Meaning the 'great white place of dry water', Etosha
National Park is a vast and varied area of shimmering mirages,
desert, savannah, and scrubby woodlands. Situated some 270 miles
(435km) north of Windhoek, its unique landscape is characterised by
an immense, flat white saltpan that covers about a quarter of the
park.
The saltpan was once a vast lake fed by the Kunene
River, but it changed course thousands of years ago, leaving a dry
hollow of salt and cracked clay. Today it fills up for a short
while after heavy rain. The temporary water supply attracts
thousands of water birds during the rainy season, including flocks
of pink flamingos, but the best time for viewing animals in Etosha
is the cool dry season, between May and September.
Etosha has three campsites: Okaukuejo, Namutoni, and
Halali. Although visitors can't leave the camp areas at night,
there is a carefully lit watering hole at each campsite allowing
for night game viewing from the safety of the campsite.
The salinity and rich mineral content of the pan
attracts a huge diversity of animal and birdlife to the park,
making it an excellent place for game viewing. The expanse of the
white desert makes for an extraordinary backdrop.
Etosha has a network of roads linking its three rest
camps. Visitors can expect to see many species of antelope,
wildebeest, zebra, lion, giraffe, and Africa's tallest elephants.
Several of the animal species are endangered, including the black
rhino. There are also opportunities to see lion, leopard, and
cheetah around the many waterholes scattered throughout the
park.