Home to Etosha National Park, Namibia is situated on the southwestern coast of Africa and covers 824, 292 sq km. The country borders Angola and Zambia in the north, Botswana in the east, and South Africa in the south. In addition to its multitude of wildlife, it has one of the most diverse and fascinating landscapes, not to mention the Namib, a massive coastal desert that runs the length of the country.
In the vast arid space of Northern Namibia lies one of Southern Africa’s best loved wildlife sanctuaries. Etosha National Park offers excellent game viewing in one of Africa’s most accessible venues. Zebra and springbok are scattered across the endless horizon, while the many waterholes attract endangered black rhinoceros, lion, elephant and large numbers of antelope.
Etosha, meaning ‘place of dry water’, is encloses a huge, flat calcrete depression (or pan) of about 5 000km². The ‘Pan’ provides a great, parched, silver-white backdrop of shimmering mirages to an area of semi-arid savannah grassland and thorn scrub. The pan itself contains water only after very good rains and sometimes for only a few days each year, but is enough to stimulate the growth of a blue-green algae which lures thousands of flamingos.
Why Visit Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park is a 22 750km² wildlife sanctuary in Namibia – one of Africa’s most stable and accessible countries
Great game viewing at the waterholes, especially during the dry season (June to November)
Great chances of seeing the endangered black rhinoceros
The 5 000km² salt pan, which attracts thousands of flamingos after heavy rains
Floodlit waterholes for night-time game viewing
Accessible by all vehicles – no motorbikes.
During the drier months from June to November the water points exert a magnetic pull on the big game herds, and forms the centrepiece for visitors looking to see the nearly 150 mammal species to found in the park, including several rare and endangered species such as the Black Rhino, Black-faced Impala, Tsessebe and Gemsbok.
Halali
The word Halali refers to the sound of a bugle or horn announcing the end of a day’s hunting, and I suppose the German soldiers that were posted here enjoyed the hunting until Governor Von Lindequist wisely declared the Etosha a game park and reserve.
Strategically located halfway between Okaukuejo and Namutoni, Halali is situated at the base of a dolomite hill, amongst shady Mopane trees. The camp is easily accessible either through Anderson or Von Lindequist entrance gates. A flood-lit waterhole which is viewed from an elevated vantage point provides exceptional wildlife viewing throughout the day and into the night. Accommodation is provided in honeymoon chalets, family chalets, two and four bed bush chalets and double rooms – all converted with large sliding doors to the outside, to allow visitors to experience and benefit from the peace and tranquillity of the natural surroundings.
Other facilities include a restaurant, bar, shop, swimming pool, kiosk and camping facilities.
Accommodation at Halali is provided in the following units:
Honeymoon Chalets – comfortably furnished with a queen sized bed, a private garden area and Jacuzzi. Equipped with a fridge and tea-station.
Family Chalets – secluded self catering units with two bedrooms each with 2 ¾ beds, one bathroom, and kitchenette, lounge and braai area. The kitchen has a small oven, limited selection of crockery and cutlery, fridge, kettle and tea/coffee station. Outside is a shaded area with a braai and table and chairs.
Bush Chalet (4 adults) – comfortable chalet with two bedrooms each with 2 ¾ beds, one bathroom and lounge area. Equipped with braai area (barbeque), fridge & tea station with an assortment of crockery and cutlery. The outside area has a table and chairs.
Bush Chalet (2 adults) – comfortable chalet with one bedroom, bathroom and living area with sliding door to a outside area. Equipped with fridge & tea station. There is no braai area at these chalets.
Double Room – 2 ¾ beds with en-suite bathroom, fridge & tea-station.
Camping – a large number of campsites all with electricity, water tap and braai facility and under shady trees.
Facilities:
2 x family chalet (4 beds) with braai (barbeque area)
5 x Honeymoon chalets (own Jacuzzi)
10 x bush chalet (2 rooms, 4 beds) with braai
10 x bush chalet (2 beds) with braai
40 x double rooms
Camping
Restaurant
Bar
Kiosk
Shop
Swimming pool
Attractions & Activities:Flood-lit waterhole, Guided night drives, Guided morning and afternoon game drives, Nature walks within the camp
Waterholes around Halali:
Batia: A good waterhole for viewing plains animals. Blue wildebeest, springbok and elephant can be found here.
Charitsaub: Popular water hole with plains animals – springbok, gemsbok, plus cheetah
Goas: Lots of animals visit this water hole. Black faced impala, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, elephant, lion, zebra and birds of prey.
