Dolomite Resort: Namibia Wildlife Resorts in Western Etosha

Dolomite Resort is one of six Namibia Wildlife Resorts camps inside Etosha National Park. It sits on a dolomite ridge in the park’s remote western sector. Guests arrive either through Galton Gate, the newest of Etosha’s four entrance gates, or along the in-park road from Okaukuejo.

What Makes Dolomite Resort Different

Dolomite opened in 2011 as the first camp in western Etosha, an area previously closed to the public. It takes its name from the dolomite formations around it. At least 15 waterholes lie in the vicinity of the camp. Both black and white rhino are often seen at Klippan waterhole, about 15 minutes’ drive west of camp. Within Etosha, the west is also the main area for two regional specialities: Hartmann’s mountain zebra and the black-faced impala. The black-faced impala is found in the wild only in north-western Namibia and south-western Angola, and roughly half the world’s population lives in Etosha. To find out more about what other wildlife can be spotted in Etosha see our Etosha wildlife guide. The mopane bush here is thicker than on the open plains around Okaukuejo, so finding game can take more patience. In return, there are fewer vehicles on the roads.

Accommodation at Dolomite Resort

Dolomite Resort has 20 elevated chalets built of timber and canvas under thatched roofs. They are spread along the dolomite ridge and linked by wooden walkways and steps. Seventeen are Bush Chalets with two beds. The other three are Deluxe Chalets, each with a double bed and a private deck with a plunge pool, sun loungers and a daybed. Every chalet has an en-suite bathroom and mosquito nets over the beds. Most have a private deck, with some facing the sunrise and others looking out over the plains, depending on their position on the ridge. Children of all ages are welcome, but the camp is unfenced and built on a steep, rocky hillside, so young children need close supervision. Stays are booked on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis, with meals served in the camp restaurant.

Location & Getting There

Dolomite Resort can be reached in two ways. From the west, enter through Galton Gate, about 43 km from camp. From inside the park, drive the in-park road from Okaukuejo. There is no fuel at Galton Gate or at Dolomite, so fill up in Kamanjab or at Okaukuejo beforehand. Visitors must be in camp by sunset, and the Okaukuejo route takes at least three hours at Etosha’s 60 km/h speed limit, so leave early. A rented 4×4 is recommended for the drive, or the camp can be included as part of a wider guided Namibian safari.

• Swakopmund: 519km (about 6h-6h30min drive).
• Kamanjab: 111km (about 1h30min drive).
• Khorixas: 219km (about 3h drive).
• Etosha – Galton Gate: 43.5km (about 45min drive).
• Etosha – Okaukuejo Resort: 188km (about 3h drive).

Activities & Experiences

• Guided game drives: morning, afternoon and night drives run from camp at an extra cost.
• Night drives: self-drive visitors must be in camp from sunset to sunrise, so a guided night drive is the only way to see the park after dark.
• Self-drive game viewing: during the day, most guests drive themselves between the waterholes near camp.
• First-day tip: a guided drive early in your stay helps you learn which waterholes are worth returning to.
• Birdwatching: more than 160 bird species have been recorded around Dolomite.
• Plant life: the seasonal flowers on Dolomite Hill are a highlight for plant enthusiasts.

Nearby Attractions

Dolomite is easy to reach from Damaraland and Kaokoland, which makes it a natural stop on a north-western Namibia route. On the in-park road towards Okaukuejo, Olifantsrus Camp lies about 61 km from Dolomite Resort, and its two-storey hide overlooking a waterhole makes a worthwhile stop. Within Etosha, see our full breakdown of accommodation inside the national park for how Dolomite compares to Okaukuejo, Halali, Namutoni, Onkoshi and Olifantsrus. Our Etosha waterholes guide will help you plan game drives once you’re inside, and our Etosha travel tips guide covers what to pack.