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Okaukuejo Rest Camp, Namibia

Okaukuejo Rest Camp

Etosha National Park, Namibia

Okaukuejo was the first rest camp to open in Etosha. It's also the administrative hub of the park and the centre of the Etosha Ecological Institute. It has the feel of a small village, with 100 or so rondavels, a shop, restaurant, camp site, petrol station and swimming pool.

The big attraction of the camp is the large, floodlit waterhole, where a variety of animals come to drink throughout the day and night. During the dry season you're likely to see elephant, giraffe, zebra and jackal, while lion and black rhino are also occasional visitors. The waterhole is separated from the camp by a low stone wall, behind which there are high wooden benches to sit on as you observe the wildlife.

OUR OPINION:

The accommodation at Okaukuejo is of a fairly good standard, but being a government rest camp, the service is often slow and impersonal and the food pretty uninspiring. It can be a little noisy with people having barbecues and truck groups camping on the campsite, but it's full of life and there's plenty of space for you to walk around stretching your legs. Despite its flaws, we're really fond of this historic camp, and a real highlight of many of our trips is sitting through the evening with a drink at the magnificent waterhole.

OUR RATING: Simple

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Rooms

Accommodation at the camp is in chalets, which are of a good standard, with en suite bathrooms, ample living space and modern furnishings. Waterhole Chalets, the premium accommodation option, overlook the waterhole and mean that you can view the game from your terrace or balcony. They can also come with two bedrooms, making them good for families or larger groups. Bush Chalets are located further away from the waterhole but offer similar space and amenities, although they only have one bedroom. Guests may also stay in comfortable double rooms or on the campsite.

Location

Okaukuejo Camp is situated at the western end of the Etosha Pan. If you’re coming from the south, it's just 17 kilometres from the entrance to the national park at the Andersson Gate.

Food and drink

There's a full service restaurant available that serves food throughout the day, a bar and a shop to restock on snacks and drinks for the remainder of your journey.

Families

Families are welcome at Okaukuejo and rooms can be configured to suit. The camp is fenced and locked at night, but children should still be supervised at all times.

Facilities and activities

On site you'll find a shop, petrol station and swimming pool, as well as braai (barbecue) facilities.

Tour ideas in Etosha National Park

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Okaukuejo Rest Camp as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favourite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    Etosha National Park and nearby places