Are you considering camping in Namibia and looking for where to stay in Namibia? Would you like to have a stunning experience to camp in the country and stay at the best campsites in Namibia? Then this Namibia camping guide is for you.

We love to go camping. It is our preferred way of travelling if possible, which we intercept with a random stay at a luxury hotel or cruise journey. One of our most favourite countries to go camping in is Namibia. With its dazzling landscapes, diverse wildlife, vast open spaces and beautiful nature, Namibia is a great country for everyone to go camping.

Also, the campsites in Namibia are often quirky and spectacular at the same time. Even for non-experienced campers, going camping in Namibia will be a unique experience that you need to try. Don’t forget to read our best tips about travelling in Namibia and our Namibia Travel Guide. 

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Namibia is a great destination for camping. It's a typical destination where people who normally never camping on holiday, will rent a 4x4 with a rooftop tent and camp at least a few times during their road trip. Are you planning to visit wondering where to stay in Namibia? Or would you like to find the best campsites in Namibia for your upcoming road trip? Look no further. We have compiled a list with our favourite camping sites in Namibia and why we would recommend them.

This Namibia camping guide is based on our personal experiences of having travelled in the country extensively during the past 18 years. The campsites we described in this guide we will go back to any time, either because of their location, setting or activities they offer. There are quite a lot of beautiful campsites in Namibia which are impossible to list them all.

What makes camping in Namibia so special?

Camping in Namibia is a wonderful experience because most of Namibia is arid desert with some of the most surreal, breathtaking scenery on this planet. Staying in a luxury lodge is really nice, but in my opinion, the best way to experience Namibia is to camp in the desert as there is no light nor noise pollution and you will see the stars like nowhere else on earth. And you can be sure to be able to take the most beautiful pictures in Namibia. It is also important to know when you go camping, what is the best time to visit Namibia.

Here is our list with some of the most awesome and best campsites in Namibia to stay:

Canyon Roadhouse Campsite by the Fish River Canyon

One of our favourite campsites in Namibia is Canyon Roadhouse. Over the years, we have stayed here numerous times.  Located on the gravel road D601 en route to the Fish River Canyon,The Canyon Roadhouse provides a unique and authentic ambience with a flair of Route 66 nostalgia.

There are various camping sites in a fairly large area, giving each campsite enough privacy from its neighbours. Each campsite has enough shade provided by at least 1 large tree. The sites are large, neat and private and each comes with a braai place and a water tap.

The main area as well as the restaurant are worth a stop over. A collection of vintage cars and various authentic memorabilia from a bygone era decorate the main building. You can easily spend quite a bit of time going through this stunning collection while having a drink at their bar. And do try their famous Roadhouse Burger for lunch, it's delicious.

Campsite Facilities:

• Shared ablutions with plenty of flushing toilets and hot showers
• Washing area for laundry and crockery at the ablutions
• 230V AC electrical point in the campsite
• Private barbeque area
• Running water - a tap in the campsite. Borehole, drinkable
• Restaurant / Bar
• WiFi. Very slow
• MTC 2G/Edge. Maybe upgraded to 3G. We don't go there to be connected
• Swimming pool

Main attractions:

• Fish River Canyon: the viewpoint from the canyon is only 25 km away which is great if you want to stay at the canyon for watching the sunset and not to drive too far anymore on the gravel roads in the dark.
• Watch the sunset / sunrise: There is a hill just behind the campsite, which is not difficult to climb with 360° views so it's perfect to watch both the sunrise as well as the sunset from here. Do take a flashlight with you when walking up or down in the dark.
• Hiking trails around the camping grounds. Ask the reception for more info about these trails.
• Stargazing
• Various hikes and drives with a guide

Okaukuejo Campsite in Etosha National Park

Going on a safari in Etosha National Park is one of the highlights of a visit to Namibia. Even though there are plenty of great accommodations to stay outside the park, staying over inside the park is a whole different experience. All of the campsites within the park have their own floodlit waterhole where wildlife can come to drink. 

Okaukuejo is the administrative headquarters of the park, located in the middle of the park, on the western bank of the Etosha pan and about 17 km from the central Anderson gate. This central location makes it a great base to explore various sections of the park as well as the Etosha pan.

Okaukuejo campsite is the most popular campsite and can get really busy during peak season. Booking in advance is highly recommended to make sure to get a camping spot secured. The campsites are all close together with not much privacy compared to many other campsites in Namibia. It's also frequented by larger tour groups for which it can be more noisy than other places.

Also keep in mind it's a government run campsite and at times might look a bit run down, especially during or after peak season. When it's busy during peak season, the ablution blocks might not look very clean.

