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Top Tips for Your Etosha Safari in Namibia
Guide to Etosha National Park: Top Tips for Your Etosha Safari in Namibia.
Namibia’s premier game viewing location is Etosha National Park, where you may witness Africa’s biggest game.
Etosha is situated in northern Namibia and is roughly five hours’ drive from Namibia’s capital, Windhoek. Almost 114 mammal species and over 340 bird species may be found in this well-known game park, which is dominated by the parched Etosha Pan.
On game drives, one can see a variety of wildlife, including kudus, giraffes, jackals, and cheetahs. In addition to endangered black and white rhinos, Etosha is home to the remarkable oryx and unique black-faced impala. Numerous insects, more than two dozen amphibian and reptilian species, and, astonishingly, even one species of fish call the park home.
Etosha is home to four of Africa’s Big Five Elephants, which are frequently seen there.
The tallest elephants in Africa, which can grow up to four meters at the shoulder, are reportedly found in Etosha. The park is home to over 2000 elephants that have adapted to the desert climate.
Etosha lions are frequently seen.
Etosha, which is renowned for its outstanding lion sightings, is home to about 750 lions. The game park’s fiercest lions are thought to be those found in western Etosha.
Etosha leopards are frequently seen.
Although they can be seen in Etosha, elusive leopards usually hide in the thick undergrowth. Leopard sightings are particularly possible at some watering places, like Rietfontein and Klein Namutoni. Additionally, there is a greater likelihood of seeing these nocturnal predators at night.
Etosha’s black and white rhinos, which are occasionally sighted
One of Africa’s most significant black rhino populations within reserves is found in Etosha, where a robust population of black rhinos lives. Despite their reintroduction, white rhinos are not frequently spotted in the park. About halfway between Halali and Namutoni is the Springbokfontein waterhole, where white rhinos can occasionally be seen.
Get the Most Out of Your Safari in Etosha
Etosha, which translates to “Great White Place,” is the name of the salt pan that serves as the focal point of the national park. Although the pan occupies roughly 25% of this 20,000 km² park, the reserve is home to more than 80 drinking holes.
The routes that connect the park’s east (Namutoni) and west (Okaukuejo) contain about 40 watering holes and springs.
The Top Watering Holes: The Greatest Places to Watch Game
In Etosha National Park, the easiest way to see game is to find one of the many drinking spots and just wait for the animals to approach you. Most of these waterholes are located close to the rest camps on the pan’s southern edges.
The grassy plains west of Okaukuejo are home to herds of plains wildlife during the wet season. These sizable herds are also occasionally seen on the Andoni Plains north of Namutoni, in the Fischer’s Pan region, and near Namutoni.
The top locations to see Etosha’s many wild species are covered in depth in this Fodor’s Travel Guide. This website provides a list of Etosha’s watering holes along with some information about them and the animals that frequent them.
Some of Etosha’s mammals are included on the Wikipedia page, along with information on how frequently each species is seen there.
Etosha’s Top Cars for Game Viewing
Due to their elevated viewpoint, 4x4s and 4Ă—4 trucks are the greatest vehicles for spotting wildlife. For going outside the typical tourist routes and during the rainy season, when driving can be difficult due to the damp weather, a 4×4 game watching vehicle is advised.
Because of the well-maintained gravel roads, Etosha is typically accessible in a standard vehicle. In order to save wildlife and keep vehicles from skidding on loose gravel, the speed limit is set at 60 km/h.
Accommodations in Etosha: Where to Stay on Safari Inside Etosha Park, Etosha offers excellent rest sites with camping spaces and chalet-style lodging. While the rest camps are located in the southern and eastern regions of Etosha, the private game lodges that cater to affluent tourists are primarily located in the western part of the city.
Okaukuejo, Halali, and Namutoni are the three primary rest camps; Dolomite and Onkoshi are the two upscale campers. All of the big rest camps are situated near active watering holes that are illuminated by floodlights so that game may be seen at night.
One of Africa’s greatest watering spots is Okaukuejo Rest Camp.
This camp is situated in the southern region of Etosha National Park, on the western border of Etosha Pan. The first camp on the main north-south road between Windhoek and Etosha is Okaukuejo, which is only 17 kilometers from the Anderson Gate.
The permanent watering hole overlooks the diverse range of species at the drinking hole, making it the ideal spot to sit and observe wildlife.
Etosha’s oldest rest camp
The Etosha Ecological Institute’s 1963 stone watchtower is located in the city’s administrative center.
Thorsten Wagner created the thoughtfully planned layout of the Okaukuejo camp in Etosha National Park.
