Etosha National Park

Visited: Aug. 2024 Reviewed: Oct. 07, 2024 Submitted in:

This massive park is a must see. Being semi-arid, animals tend to congregate around artificial and natural waterholes making it relatively easier to spot them. Having visited Etosha National Park several times, it does not disappoint, and it is accessible all year round even during Namibia’s rainy season. It is worth exploring all corners of the park, north, south, west and eastern parts. Different vegetation types implies different animals and congregations around the waterholes.

One of Nature Travel Namibia’s guides who loves exploring the Etosha National Park writes the following review about this spectacular Namibian National Park: "In my opinion, Etosha is one of Africa’s greatest National Parks. It covers more than 20,000 km2, is one of the world's great wildlife-viewing venues. The Etosha Pan, meaning “ The Great White Place”, is believed to be formed over 100 million years ago and it is 130km’s long and up to 50km’s wide, which covers a quarter of the whole park. The dramatic open landscapes with the white soil from the Etosha pan set a scene that only a photographer can dream of. The sheer vastness of the Park and its great diversity make for an awesome safari. In all of my visits to the park I have yet to be disappointed. Etosha known as the great white place really has something for everyone. From the majestic big cats like Lion, Leopard and of course Cheetah. By the way probably one of the best places in Southern Africa to see the beautiful Cheetah. Large herds of Zebra, with both Burchell’s and Hartmann’s Zebra occurring-the only place in the world where this is possible. Large herds Elephants roam the massive park and the experience of seeing these large gentle giants coming down to drink is breath-taking. Antelope are abundant with Oryx (Gemsbok), Springbok, Kudu, Impala, Black-faced Impala (endemic to Etosha), Blue Wildebeest, Damara Dik-dik( Endemic), Eland, and Red Haartebeest being some of the species seen over my trips to the Park. Etosha is home to both White and Black Rhino and in my experience from travelling all across the continent it’s the best place to see the rare and endangered Black Rhino. Other special sightings I have had in the park have been: Caracal, Serval, brown Hyena, Bat eared Fox and Honey Badger. This park is truly amazing and a must for any wild life enthusiast. The park also offers some amazing birding for the twitchers, with just over 380 bird species recorded in the Park, some of the highlight on my trips have been: Blue Crane, Secretarybird, Red-necked Falcon, Kori Bustard, Burchell’s Sandgrouse, Monteiro’s Hornbill, Bradfield’s Hornbill, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Violet Wood Hoopoe, Barred Wren Warbler, Caspian Plover, numerous Larks, Double-banded Courser and Rufous-eared Warbler to name a few. I have had many visits to this amazing national Park and I can assure you, that you won’t be disappointed."

I visited Etosha a few years ago and it was totally memorable. The park is very flat and you can see animals for miles, most were around the huge salt pan inside the park which is incredible to see. We stayed in a tented camp just outside the park close to the Anderson Gate. We spent a few days driving around the park and there was never any time that we did not see animals, big or small, especially lots and lots of field game. My favourite animal is the giraffe, and the park did not disappoint for me to see. many Giraffe's. Also not very crowded and you can drive around at ease. Definitely recommend going with a qualified and experienced game ranger in a 4x4 game vehicle who is able to give you lots of insights.

I’m often asked why Etosha holds such a special place in my heart? I could say that it is the chance to view vast numbers of wildlife species drinking together, the stark arid landscape or the camps’ floodlit waterholes that put on nightly spectacles, but really I think it is the countless photo opportunities. There is nowhere quite like Etosha for imagery. I’m not sure whether it’s the light or the dust or a combination of both, but the park gives endless opportunities to capture that perfect wildlife image. It doesn’t seem to matter what season you visit, the results are the same – unique photographs taken in perfect light in pristine landscapes. I’ve been photographing wildlife now for nearly 20 years in Etosha. Just when I think I’ve taken the ultimate shot an even better one is waiting for me next time.

