Courage to choose the unknown. (Etosha National Park)

Member Name: B-DISE

Product:	Etosha National Park
Date:	24/03/08 (90 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Splendour, wildlife game viewing, beauty.

Disadvantages: None I can imagine.

Those who have the courage to take on an adventure to the unknown and might not have been to the splendours of The Etosha National Park in Namibia, sit back and relax as I shall attempt to take you on the road down memory lane, hopefully to entice you to create a lifetime memory of your own.

Friends from Stockton-on-Tees arranged their vacation of a lifetime a while ago and guess where one of our destinations were? Yeah, I know I should not repeat it, but why should I care what you really think as I already know how amazing the park is.

The Etosha National Park covers more than 22 000 square kilometers and in the heart of the park lies a vast salt pan desert which is more or less 130 kilometers long and 50 kilometers wide in some places, wow! It is surrounded with thorn savannah and grass with the pan itself mostly dry. Very briefly during the summer the pan will have some water and then attracts birds like pelicans and flamingo's besides other wildlife species.

There are water-holes scattered throughout The Etosha National Park though which provides the perfect areas for game. Countless species such as lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, elephant, springbok and numerous other African animal species. Please do not expect me to give you all the information as I am trying to entice you, remember?

There are three restcamps in the park which is Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni. We decided to enter the park from the main entrance which leads to Okaukuejo restcamp with Janet and Brian being very excited throughout the trip. As we drove about three kilometers Gundi almost had heart failure when she noticed the animal she most feared, yet most adored. It was none other than the "Gentle Giant" of Africa, the elephant! We were so fortunate (unfortunate for Gundi, shame) to see at least five to six of these wonderful animals on our way into Okaukuejo. What a start to anyone's visit, do you not agree?

Camping sites, chalets and hotels are available as well as restaurants, stores and swimming pools. We booked a chalet for the four of us for one night only to spend time at the water hole that evening and take a long drive into the park the very next day. The roads are well-maintained gravel roads(untarred) which leads to many a water hole where the best game viewing are. Within the security of the restcamp one can enjoy the wonderful sight of numerous wildlife visiting the water hole day and night with special lighting being provided permanently.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset therefor, remember to be inside one of the restcamps or you should have already left the park and the only other option left is to sleep in your vechile with sharp-tooth prowlers around you and the sounds of the night. Sounds good to me! Back at Okaukuejo in the meantime all four of us sat at the water hole enjoying the splendour of wildlife, nature and the surrounded noises when suddenly Gundi jumps up almost hysterical, throwing her tin of cooldrink over her shoulder whilst jumping back for another elephant daring to be to close for her comfort! It took a while for us to settle down as laughter broke the perfect silence for a while.

Early the next morning we were ready to take on the park and it's beauty. What a stunning sight when you drive through the park heading to different water holes. I can not imagine someone enjoying such splendour not arranging their next vacation in Namibia at The Etosha National Park. The best time for game viewing would be from May to September which is our cooler months in Namibia and wildlife is in abundance at the water holes.

I hope some of you have enjoyed this short and little adventure with me and to conclude I include some information details which you could use for more information. Until we meet again, thanks for reading.

Namibia Wildlife Resorts.
Private Bag 13378, Windhoek, 9000, Namibia.
Tel ++264-(0)61 285 7200
Fax++264-(0)61 224 900
email: reservations@nwf.com.na

Summary: Enjoy wildlilife and nature.