But what makes us choose Okaukuejo campsite as one of the best places to stay in Namibia is it's famous floodlit waterhole, which is visited very frequently by wildlife day and night. It's very common to see the rare black rhino, in fact it's very common to see lots of rhino's during the night, as well as lions and plenty of other animals.

It's really like a live show of National Geographic at night. The waterhole is about 50 meters from the campsite fence and the surrounding area is wide and open for which you can see animals approaching from a far distance. Everytime I visited Okaukuejo, which has been plenty, the waterhole has been the highlight of my visit in Etosha.

Campsite Facilities:

• Shared ablutions with flushing toilets and hot showers
• Washing area for laundry and crockery at the ablutions
• 230V AC electrical point in the campsite
• Private barbeque area
• Running water - a tap in the campsite. Borehole, drinkable
• Restaurant / Bar
• Large Swimming pool and relaxing area
• Shop with basic items
• Fuel station
• Good MTC coverage

Main attractions:

• Self-drive safari in Etosha National Park
• Game drive options to be organised with the park (morning, afternoon or night drives)
• Observing wildlife 24 hours at the flootlit and spectacular waterhole within the camp

El Dorado campsite at Anderson Gate Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park has limited camping space availability which can be a problem during high tourist season. So when visiting Etosha National Park, there are quite a few options for accommodation just outside the park. El Dorado campsite is located on the C38, which is the main road between Windhoek and Etosha, at only 10 km from the Anderson entrance gate and 37 km from the Okaukuejo campsite.

El Dorado is one of the few campsites in Namibia with lush grassy campsites, which can be a relief from all the sand, especially during the hot summer months. The campsite is part of a private game farm and they are running a program to re-home animals, like cheetah’s who sometimes escape from Etosha National Park. 

Campsite Facilities:

• Shared ablutions with flushing toilets and hot showers
• 230V AC Electrical point in the campsite
• Private barbeque area at each campsite
• Running water - a tap in the campsite. Borehole, drinkable
• Picnic table
• Bar
• Dinner and breakfast in the restaurant only available on request
• Swimming pool
• Wood for sale
• Limited Wifi in the bar area
• MTC might have some coverage in the area

Main attractions:

• Safari at Etosha National Park
• Guided visit of the animals within the farm

Palmwag Lodge & Camp

The Palmwag Campsite is a stunning spot in the heart of Damaraland, right in the middle of the rugged Kunene region. The campsite feels like a true oasis, a peaceful escape in the middle of the surrounding arid landscape.

We planned to stay as a one night stopover between the Skeleton Coast and Epupa Falls, but it turned into a 3 night stay with each campsite having plenty of secluded privacy. The entire lodge and campsite has great facilities such as a shop, restaurant and pool. Some campsites also have great views over the surrounding areas where you can possibly see elephants and other wildlife. It’s the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Campsite Facilities:

• Shared ablutions with flushing toilets and hot showers
• Private wash basin with running water. Not potable
• 230V AC electrical point in the campsite
• Private barbeque (braai) area
• Restaurant / Bar
• WiFi
• MTC has some coverage in the area
• Swimming pool

Main Attractions:

• Game drives in the Palmwag concession
• Nature drives
• Guided walks

Duwisib Castle restcamp, Hardap area

Standing in the shadows of two major touristic highlights, the Fish River Canyon and Sossusvlei, the often overlooked Duwisib Castle is a bit off the beaten track. Located on the gravel road D826 between Helmeringhausen and Sossusvlei, Duwisib Castle is a surprise to see. It was built in 1909 by Baron Captain Hans Heinrich von Wolf and is since 1970 transferred to the Namibian state who opened it to the public. The adjacent campsite is great for an overnight stay after visiting the castle or even as a stop-over. 

The campsites are well-shaded by thorn trees, are fairly large, and provide enough privacy from your neighbour. The ablutions are clean. There is no electricity provided in the campsite, but the ablutions have solar powered lights to provide enough light during the night. 

We loved this campsite, because when we stayed in the campsite it was almost empty, so it was really quiet. From your tent you can get the most wonderful views over the landscape of the Namib desert. 

Campsite facilities:

• No electricity
• Clean ablutions with flushing toilets and hot showers
• You can probably drink the water there. Borehole
• No WiFi
• Might be some MTC coverage, but we can't be sure. Didn't make a note of such
• Stone table and chairs
• Private barbeque area

Main attractions:

• A visit to Duwisib Castle
• Going back to basics

Sossus Oasis restcamp, Sossusvlei

A trip to Sossusvlei is highly recommended when visiting Namibia. Sossus Oasis restcamp is located just outside the entrace gate to Sossusvlei. It's a lovely campsite in a beautiful setting against the spectacular landscape of the Namib desert and the Naukluft mountains in the distance. The colours during sunrise and sunset are just unique and jaw-dropping.

