Chameleon Holidays & Travel for Safaris & Vacations in Africa | Southern Africa | Namibia | Etosha National Park

Todays' Etosha National Park was proclaimed as Namibia's first conservation area in 1907 by the then German government. With subsequent additions it became the largest game reserve in the world, covering a vast area of 93 240 km2. For political considerations its size was progressively diminished, until by 1975 it had been reduced to its present surface area of 22 270 km2. Nevertheless, it is still one of the largest game reserves in Africa.

Consisting of saline desert, savannah and woodlands, its definitive feature is the Etosha Pan, a vast, shallow depression of approximately 5 000 km2. 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 in the local vernacular as the ‘great white place of dry water’, makes the  Etosha game-viewing experience unique.

Of the 114 mammals species found in the park, several are rare and endangered, such as black rhino, cheetah and black-faced impala. The latter is endemic to north-western Namibia and south-western Angola. Etosha’s current population of more than 600 black rhino represents one of the few growing populations of black rhino in the world. Other large mammals in the park include giraffe, blue wildebeest, mountain and plains zebra, hyaena 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 diminutive Damara dik-dik. Smaller mammals include jackal, bat-eared fox, honey badger, warthog and the ubiquitous ground squirrel.

About 340 bird species occur in Etosha, about one third being migratory, including the European bee-eater and several species of waders. Larger birds include ostrich, kori bustard and greater and lesser flamingo, millions of which congregate on the pan to breed during a good rainy season. Ten of Etosha’s 35 raptor species are migratory. Those most commonly seen are lappetfaced, white-backed and hooded vultures, while sightings of the Cape, Egyptian and Palmnut vultures have been recorded. There are eight species of owl, including pearlspotted and whitefaced, and four species of nightjar.

For the greater part of the year (the dry season) Etosha’s animals and birds are dependent on about 30 springs and waterholes. These provide excellent game viewing and photographic opportunities. A good policy before setting out is to enquire from camp officials what the current game movements are', in each of the rest camps there is a sightings book for you to check.  During the rainy season, especially, the bird life at the main pan and Fischer’s pan is worth viewing. Please note that once outside of the rest camps, visitors may not vacate their vehicles.

Etosha’s vegetation varies from dwarf shrub savannah and grasslands, which occur around the pan, to thornbush and woodland savannah throughout the park. Eighty per cent of all Etosha’s trees are mopane. West of Okaukuejo is the well-known Sprokieswoud, Phantom or Fairy Forest, the only location where the African moringa tree, Moringa ovalifolia, grows in a flat area.

Etosha is open throughout the year and is accessible by tarred roads via the Andersson Gate in the central southern section and the Von Lindequist Gate in the east. Each of Etosha’s three resorts, Okaukuejo in the centre of the park, Namutoni in the east and Halali halfway between the two, has its own distinctive character and atmosphere. Each has a floodlit waterhole where wildlife can be viewed throughout the day and night.

NOTE: Visitors to Etosha should approach and depart from waterholes as slowly and as quietly as possible, so as not to disturb the game. Loud conversation not only disturbs the animals, but annoys serious game viewers. It is especially important not to disturb the peace and quiet of night game viewing at floodlit waterholes at the resorts.