Etosha National Park in Namibia is one of Southern Africa's finest and most important Game Reserves. Etosha takes its name from, and is dominated by, a massive mineral pan that stretches about 120 km from east to west and at its widest point is about 70 km across. The total pan area covers 5000 square km. Etosha means 'Great White Place' in the Herero language and in the heat of the day the surface of the pan is dazzlingly white.
Etosha pan is part of the Kalahari Basin, the floor of which was formed around 1000 million years ago. Due to volcanic pressures and earth movements over millions of years, pressure developed from the north and south causing a depression in part of the basin. This depression gradually filled with water, forming a large inland lake. The pan has at various times been fed by different rivers. Some still occasionally flow into the pan, some have naturally diverted their course and others have disappeared altogether. Today, Etosha rarely has water. It is supplied mostly by rain and in times of good rain, some areas do flood, but the evaporation rate is so high that any water soon disappears.
There are three rest camps in Etosha National Park; Namutoni, Halali and Okaukuejo. Each has a perimeter fence. This makes it safe to walk around at any time of the day or night. The camps are well maintained and have excellent facilities. There are open air bars and the clean swimming pools with grass and shade trees are very welcome in the long hot afternoons. The campsite ablution blocks are clean and provided with hot showers, flush toilets, toilet paper, mirrors and basins with hot and cold running water. There are also power points for electric shavers (although it is recommended to bring along a wet shaving kit as a back up). In the campsites there are shady trees, drinking water taps, fire places and power points. There are small shops selling basic foodstuffs, beer, wine, spirits and cigarettes, and various souvenirs are available. Public telephones are provided at all the camps and in Okaukuejo there is also a post office.
One of the main highlights of the Etosha National Park are the camp waterholes. These are situated at all three camps, are open 24 hours a day and are within easy walking distance from the campsites. They give you a unique chance to view wild animals at close quarters, without any danger or the need for the protection of a car. Situated on the very edge of the camp area and securely fenced, these waterholes provide a valuable water supply for the game, particularly in the dry season. With a comfortable seating area and floodlights at night, they are a unique way to experience the African wilds and are one of the reasons that Etosha is such a highly rated park in Southern Africa.
View Etosha accommodation.
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