3-Day Etosha Self-Drive
Three days is not long in Etosha, so this route keeps moving west to east. It follows Drive South Africa’s traverse from Galton Gate through the park to King Nehale, using camps and waterhole hides along the way.
Highlights include:
- Entering western Etosha through Galton Gate
- Spending the first night in the dolomite hills at Dolomite Camp
- Watching the waterhole from Olifantsrus’s two-storey hide
- Waiting beside Okaukuejo’s floodlit waterhole
- Stopping at Halali’s waterhole hide in the middle of the park
- Visiting the historic German fort at Namutoni Rest Camp
- Crossing the Andoni Plains toward King Nehale Gate
- Joining a private waterhole game drive from Etosha King Nehale
Namibia road trip from Galton Gate to Etosha King Nehale (412 km, about 12 hours driving). Plan this trip with Sideroads Africa.
Stops along the way
Day 1
- Galton Gate: Western entrance to Etosha — the Galton-side gate from Kamanjab into the quieter western concession and Dolomite Camp.
- Dolomite Camp: Unfenced NWR camp on western Etosha’s dolomite hills — plunge-pool chalets and a quieter Galton-side overnight.
Day 2
- Olifantsrus Campsite: Western Etosha unfenced camp with a two-storey hide — quieter than Okaukuejo, rougher roads.
- Okaukuejo Rest Camp: Etosha’s famous floodlit waterhole camp — rhino after dark and a village-sized NWR rest camp.
Day 3
- Halali Rest Camp: Mid-Etosha rest camp with a waterhole hide — elephants in the heat of the day.
- Namutoni Rest Camp: Eastern Etosha fort camp on Fischer’s Pan — historic German fort and a gentler park overnight.
- King Nehale Gate: Northern Etosha gate on the Andoni Plains — the King Nehale Lya Mpingana exit toward Omuthiya and the B1.
- Etosha King Nehale: Gondwana lodge one kilometre north of King Nehale Gate — Andoni Plains chalets and a private waterhole game drive.
A Self-Drive Adventure: 3 Day Road Trip in Etosha National Park