Etosha National Park

Somewhat appropriately, Etosha means ‘place of dry water’. But don’t let this harsh desert landscape put you off, there is plenty of wildlife. What’s more, the landscape is relatively flat and you can see for miles making game viewing a little easier.

During the dry season the animals congregate at the waterholes and this is where sightings are best. You don’t have to move, just park up, sit back in your vehicle and watch the busy comings and goings.

• Etosha’s wildlife: People come here for the superb game viewing and the birdlife.  There are around 115 mammal species and 340 species of birds to be found here – that should keep you busy! Etosha is home to four of the big 5, so you could see elephant, lion, leopard and both black and white rhino, but no buffalo.
• Self-drive:  As with the rest of Namibia, Etosha is easy to navigate on a self-drive trip, however we think it’s particularly enjoyable learning from a wildlife guide.
• The rainy season:  During the rains the water temporarily floods the pans (usually November to March). This attracts huge flocks of flamingos and pelicans, a sight to behold.
• Access to Etosha: The park is easily accessible by road which is great for self-drivers and it’s also possible to fly there in light aircraft. It combines nicely with most other parts of Namibia, or works as a destination by itself.
• Ongava Reserve: This is a luxury private reserve which lies adjacent to Etosha. There are several accommodation options here and a stay offers the opportunity to explore the reserve on guided excursions. It’s far more secluded than Etosha with fewer visitors. You can visit Etosha from here too.