- Address: Namibia, Ombika (federal highway C38)
- Phone: +264 81 180 0016
- Website: etoshanationalpark.co.za
- Area: 22,270 sq. M. km
- Foundation date: March 22, 1907.
The territory of Namibia consists of many national parks of different size and status. One of them is Etosha - a natural reserve, which is broken up around the lake of the same name.
The history of the discovery of the Etosha reserve
The people of the Owambo tribe who spoke the Khoisan language began to settle the territory of this protected area. The name of the reserve from their language translates as "a large white space". Later, for the lands around Lake Etosha, an inter-tribal war began, as a result of which Ovambo people were driven from this territory. When the Europeans arrived here, it began to be used as agricultural land.
The official foundation date for Etosha is 1907, and the status of the national park was given to him only in 1958. His creation helped to save rare and endangered species of animals, but still the buffaloes and wild dogs died out here in the middle of the 20th century. The supervisors of the Etosha reserve have to constantly struggle with poachers and slaughterhouses, literally beating off hundreds and thousands of large animals (plain zebras, mountain zebras, elephants).
Nature reserve Etosha
Throughout the history of the border of this reserve have changed more than once. According to the latest data, the area of the reserve is 22 275 square meters. km, of which approximately 5123 square meters. km (23%) fall on the Etosha solonchak.
For these lands, the climate of the Kalahari desert and the arid part of Namibia is characteristic. That is why in the Etosha National Park there are more Mopana trees, various bushes and thorns.
Such meager vegetation has become the habitat for many species of animals - rare black rhinoceros, savanna elephant, African ostrich, giraffe and others. One of the most outstanding representatives of the fauna of Etosha is the south-western African lions. In total, the territory of this nature protection zone is inhabited by:
- 14 species of mammals;
- 340 species of birds;
- 110 species of reptiles;
- 16 species of amphibians;
- 1 species of fish.
Being in the preserve of Etosha in Namibia, one can observe how zebras, elephants and antelopes come to the lake to water, and at night lions and rhinoceroses are drawn here.
Tourism in the Etosha reserve
Travelers from all over the world come to this reserve in order to observe the local inhabitants and study the local landscapes. Especially for them on the territory of the Etosha National Park tourist zones were created:
- Halali Camp;
- Okaukuejo Camp;
- Onkoshi Camp;
- Namutoni Camp.
The Halali and Okaukuejo campsites have bungalows and separate rooms, and in Namutoni, apart from them, there are also apartments. Night in a double room with breakfast at any of the hotels in Etosha National Park costs around $ 131. In addition, the tourist area is equipped with a gas station and shops.
Before visiting the Etosha reserve in Namibia, remember that the entrance to the car is only allowed on the east side. In the western part of the park it is allowed to stop by only special tourist cars. In this case, you need to pay a fee for each member of the company and the car.
How to get to Etosha?
This national park is located in the north of the country 163 km from the border of Namibia with Angola and 430 km from Windhoek . From the capital of Namibia, you can get to the Etosha reserve only by road. They connect roads B1 and C38. Following them from Windhoek, you can reach your destination in 4-5 hours. The C8 route leads to the eastern part of Etosha National Park, which is permitted for independent driving.