| Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park is one of the world's pre-eminent wildlife areas.
Etosha was proclaimed as Namibia’s first conservation area in 1907. 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. It is still one of the largest game reserves in
Africa!
A vast area on Namibia's central plateau, the park's focal point is the Etosha
Pan - a flat saline desert, 130 km long by 50km at it’s widest in the
eastern sector of the park.
The Pan itself is believed to have originated over 12 million years ago
as a shallow lake fed by the Kunene River. Subsequent climatic and tectonic
changes have since lowered the water level so that the pan only holds water
for a brief period each year - it teems with flamingos and pelicans in the
summer. The saline and mineral residues together with moisture from perennial
springs attract an immense number and variety of game and birds from mid March
into November just before the new wet season starts.
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, 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 diminutive Damara dik-dik. Smaller mammals include jackal,
bat-eared fox, honey badger, warthog and the ubiquitous ground squirrel.
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Around 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 lappet faced, 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. During the rainy
season, especially, the bird life at the main pan and Fisher’s pan is worth
viewing.
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.
Despite the massive size of Etosha, only the southern edge of the pan is
accessible to casual visitors. 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.
Etosha can now also be entered from the north-central Owambo regions. The Nehale
lya Mpingana Gate, located on the Andoni plains just north of the Andoni
waterhole, was opened during 2001. Traffic in and out of the gate is managed
on the same basis as at the Andersson and Von Lindequist gates, although the
entry and exit times are different.
There are 3 rest camps within the park namely Okaukuejo, Halali
and Namutoni. An extensive network of roads links the campsites with
over 30 water holes in the central and eastern region. Each of the three
resorts has its own distinctive character and atmosphere. Each has a floodlit
waterhole where wildlife can be viewed throughout the day and night.
Particular points of interest include:
- Andoni (the northern most waterhole) - excellent birds
- Namutoni - the former imperial German fort, a good view from the
ramparts and tower
- Klein Namutoni waterhole - the best place to see black-faced impala
- Fischer's Pan (near Namutoni) - excellent birds, good for springbok and
wildebeest
- Bloubokdraai road - good for Damara dik-dik (Africa's smallest antelope)
- Chudob waterhole (near Namutoni) - especially good for eland and giraffe
- Batia (between Halali and Namutoni - near Springbokfontein) - elephant,
blue wildebeest and springbok
- Halali - well shaded camp site in an area of dolomite outcrops
- The Charitsaub, Salvadora/Sueda waterhole cluster (between Halali and
Okaukuejo) - excellent for plains game
- Oliphantsbad (near Okaukuejo) - excellent for elephant
- Okaukuejo ("the place of the women") - site of the Etosha
Research Station, a good place for black rhino under the floodlights at
night, has a good view from the water tower across to the
Ondundozonananandana Mountains
- The Haunted Forest (near Okaukuejo) - a forest of legendary Moringa
trees (Moringa ovalifolia)
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.
Please note that once outside of the rest camps, visitors may not vacate their
vehicles.
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