Etosha National Park is Namibia’s greatest wildlife sanctuary, home to excellent big game viewing, a 5,000km² salt pan and some of the tallest elephants in Africa.
Etosha National Park is Namibia’s greatest wildlife sanctuary, home to excellent big game viewing, a 5,000km² salt pan and some of the tallest elephants in Africa.
Etosha National Park is the greatest wildlife sanctuary in Namibia, spanning 22, 270 km² of wildlife-rich territory in the north-west of the country. Etosha National Park gets its name from Etosha Pan, which covers almost 25% of the total area of the park. The name Etosha comes from an Oshindonga word meaning great white place.
The Salt Pans at Etosha are the most noticeable geological feature of the park. The pans cover an area of about 5, 000 km² and the salinity of the pan mean limited life can survive here. The rest of the park is characterised by mopane woodlands, acacia trees and shrub savannah.
Wildlife at Etosha is surprisingly abundant and varied, despite the harsh climate. Etosha’s elephants are some of the tallest in Africa and both black and white rhino can be seen in the park. Lion, leopard, cheetah and caracal are all commonly seen, as well as jackal, bat-eared fox, hyena, warthog, giraffe, zebra, gemsbok and more. Birders should visit in the rainy season, when more than 340 bird species can be seen, including huge flocks of flamingos.
The climate in Etosha National Park is typical of a savannah desert region, with warm, dry winters and extremely hot summers. Although the dry season is considered the best time of year to visit for a game viewing safari, the rainy season brings with it new born animals and lots of birdlife. The park is also entirely malaria-free and accessible in a regular sedan car in the dry season.
All of the safari camps and lodges inside Etosha National Park are managed by Namibia Wildlife Resorts and range from high-end, luxury establishments to more down-to-earth, family-friendly options. There is also a selection of restaurants, shops and petrol stations within the park. Etosha is immensely popular in high season, and we recommend you book as far in advance as possible.
An amazing adventure and fantastic experience seeing so many magnificent animals up close. The accommodation exceeded…
