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Image by JP Desvigne

VISIT
ETOSHA

Home / Namibia destinations / Etosha National Park

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ABOUT

Situated in northwestern Namibia, the Etosha National Park offers a premier game viewing experience. The park’s diverse vegetation ranges from dense bush to open plains attracting a variety of wildlife. Located in the heart of the park is the Etosha Pan - a shallow depression that covers an area of 5000 square kilometres. Dry and shimmering for most of the year, the pans fill up with water after seasonal rains, making it the perfect habitat for wildlife. In the dry season, the wildlife is attracted to the perennial springs and waterholes that makes for excellent game viewing. Visitors can look forward to world-class game viewing including a variety of large mammals such as lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, zebra, giraffe, a diversity of birdlife such as flamingoes and pelicans.

Image by S Gensicke

QUICK FACTS​

  • Etosha means "Great white place " named after the white salt pan.

  • First proclaimed a game reserve in 1907.

  • Home to a massive pan that can be seen from space.

  • It is the largest salt pan in Africa.

  • The pan covers 23% of the surface area of the national park.

  • In a good rain season the pan fills with water draining southwards from Angola.

  • The park hosts 114 mammal species and 340 bird species

  • Four of the Big Five are present, with only buffalo absent. 

  • One of the largest game reserves in Africa.

  • Gates are open from sunrise to sunset.

WHAT TO DO IN ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

  • Go on a guided or self-drive safari.

  • Spend some time at waterholes counting how many species you can see.

  • Some lodges have hides, making it a must do for photographers.

  • Visit Okaukuejo & Namutoni. 

  • Camp in the park at designated campsites. These campsites are only available at Namibia Wildlife Resorts.

  • Go on a safari in private game reserves.

  • Visit Lake Otjikoto on your way to Etosha.

Image by Alan J. Hendry

ACCOMMODATION IN AND AROUND ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

There are only a limited number of lodges inside the park. Several private reserves border the boundaries of the park with short driving distances to enter the park. The gates are open from sunrise until sunset for people staying outside the park. For those staying at lodges inside, you can start your safari 30 minutes before sunrise. A very popular route is to enter the park on the western side and exit on the eastern side. You can explore the park on a self-drive safari or make use of one of the lodges to go on a guided game drive.

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See below for accommodation in and around Etosha National Park

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