If we had to explain Namibia in a few words, it would be a photographer's dream. On a recent trip to Sossusvlei, Damarland and Etosha National Park we were left dumbfounded once again by this country's amazing natural beauty. Etosha National Park, specifically, has some amazing lodges with spotlit waterholes where you can spend your day, and night, watching animals in their natural environment.

Etosha National Park offers unequal wildlife sightings and it's a definite 'must-see' for visitors to Namibia! During my journeys through the park I experienced very close, yet undisturbed encounters with animals: a female leopard with two small cubs sunbathing in the middle of the main road in the early morning sun (caution to all who exceed speed limits in the park!), springbok giving birth next to pride of lions, over 60 elephants crossing the road right in front of the car, huge male lion sunbathing on the main road, giraffe (unfortunately) struck by a lightning, leopard with its kill on the tree right next to the road, 3-days mating lions' session at one of the waterholes and 16 lionesses and a male hunting in the plains of the park! Just to name a few! I highly recommend visit to the park, as one of the best wildlife experiences!

This was our first safari and visit to Namibia, we drove throughout the country and had no idea how to visit the game park, we simply rented a saloon car which I will not recommend, of course! We felt very small...the wildlife was amazing and we saw a great variety of game including lions. Safaris in Namibia are unlike other places. Etosha is huge and not crowded, you feel the wildlife environment. I will always remember the stunning landscapes, white dust lands, and quiet sunsets. Lodges we stayed in were quite comfortable and Namibians are such sweet people. I definitely recommend a truly different experience in Namibia.

My camping in Etosha was set up at Halali near waterhole and we spent most of the days traversing through the park from view point to view point, which was great! Although our group was travelling during rainy season I enjoyed viewing abundant wildlife everywhere! I also enjoyed coast and dunes, especially sandboarding in the dunes, even at my age as I'm considered a senior. Food served on tour was excellent, I especially appreciate quick, efficient and personal service, which I met at Wild Wind Safaris. Due to their efforts and their personal love for Africa, I have now Africa forever embedded in my heart and am already planning my next trip!

Namibia is a country full of contrasts and contradictory landscapes. From the million year old sands of Namib-Naukluft National Park to the lushness of the Waterberg Plateau, the diversity is breathtaking. After the desolation of sand dunes, Etosha in October was delightfully teeming with antelope of all varieties. The best part, most herds had healthy contingent of babies in their midst. Most notable was the unusually high concentration of Hartebeast. While I was on Safari in Etosha I was saddened to hear that it's a species in danger, and yet it's one of the most sought after game to hunt. The herds grazed en masse, and for the rest of my time in Africa (two months), no where did I experience such a spectacle. As for Etosha on the whole, the park itself is fairly homogeneous in terms of vegetation, with little variation. And while some may find this fact to be a disenchanting, the arid landscapes, and sun-burnt savannahs make for excellent game viewing opportunities. While I would make this a one-stop-shop for 'Big Five' game viewing, there was so much fauna in the sky and on land to see. An added bonus, the park was relatively empty so snagging that perfect nature photograph was a cinch!

No trip to Namibia is complete without a visit to the Etosha National Park. This huge game reserve in the north of the country is a must for wildlife lovers as it is not only possible to see the Big Five but game is plentiful and visitors are guaranteed good animal sightings. Park facilities are good, roads are maintained and the accommodation is clean and perfectly adequate although not exactly luxurious. Visitors who like rose petals in their bath may want to opt for one of the private lodges just outside Etosha. It is a great park for anyone wanting to see lots of animals, lots of the time. But bear in mind that the park is huge, so there is a quite a bit of driving between camps. Especially at the slow speed required, it can take hours to get to your bed for the night. It is also not exactly the world’s most attractive park – think one big salt pan, going on for hours and hours and hours. I prefer the diversity of the Kruger National Park, the lush vegetation of Hluhluwe or the landscape of Pilanesberg. I enjoy looking for the game myself, finding joy in driving through dense vegetation and then suddenly an elephant steps out in front of the car. There is something predictable and slightly uninspiring about Etosha. Dare I say it? Etosha is just the smallest, tiniest, littlest bit of a yawn.