Where is Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park is located in the very north of Namibia. Stretched over 22,000 sq km, the center of the park is the Etosha Pan, a vast salt pan so large that it can be seen from space. Surrounding the pan, there are pockets of privates nature reserves that protect both the land and the wildlife. This is where many of our favorite lodges are located.
Where to stay in Etosha National Park
Ongava Reserve – To gain access to Ongava Private Reserve, we would suggest staying at Ongava Lodge, one of the first luxury lodges in Etosha. Focused originally as a rhino reserve, this is ideal for potentially up-close rhino spotting. Ongave Reserve has a collection of four properties though, so if you’d prefer something even more luxurious, try Little Ongava, or if you are an avid photographer, try Anderssons Camp.
Wildlife safaris in Etosha National Park
Etosha is Namibia’s most famous game park and one of Africa’s best destinations for wildlife viewing. The first thing to know about Etosha is that it has serious amounts of game. Travel here in the dry season, and you will find the waterholes home to so many different species at one time, that it beggars belief. For this reason, there is nowhere else quite like it.
The second thing to know about Etosha is that it was built as a reserve to explore independently. The road network is superb, tarmac in places, and is designed to open the park up to self-drive visitors. The very fact is the reason that many people believe Etosha cannot compete with the likes of Botswana’s Okavango, Zambia’s Luangwa Valley or Tanzania’s Serengeti. Their argument is simply that this National Park does not offer an authentic safari experience. There is certainly something strange about having a Toyota Corolla game-driving next to a fully equipped safari Land Rover!
However, this is completely missing the point. Etosha does not attempt to compete with the Serengeti, Luangwa or Okavango – it was designed to be different. Self-driving is the aim of this park, and in all fairness, it is arguably the most productive and accessible safari area! With superb quality of lodges and great infrastructure within the country, this destination is a great option for affordable trips to Africa.
For clients wishing to find authenticity, there are a couple of private reserves surrounding the park that suit their preferences – Ongava Reserve or Onguma Reserve tend to satisfy requirements.
Activities
Daytime game drives are the only activity permitted within the park. However, night safari, as well as walking safari, is possible in the private reserves bordering the park.
Best Time to Visit Etosha National Park
Etosha is a classic dry-season dry season reserve, with the weather getting progressively hotter, the later in the year you travel. July through to October is peak season for game-viewing. However, Namibia is a stunning destination for much of the year and can be explored at any time of year. Nevertheless, the extreme heat that hits the country around mid-November should not be taken lightly. This heat remains until the rains break, and the country remains ‘questionable’ for travelers until mid-March.