Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism announced the commencement of the long-awaited upgrade of the road between Okaukuejo and King Nehale Gate in Etosha National Park.
The project aims to transform the heavily used gravel route into a low-volume sealed road, enhancing access and safety for visitors to the iconic wildlife sanctuary.
According to a statement released by the Ministry on Tuesday, the initial phase of the upgrade will focus on the first 20 kilometres from Okaukuejo, with construction scheduled from 23 April to 30 November.
During this period, traffic between Okaukuejo and Halali will be redirected via the Gemsbokvlakte road to maintain game viewing opportunities and minimise disruption to the visitor experience.
The Ministry also advised that the Okaukuejo gate towards Halali will be closed for the duration of the project.
Tourists, visitors, and service providers were urged to follow posted road signs, adhere to speed limits, and exercise caution around construction vehicles.
“We appreciate the cooperation and understanding of all our tourists, visitors and service providers in this regard, and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause,” the statement said.
The road upgrade comes in response to mounting concerns over the deteriorating condition of the Etosha National Park’s internal roads.
Tour operators and car rental companies have for years voiced frustration over the state of the gravel roads, particularly the stretch from Okaukuejo to Namutoni.
The poor road conditions have led some operators to announce a few months ago that they are withdrawing their vehicles from the park to avoid damage.
At the time, the ministry deployed graders to improve the roads connecting Halali to Namutoni, Okaukuejo to Halali, and Namutoni to King Nehale Gate.
The ministry indicated that the targeted sections for this upgrade include the roads from Okaukuejo through Halali and Namutoni to King Nehale Gate.
Since 2018, the Ministry has successfully upgraded more than 200 kilometres of Etosha’s western roads from Okaukuejo to Galton Gate, completing this project in March 2024.
Tourists currently visiting Etosha are encouraged to consider alternative scenic routes from Okaukuejo to Halali via Gemsbokvlakte, Olifantsbad, and Aus for smoother travel.
The ministry apologised in advance for any inconvenience caused by the project to upgrade the various roads and assured both visitors and operators that the situation is viewed as a priority.
As the upgrade progresses, the Ministry has pledged to keep the public informed of any changes to the current arrangements. Visitors are advised to stay updated through official channels and to plan their travel accordingly.