Okaukuejo provides a variety of lodging choices, including camping and several types of chalets. A restaurant, bar, swimming pool, kiosk, and store are among the amenities.
Among the animals that can be seen here are lions, black rhinos, and elephants.
Halali Rest Camp: a sundowner’s terrace with a view of the watering hole
This camp is situated south of Etosha Pan in the central region of Etosha, halfway between Okaukuejo and Namutoni.
Near numerous well-known watering holes, Moringa Watering Hole provides excellent nocturnal game viewing and is one of the best places to see leopards and honey badgers. It is also conveniently situated for overnight stays and rest stops, and it has Etosha’s largest swimming pool.
fantastic site for bird watching and amazing daylight wildlife viewing from higher ground
Camping and a variety of chalets, such as family chalets, bush chalets, and chalets by the watering well, are available. A restaurant, bar, store, huge pool, kiosk, and gas station are among the amenities.
Animals: In addition to other species and birds, leopards, rhinoceros, and elephants can be seen here.
Namutoni Rest Camp offers the greatest lodging.
The Von Lindequist Gate (far eastern boundary) leads to this camp, which is situated in eastern Etosha on the southern side of Etosha Pan.
Game-watching deck at King Nehale Waterhole, next to Fisher’s Pan, perfect for birdwatching German Fort, a national monument, gives the camp personality, and it’s a great place to see leopards.
Near the Groot Okevi watering hole, where black rhinos can be seen
With views of the watering hole, the historic German Fort at Namutoni Camp is an excellent spot to unwind with sundowners. A small store, a gas station, a gift shop, a pool, and two restaurants are among the amenities.
There are double rooms, cabins, and camping areas available for lodging. A restaurant, bar, store, swimming pool, and gas station are among the additional amenities.
Animals: birds at camp, a leopard and a rhino nearby, and various wildlife.
When to Go: Winter is the ideal season to visit Etosha. The animals gather at the few water sources (watering holes) during the cooler months of May through September. The dry salt pans that extend out indefinitely in a dusty white expanse throughout the winter make it much easier to detect wildlife and birds due to the minimal vegetation. Packing warm clothing is essential for the chilly winter evenings.
The best time to visit Etosha if you enjoy bird watching is during or after the rainy season (November to March), when the pans hold some water and draw migrating birds, flamingos, pelicans, and many other species.
The best route to and from Etosha Etosha National Park is easily accessible from Windhoek via a tarmac, well-maintained road. Five to six hours are needed for the drive.
The 500-kilometer journey to Namutoni via the Von Lindequist Gate in eastern Etosha takes roughly five hours. It takes less than five hours to drive from the town of Outjo to Okaukuejo, where you will enter the park at the Anderson Gate (400 km) in southern Etosha. Etosha may be reached by car from Namibia’s north at the King Nehale Gate, which is located southeast of Ondangwa. Dolomite Camp in western Etosha is accessible to camp residents via the Galton Gate.
It takes roughly seven to eight hours to drive from Swakopmund to Etosha, though it is advised to make an overnight stop along the way. Travelers frequently make stops at interesting locations like Twyfelfontein, Damaraland, or close to Brandberg Mountain.
When traveling by car to Etosha, you must be there either before the gates close at dusk or after they open at dawn (the exact times depend on the season). Although nighttime driving is prohibited in the park, visitors can participate in scheduled nighttime game drives from the rest camps.
Needless to say, taking one of our reasonably priced Etosha Park Safaris is the most convenient way to go to Etosha.
How to Take the Greatest Pictures in Etosha
Keep in mind the Golden Hours: early morning and late afternoon are the ideal times of day for photography. This is due to the fact that the animals of the bush are most active during these times of day, in addition to the fact that the soft, warm lighting is at its best at dawn and twilight.
Use Multiple Shooting option: This option allows your camera to take a series of pictures in rapid succession, which is the greatest approach to catch wildlife’s unexpected movements. In this manner, you can catch a predator making a quick kill or snap that buck as it jumps into the air.
Utilize Shutter Speed: By adjusting the shutter speed in manual mode, you may either emphasize movement with a fuzzy image or freeze the wildlife activity.
The tripod is a great tool for taking pictures in low light and with a powerful zoom, but keep in mind that moving animals and birds will likely result in blurry images. If you are close enough, you can even use a bright flash, but avoid shooting the unfortunate animal in the eyes!
Camera Care: To preserve your lens, keep dust out, and help block out some of the harsh African sunlight, you’ll need a UV filter or protective lens. You will need a decent camera case and a soft towel to wipe the dust off your lenses and camera body because Etosha is a dusty region.