reach. The long sightlines, the varied habitats and the deceptively vast saltpans truly make Etosha a once-in-a-lifetime place.

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1-20 of 46 luxury tours, packages and holidays to Etosha National Park

6 Questions About Etosha Luxury Safaris

 
 

6 Questions About Etosha Luxury Safaris

Answered by Anthony Ham

Why should I choose Etosha for a luxury trip?

“Etosha is perfect for a luxury safari because it offers Namibia’s best combination of wildlife viewing with an excellent selection of luxury camps. Those on an Etosha luxury safari have an advantage over everyone else. In many cases, Etosha’s camps and lodges have access to private concessions just beyond the national park’s boundaries. Wildlife wanders freely into these concessions, but the same can’t be said for people (aside from a select few staying in the luxury camps with privileged access). And Etosha has few rivals when it comes to wildlife. Where else can you see rhinos in the moonlight by a waterhole? Or elephants caked in dust and salt, and drinking at the water’s edge while lions feed nearby on a kill? Or sunsets sinking into a horizon that never seems to end? Experiencing these highlights and then returning to your luxury lodge or tented camp at day’s end comes close to the near-perfect safari experience. Etosha should be on every traveler’s safari bucket list – it’s that good. But Etosha can also form the centerpiece of a broader Namibia trip or tour, combining its northern Namibia location with such quality luxury add-ons as Damaraland, the Skeleton Coast and elsewhere.”

1

What is included in an Etosha luxury safari?

“Most Etosha luxury safari tours include everything you’ll need to enjoy a fabulous safari. The accommodation is a given, and three meals a day will also be included in most packages. Here at the upper end of the market, it’s less about an impersonal buffet than a carefully chosen, three-or-more-course culinary experience backed by South African or other wines. Game drives or walking safaris are almost always included. You’ll pay extra (and you’ll have to let them know in advance) if you want the safari vehicle and guide to be yours and yours alone for the duration of your stay. Tips (gratuities) to camp, lodge or safari staff are, of course, extra. Also extra are activities such as spa treatments, although some places may offer a complimentary massage upon arrival. National park fees should be covered, but the conservation fees for the private concessions may or may not be included – ask at the time of booking.”

2

How long do I need in Etosha?

“Etosha is a vast and varied ecosystem, and you should allocate the best part of a week to exploring its many charms. If you’re here for a week or longer, you may wish to stay in different lodges or camps so that you can explore different areas of the park. Assuming you’re on holiday, you might want to lie in one morning, or spend an afternoon by the pool. Doing so without feeling guilty or as if you’re missing out on something is much easier if you’ve built in enough time for multiple game drives, and still have time left over for relaxation. Another reason for allowing enough time is to allow you to revisit favorite wildlife-viewing areas. Or to pass an entire afternoon staking out a waterhole, watching and waiting as an endless cast of creatures comes down to drink. Etosha can also suffer from sandstorms, but they’re extremely unlikely to last longer than a day or two. Allocating a little extra time can ensure that the unexpected doesn’t ruin your trip.”

3

How does a typical day on an Etosha luxury safari unfold?

“The typical day on an Etosha luxury safari involves supreme levels of comfort, and a real sense of having some of Africa’s most beautiful wilderness areas all to yourself. Camp or lodge staff will treat you like an honored guest. Up and out before dawn is the usual start to the day on safari in Etosha. If you think 5:30 AM is early, it’s nothing compared to the time your camp or lodge attendants rose to prepare your tea, coffee and wake-up call. The morning light in Etosha is simply magical. It draws into sharp focus all manner of creatures that you’ll see on your morning game drive. Most mornings, you’ll be back in camp by around 10 AM for an ample breakfast, whereupon the flurry of early activity subsides. Some luxury safaris include a breakfast out in the bush. Downtime here coincides with the hottest part of the day. On most days this time will be your own, punctuated only by an expansive lunch. When not eating, you’ll spend your time on the deck of your private tent enjoying the view or in the lavish public areas. By mid-afternoon, the camp begins to stir again with afternoon tea. A pre-sunset game drive includes a stop for a sundowner (enjoying the drink of your choice while watching the sun go down). On your way back to the comforts of camp, watch for nocturnal species which your guide or driver will spotlight. Dress for dinner, dine under the stars, then enjoy the campfire company before drifting off to bed. ”

4

What type of accommodation can I expect?

