In the vast semi-arid area of north central Namibia lies one of Africa’s best wildlife sanctuaries. Known locally as ‘the great white place’ and famous for the sheer numbers of animals that congregate around the numerous waterholes, Etosha National Park is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and despite the dry conditions, also for ornithologists. For such a dry and parched land the amount of animals found here often surprises and it’s not uncommon to witness predators and their prey lazing by the same waterhole in an apparent truce in an effort to quench their thirst. Common sightings include predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, as well as black & white rhino and the lesser well known, but equally fascinating black-faced impala (endemic to Etosha) and Damara dik dik, the smallest antelope in Africa.
Stretching some 22,000km², Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s largest parks, and is bigger than Switzerland giving some idea of the sheer size of this conservation area. Within Etosha National Park you will find the Etosha Pan, a salt pan so large it can be seen from space. The pan once a large lake but now dry does occasionally fill during the rainy season and becomes a breeding ground for migrating flamingos, another fascinating site to see.
The accessibility of the park, and the infrastructure makes it an ideal place for both self-drives and privately guided safaris and the selection of rest camps within and surrounding the park gates offer everything from budget campsites to mid-range accommodation to more upmarket luxury accommodation, both inside and just outside the park. The added benefit of staying at one of the 6 camps inside the park includes the floodlit waterholes that allow for wildlife viewing throughout the night, making those camps/lodges inside the park incredibly popular. For those that wish to stay inside the park, particularly during the peak season (July – October) we recommend booking well in advance in order to secure your first choice of camp/lodge.