Helio: Small waterhole, but you can often find elephant and small game here.
Noniams: Better spending your time at Goas which is close by.
Nuamses: Close to the edge of the pan this water hole attracts plains animals and elephant.
Rietfontein: Very popular and large water hole frequented by springbok, elephant, lion along with nearly all the species found in the park, including leopard. It’s a little far from the road for photographers, but a must visit.
Salvadora: Popular water hole with plains animals – springbok, gemsbok,
Springbokfontein: Not very popular.
Sueda: Popular water hole with plains animals – springbok, gemsbok
Namutoni
Namutoni is situated on the eastern side of Etosha, and derives its name from the old German fort around which it is built. The presence of the fort gives Namutoni more character than the other rest camps in Etosha.
it is also the camp which is closest to Fishers Pan – a wonderland of water birds in the wet season including breeding flamingos.
The Fort, which is for pedestrians only and overlooks the King Nehale waterhole, is the hub of activity with two restaurants, a relaxation lounge, a bar, crafts boutique, curio shop, jewellers and bookstore.
An elevated decked walkway along the water-hole provides views of the surrounding scenery, wildlife and spectacular sunsets.
Accommodation at Namutoni is provided in:
Double Rooms: accessed along wooden walkways and offer comfort & privacy with access to a private area both at the front and from the bathroom. Equipped with a fridge & tea station. Bath and shower in bathroom
Bush chalets: spacious and private, with double shower and basin bathroom. Sliding doors give access to a relaxation area in the front of the chalet while an outside shower is reachable via the bathroom. Equipped with a fridge & tea station
Facilities:
20 x bush chalet (2 beds)
24 x double rooms
Camping
African fusion restaurant
Steakhouse
Bar
Curio shop, jeweller and bookstore
Swimming pool
Attractions & Activities: Historic fort, Flood-lit waterhole, Guided night drives, Guided morning and afternoon game drives
Waterholes near Namutoni:
Chudob: Fed by an artesian fountain this waterhole has a floating reed island. You should find Eland here along with Giraffe, Elephant, Warthog and Black Faced Impala.
Groot Okevi: Ground water level spring. Elephant, Gemsbok, Kudu, even cheetah and Leopard.
Kalkheuvel: A favoured water hole of photographers. You can get good close-ups of the animals at this busy water hole. Lots of game, and also birds such as bateleur eagle, black breasted snake eagle, tawny eagle and the black (yellow billed) kite.
Klein Okevi: Ground water level spring. Black Faced Impala, Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, Kudu, Gemsbok, Zebra and even Cheetah can be seen here.
Klein Namutoni: An artesian spring about 2km south of the camp. Good game viewing especially early morning and late afternoon. Popular with Elephant, Giraffe, Kudu, Gemsbok, Kudu, Black Faced Impala, Zebra. Don’t miss taking a tour around Dikdik drive where you have a good chance of spotting the tiny and often elusive Damara Dikdik.
Koinkas: Fed by an artesian fountain is reasonably frequented by game
Namutoni: An artesian spring on the western side of the camp. Dense reeds. Not many animals come here.
Ngobib: The water hole is in a hollow. Not very visible, but does attract Elephant, gemsbok, kudu zebra cheetah and leopard.
Okerfontein: A strong cantact spring on the edge of the pan. Not very popular, but lion and cheetah can sometimes be seen there.
Tsumcor: Busy waterhole. You should see plenty of animals here. Good photography
Twee Palms: Picturesque, Makalani Palms, don’t miss the closing gate at Namutoni.
Onkoshi
Onkoshi Camp is set on the rim of the Etosha Pan on a secluded peninsula. Onkoshi is a low impact, environmentally friendly establishment with only 15 units (30 beds), which guarantees a truly personal and exclusive experience. The location is entirely out of view of current tourist routes, and all other developments in the area, and thus offers a pristine, tranquil and unique experience. Guests arrive at Namutoni from where they are transported to Onkoshi Camp in NWR vehicles. In the near future guests will be able to drive their own vehicles to Onkoshi as the road is undergoing improvements – 4×4 owners can already drive to Onkoshi on their own.
Onkoshi Camp offers superb vistas over the Etosha pan, with its shimmering mirages during the hot days, during wet months birding is excellent from the comfort of your chalet or the entertainment area. Sunsets and sunrises are magnificent over the pan with dramatic colours and vistas.
