The lure of Etosha is powerful; a massive mineral pan that covers more than 22 000 square kilometres and was formed around 100 million years ago dominates the National Park. You cannot leave Namibia without visiting this fascinating place. The Park is home to 114 mammal species, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species, 16 amphibian species and the shocker in this arid land, one species of fish!
Locals will tell you the San legend about how the Etosha Pan was formed – a village raided, the men folk killed off and one woman so bereaved that she cried rivers forming a lake, when this dried up nothing was left but the salt of her tears. However, just to be factual, the pan was originally a lake fed by the Kunene River and when the course of the river changed the lake dried up leaving the very large depression of salt and dusty clay. Occasionally during heavy rains the pan will fill with water attracting thousands of wading birds including the beautiful flamingo. You might prefer the legend as it makes for a better story!
You will take home many fantastical stories from the Etosha area, the magnificent game sightings you enjoyed, the opportunities to watch animals such as rhino, lions, elephant and giraffe in their natural habitat from just a few metres away and getting up with the sun and the wild inhabitants of the park to greet the day around the waterhole.
The best time to visit here is from May to September during the cooler months. There are many luxury lodges built around the outskirts of the Park allowing you to gain a full experience of the area with frequent visits into the park, its rest camps and waterholes. Game viewing is not the only reason to visit the Etosha area; the indigenous vegetation is also quite striking and trees such as the African moringa (ghost tree) and the red bushwillow are worth looking out for. Whichever luxury lodge you choose to stay at; guided game drives into the park will be arranged, there are no guided safaris offered by the park itself. Know that when you see elephants here you are looking at the largest of their kind in Africa, the tallest measured so far are close to four metres high, a good reason to not get out of your car besides the presence of cheetah, leopards and lions! A visit to the Etosha area will leave you longing to come back again and again.
The Etosha Region is best known for:
Etosha National Park
The Etosha National Park is one of the most populated game reserves in Africa. See the Big 5 up close as you drive through in 4x4 vehicles and stop off at the various watering holes. Lions, rhinoceros, elephants, zebras, wildebeest and the elegant giraffe have all claimed this region as their home. Stay at one of the luxury lodges on land adjacent to the Park and experience the guided tours into this amazing place.
Off the beaten track:
Dine with Kings
One of several traditional ‘kingdoms’ still in existence today in northern Namibia is the Uukwaluudhi Empire led by King Shikongo Josea Taapopi. His former residence in the vicinity of Tsandi is open to visitors with a guided tour through the royal abode; the guide will explain the royal family’s tradition and history, their values and rituals. If you pre-book you can also experience the traditional dishes of the area and be entertained with dance performances.
Visit the Baobab Trees
The Tsandi region, just north of Etosha National Park, is home to several famous Baobab trees. ‘King Nashilongo’s Baobab’ was this kings’ office during his reign, ‘Sir Howard’s Baobab’ was named in honour of the first South African administrator of the region and the ‘Ombalantu Baobab’ in Uutapi has served as both a post office and a chapel in its lifetime! It is easier to find the trees if you take a local guide along with you.
