Most people either stay just outside the Park at one of the comfortable lodges near the eastern or southern gates, or at one of the rest camps inside the Park operated by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. 

The lodges neighbouring the Park undoubtedly offer a more comfortable and luxurious experience than the rest camps in the Park, which are basic and generally in desperate need of some paint and new furniture.

As these lodges are generally within a half-hour drive of the gates, it is possible to spend as much time game-viewing during the day as you would if you were staying overnight in the Park.

A couple of these lodges are also private game reserves in their own right. They offer game drives on their own properties (which have similar wildlife to Etosha, but because the land is privately owned, you can go off-road to get unbelievably close to the animals), as well as guided trips into the Park.