Construction of new main road through Etosha progressing

At the end of February, work on the new main road through Etosha National Park will extend 47 kilometers from the Okaukuejo rest camp. This came out of a press release from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT). The existing gravel road is being completely rebuilt and asphalted.

Visitors to Etosha National Park experience this by driving an extended detour. From 1 February, those coming from Okaukuejo will no longer be able to rejoin the main road at the Ondongab waterhole, but only near Homob.

From 26 February, the diversion will continue further east. It will cross the main road and follow the small road to Sueda, Salvadora and Charitsaub. Only at the end of this small road will it rejoin the main route – 47 km from Okaukuejo.

Extended detour (blue) from 1 February 2026, on the route between the Okaukuejo and Halali rest camps in Etosha National Park in northern Namibia. The closed section of the main road is marked red. Map: Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT)

Extended detour (blue) from 26 February 2026, on the route between the Okaukuejo and Halali rest camps in Etosha National Park in northern Namibia. The closed section of the main road is marked red. Map: Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT)

47 km of the 214 km road through Etosha

The gravel road on the main route between the Okaukuejo and Namutoni rest camps was no longer able to cope with the increasing traffic. Tour guides and visitors complained about washed-out sections and potholes.

Road construction work began in April last year (see report by Namibian.org). The 47 km section represents just under a quarter of the 214 km total distance. It runs from Okaukuejo via Halali and Namutoni to the King Nehale Gate, which is located on the north-eastern border of Etosha National Park.

Initially, a 20 km section from Okaukuejo to the Ondongab waterhole was closed. The signposted diversion has since led in an arc to the south and past the Gemsbokvlakte waterhole.

Since then, it has not been possible to reach the popular Newbrowni and Kapupuhedi waterholes, 8 km and 17 km east of the Okaukuejo rest camp. The closure was scheduled to last until 30 November. MEFT did not announce when the section would be completed and reopened to traffic.