All rooms are built on elevated wooden decks, with thatched roofs, canvas walls and large, wooden-framed retractable doors allowing spectacular panoramic views. Rooms are tastefully equipped with locally crafted fittings and furnishings, using a blend of metal and wood combined with natural fabrics to create a natural and ethnic ambiance. Each chalet has two ¾ beds, except in the honeymoon chalet where a king-size bed is provided.
Accommodation:
• 14 Onkoshi chalets
• 1 Honeymoon chalet
Room Facilities:
• Panoramic views over the Etosha pan
• Two ¾ beds except Honeymoon chalet with a king sized bed
• Views from the bathroom, separate shower as well as outdoor shower
• Bathrobes and slippers
• Lounge area with couch and coffee table.
• Tea and coffee station
• Veranda with a view
Camp Facilities
• Room service on request
• Laundry service on request
• Restaurant, Bar and sunset deck
• Souvenir Shop
• Swimming pool
Attractions and Activities:
• Guided morning and afternoon game drives
• Stargazing
• Photography
Surrounding Onkoshi:
Etosha Pan of 4590 km ² varied attractions according to season – bird life is prolific during the wet season and wildlife viewing is best in dry season.
Andoni plains north of the camp is excellent for plains game with good photographic opportunities for zebra, wildebeest and springbok.
Stinkwater Waterhole is excellent for game viewing
Dolomite Camp
Nestled in the dolomite outcrops of western Etosha National Park, Dolomite Camp offers an intimate experience in one of the most scenic areas of the Park. Access to Dolomite is via the Galton Gate, the entry gate north of Kamanjab or via Anderson Gate near Okaukuejo.
The first tourist facility inside western Etosha, Dolomite Camp embodies the spirit of mystery and magnifies a sense of the unknown. Pristine and unadulterated, Dolomite Camp is your home inside one of the last remaining wildlife sanctuaries in the world.
The main area, with a restaurant, bar, sunset deck and infinity swimming pool overlooking the surrounding plains, offers the ideal place to relax and rejuvenate, while savouring infusions of cocktails or being seduced by the magical authenticity of Namibia’s outback. Two fireside bomas present the perfect opportunity to savour Etosha National Park’s night life while revelling in adventure tales.
Accommodation:
The Camp features 20 Chalets built on elevated wooden decks on and around the outer edges of a Dolomite ridge. All rooms are built with thatched roofs, canvas walls and large, wooden-framed retractable doors allowing spectacular panoramic views. Rooms are elegantly furnished with local and regional fittings and equipment, using natural fabrics to create a natural and ethnic ambiance.
Room Features:
17 Dolomite chalets & 3 Deluxe chalets
Stunning views of western Etosha hills, salt pans and plains
Two ¾ beds with mosquito net
Deluxe Chalets each have a private plunge pool
Private room safes
Plush Bath robes and slippers in the Deluxe Chalets
Lighted make-up mirror and desk, hairdryer
Lounge area with couch and coffee table
Private tea and coffee station
Deluxe Chalets have a veranda/sunrise deck with a view
Twice-daily housekeeping attention with evening turndown service
Preferred time of housekeeping service
Public Facilities
Golf carts to transport guests and luggage up the hill from the parking area
Laundry service upon request
Free Parking
1 disabled access unit
Restaurant
2 fire bomas
Infinity pool
Attractions:
Previously restricted area of the Park, boasting large wildlife numbers in particular the Black Rhino, Black-faced Impala and Hartmann Mountain Zebra.
Rolling hills, plains, saline pans and dolomite outcrops are part of western Etosha’s geology.
More than 10 waterholes surround the Camp
Ancient rock art
Professionally guided morning and afternoon game drives to surrounding areas of the park, including access to exclusive areas within the western area of Etosha.
An artificial waterhole on the plain at the northern end of the Dolomite ridge provides great game viewing and photographic opportunities
Bird watching
Plant identification
Okaukuejo
Okaukuejo is located 17 km from the southern entrance of the park, Anderson Gate.
Okaukuejo is the oldest tourist camp in Etosha and it also functions as the administrative centre of the park. Okaukuejo is also home to the Etosha Ecological Institute. It is situated at the western end of the Etosha Pan. Accommodation is provided to suit every need: Premier Waterhole Chalets overlooking the waterhole, waterhole chalets, bush chalets, double rooms and family chalets. Other facilities include a restaurant, bar, shop, swimming pool, kiosk and camp sites.
