Omaruru sits well south-west of Etosha, closer to the Erongo Mountains than to any of the park's gates, and is used mainly by travellers combining Etosha with Namibia's central and coastal regions, such as Swakopmund or the Erongo highlands, rather than as a direct springboard into the park. It is a pleasant, small town with an arts and crafts scene and a good spread of guest farms and lodges set among granite hills and mopane woodland, making it a worthwhile stop in its own right rather than purely a stopover. Because the drive from Omaruru to Andersson Gate takes several hours, it works best as part of a longer, multi-region itinerary rather than a base for daily Etosha game drives. Many properties here focus on their own wildlife and scenery, including rock formations and Namibia's famous night skies, giving guests plenty to do before or after their time in Etosha. This makes Omaruru a good choice if you are travelling between the coast and the park and want to break the journey somewhere with character. For general route planning, see our self-drive guide, and consider Outjo or Otjiwarongo if you want a base nearer the southern gate.
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