Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Etosha National Park
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Etosha National Park ranks as one of the world's great wildlife-viewing venues. Its unique
nature is encapsulated by the vast Etosha pan - an immense, flat, saline desert that, for a
few days each year, is converted by the rains into a shallow lagoon teeming with flamin-
gos and pelicans. In contrast, the surrounding bush and grasslands provide habitat for
Etosha's diverse wildlife. And what wildlife there is - if you've had a taste of African
wildlife watching previously, you are likely to be mesmerised by it here.
Unlike many other parks in Africa, where you can spend days looking for animals
across the plains, one of Etosha's charms is its ability to bring the animals to you. Just
park your car next to one of the many waterholes, wait with bated breath and watch while
a host of animals - lions, elephants, springboks, gemsbok etc - come by, not two by two
but in the hundreds.
Although it may look barren, the landscape (covering an area of more than 20,000 sq
km) fringing the pan is home to 114 mammal species as well as 340 bird species, 16 rep-
tile and amphibian species, one fish species and countless insects.