The main attraction of this camp is that it overlooks a permanent waterhole which is floodlit at night. Here a wide diversity of wildlife congregate and interact from lion to rhino to elephant and antelope. The spectacle starts at dawn, with animals coming in large numbers to quench their thirst. The activity continues throughout the day until late at night. In the early evenings, it is not uncommon to have black rhino, elephant and lion all drinking at the same time.
Accommodation units:
Premier Waterhole Chalet: Double story chalet with a balcony overlooking the waterhole. Two bedrooms, one downstairs with 2 single beds and one upstairs with a queen size double. Downstairs there is a lounge area, fridge and tea-station.
Family Chalet: self catering unit with two bedrooms each with 2 ¾ beds, kitchenette and braai (barbeque) area
Waterhole Chalet: situated close to the waterhole these are comfortable double rooms with en-suite bathroom, fridge & tea-station
Bush Chalet: 2 bed chalet with one bedroom, bathroom, lounge area & braai. Equipped with fridge & tea station
Double Room: room with en-suite bathroom, fridge & tea station
Camping: A number of campsites all with electricity, braai area, water tap and access to hot showers
Facilities:
5 x premier waterhole chalet
30 x waterhole chalet double rooms
2 x family chalets (2 rooms, 4 beds) with braai
25 x bush chalets (2 beds) with braai
40 x double rooms
Camping
Restaurant, Bar and Kiosk
Tourist shop and post office
2 x Swimming pools
Attractions and Activities:
Flood-lit waterhole with excellent photographic opportunities, Guided night drives, Guided morning and afternoon game drives.
Waterholes close to Okaukuejo:
Aus: Good water hole. Here you should see black faced impala, elephant, gemsbok, kudu, springbok, zebra and even rhino.
Gemsbokvlakte: A good waterhole for viewing in the dry months. Attracts a variety of game including elephant and lion.
Homob: Close to the edge of the pan
Kapupuhedi: Not as popular as the water hole dries up.
Okaukuejo: One of the main reasons why visitors choose to overnight at Okaukuejo is the close proximity of this busy waterhole and the busy nigh-time activity around it. The viewing platform is about 50 metres from the hole which is floodlit after dark and you are guaranteed some excellent views of the various animals as they come down to drink.
Okondeka: On the edge of the pan this water hole is frequented by the plains animals. You might see giraffe and even lion here.
Olifantsbad: Attractive mopane veld. Good variety of game including elephant, lion, black nosed impala, red hartebeest, gemsbok, kudu, zebra.
Ombika: A good waterhole visited by a variety of animals.
Ondongab: Not as popular as the water hole dries up.
Etosha National Park is a national park in northwestern Namibia. The park was proclaimed a game reserve on March 22, 1907 in Ordinance 88 by the Governor of German South West Africa, Dr. Friedrich von Lindequist. It was designated as Wildschutzgebiet Nr. 2 which means Game Reserve Number 2, in numerical order after West Caprivi Game Reserve No. 1 and preceding Namib Game Reserve . In 1958, Game Reserve No. 2 became Etosha Game Park and was elevated to status of National Park in 1967 by an act of parliament of the Republic of South Africa which administered South-West Africa during that time.
Etosha National Park spans an area of 22,270 square kilometres (8,600 sq mi) and gets its name from the large Etosha pan which is almost entirely within the park. The Etosha pan (4,760 square kilometres 1,840 sq mi) covers 23% of the area of the total area of the Etosha National Park.The park is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds and reptiles, including several threatened and endangered species such as the black rhinoceros.
The park is located in the Kunene region and shares boundaries with the regions of Oshana, Oshikoto and Otjozondjupa.
The name Etosha comes from Oshindonga word meaning Great White Place referring to the Etosha pan. The Hai//om called the pan Khubus which means "totally bare, white place with lots of dust". The pan is also known as Chums which refers to the noise made by a person's feet when walking on the clay of the pan.
Areas north of the Etosha pan were inhabited by Ovambo people, while various Otjiherero-speaking groups lived immediately outside the current park boundaries. The areas inside the park close to the Etosha pan had Khoisan-speaking Hai//om people.
When the Etosha pan was first discovered, the Hai//om people recognized the Ovambo chief at Ondongwa (formerly Ondonga) but the Hereros did not.The Hai||om were forcibly removed from the park in the 1954, ending their hunter-gatherer lifestyle to become landless farm laborers.The Hai||om have had a recognized Traditional Authority since 2004 which helps facilitate communications between the community and the government. The government of Namibia acknowledges the park to be the home of Hai||om people and has plans to resettle displaced families on farms adjacent to the national park. Since 2007 the Government has acquired six farms directly south of the Gobaub depression in Etosha National Park. A number of families have settled on these farms under the leadership of Chief David Khamuxab, Paramount Chief of the Hai||om.
