Okaukuejo Resort Etosha National Park
Being the camp closest to the Anderson Gate of the Etosha National Park,
most visitors to Namibia go to Okaukeujo. There is a wide variety of accommodation
types available, but it is crucial to book your accommodation long in advance
to ensure you have a place to stay at this beautiful and popular camp.
Okaukeujo is the adminstrative headquarters of Etosha. Because it is situated
the furthest south and therefore closest to Windhoek, most visitors enter
the park through the Anderson Gate, which is a mere 17km from the Okaukeujo.
The Etosha Ecological Institute is situated within the camp.
The beautiful stone tower gives you the opportunity to view the area around
the camp from high above the trees and animals. At first, the camp was a
military outpost which was developed in 1901. In 1963, the tower was added
to provide a lookout over the plains and pans surrounding Okaukeujo.
For those who couldn't book accommodation inside the park, there are some
lodges and camps outside the Anderson Gate on the road from Outjo. Guests
staying at these facilities can do day visits to the park and often stop
at Okaukeujo to relax at the waterhole or cool off in the swimming pool.
WATERHOLE
The waterhole at Okaukeujo camp is one of the most exciting places in the
world, where you can spend all day (and night) sitting on one of the benches
inside the camp and watching the animals visiting the waterhole in their
natural environment. It is the perfect spot for photographing the sunset
over the waterhole, with the wildlife enjoying the water and the coolness
of the evening.
Because the waterhole is lit at night, you can visit this site all night
long to see the interaction between the animals at this life-giving hotspot.
Just make sure you don't fall asleep in the open, as it is not impossible
for some animals to cross the fencing and enter the camp.
RESTAURANT AND BAR
The breakfasts which are included in the accommodation fee for the chalets
and rooms, are served at the restaurant at the communal area at Okaukeujo.
The restaurant is open all day long and for lunch and dinner is served for
all guests in any type of accommodation, as well as to day visitors.
Typical, tasteful Namibian Cuisine is served in the restaurant - this means
that the meals include a wide variety of meat choices and the food is well-prepared
and tasty.
There is also a kiosk at the reception area, supplying light meals and
snacks during the day.
SWIMMING POOL
The sparkling swimming pool is the perfect place to cool off in during
the hottest hours of the day, while the animals are also hiding from the
sun.
Day visitors are also welcome to make use of the swimming pool facilities.
SHOPPING
The beautiful tourist shop has many gift options available to take home
to those friends and family who are not with you on your travel to Etosha.
The shop offers basic food supplies, as well as other essentials like firewood,
cold drinks and ice. Take note that the shop is sometimes closed during
lunch hours.
FUEL STATION
Fuel is available at the fuel station in Okaukeujo Resort. Because of the
remoteness of the park in relation to the rest of the country, it does happen
that visitors to Etosha might be restricted in the amount of fuel that may
be purchased by each vehicle. This only happens when there is a shortage
of fuel and helps to ensure everyone gets an equal opportunity to refuel.
Do not depend on the facilities inside Etosha for help in replacing damaged
tyres. The best they can do is to try and repair punctured tyres, but replacement
of tyres can only be done at the bigger towns and Windhoek.
