Etosha Camps: Okaukuejo or Halali? The Better Option

Etosha National Park has three camps inside the park, but which is the better option, Okaukuejo or Halali? Namutoni is the third camp, and by far the least popular. Why? The waterhole doesn’t draw in the large numbers of wildlife as the other two camps.

Of the two, which camp is the better option?

Halali Camp is the newest of the three camps and the most relaxed, in a stretched mopane woodland setting. The rooms have en-suite toilet/shower. Camping has toilet/shower facilities, braai areas, and electrical outlets. There is also a bar, restaurant, swimming pool, and the Tsumasa Trail up a small dolomite hill to the summit. A small floodlit waterhole, at this Etosha Camp, was built about three hundred meters behind the camp attracting elephants and rhinos along with other game animals.

Okaukuejo is Etosha’s oldest resort, located near Andersson Gate. Climb the tower to have a 360° view from the park’s highest vantage point and spot game far off in the distance. In the evenings, relax on the benches in front of a floodlit waterhole visited by Etosha’s game animals including giraffe, elephant, lion, and black rhino. The rooms have en-suite toilet/shower. Camping has toilet/shower facilities, braai areas, and electrical outlets. There is also a bar, restaurant, museum, swimming pool, and post office.

As you can easily see, essentially the two Etosha camps are the same. However, it is the waterholes, and those around the camps, that visitors generally use as decision makers.

Okaukuejo is famous for its waterhole having the ability to attract large numbers of wildlife -elephant and rhino visit regularly -on any given day. It’s seating around the waterhole spreads far and wide leaving ample room for visitors to cozy in comfortably.

Halali’s waterhole on the other hand provides a feeling of exclusive seclusion, a quiet hide tucked amongst the rocks, the same rocks you sit on whilst waiting for wildlife to appear. The hide, at this Etosha camp, is perched above, allowing for great views of wildlife only few feet away. Halali is also in the center of the park with excellent year-round waterholes attracting large herds and hungry prides.

No matter which camp you choose, or if you divide your time between the two, you’ll certainly fall asleep to the roars of lion, the crying of hyena, or the callings of the various other wildlife that call Etosha home.

It is important to note advance bookings must be made at Namibia Wildlife Resorts main office in Windhoek or online. Reservations for Etosha camps cannot be made over the telephone, and should be made well in advance.

When booking with Etosha NWR, you need to stick to your itinerary, as it is very difficult to change your plans, especially during the holiday months or at the end of July and August. During these months the park is full and the resorts and camping spots are generally completely booked. It is sometimes possible to camp without reservations, however to keep your trip smooth it’s better to book your reservations in advance.

Reception offices are at each Etosha camp and are open from dawn to dusk. It is here you pay for your stay and park fees that are due. It is important to note that all park fees must be paid at the reception office before attempting to leave the park as you can’t pay at the gate.

Combine your visit to Etosha with Sossusvlei. Get started planning your safari today! http://wildsafariafrica.com/about/your-specialist-in-african-safari-planning/

Rabins Sharma Lamichhane

Rabins Sharma Lamichhane is senior ICT professional who talks about #it, #cloud, #servers, #software, and #innovation. Rabins is also the first initiator of Digital Nepal. Facebook: rabinsxp Instagram: rabinsxp

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