The salt pans are the most noticeable geological features in the Etosha national park. The main depression covers an area of about 5,000 square kilometres (1,900 sq mi), and is roughly 130 km (81 mi) long and as wide as 50 km (31 mi) places. The hypersaline conditions of the pan limit the species that can permanently inhabit the pan itself; occurrences of extremophile micro-organisms are present, which species can tolerate the hypersaline conditions.The salt pan is usually dry, but fills with water briefly in the summer, when it attracts pelicans and flamingos in particular.
In the dry season, winds blowing across the salt pan pick up saline dust and carry it across the country and out over the southern Atlantic. This salt enrichment provides minerals to the soil downwind of the pan on which some wildlife depends, though the salinity also creates challenges to farming.
The Etosha Pan was one of several sites throughout southern Africa in the Southern African Regional Science Initiative (SAFARI 2000). Using satellites, aircraft, and ground-based data from sites such as Etosha, partners in this program collected a wide variety of data on aerosols, land cover, and other characteristics of the land and atmosphere to study and understand the interactions between people and the natural environment.
The dolomite hills on the southern border of the park near the Andersson entrance gate are called Ondundozonananandana, meaning place where young boy herding cattle went to never return, probably implying a high density of predators like leopards in the hills, giving the mountains its English name of Leopard Hills.The Halali area is also home to dolomite hills within the park, with one hill inside the camp and the nearby Twee Koppies. Western Etosha is also dominated by dolomite hills which is the only place in the park that has mountain zebra.
The pans in the park are mostly devoid of vegetation with the exception of the halophytic Sporobolus salsus, a protein-rich grass that is used by grazers such as blue wildebeest and springbok. The areas around the Etosha pan also have other halophytic vegetation including grasses such as Sporobolus spicatus and Odyssea paucinervis and shrubs such as Suaeda articulata.
Woodlands
Most of the park is savanna woodlands except for areas close to the pan. Mopane is the most common tree, estimated to be around 80% of all trees in the park.The sandveld of north-eastern corner of Etosha is dominated by acacia and Terminalia trees. Tamboti trees characterize the woodlands south of the sandveld.
Dwarf shrub savanna occurs areas close to the pan and is home to several small shrubs including a halophytic succulent Salsola etoshensis. Thorn bush savanna occurs close to the pan on limestone and alkaline soils and is dominated by Acacia species such as Acacia nebrownii, Acacia luederitzii, Acacia melliferra, Acacia hebeclada and Acacia tortilis.
Grasslands
Grasslands in the park are mainly around the Etosha pan where the soil is sandy. Depending on the soil and the effects of the pan, grasslands could be dominated by one of the Eragrostis, Sporobolus, Monelytrum, Odyssea or Enneapogon species.
All lodging and camping accommodation inside the park is managed by Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR). There five sites inside the park with lodges and three of the sites have facilities for camping. All sites have game-proof fences.
Okaukuejo was founded as a German South-West Africa military outpost in 1897 in an effort to control spread of foot-and-mouth disease. It later served as a police station and it was formally opened as a rest camp in 1955. The Okaukuejo tower was built in 1963 modeled after the old police station tower in the area. Okaukuejo has a restaurant, a post office, souvenir shops, two swimming pools and a tourist information center where visitors can record their daily observations. There is an observation deck at the Okaukuejo waterhole, which is floodlit at night for the benefit of tourists staying overnight, to observe nocturnal wildlife at the waterhole.
Namutoni is also a former police and military station in the eastern part of the park, 123 kilometres (76 mi) from Okaukuejo. Fort Namutoni was rebuilt in 1957 when it served as a rest camp for winter visitors to the park.
Halali
The Halali rest camp was opened in 1967 and is located about midway between Okaukuejo and Namutoni.
Onkoshi is an exclusive property inside the park and is located near Stinkwater
Dolomite Camp
Tourists are not allowed to go west of Ozonjuitji m'bari and the only exception to that rule are registered Namibian tour operators and guests staying at Dolomite Camp. It was built in 2010 and can be accessed from the Galton gate or through the park along the 19S latitude road
No comments:
Post a Comment