Etosha National Park

Once in a lifetime

So there you are, one day watching David Attenborough on your TV, the other day getting into the wild yourself, and what an experience it is. I traveled with my girlfriend around Namibia with the help of an accommodated tour, and of course that the main stop would be Etosha. I think winter is the high season, but we did not feel the crowd, the over touristic scene, everything was just good scenery, good weather and a good time. In two days of safari we easily spotted all the must see animals, expect the illusive leopard. Our guide just had an eye for it, he actually told us that when he was young he would hunt with his family riding the pick up in the dark, so pretty much nothing would escape his boosted eyesight, he would always be the first to spot everything! We didn't opt for the camping, instead we stayed in lodges, both would be a great option I think. Facilities often had swimming pools, great food, everything. I can only recommend Namibia as a country to visit. Although I've never done any other safari, I got the impression by researching and discussing with friends that this is the place to go nowadays, every condition for your wild trip with one of the best prices, in one of the safest places on Africa.

Always a pleasure to visit

Etosha National Park is one of Southern Africa’s best wildlife reserves. As with many such parks, what you see depends on patience and luck. However, in Etosha you will always see something interesting regardless of the season. There are many accessible waterholes where animals congregate in the dry winter season, although there is still plenty to see at other times of the year. We have visited Etosha twice, in late April/early May, and during our visit this year (2016) we were rewarded with the sight of eight elephants who walked right past us and a few minutes later we saw three cheetahs out in the open. All of this was a short drive from Namutoni Camp. The other good point about Etosha is that it is very large so it doesn’t feel crowded. The only downside, and it’s not a major issue, is that the camps inside the park are a bit tired and need an injection of money and better management. Despite that it is still a highly recommended place to visit.

Just an amazing place teeming with wildlife but you had to make the effort too which added to the fun. Plenty of people but it was so big you never really noticed. Reasonable food, drink and accommodation to be had there too within the park itself.

Amazing place to visit.

Spectacular and exciting photographic tour site

When I visited Etosha NP in May and June 2017, the weather was beautiful; highs in the mid-70s (F), dry and pleasant, and there had been recent rains which brought the flowers evident in so many of my photographs. The large animals were slightly harder to find because there was water at many places in the park due to recent heavy rains. However, we were successful at photographing many, including black rhino, lions, cheetah, lions, elephants, giraffes, kudu, zebra, black-faced impala, springbok, and many others. The birding was spectacular, and I was able to photograph many species such as lilac breasted roller, purple roller, secretary bird, and many others. All in all, it is a place I hope to return to many times. Also, the people of Namibia were friendly, helpful, and respectful of foreigners (like me). A very enjoyable and incredible trip!

The watering holes were active, we saw so many creatures engaged in their daily activities.

I know some National Park in Africa.
But Etosha National Park has his own beauty.

We were lucky to see all the animals possible: lions, rhinoceroses, elephants, weldebeests, cheetahs, springboks, lot af different antelopes and birds, jackals etc.

It was not crowd, but some popular places remind you were not out totally out of civilization.
The salf plan, salvadora plains and rocky areas are very scenic, but most of the park is very monotonus, specially large patches of mopane.
I found the Namutoni area the most diverse and if I could came back I would spend more time there.
There are not many species of birds, but for raptors and first time birders in African, it is very good birding.
You see so much wildlife, but leopards and cheetahs are not easy. Lions are more predictable, but normally there is many people in their usuall territories.

An absolutely wonderful park to visit and enjoy the fantastic wildlife up close.

This is my second visit to Etosha, the first was in November 2007 and I can definitely say it is unlikely to be my last. The landscape, sunsets, guides, variety of birds and mammals all make for an amazing experience. If you have never been to a wildlife park in Africa this one should be one you must visit.