Etosha National Park

• One of Africa’s greatest game parks
• Fantastic wildlife diversity
• Big Five game

Etosha means “Place of Dry Water” or “Great White Place” and this remarkable game reserve in Namibia’s northern stretches, is one of the most famous African wildlife reserves.

It used to be the world’s biggest game reserve, once measuring 100 000km² before it was cut down to the current 23 175km². It is still, however, an impressive wildlife sanctuary and home to 93 mammal, 340 bird and 110 reptile species. Animal populations are substantial in the park, with close to 3 000 elephants, 300 black rhinos and 27 000 wildebeest.

The vegetation is sparse bush and woodland, surrounding the vast Etosha Pan at the centre of the park. The pan is 130km long and 50km wide at its widest point and is believed to be the remnants of an ancient lake – once the largest in the world. The pan contains water for short spans each year, when it attracts huge flocks of flamingos and pelicans.

There are a number of endemic animal species in the park, like black-faced impala and the there are good populations of black rhinos. The roads and infrastructure are excellent and it is possible to drive along a number of roads in the southern end of the park (the rest is not accessable.)

Special features include:

• Namutoni
  This former imperial German fort has been restored and converted into scenic tourist accommodation, with a restaurant, swimming pool and picnic areas. Great views can be enjoyed from the ramparts and tower. At sunset and sunrise every day, a bugler ceremoniously accompanies the hoisting and lowering of the Namibian flag. At Klein Namutoni waterhole, there is a good chance of seeing black-faced impala. At Fischer's Pan nearby, there is a possibility of excellent bird and other animal sightings
  
• Bloubokdraai road
  A good place to see Damara dik-dik (Africa's smallest antelope)
  
• The Haunted Forest (near Okaukuejo)
  A forest of legendary moringa trees (Moringa ovalifolia). These trees with their strange shapes are up to 7m high and create a unique and unusual landscape that is definitely worth a visit