Etosha National Park is Namibia’s most
stunning wildlife sanctuary, and one of the finest animal sanctuaries in
Southern Africa. This spectacular national reserve was declared a national park
in 1907; and stretches across a massive territory of 22, 270 km2.
The park is home to 114 species of mammals, 340 species of birds, 110 species
of reptiles, 16 species of amphibians and one species of fish. Statistics
reveal that a visit to the Etosha National Park is at the forefront of anyone’s
recreational or touristic expedition to Namibia.
Etosha denotes “Great White Place”, and
the park is dominated by a colossal mineral pan, which is a component of the
Kalahari Basin, and covers about 25% of the Park. This inspiring pan originated
from a lake that was nourished by the Kunene River. Nonetheless, thousands of
years ago, the course of the river was altered, resulting in the disappearance
of the lake. The pan now stands as a large dusty depression of salt and dusty
clay, into which rainwater provisionally accumulates. Meanwhile, along the
edges of this Etosha pan thrive perennial springs, which attract untold
concentrations of animals and birds.
Etosha National Park offers excellent
wildlife viewing opportunities. The best time to visit the game sanctuary is
from May to September, which are essentially Namibia’s coolest months. Among
the wildlife to be viewed in Etosha National Park are buck species, elephant,
giraffe, rhinoceros, leopard and cheetah.
The principal entrance to the park is
known as "Andersson Gate", situated near Okaukuejo in the south.
Close to Namutoni is the eastern entrance called the "Von Lindequist
Gate". The new "Nehale lya Mpingana Gate" (King Nehale Gate), in
the north-east, went operational in the beginning of 2003. For self-drive visitors, entry to western
Etosha at Galton's Gate is only permitted with previously booked accommodation
for Dolomite Camp. The park is only open from sunrise to sunset. Outside of these
hours, visitors are expected to either be in one of the camps, or entirely
outside the park.
The dominant vegetation in Etosha is
Mopane or Omusati, in a local language; and it is so pervasive in the
north-west of Namibia that a region in Owambo is named after it. The western
areas of the park sustain mainly mopane scrub; whereas there are extensive
woodlands of tall trees in the southern parts of the Halali area and also in
the camp. The second most common species in Etosha is the red bushwillow, and
is locally known as Kudubusch (German), or koedoebos (Afrikaans); appropriately
named because kudu and other game species eat the nutritious leaves; but rhinoceros
consume entire branches; while elephants usually settle for the bark.
Initially, Etosha had three rest camps;
comprising; Namutoni, Halali and Okaukuejo; with each camp equipped with basic
facilities such as a shop, motor garage, swimming pool and assorted grades of
accommodation and camping facilities. Nonetheless, September 2008 saw the
opening of Onkoshi Camp, which offers an ecologically sensitive affluent
experience. Subsequently, another lodging facility known as Dolomite Camp was
opened.
With the exception of Dolomite and
Onkoshi, the other three camps have floodlit waterholes. While rhinoceros and
elephants frequent the Okaukuejo camp, leopards tend to prefer Halali.
Onkoshi Camp provides unparalleled views
of the eastern Etosha Pan, which attracts thousands of flamingoes and other
water birds during the rainy season. Dolomite Camp enjoys some of the highest
concentrations of wildlife in the park; notably, Hartmann's zebra, which does
not occur in the eastern section.
Visitors also have an option to stay at
the lodges situated outside the park’s boundaries, where the quality of
accommodation and services tend to be much more exclusive.
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