Etosha National Park is one of the first places we include on an Namibian itinerary. At a staggering 22,270 square kilometers, it is one of the largest National Parks in Africa
- Large salt pan and many watering holes for great game viewing
- Over 380 species of birds, 114 mammals and 110 reptiles
- World famous for its exceptionally good plains game
- Ecology varies from salt pan to woodlands with many species
- Exclusive luxury lodges, night game drives, and bush walks
At a shade over 22,000 sq km Etosha National Park is the fourth largest game park in Africa. Jam-packed with wildlife, it is the shining gem in Namibia’s crown. Salt pans form the heart of the park and these are surrounded by sparse scrubs and grassy plains that become hilly mopane woodlands as you move away from the pans. Etosha Pans covers nearly a fifth of the park and is fringed with natural springs that attract a cross section of African wildlife from the diminutive – and endemic – Damara Dik Dik to the magnificent elephant.
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If you want to see
wildlife in Namibia then you have to include Etosha National Park into your itinerary. It was proclaimed a National Park by the Germans in 1907, at a time it became as big as 80,000 sq km , the biggest game reserve in the World. However by 1975, this had been reduced to 22,270 sq km.
Consisting of saline desert, savannah and woodlands, its definitive feature is the Etosha Pan, a vast, shallow depression of approximately 5000 km square. For the greater part of the year the pan is a bleak expanse of white, cracked mud which, on most days, shimmers with mirages. Seeing vast herds of game against this eerie backdrop, referred to as the ‘ great white place of dry water’, makes the Etosha game viewing experience unique.
Of the 114 mammal species found in the park, several are rare and endangered, such as black rhino, cheetah and black faced impala. Other large mammals in
Etosha National Park include giraffe, blue wildebeest, mountain and plains zebra, hyena and lion. Cheetah and Leopard complete the trio of big cats. Antelope species range from kudu, gemsbok and the large and stately eland, to the tiny Damara dik dik . Smaller mammals include jackal, bat eared foxes, honey badger and warthog.
About 340 bird species occur in
Etosha, about one third being migratory, including the European Bee-eater. Larger birds include Ostrich, Kori Bustard, Greater and Lesser Flamingoes, tens of thousands of which congregate on the pans during the rainy season. Raptors are common and include Lappet faced, White Backed and Hooded Vultures, whilst sightings of the Cape, Egyptian and Palmnut Vultures have been recorded. There are eight species of owl in Etosha including Pearlspotted, White Faced and four species of night jar.
There are a number of
private reserves adjacent to the
Etosha National Park. These include
Ongava Private Game Reserve and
Onguma Private Game Reserve, the distinct advantage of staying at one of these reserves is the ability to partake in night game drives as well as bush walks with trained guides. Accommodation is excellent and offers the discerning some of the most luxurious lodging in Namibia. Our favourite private camps include
Onguma Tented Camp,
Little Ongava Camp &
Ongava Lodge.
