Safari in Etosha National Park: Where the wildlife comes to you

Safari in Etosha National Park: Where the wildlife comes to you

A safari in Etosha National Park is like nothing else. Animals hardly have to be searched for. In Etosha they come to you

Even if you've had a taste of spotting African wildlife before, a safari in Etosha National Park is fascinating. One of Africa's greatest safari destinations, Namibia's premier national park is teeming with wildlife, from big game mammals to tiny colorful birds. Animals come here not in pairs, but in dozens.

The numbers speak for themselves. Covering an area of ​​22,270 km2, Etosha is home to 114 species of mammals, 340 species of birds, 110 species of reptiles and 16 species of amphibians. There are 850 km of fences surrounding the park, with 3,551 km of road connecting the 86 waterholes.

alt=“Safari in Etosha National Park Namibia 8″>Atlas & BootsA pride of lions blocks off a waterhole

Home to four of the five major game animals (only water buffalo are missing), Etosha is astounding in terms of numbers. Estimates vary, but recent surveys suggest that these waterholes are visited by over 20,000 zebras, 7,000 wildebeest, 5,000 giraffes, 2,500 elephants and 450 lions, as well as leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, warthogs, jackals, ostriches and African wild dogs, Namibia's most endangered mammal species. Not to mention the countless antelopes such as oryx, impala and kudu that roam the plains.

Finally there are rhinos: the white and critically endangered black ones can be seen in Etosha. Simply put, a safari in Etosha National Park is one of the greatest wildlife viewing experiences in the world.

It couldn't be easier

Unlike other wildlife parks around the world where you can spend hours - perhaps days - searching for animals, Etosha's unique selling point is its ability to bring the animals to you. Just park next to one of the waterholes and wait for the animals to arrive (if they aren't there already).

Etosha's lifeblood is the giant Etosha pan. This flat salt flat stretches over 5,000 km2, making wildlife spotting in Etosha so easy. For just a few days each year, rain turns the dry pan into a shallow lagoon overflowing with flamingos and pelicans.

The rest of the year is bone dry, meaning the park's 86 natural and man-made waterholes are a source of life for wildlife. We spent hours sitting in our 4x4 next to waterholes and watching nature's theater unfold on one of Etosha's many stages.

alt=“Safari in Etosha National Park Namibia 22″>Atlas & BootsA family of ostriches

At a waterhole, we watched a pride of lions circle the water while dozens of thirsty zebras, antelopes and wildebeest looked on with envy. At another we saw herds of nervous herbivores cautiously moving closer and closer to the water while three lions watched from under a nearby tree. Just when we thought a zebra or two would dart forward for a drink, they instead scattered and the whole show started again.

The next day we saw a handful of mammals enjoying some much-needed refreshment at a waterhole, only to be disturbed by a herd of 30 elephants. They initially entered the oasis one by one before marching in en masse and displacing the other animals. After 10 minutes of slurping, squirting and squirting, they left as quickly as they came. Peace was restored, the others returned to enjoy a drink.

What we did

We spent four days on safari in Etosha National Park as part of a 17-day self-drive safari with Wild Dog Safaris. We spent two nights at Etosha Safari Camp, which is 10km outside Etosha’s Andersson’s Gate. From there we joined an evening game drive offered by the camp for 790 NAD (55 USD) per person.

Even though we were driving through the park ourselves, we felt it was really worth paying for an initial game drive as it helped us get our bearings. Our guide Rodney gave us lots of information about where to go and what to look out for during our stay. We may have easily missed a female lion emerging from a nearby tunnel, but Rodney, knowing something was wrong, insisted we wait. The reward was worth it.

During the rest of the trip we saw a pride of lions blocking out a waterhole, countless zebras, giraffes, wildebeest and countless species of antelope.

alt=“Safari in Etosha National Park Namibia 24″>Atlas & BootsA zebra walks past the side of our car

We spent the next day driving to and from the waterholes around Andersson’s Gate. The day brought many wildlife encounters, including an incredibly close encounter with a male lion sitting right next to the road. We also saw three herds of elephants descend on the famous waterhole at Okaukuejo Camp.

alt=“Safari in Etosha National Park Namibia 16″>Atlas & BootsA male lion sat under a tree right next to the road

Okaukuejo is the site of the Etosha Ecological Institute, the park's headquarters and main visitor center. The waterhole here is probably the best place in Etosha to spot rhinos, especially between 8pm and 10pm. We would have liked to stay in Okaukuejo, but unfortunately the camp was fully booked for our visit and we never made it past the waiting list.

Our third day was spent driving across Etosha towards Onguma Game Reserve, which is on the eastern border of the park. We stopped at numerous waterholes along the way and took a lunch break at the Moringa waterhole in Halali Camp.

Shortly after lunch we had the best elephant encounter of the entire trip. At the Springbokfontein waterhole we saw a herd of elephants crossing the road in front of us. One of them, a huge bull, chose a path that headed straight for our car. Knowing our place in the pecking order, we promptly avoided him.

alt=“Safari in Etosha National Park Namibia 25″>An African elephant in Etosha National Park

We arrived late at Aoba Lodge that night, “thanks” to an encounter with a leopard chasing a springbok through the thick bush. We watched them on the side of the road for an hour but didn't see the kill, if it ever came.

Unfortunately there was rain that night which meant we spent our last day in the Etosha region at our hotel. We managed to do one final sunset game drive in Onguma where we watched three cheetahs stalking across the plains from a distance before enjoying a glass of wine with a beautiful sunset.

If you ask me, time spent with animals is always time well spent, and on a safari in Etosha National Park you will spend a lot of time with some of the most majestic and beautiful animals in the world. It truly is a magical part of the world.

• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=“Safari im Etosha Nationalpark Namibia 24″>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=“Safari im Etosha Nationalpark Namibia 10″>

Atlas & Boots

Tips

• Bleiben Sie nach Möglichkeit mindestens eine Nacht im Park, da die beste Zeit, um Tiere zu beobachten, das erste Tageslicht und der späte Abend ist.
• Wenn Sie drinnen bleiben, haben Sie auch Zugang zu den beleuchteten Wasserlöchern.
• Besucher dürfen die Camps nach Einbruch der Dunkelheit nicht verlassen, aber geführte Nachtfahrten können über die Hauptcamps gebucht werden.
• Wenn Sie im Park übernachten möchten, müssen Sie rechtzeitig buchen und damit rechnen, erheblich mehr zu zahlen als im Freien zu bleiben.
• Machen Sie mindestens eine einführende Pirschfahrt mit einem Führer, um sich zu orientieren.
• Halten Sie sich an die Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung – Tiere sind überall.
• Steigen Sie niemals außerhalb ausgewiesener Bereiche aus Ihrem Auto aus.
• Fahren Sie vorsichtig. Wir hatten einen platten Reifen und mussten 90 km nach Outjo und zurück fahren, um ihn ersetzen zu lassen, was wertvolle Zeit für die Beobachtung von Wildtieren verschwendete.
• Denken Sie sorgfältig nach, bevor Sie Updates in sozialen Medien veröffentlichen. Wilderer durchsuchen soziale Medien, also verschlagworten Sie niemals Bilder – insbesondere von Nashörnern – oder posten Sie Echtzeitaufnahmen von Tieren an identifizierbaren Orten.
• Wenn Tiere nicht trinken, sind wahrscheinlich Raubtiere in der Nähe.
• Überprüfen Sie unter Bäumen. Großkatzen ruhen sich tagsüber oft im Schatten aus.
• Nehmen Sie viel Wasser im Auto mit (2-3 Liter pro Person und Tag).
• Halten Sie Ihre Stimmen leise und den allgemeinen Lärm auf ein Minimum.
• Nehmen Sie Snacks und Vorräte mit, da die Geschäfte im Park begrenzt und überteuert sind. Wir nahmen ein Lunchpaket von unserem Hotel mit.
• Der Eintritt in den Etosha-Nationalpark kostet 80 NAD (6 USD) pro Person und 10 NAD (1 USD) pro Fahrzeug und Tag.

alt=“Safari in Etosha National Park Namibia 6″>Atlas & BootsWe recommend an introductory game drive

Recommended watering holes

Enter at Andersson’s Gate and cross east to Namutoni Gate:

• Ombika
• Okaukuejo
• Leeubron
• Okondeka
• Wolfsnes
• Nebrowni
• Gemsbokvlakte
• Aus
• Wildleder
• Salvador
• Charitsaub
• Rietfontein
• Moringa in Halali
• Springbockfontein
• Batia
• Okerfontein
• Kalkheuwel
• Chudop

• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=“Safari im Etosha Nationalpark Namibia 10″>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>
• alt=““>

Atlas & Boots

Safari in Etosha National Park: The most important thing

What: Safari in Etosha National Park in Namibia as part of a 17-day self-drive safari with Wild Dog Safaris.

Where: Accommodation on the tour includes 16 nights in a range of hotels, lodges and safari camps, including Etosha Safari Camp, located 10km outside Etosha's Andersson's Gate and Aoba Lodge in Onguma Game Reserve.

The tour can be booked as either accommodation (like we did), camping or a combination of both. Breakfast and several dinners are included in the overnight option; Camping is largely self-catering.

When: The best time to visit Namibia for a safari in Etosha National Park is from May to October during the dry season (winter). There is less vegetation and wildlife tends to congregate around waterholes, making them easier to spot. This is also high season, so it may be necessary to book months in advance, especially in Etosha.

The low seasons of May and November are good for cheaper accommodation with higher availability. Heavy rains can occur in November, although mainly in short, intense bursts.

The low season brings heavy rains from December to April, making some routes impassable. Humidity is higher and wildlife is harder to spot, but accommodation is cheaper.

How: We visited Namibia semi-independently with a 17-day self-drive safari from Wild Dog Safaris. Wild Dog Safaris will book accommodation, provide a rental car and organize an itinerary for the trip.

The itinerary showcases the best wildlife and scenery the country has to offer, including the dunes of Sossusvlei, the coastal town of Swakopmund and a safari in Etosha National Park. Other highlights include the Fish River Canyon, Twyfelfontein and Okonjima – home of the AfriCat Foundation.

There are 11-day and 13-day versions of the above itinerary, as well as a 15-day self-drive option for Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Driving in Namibia is fairly easy and relaxing, although four-wheel drive is essential. Outside the larger cities, traffic is light, although road conditions vary widely. Side roads are paved and easy to navigate, but fairly rare. C and D roads are gravel roads that are more common and vary widely in condition. Expect everything from smooth, comfortable and relatively fast gravel roads to undulating, uncomfortable and frustratingly slow dirt tracks. Make sure you have a spare tire and know who to contact in an emergency.

On arrival in Windhoek we were met by Wild Dog Safaris who provided us with a detailed itinerary, driving directions, maps and information.

We flew to Namibia with British Airways via Johannesburg in South Africa. Book flights at the best prices through Skyscanner.

old=““>

Lonely Planet Botswana & Namibia is a comprehensive travel guide to Namibia covering a range of activities and destinations, including a safari in Etosha National Park.

Disclosure: We traveled to Namibia with the support of Wild Dog Safaris. All publications say this, but we really don't guarantee positive coverage. We say what we think – good and bad – so you can make informed decisions with honest advice.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

      .