Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park spans an area of 22 270kmē and is home to a multitude of wildlife, including over 114 mammal, 340 bird, 110 reptile and 16 amphibian species. The word Etosha means 'Great White Space'; a fitting name for the park due to the massive mineral pan that covers 25% of the park. The pan was formed over 1000 million years ago and was originally a lake that was fed by the Kunene River. The course of the river changed thousands of years ago, leaving behind a dusty, dry, salt caked pan. The pan is around 130km long and about 50km wide in some places. After heavy rains parts of the pan fill with water for a short time attracting thousands of birds including impressive flocks of flamingos, and game. Game viewing in Etosha is excellent with the best times being between May and September when the weather is slightly cooler and the animals are more active. Visitors can expect to see elephant, rhino, various buck, and giraffe and perhaps cheetah and leopard.
Accommodation in the park is found at three different rest camps as well as at a new environmentally friendly lodge. A good network of roads weaves between the camps and the various watering holes within the park. There are also a large number of private luxury lodges and hotels surrounding Etosha where visitors could also choose to stay. The main entrance to Etosha; Andersson Gate, is located in the south of the park near to Okaukejo camp. Other entrances are found in the east near to Namutoni (Von Lindequist Gate) and in the north east (King Nehale Gate). The park is open between sunrise and sunset allowing visitors to explore the various watering holes and roads during daylight hours. At night 'day visitors' are expected to exit the park and return to their nearby lodges while guests staying at camps within the park must return to their camps but can view nocturnal animals from the watering holes.
There is the risk of Malaria in the northern regions of Namibia which encompasses Etosha; therefore visitors are encouraged to take precautions.
Accommodation
There are three main rest camps found within the park as well as a number of guest houses and other accommodation on the outskirts.
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