Etosha National Park

Etosha National Park

There are a couple of things both international tourists and locals regard as top destinations in Namibia and at the top of that list you will find the Etosha National Park. Etosha National Park which can be found in the Kunene region of Namibia spans an area of 22,270 square kilometres and shares boundaries with the regions of Oshana, Oshikoto and Otjozondjupa. The park is unique in that it's most distinctive and dramatic feature, which is even visible from space, is a 4,800 square kilometre pan. The Etosha Pan is a vast, bare, open expanse of shimmering green and white that covers almost a quarter of this beautiful National Park. Easily the largest salt pan in Africa the pan is almost 130 kilometres long and up to 50 kilometres wide in places. But the park is more than just an open salt pan, abundant wildlife congregate around the waterholes, giving visitors almost guaranteed game sightings. The park is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds and reptiles, including several threatened and endangered species such as the black rhinoceros. Being one of the most accessible game reserves in Namibia and Southern Africa means that it is easily reached in a regular vehicle (no 4X4 needed) and that the rest camps provide a range of facilities including restaurants, viewing decks, shops and even petrol stations. Unlike other game parks in Southern Africa, Etosha National Park is a malaria free area.

The country of Namibia is a very diverse and has an array of habitats and vegetation. It is one of the few remaining countries where animals still roam freely mostly unrestricted by human influence. Its habitats include a mix of desert, semi- desert and savannahs. The park itself which is in Northern Namibia offers visitors a complete contrast of wide open grasslands, the massive pan and large camel thorn trees mixed with Mopani trees. It is this diversity that accounts for the abundance of wildlife thriving in the park.

Although well documented, the abundance of game in Etosha National Park still surprises visitors and showcases some of the most common as well as rarest wildlife species. Some of the areas with denser vegetation are home to elephant, the endangered black rhino and even leopard, while the light golden colour of the grasslands camouflage the lions. Tall giraffes rise above most of the parks dry vegetation. The large mammals in Etosha National Park also include wildebeest, cheetah, hyena, mountain and plains zebra, springbok, kudu, gemsbok and eland. Among the smaller species you will find jackal, bat-eared fox, warthog, honey badger and ground squirrel. The park is home to 114 species of mammals. For those whose interest leans more to the winged species, birders will love the park, especially during the rainy season. Good rains bring about change in the area as the salt pan fill with water attracting clouds of flamingos. Over 340 various bird species have been counted in Etosha, and these include some migratory species, such as the European bee-eater which is possibly the most popular sighting. The game reserve is also home to the world's largest bird, the ostrich, and the heaviest flying bird, the kori bustard.

The Etosha Pan is bone dry during the winter or dry months of May to September and the endless white expanse is an unlikely venue for a wildlife sanctuary. The park is a wasteland of white dust which comes from the clay in the pan and bushes along the road turn white as vehicles throw up dust. Yet despite this, the dry season is when many of the animals are concentrated at waterholes and the grass is low, allowing for a better viewing experience. Which means that this is also the time that most of the visitors come to the park to enjoy the milder climate and increased wildlife at the waterholes. It is important to remember that the Etosha National Park is immensely popular, and advanced booking is recommended. Summer in the park is something completely different as heavy rains often turn the dry dusty Etosha National Park into a lush green oasis. This time of year means life in the park for new born animals as well as birdlife. This also means that driving in the park can get a lot trickier as the roads can be flooded. This is when having an equipped vehicle will make the journey a lot more enjoyable. The increased availability of water also means visitors have to do a lot more driving to view the wildlife as animals tend to keep clear of the once active waterholes that posed such dangers during the dry season.

The park sees a large number of keen photographers visiting, photographers who are looking to enhance their skills as well as their portfolio. During the winter months, the waterholes offer a unique opportunity to sit and wait for your subjects to come to you. The landscapes and the vast Etosha pan are always highlights for any photographer.