Experience Etosha, an iconic wildlife sanctuary

Etosha National Park in the heart of Namibia, is a 22 912km² wildlife haven. It incorporates the shimmering mirage-like Etosha Pan, which fills with water in years of abundance and gives the distinctive chalky-white character to the Park. The pan was formed 120 million years ago when continental drift changed the slope of the land and redirected the course of the ancient rivers, which dried up over time.

© HerbapatiStyle

Abundant wildlife

Etosha boasts 114 mammal species from elephant giants and the king of the animal world to the diminutive Damara dik-dik. It also has over 340 species of birds, including thousands of flamingos, which respond to the call of the rain and travel hundreds of kilometres to nest in the pans. Established as a game reserve in 1907 in the aftermath of big game hunters, Etosha National Park is now a flourishing wildlife sanctuary, home to an abundance of animals including black rhino, roan antelope and the indigenous black-faced impala.

Legendary

Etosha is often referred to as ‘Place of Mirages’, ‘Place of Dry Water’ or ‘Great White Place’, lauding its special character. It is a place that harbours legends and inspires stories. According to Bushman lore, a lake was formed from the tears of a woman mourning the death of her family after her village was raided. When the lake dried up, the large white pan remained.

© HerbapatiStyle

Hopscotch from waterhole to waterhole

A series of waterholes are conveniently dotted throughout the Park, easily accessible from the main route along the pan. Hop from waterhole to waterhole, where you can sit for hours observing unrivalled wildlife scenarios as animals approach the water.

Fairytale forests

Thriving amongst the variety of vegetation found in Etosha – grassland and dwarf-shrub, thornbush and woodland savannah, is one of Africa’s most intriguing trees, the moringa tree or sprokiesboom. The thick-stemmed tree grows on rocky hillsides and reaches up enchantingly into the true blue Namibian sky.

Camps

Each of Etosha’s three main camps has its own character and charm: Okaukuejo is a large and bustling camp with a well-frequented waterhole, Halali is surrounded by mopane savannah with a waterhole set below a craggy outcrop of rock, while Namutoni, a historic fort, is an ideal base for forays to Fischer’s Pan during the rainy season.

© Mikkel Beiter

When to visit

Each season reveals its own beauty. Dry winter months mid-year are considered prime animal viewing time when wildlife flocks to the waterholes, while the most promising birding months are at the beginning of the year during the rains. Expect the unexpected and be open to surprises any time of the year.

Fascinating facts

When Game Reserve No 2 (what we call Etosha today) was proclaimed in 1907, it was a vast area of ±80 000km², which stretched inland from the Skeleton Coast.

The Etosha pan extends over 5 000 km².

Etosha is the traditional home of the Hai//om people.

Traveller’s tips

The gates open at sunrise and close at sunset, times which change according to the season.

Look in the ‘Animal Sightings’ book to check for recent sightings.

Although it appears to be a short distance, it can take the entire day (or more) to travel through the Park.

Etosha is not regarded as a malaria area.

Food is available at Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni, each of which has its own restaurant and shop.

Fuel is available at all three camps.

Bathroom facilities are dotted through the park as are fenced-off picnic sites.

Stay in your vehicle at all times and keep noise levels down when at the waterholes.

Give right of way to animals.

Savour the special Etosha experience. 

Author: Ron Swilling

© Geena Visagie, Gondwana Collection

Do you feel like exploring Etosha National Park?

Contact the Gondwana Travel Centre to plan your trip.

travel@gcnam.com