Etosha National Park

Pros & Cons

• Exceptional wildlife viewing during the Dry season
• Floodlit waterholes for night-time viewing
• Easy self-drive destination
• Several accommodation options catering to different budgets
• Wildlife viewing is more difficult during the Wet season
• Rest camps catering to self-drive visitors make it less exclusive
• Very hot climate

Wildlife

Wildlife viewing is outstanding in the Dry season (May to October) when animals congregate around the waterholes. Elephants are abundant. Big herds of blue wildebeest, zebra, springbok and gemsbok are often seen drinking together; black rhinos are also commonly seen after dark. Giraffe and eland might join as well. Big cats are spotted at dawn and dusk and black-backed jackal is very common. There are, however, no buffalos, hippos, crocodiles or monkeys.

• More about Etosha's wildlife

Scenery

Translated as 'Great White Place', Etosha takes its name from the enormous Etosha Pan – a large silvery-white salt pan that acquires a thin layer of salted water after heavy rains. The water becomes deep enough for the pan to act as a breeding ground for greater and lesser flamingo. It is the artificial waterholes and natural springs, among the grassy plains and mopane woodland that attract most of the wildlife.

Weather & Climate

The semi-desert landscape of Etosha is almost bereft of rainfall during the Dry season (May to October). Temperatures can go as low as 7°C/45°F in the early morning for most of this season; only in September and October does the weather start to get hot. Etosha’s Wet season (November to April) is hot, with nighttime temperatures of around 17°C/63°F.

• More about the weather and climate

Best Time to Visit

Animals congregate around Etosha’s centerpiece pan and waterholes in the Dry season (May to October). The plentiful wildlife and generally good weather means the park gets quite crowded at this time. However, while wildlife viewing is more challenging in the wetter months, you’ll get away from the crowds and the scenery is lush.

• More about the best time to visit

Want to Visit Etosha NP?

• Etosha safaris and tours
• Tour operators for Etosha