“Luxury lodges and tented camps are the mainstays of the Etosha luxury safari. The lodges vary greatly in their design and appearance, but luxury is the unifying theme. Imagine yourself in a deluxe hotel where the décor combines a desire for light and space with safari chic and you’ll have an idea of what most places are like. Tented camps are the ultimate in glamping. These are luxury under canvas, with just a small number of evenly spaced safari tents (no less than six, rarely more than 12). The tents rest upon low wooden platforms, their canvas floors routinely disappear beneath stylish rugs, and comfy beds, writing desks and trunks can be found in the interior of the main living room. There should also be a proper bathroom, toilet and shower out the back; the shower may have no roof.”

5

How much will this safari cost?

“In Etosha, as for elsewhere in Namibia, the per-person per-day price rarely exceeds US$650 for those traveling twin-share. However, paying less is always possible if you’re willing to compromise a little on luxury. Solo or individual travelers almost always pay a single supplement (around 75% of the twin-share rate for two people). The actual price of an Etosha luxury safari will depend upon many things. For example, the size of the group, the level of luxury in the accommodation and the time of year when you’ll be traveling. When things are quiet, per-person rates may drop accordingly. Remember also that rates are likely to be all-inclusive and the only additional money you’ll need to spend will be in the lodge or camp gift shop and/or tips to your guide or other staff members.”

6

Etosha Reviews

4.4/5 152 Reviews
Expert
Mike Unwin  –  
United Kingdom UK

Mike is an award-winning wildlife writer, former editor of Travel Zambia magazine and author of the Bradt Guide to Southern African Wildlife.

White dust and waterholes
5/5

Etosha’s harsh landscape is not to everyone’s taste: the wilderness of dusty, rubble-strewn thorn scrub surrounding the vast, featureless salt pan is impressive rather than beautiful. The wildlife, however, is consistently outstanding...

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Expert
Lizzie Williams  –  
South Africa ZA

Lizzie is a reputed guidebook writer and author of the Footprint guides to South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Exceptionally good game-viewing in unusual environments
5/5

Etosha means ‘Great White Place’ in the Herero language after the giant, parched and dazzlingly white Etosha Pan. I find this the perfect environment for silhouetting the animals – a lone wildebeest or herd of handsome gemsbok can be...

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John Cosco  –  
Canada CA
Reviewed: Jul 26, 2024
5/5

I liked seeing the variety of animals. I was amazed at how close we were to the animals. The water holes provide an excellent opportunity to see many animals up close - they come to you rather than you to them.

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Grayson  –  
United States US
Reviewed: Jul 5, 2024
Don't Miss Staying Up at the Waterholes
5/5

Visited Namibia and Etosha after spending a week in Kenya. While not as game rich or scenic as the parks in Kenya, Etosha certainly has a character in its own. Etosha is unique because of its sprawling dry landscape and its waterholes that...

Full Review

Eric de Milliano  –  
Netherlands NL
Reviewed: Jun 4, 2024
4/5

Etosha is stunning. It has a great infrastructure but it is a pity that maintenance is apparently not a priority. Roads are poor compared to other parts of the country and the NWS accommodations could use a make over.

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Graycha Levi  –  
United States US
Reviewed: May 12, 2023
It is breathtaking. Unique and beautiful place.I love everything the wildlife and the nature amazing
5/5

Etosha is home to a range of wonderful species, black rhinos, lions and elephants. The reserve is doing a excellent work protecting, rehabilitating the animals. The service was excellent respectful staff. Accommodation was amazing, the...

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