Sossus Oasis offers 18 campsites, each at a relative distance from one another to guarantee some privacy. The pool is located in the central part of the campsite and is really nice to cool down during the hot summer months and  to get refreshed after spending a day at the red dunes of Sossusvlei. There is also a seperate overland group campsite which is a mere distance away from the private areas which makes the campsite really quiet at night without having large groups in the campsite next to you.

Since Sossus Oasis is located just outside Sossusvlei park, you will only be able to enter the park at sunrise, which makes watching the sunrise at Dune 45 not possible (this is what many people want to do). In my humble opinion, I really like driving through the park along the different dunes during sunrise instead of in the dark. The famous Dune 45 is a 45 km drive from the entrance and the landscape is really surreal with high red dunes at both sides of the road. Seeing these dunes changing colours while driving is as beautiful as watching the sunrise from the top of Dune 45.

Campsite facilities:

• Shaded sites
• Private ablutions with flushing toilet, hot showers, kitchen basin
• Private barbeque area (braai)
• 230V AC electrical point
• Common swimming pool with stunning views
• At the entrance: Small convenience store, fuel station with tyre workshop and internet cafe / WiFi
• Good MTC coverage
• Credit card facilities available

Main attractions:

• Visit Sossusvlei area with Dune 45, Deadvlei, Big Daddy
• Visit Sesriem canyon: this small canyon often gets overlooked, but it's really worth a visit going down the canyon. It's only a good 4 km drive from the campsite.

Alte Brücke Campsite in Swakopmund

Alte Brücke is the closest campsite to Swakopmund, making it an ideal spot for staying a few days while exploring the town and its surrounding area. It offers lovely grassy sites with private ablutions, all within walking distance of the beach, town center and local bars and restaurants. It’s a great place to stay for a few days to wash off the desert sand, re-provision, and to enjoy all the fantastic activities Swakopmund has to offer.

If you're looking for an upgrade from camping, Alte Brücke also offers self-catering chalets.

Campsite Facilities:

• Private ablutions with flushing toilets and hot showers
• 230V AC electrical point in the campsite
• Private barbeque (braai) area
• Restaurant / Bar
• Free WiFi
• High speed 4G/LTE from MTC and TN Mobile also available
• Grassy sites

Main Attractions:

• Swakopmund. Check here for all the interesting and fun activities in Swakopmund
• Close to restaurants and bars
• Day at the beach, although it might not be very sunny
• Various tours and adrenaline activities such as sky diving and quad biking

Omarunga Epupa Falls Campsite

The Epupa Falls are situated on the border between Namibia and Angola, where the Kunene River thunders down a series of cascading waterfalls. The contrast between the lush vegetation, with baobab, palms and fig trees, and the beautiful rock formations stand in strong contrast with the arid landscape of northern Namibia. It’s a truly unique and spectacular region which is well worth a visit.

The Omarunga Epupa Falls Campsite is located on the banks of the Kunene river, just upstream from the beautiful Epupa Falls. From the campsite, you cannot see the falls, but you can hear them thundering down the valley below. Due to its proximity to the falls, it’s very easy to explore them and the surrounding environment on foot.

After covering the 180 km drive from Opuwo (the nearest town) over dusty, sandy and corrugated gravel roads, arriving at this campsite feels like entering a lush and tranquil oasis. The campsites aren’t very large but bamboo fences provide some privacy from neighbours and palm trees create shade on most of them.

Campsite Facilities:

• Shared ablutions with flushing toilets and hot showers
• Washing area for laundry and crockery at the ablutions
• 230V AC electrical points in the campsite, powered by solar and generator. The entire Epupa Falls settlement has no connection to the national grid
• Private barbeque (braai) area
• Running water – a tap in the campsite. Not potable, from the river
• Restaurant / Bar
• WiFi via satellite. Slow, and not free
• 2G/Edge from MTC only. Also slow and not free. Good only for regular phone calls
• Swimming pool

Main Attractions:

• Epupa Falls
• Himba Villages
• Sunset / Sunrise walks
• Disconnecting, relaxing and reading books. Or doing absolutely nothing

Spitzkoppe Community Restcamp

One of my favourite campsites in Namibia is the Spitzkoppe campsite. It is large area with huge granite boulders, peaks and caves, which gave it the name the ‘Matterhorn of Namibia’. Centuries ago, the Spitzkoppe used to be inhabited by the Bushman tribe, who were the first inhabitants of southern Africa. You can still see San rock art in various places between the rocks. At the moment, the Spitzkoppe Rest Camp is run by the local Spitzkoppe community.

