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 giraffes 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-September. The Etosha Park is about 400 km north of Windhoek.

Foto: Thomas Schoch Lizenz: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported