Etosha National Park

Information on one of Namibia's National parks.

The Etosha Park (from 1958) is located 435 km (Okaukuejo) or 530 km (Namutoni) north of Windhoek. The park can be entered through either Von Lindequist (Namutoni) or Andersson Gate (Okaukuejo). It is one of the Africa's largest parks covering area of 22 270 square kilometres. The Etosha pan's size is 4 590 square kilometres, while all pans cover more than 5 100 square kilometres.
Name. The word ''etosha'' means place of dry water or, according to other sources, huge, white area.
History. Game Reserve 2, proclaimed by German Governor Friedrich Von Lindequist in 1907, comprised the Etosha pan and most of Kaokoland and covered almost 100 000 square kilometres. The park was reduced in 1947 by allocating Kaokoland to Herero. According to recommendations of Odendaal Commission (1962) park's area was reduced even further. The present size of the park is 77 per cent less than before the Odendaal Commission.
Best time for visit. Winters are cool and dry in the park. Game tend to stay closer to water holes and chances to spot species are better. The rainy season normally begins at the end of October - beginning of November.
Average rainfall figures: Okaukuejo: 412 mm, Halali: 430 mm, Namutoni: 442 mm.
Camps.
Okaukuejo. The oldest camp in the park, opened in October 1957, is the home of Etosha Ecological Institute. Established in the end of last century as a control post to combat the spread of foot-and-mouth disease of cattle, illegal hunting and gun trading. Attractions: water tower (1963), floodlit water hole in the camp frequently visited by elephants, rhinos, lions and different species of antelopes.
Namutoni. The camp was opened in 1958. The first fort (1902-03), erected as a border post and was attacked in 1904 by 500 Ovambos. The garrison of seven German soldiers successfully defended fort for the whole day and retreated later during the night. Next day fort was completely destroyed by Ovambos. After Herero uprising Namutoni fort was rebuild and later used as a police post but during the course of time fall in disuse. Restoration works began on the end of 30s when one of the towers was destroyed by lightning. In 1950 the Namutoni fort was declared a National Monument. The restaurant, additional accommodation units and shop were added in 1983.
Halali. The newest camp was opened in 1967. The name derived from the sound of traditional German hunting horn used to announce the end of the hunt. The only hills in the park are located here.
Vegetation. The vegetation groups can be identified as follows: grass plains along the pan (e.g. Andoni, Chudob), mopane woodland (Okerfontein), mixed thorns and terminalias (Namutoni), dense woodlands (tamboti, thorns, mopane) (Namutoni-Okerfontein).
Altitude. The average height of the park is around 1000 m above sea level.
Attention: SPEED LIMIT IN THE PARK IS 60 KM/H

Pictures:

• Sign to Fairytale Forest
• Okaukuejo luxury bungalow
• Fairytale Forest
• Moringa Tree
• Etosha flood January 2004
• Monument of 68 heroic Ovambo fighters who died in battle against 7 Germans in 1904
• Hyena
• Von Lindequst Gate
• View of Okaukuejo swimming pool

Related links:

• African elephants
• Namibia Wildlife Resorts scheduled Game Drives
• Desert Express luxury train: Northern tour (Mokuti Lodge)
• Regulations for visitors to Etosha Park
• Tsumeb
• Outjo
• Shuttle to Etosha Park
• NWR's rates
• Map of Okaukuejo Camp
• Reservations of resorts in National parks

Accommodation in the area:

• Etosha Gateway Lodge (Toshari Inn)
• !Uris Safari Lodge
• Backpackers at Martins Africa
• Buschfeld Park Resort
• Bambatsi Holiday Ranch
• Etosha Safari Camp (Eldorado)
• Etosha Garten Hotel
• Etosha Aoba Lodge
• Epacha Game Lodge and Spa
• Etosha Aoba Lodge
• Etosha Mountain Camp
• Epacha Eagle Tented Lodge
• Gabus Game Ranch
• Holstein Guest Farm
• La Rochelle Lodge
• Minen Hotel
• Mushara Lodge

• Makalani Hotel

• Mokuti Lodge
• Mousebird Backpackers Lodge
• Namatubis Guest Farm
• Naua Naua Game Lodge
• Tandala Ridge Bed & Breakfast
• The Mushara Outpost
• Royal Impala Lodge
• Pension O.M.E.G Allee
• Vingerklip Lodge
• Vreugde Guest Farm
• Ongava Lodge, Tented Camp & Little Ongava
• Onguma Safari Camp Etosha

• Ombinda Country Lodge

Park usage and entrance fees per day (payable on arrival only):

Accommodation and camping per night Okaukuejo 2008, valid from 01.11.2007:

Accommodation and camping per night Onkoshi 2008 - 2009, valid from 01.09.2008:

Accommodation and camping per night Halali 2008, valid from 01.11.2007:

Accommodation and camping per night Namutoni 2008, valid from 01.11.2007: