Etosha National Park ranks as one of the world’s great wildlife-viewing areas. Its unique nature is encapsulated by the vast Etosha pan – an immense, flat saline desert that, for a few days each year, is converted by the rains into a shallow lagoon teeming with flamingos and pelicans. In contrast, the surrounding bush and grasslands provide habitat for Etosha’s diverse wildlife. And what wildlife there is – if you’ve had a taste for African wildlife watching previously, you are likely to be completely overwhelmed by it here.
Unlike many other parks in Africa, where you can spend days looking for animals across the plains, one of Etosha’s charms is its ability to bring the animals to you. Just park next to one of the many waterholes, wait with bated breath and watch while a host of animals – lions, elephants, springboks, oryx, etc. – come by, not two by two but in the hundreds.
Etosha is completely unique in Namibia and indeed in Southern Africa: the desolate nature of the pan, the low-cut landscapes, and, of course, the waterholes mean that wildlife viewing is some of the easiest and most abundant on the continent. It’s also one of the best places to spot the highly endangered black rhino in southern Africa, and you can do it from the relative ease of the waterholes right next to the camps.
Unlike many other parks in Africa, where you can spend days looking for animals across the plains, one of Etosha’s charms is its ability to bring the animals to you. Just park next to one of the many waterholes, wait with bated breath and watch while a host of animals – lions, elephants, springboks, oryx, etc. – come by, not two by two but in the hundreds.
Etosha is completely unique in Namibia and indeed in Southern Africa: the desolate nature of the pan, the low-cut landscapes, and, of course, the waterholes mean that wildlife viewing is some of the easiest and most abundant on the continent. It’s also one of the best places to spot the highly endangered black rhino in southern Africa, and you can do it from the relative ease of the waterholes right next to the camps.
At a glance
Why you should visit
Etosha ranks among the best parks in Southern Africa for wildlife spotting, due to the vast open plains, the salt pan and the abundance and large variety of animal species that are found here. At least two full days of wildlife watching are recommended to have sufficient time to explore this huge park.
Our favourite time to visit
Many travel guides recommend visiting Etosha between July and October, purely because it is seemingly easier to spot wildlife during this dry season. Unfortunately, this is also the main tourist season and the park can get uncomfortably crowded and the air is usually dusty and hazy during these months.
Visiting Etosha between April and June has the advantage of clear air, and, more importantly, far less visitors. This part of the year is after the rainy season, many animals have offspring, which makes for spectacular wildlife watching and animals are equally easy to spot at the many waterholes through-out the park.
