Etosha has four gates: Andersson (south) for arrivals from Windhoek, Von Lindequist (east) from Tsumeb, King Nehale (north-east) from Ondangwa, and Galton (west) from Kamanjab.
Gates open at sunrise and close at sunset. You pay park fees at the gate, by card or cash (NAD 280 per international adult per day). Okaukuejo is 17 km inside Andersson Gate and Namutoni about 12 km inside Von Lindequist Gate.
Etosha Park Gates: Complete Guide
Etosha National Park has four entry gates, each serving a different approach route and giving access to a different part of the park. Choosing the right gate shapes your first day’s game driving and your accommodation options.
Gates at a Glance
| Gate | Position | Nearest Camp | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andersson Gate | South | Okaukuejo (17 km) | Windhoek arrivals; first-timers; western circuit |
| Von Lindequist Gate | East | Namutoni (about 12 km) | Tsumeb arrivals; eastern circuit; park exit toward coast |
| Galton Gate | West | Dolomite (access road) | Kamanjab/Ruacana arrivals; western concession; rhino focus |
| King Nehale Gate | North | ~43 km to Namutoni | Ondangwa arrivals; north Namibia circuits |
Andersson Gate (South)
The most-used entrance to Etosha — the primary gateway for visitors arriving from Windhoek via the B1 highway north. Andersson Gate puts you 17 km from Okaukuejo camp and in the park’s western zone within minutes of entry.
Practical Details
- Location: On the C38 road, about 100 km from Outjo
- Drive from Windhoek: about 415 km / 4.5–5 hours via B1 north to Otjiwarongo, then B2/C38
- Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset (see monthly table)
- Facilities: Gate office, payment desk, toilets
- Payment: Visa/Mastercard + NAD cash accepted
First Day Strategy from Andersson Gate
- Aim to arrive at gate opening time to maximise your first morning
- Drive the 17 km to Okaukuejo with eyes open — wildlife on this stretch is reliable
- Start with the western waterhole circuit: Ozonjuitji m’Bari, Salvadora, Moringa
Von Lindequist Gate (East)
The eastern entrance — typically used by visitors arriving from Tsumeb (about 100 km to the east) or those completing a west-to-east transit through the park. Von Lindequist Gate puts you about 12 km from Namutoni camp.
Where to stay inside Etosha
Each gate has a camp close by: Okaukuejo for Andersson Gate, Namutoni for Von Lindequist Gate, Halali in between.
Most popularOkaukuejo
Floodlit waterhole with nightly rhino. Most services. Best first base.
Halali
Quieter, shady, with the Moringa floodlit waterhole. Splits east and west.
Namutoni
The 1906 fort beside Fischer’s Pan. Birding, leopard and cheetah.
Compare all six camps or send an enquiry for live availability.
Practical Details
- Drive from Windhoek: ~530 km / about 6 hours via B1 north to Tsumeb, then B60 west
- Route from Swakopmund: ~700 km via B2 east + B1 north
- Nearest town: Tsumeb (ATM, fuel, supermarket)
Best Use Cases
- Exiting Etosha after an east-to-west (or reverse) route through the park
- Beginning an east-first Etosha itinerary (Fischer’s Pan, eastern waterhole circuit)
- Visitors flying into Ondangwa and driving south
Galton Gate (West)
The western entrance — used primarily by visitors arriving from Kamanjab (about 70 km) or those entering Namibia via the north (Ruacana/Oshakati) and heading to the western concession. Galton Gate is the only way to access Dolomite Camp.
Practical Details
- Drive from Windhoek: ~520 km / 5.5 hours via B1 to Outjo, then C38 to Kamanjab area
- Access to Dolomite Camp: via internal park road from Galton Gate
- Less traffic than Andersson Gate; more remote approach
Best Use Cases
- Visitors with Dolomite booking
- Rhino-focused itineraries in the western concession
- North-to-south transit routes through Namibia
King Nehale Gate (North)
The northernmost gate — used by visitors arriving from Ondangwa or Oshakati in the Oshiwambo heartland of northern Namibia. Less-used than the other three gates; longer drive to the core park camps.
Practical Details
- Approximately 85 km from King Nehale to Namutoni camp
- Best suited for travellers already in northern Namibia
Gate Opening Times (Monthly Reference)
Gates follow sunrise and sunset, so the times shift week by week through the year — roughly 06:10 in midsummer to 07:30 in midwinter to open, and 18:25 to 19:40 to close. NWR does not publish fixed hours; exact times are posted at each gate and at camp reception. The month-by-month sunrise and sunset table is kept current on gate times and fees — check it the week you travel, and plan every drive to end at camp before closing.
Verify current gate times at nwr.com.na before arrival.