Situated in the central north, is one of the largest and most unique parks in Africa, Etosha National Park covering some 22 270 square km. It owes its unique landscape to the Etosha Pan, a vast shimmering white saltpan of approximately 5 000 square km , which remains dry for most years. A series of waterholes along the southern edge of the pan guarantee rewarding and often spectacular game viewing with large herds of plains game such as springbok, oryx, gnu, zebra and elephant followed by the predators. Several rare and endangered species can be found here including the black rhino, black faced impala and diminutive Damara dik-dik.In exceptionally good rain years the floodwaters reach the pan and literally thousands of water birds fill the shallow lake.
ACCOMMODATION IN ETOSHA
There are 3 national park rest camps with basic but comfortable chalet accommodation situated inside the park which are easily accessible by self drivers, each with its own spot lit waterhole for evening game viewing.
Halali - the newest camp in the park - is strategically situated halfway between Namutoni and Okaukuejo and is surrounded by some of the most popular waterholes in the park. The camp's name, of German origin, is derived from the bugle call made to announce the end of a hunt. Of interest is the Tsumasa Trail in the southern section of the camp which winds its way through shady mopane trees up a small dolomite hill from where visitors have a clear view of the Moringa waterhole.
Namutoni Resort is situated at the eastern entrance of Etosha and centers around an old German fort built before the turn of the century and converted into tourist accommodation in the late fifties. As a reminder of its military past, a bugle accompanies the hoisting and lowering of the Namibian flag on top of the watch tower at sunset and sunrise. Taking photographs the Etosha pan from this platform is particularly popular. A floodlit waterhole next to the fort allows for comfortable game viewing at night
Okaukuejo is situated at the southern centre of the park and is the oldest tourist camp in Etosha. It currently functions as the administrative hub of the park and houses the Etosha Ecological Institute from where research and conservation management is conducted. The unique attraction of this camp is that it overlooks a permanent waterhole that is floodlit at night, giving visitors the opportunity to see some of the shy, nocturnal wildlife. Of the most prominent wildlife visiting this waterhole are: elephants, lion and black rhino.
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