What makes camping in Spitzkoppe Rest camp so unique? First of all, the campsite is spread over a big area which will feel like you have the whole place to yourself. It is really quiet, especially at night, and with no light pollution at all. The night sky is mesmerising and is perfect if you love taking photos of stars or just sitting by the campfire and enjoying the captivating beauty of the billions above you.

The campsites have no electricity, no water, no showers and only basic pit latrine toilets, aka ‘long drops’. There are showers available at the reception area, but I would not really count on this, since your campsite can be a few kilometres away from the reception.

Watching the sunset and sunrise is really a must in Spitzkoppe. You can climb on to one of the boulders and just sit there to enjoy the stunning colours of the sun setting or rising behind the horizon. Sitting a bit higher up will give you a better view of the whole area in and around the boulders.

Tip: When climbing the boulders or rocks in the evening to watch the sunset, do take a very good flashlight with you. Once the sun sets it gets really dark, really quick and you may have trouble finding your way back to your campsite. I’ve been there, done that and yes, got lost. So really keep that in mind (apart from taking care climbing down the rocks). What might be a good idea is to take a GPS with you, after marking the location of your campsite.

Good to know: Since there is no water at the campsites, make sure to take enough with you for drinking, cooking and washing yourself and dishes. You’d be surprised at how little water we actually need to survive. The bushmen didn’t need much at all.

Campsite facilities:

• No electricity in the campsite
• Dry compost toilets
• No water in the campsite
• Hot showers only available at the reception. Be aware that the area is huge and that some campsites are a few kilometres away from the reception area
• MTC has some coverage, maybe if you climb some of the big rocks, or if you have a 20 year old Nokia

Main attractions:

• Stargazing – there is no light pollution and the amount of stars you can see here is really amazing
• Watch the sunrise and the sunset on top of the granite boulders. Do take your flashlight and a GPS to find your way back to your camp because there won’t be a point of reference in the dark
• Enjoy the peace, silence, stars and the amazingly beautiful views
• Bushman painting – San rock art. Be advised that it is currently not possible anymore to visit the rock art by yourself, you will need to go with a guide, which can be organised at the reception.

Quivertree Forest Rest camp, Keetmanshoop

Located on the farm Gariganus only 13 km north of Keetmanshoop, Quivertree Forest Rest camp provides a great overnight stop on the edge of a large Quivertree Forest. The quiver tree (locally also known as the Kokerboom) is endemic to the southern part of Namibia and certain parts of South Africa. In fact, the quiver tree not a tree, but a succulent, who received its name from the bushman who used to hollow out the tubular branches to use as quivers for their arrows.

What makes the Quiver tree forest so unique? During your travels you will see lots of quiver trees dotted in the Namibian landscape, however, the quiver tree forest is the only place with over 250 trees. The place looks really magical, especially during sunset. Hence the reason why an overnight at the Quivertree Forest Restcamp is advised if you love taking photos during sunrise or sunset with the distinctive quiver trees in the background.

The campsite is rather basic and has all the basic facilities to make it a great overnight spot.

Campsite facilities:

• Shaded sites
• Shared ablutions with flushing toilet and hot showers
• Barbeque area on each campsite
• 230V AC electrical point
• WIFI is available at the reception
• MTC coverage

Main attractions:

• Visit the Quiver tree forest
• Visit the Giant’s Playground a few kilometres north of the restcamp
• Feeding the cheetah’s in the enclosure on the property
• Practise your night photography in the Quiver tree forest (has to be pre-arranged with the camp)
• Enjoy watching, but don’t feed the wild meerkats running around the campsite. Please, just don't

Ai-Ais hot springs campsite, Fish River Canyon

Nestled between the rocky hills of the Fish River Canyon at the southern end, the Ai-Ais resort is beautifully located. The resort is famous for its natural hot springs which is really welcoming after spending time on the dusty gravel roads. Outside is a large swimming pool heated with the thermal waters from the hot springs, which is perfect for the cold winter evenings. The main building has some lovely indoor pools with varying water temperatures. It’s a great location to relax and enjoy the healing mineral water.

The resort has rooms available as well as a large camping area. The set-up of the campsite is a gravel oval shape around a large grassy area, on which it is not allowed to camp. It’s a good location to do some hiking, visit the Fish River Canyon, and to stay over to relax for a few days.

Campsite facilities:

• Shared ablutions with flushing toilets and hot showers
• Washing area for laundry and crockery at the ablutions
• 230V AC Electrical point in the campsite
• Private barbeque area
• Picnic table
• Running water – a tap in the campsite
• Restaurant / Bar
• Large swimming pool and relaxing area
• Shop with basic items
• Fuel Station
• Maybe some MTC coverage. We didn't check for WiFi

Main attractions:

• Visit the Fish River Canyon viewpoint
• Take a short hike to the end of the canyon, walking distance from the campsite
• Take a healing bath in the thermal water

Amanzi Trails Rivercamp, Noordoewer, on the Orange river

One of the areas that is often skipped by foreign tourists on a visit to Namibia is the area of the Orange river, located in the south on the border with South Africa. It’s a bit off the beaten track of the main highlights of Namibia, but it’s an area we really love to visit. It’s a small green stretch of nature on the river banks overlooking the desert mountains of South Africa and Namibia. It is also an important area for grape farming, which can be seen along the river. The main activity of the area is canoeing and rafting trips on the Orange river ranging from a few hours to multi-day trips.

A canoe trip on the river is so relaxing and so beautiful, while enjoying the nature and listening to the call of the Fish Eagle (the national bird of Namibia). The river also great for swimming and relaxing on the river banks.

Amanzi Rivercamp has 24 pretty large grassy sites, nicely separated providing enough privacy. We love the campsites by the river’s edge which give us an amazing sunrise view from the tent over the Orange river.

Campsite facilities:

• Shared ablutions with flushing toilets and hot showers
• Washing area for laundry and crockery at the ablutions
• 230V AC Electrical point in the campsite
• You might get coverage from MTN and Vodacom South Africa or MTC Namibia
• Private barbeque area
• Non-potable cold running water + kitchen sink in the campsite. Drinking water available at a central tap
• Bar

Main attractions:

• Canoeing trip on the Orange river

Klein-Aus Vista, Aus

Located just outside the small settlement of Aus, Klein-Aus Vista sits in a rugged desert landscape making it arguably one of the most scenic campsites in southern Namibia. Set against granite hills and wide open plains, this peaceful campsite is best known for its proximity to the famous wild desert horses. The campsite offers a quiet, natural setting with beautiful mountain views and starry night skies. Each site is well spaced making it a comfortable yet rustic place to stay.

Klein-Aus Vista is also a perfect stopover for those who want to explore Lüderitz and the ghost town of Kolmanskop on a day trip, as both are about an hour’s drive away. After a day on the coast, you can return to the calm of the desert and enjoy the silence and cooler evening air.

Top tips: The nights here can get surprisingly cold, especially in winter with the chance of snow, so warm clothing and a good sleeping bag are essential. As there is no electricity at the campsite, it’s best to arrive well prepared with charged devices and enough lighting. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to spot the wild horses near the waterholes. There is free albeit very slow WiFi at the main lodge and restaurant, 1.5km away from the campsite. MTC coverage is touch and go.

Campsite facilities:

• Shared ablutions with flushing toilets and hot showers
• Private barbeque area with water tap and table with benches
• No power points
• Limited MTC coverage. No WiFi at the campsite. Limited WiFi at the Desert Horse Inn reception area (1.5 km from the campsite)

Main attractions:

• Watch the wild desert horses near Aus
• Visit the town of Luderitz
• Visit Diaz point on the main peninsula
• Whale watching
• Visit the ghost town of Kolmanskop

Namibs Valley of a Thousand Hills at Gamsberg Pass

Namib's Valley of the Thousand Hills is a rustic campsite with one of the most spectacular, dramatic and fantastic views in Namibia. 

Especially during sunset and sunrise, the campsite offers panoramic views of the Gaub Valley, when the shadows created by the setting and upcoming sun reveal the beautiful 1000 hills of the valley. It’s a perfect place to unwind, relax and marvel at the true beauty of the area.

There are 3 campsites, each with a great view. Just remember, you are there for the view, so the rustic facilities should not be an issue.

Campsite Facilities:

• Private ablutions with flushing toilets and hot showers
• Washing area for laundry and crockery at the ablutions
• No electricity in the campsite. 12V battery/solar for the ablution lights only
• Restaurant / Bar up at the main lodge
• WiFi at the lodge or 4G/LTE from MTC at the campsite. But, you/we are not there for the connectivity, although it was nice to video call family via Whatsapp, sitting at the campsite. Netflix in a place like this?....No, just no
• Swimming pool at the lodge (with a view)

Main Attractions:

• Stargazing
• Valley of the Thousand Hills
• Relaxing and doing absolutely nothing while enjoying the otherworldly view

Map of campsites in Namibia

Click on the red pins to get the exact locations of the various campsites.

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