The Etosha National Park, Namibia: Namibia's
best-known tourist attraction, and one of the most interesting game reserves in the world
because of its unusual terrain, Etosha is a combination of dried lake (salt pan) in the
north and grasslands, dense brush and open plains in the south. Etosha National Park is
one of the largest and most impressive game reserves in the whole of Africa. The Ovambo
name Etosha, means “place of dry water” - and the reserve was named this because
of the vast, shallow salt pan which shimmers a silvery bright-white, from salt across its
entire surface.
Almost all African
animal species are represented in the nature reserve. Well maintained gravel roads
lead to watering holes, where game viewing is best. The water-holes, scattered throughout
this area, are the basis of life for countless wild animals. There is an estimated number
of 300 lions
in the park, 300 rhinos, 2000 giraffe
and 1500 elephants.
Particularly numerous are the dainty springbok,
of which at least 30,000 specimen can be found here. Protected species such as the
black-faced impala and black rhino can also be seen. After exceptionally rainy periods,
the pan fills with water and enormous numbers of flamingoes
and pelicans arrive to feed and breed.
Etosha is home to more than 3,000 species of birds
and large animals, among them the elephant, giraffe, zebra, leopard, cheetah, lion, kudu,
black-faced impala, black rhino and hyena. The prime water holes are on the southern side
of the park, but they're only full after the rainy season (December-March). The Kuvelai
River, which feeds Etosha, either floods or dries up completely, vanishing into the sand.
The park is open all year, but the best time to visit is August to September. The Etosha
Park is about 400 km north of Windhoek. |
