Apart from visitors who arrive in Etosha National Park by road, the park also has several small airstrips for those coming by charter flights or private aircraft. These airstrips give a convenient and time-saving way to enter the park and are especially useful for travelers who do not want to spend many hours driving.
Flying into Etosha also gives passengers the chance to enjoy wide views of the salt pans, open savannas, and scattered waterholes from above. It is a scenic experience that adds to the journey before the safari even begins.
The most commonly used airstrips are located near Okaukuejo, Halali, and Namutoni rest camps. Together, they serve the southern, central, and eastern parts of the park, making it easier to connect directly to accommodation and game viewing areas.
These gravel runways are not commercial airports but are well maintained for fly-in safaris and park operations. Charter companies usually land guests at the airstrip closest to their chosen camp, which is ideal for high-end travelers, photographers, or anyone with a limited travel schedule.
Arriving by air means guests can start game drives soon after landing, without the long road journey from Windhoek, Swakopmund, or other towns.
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism manages these airstrips together with Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR). They are carefully regulated to make sure flights are safe and to protect the park’s environment. Although they are simple in design, they include basic facilities such as clear signage, marked landing areas, and emergency services.
In recent years, some private lodges inside and around the park, especially in the eastern and western buffer zones, have also developed their own small airstrips. This gives guests even more direct access to their accommodation and nearby wildlife areas.
Flights into Etosha often depart from Eros Airport in Windhoek or from regional hubs such as Swakopmund, Tsumeb, and Ondangwa. Some travelers also choose scenic flights over the Etosha Pan.
These flights provide a bird’s-eye view of the huge white salt flat and the surrounding grasslands, offering another way to experience the park’s unique landscapes before beginning a safari on the ground.
