"The sheer concentration of wildlife at Etosha National Park – best seen during the dry season – is absolutely astounding. Game-viewing is easy here; one simply needs to head to a water-hole and wait: the animals will inevitably come. Herds of animals, often in their hundreds and sometimes thousands, populate the waterholes throughout the dry months, while in the early months of the year, when the Etosha Pan fills with water, you can expect to see large flocks of blue crested cranes and flamingos. There are more than 100 mammal species and 340 species of birds in the park.”
- Narina Exelby
Etosha National Park
The flagship of Namibia’s national parks, Etosha, is much celebrated for its intense concentration of wildlife. Here, animals can be seen in their hundreds, if not thousands, around the park and game viewing is an absolute delight.
Etosha National Park is about the same size as Slovenia, and taking up more than a quarter of its size is the park’s namesake: Etosha Pan. (“Etosha” comes from the Oshiwambo word meaning “great white place”.) This 5,000-square-kilometre salt pan, a remnant of the Kunene Delta, forms a part of the 100-million-year-old Kalahari Basin. It is used as a salt lick by many animals, and it provides a dramatic backdrop for viewing wildlife. In the drier months the pan’s white, salty surface is cracked and dry (often giving animals a ghostly appearance) while for a short period during the rains it is covered in shallow water that attracts thousands of waders.
There is phenomenal game-viewing during the dry season (May to October), when the grass is shorter and large herds of animals tend to congregate around the waterholes. Expect to see vast numbers of oryx, springbok, blue wildebeest and zebra, as well as elephant and giraffe; this is big cat country too, so look out for the occasional lion (the park has a population of about 500), cheetah and leopard. Endemic to Etosha are the little damara dik-dik and the black-faced impala.
There are numerous water holes around the park, many of them manmade. The waterholes at some of the camps are spot-lit throughout the night, offering round-the-clock game viewing opportunities. Etosha has the largest population of black rhinos in the world, and there is a better chance of seeing them at the water-holes after dark.
The infrastructure and facilities in this park are good. The roads are categorised according to their condition, making it a park that’s very accessible for self-drive travellers. The extensive road network helps to spread out visitor vehicles.
- Narina Exelby
Narina Exelby is a roaming writer whose roots grow deep in African soil; she writes extensively about the continent for international publications.
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread out.
A beautiful season to visit as the landscape transforms into many shades of green. Great birding with migratory species present. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals. Wildlife is however well spread out and the vegetation thick, making game viewing difficult.
Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 30°C/86°F midday, while the nights average 18°C/64°F.
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread out.
A beautiful season to visit as the landscape transforms into many shades of green. Great birding with migratory species present. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals. Wildlife is however well spread out and the vegetation thick, making game viewing difficult.
Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 30°C/86°F midday, while the nights average 18°C/64°F.
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
This is the peak of the wet season, yet days with rainfall are very spread out.
A beautiful season to visit as the landscape transforms into many shades of green. Great birding with migratory species present. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals. Wildlife is however well spread out and the vegetation thick, making game viewing difficult.
Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 30°C/86°F midday, while the nights average 18°C/64°F.
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
A beautiful season to visit as the landscape transforms into many shades of green. Great birding with migratory species present. This period also marks calving season with the birth of many young animals. Wildlife is however well spread out and the vegetation thick, making game viewing difficult.
Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 30°C/86°F midday, while the nights average a chilly 16°C/61°F.
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies and dry conditions dominate. This is the best safari period in Etoshia as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water holes. The thinning vegetation also makes it easy to spot game.
Midday temperatures are surprisingly cool, averaging around 25°C/73°F, while nice temperatures average a low of 10°C/50°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies and dry conditions dominate. This is the best safari period in Etoshia as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water holes. The thinning vegetation also makes it easy to spot game.
Midday temperatures are surprisingly cool, averaging around 25°C/73°F, while nice temperatures average a low of 10°C/50°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies and dry conditions dominate. This is the best safari period in Etoshia as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water holes. The thinning vegetation also makes it easy to spot game.
