Situated in the previously restricted western section of the Etosha National Park there’s a campsite that you may not yet have heard of… It’s called Olifantsrus and it offers up unique game viewing experiences. Here is a bit more information on this awesome place.
Olifantsrus is more than a resting place for Elephants…It is a camping and game viewing experience of a lifetime.
It is located approximately 60kms from Galton Gate, 130kms from Okaukuejo and 50kms from Dolomite Camp. The site caters exclusively for campers and given its location you’re sure to feel like you’re right in the heart of the African bush. Look out for the more shy and rare species such as black rhino and black-faced impala who have established themselves in the quieter western part of the park.
State of the Art Game Viewing Hide
One of the key attractions of Olifanstrus campsite is the double-story viewing hide, a one-of-a-kind attraction in Namibia. The hide stretches out over a man-made waterhole engineered for peaceful game viewing. Aluminum windows wrap around the ground level of the thatched hut so that visitors can get right up close to the action. Upstairs is an open-air balcony offering some fantastic views of the landscape.
A Tribute to the Elephants of Etosha
Olifantsrus means “Elephants’ Rest”. If you’ve had the privilege of exploring Etosha, then you’ve undoubtedly seen these magnificent beasts roam the land in their large herds. But the name is also a tribute to those 525 elephants that died in a large and controversial culling scheme in the 1980s close to the campsite. The abattoir still stands at the site today as a stark reminder of what happened. There are placards with more information at the site, so you can brush up on your history and conservation facts while you’re there. Elephants gather around a waterhole at Etosha in great numbers.
What’s on offer for campers
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Olifantsrus has 10 campsites with a maximum of 8 people per site. There are electrical power points available as well as basic ablutions and a communal kitchen. The picnic spots offer a welcome spot of shade in the heat of the midday sun, or a good place to meet up with your fellow campers for a coffee and a rusk in the morning.
Things to know:
The camp opens at sunrise and closes at sunset as per the general park regulations. Day visitors are only allowed to use the picnic facilities up until 16h00
Day visitors pay an entry fee at reception upon entering Olifantsrus
Currently only cash is accepted (Namibian dollars or RSA Rands) with card facilities to be implemented shortly
The communal kitchen has a two plate gas stove and a fridge
There are ablution blocks with toilets and showers
The kiosk sells beverages and snacks
Currently there are no braai facilities for campers, only flat bases to make fire
GPS coordinates for Olifantsrus: S 18.971492 E 014.860921