Midday temperatures are surprisingly cool, averaging around 25°C/73°F, while nice temperatures average a low of 10°C/50°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies and dry conditions dominate. This is the best safari period in Etoshia as the wildlife becomes more concentrated around the few remaining water holes. The thinning vegetation also makes it easy to spot game.
Midday temperatures are surprisingly cool, averaging around 25°C/73°F, while nice temperatures average a low of 10°C/50°F making warm clothes essential for those early morning activities!
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Game viewing can be fantastic during September and October; temperatures continue to rise before the start of the rains, with average midday temperatures 33°C/91°F, it is not uncommon for much warmer days than this, with temperatures occasionally over 40°C/104°F. Morning temperatures average a surprisingly chilly 16°C/61°F.
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Game viewing can be fantastic during September and October; temperatures continue to rise before the start of the rains, with average midday temperatures 33°C/91°F, it is not uncommon for much warmer days than this, with temperatures occasionally over 40°C/104°F. Morning temperatures average a surprisingly chilly 16°C/61°F.
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
The start of the wet season, with the occasional short sharp thunderstorm.
Temperatures are quite hot, averaging 33°C/91°F midday, it is not uncommon for much warmer days than this, with temperatures occasionally over 40°C/104°F. Morning temperatures are more pleasant with an average minimum of 18°C/64°F
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON – ‘EMERALD SEASON’
The start of the wet season, with the occasional short sharp thunderstorm.
Temperatures are quite hot, averaging 33°C/91°F midday, it is not uncommon for much warmer days than this, with temperatures occasionally over 40°C/104°F. Morning temperatures are more pleasant with an average minimum of 18°C/64°F
Like the rest of Namibia, the Etosha has very distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season occurs from November through to early May, during this time, thunderstorms infrequently occur, the rest of the year is dry. We would generally recommend visiting the park during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around the waterholes whilst at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding, and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
Explore Etosha National Park Properties
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Anderssons at Ongava
Anderssons at Ongava
Named after Swedish explorer, Charles Andersson, Andersson’s Camp is a stylish property on the Ongava Private Reserve on Etosha National Park’s doorstep. With a waterhole frequented by a host of wildlife nearby and a secret ..
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Etosha Safari Lodge
Etosha Safari Lodge
A Gondwana Collection owned property, Etosha Safari Lodge is a world away from the hustle and bustle of life yet close to the activity of Etosha National Park. Overlooking an expanse of mopane woodland, make the most of dining ..
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Little Ongava
Little Ongava
Little Ongava is a slice of five-star safari luxury within an intimate setting boasting incredible panoramic views of the private reserve it occupies. With just three suites, the lodge offers a very exclusive and private ..
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Ongava Lodge
Ongava Lodge
Ongava Lodge is perched on a hillside with uninterrupted views of Etosha National Park and the Ongava Game Reserve. Surrounded by Cacti and mopane trees, the lodge is a luxurious property with far-reaching views, a busy waterhole ..
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Ongava Tented Camp
Ongava Tented Camp
Ongava is a luxury bushcamp on a vast private reserve offering a homely atmosphere, an active waterhole and the chance to track rare black and white rhinos. With luxurious tented rooms and an intimate, rustic atmosphere, Ongava is ..
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Onguma Tented Camp
Onguma Tented Camp
Onguma Tented Camp is a relaxed retreat isolated in the Onguma Game Reserve. A truly wild camp, Onguma boasts beautifully furnished tents, excellent food, modern décor and a brilliant location where guests can truly feel at one ..
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Onguma The Fort
Onguma The Fort
Overlooking the sparse Etosha Pans, Onguma The Fort stays true to its name. With a Morrocan inspired design, the hotel truly resembles a fort and offers guests all the creature comforts of luxurious accommodation, incredible ..
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Safari House
Safari House
Safari House is a traditional Namibian farmhouse on a private reserve close to Etosha National Park. With just three rooms which can be booked on an exclusive basis and a private chef, guide and vehicle, guests will enjoy privacy, ..
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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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