Etosha National Park is a sanctuary that extends over 22 thousand km² […]
Namibia is known for the arid scenery and orange tones of Sossusvlei, home to some of the highest dunes on the planet.
But the north of this nation bordering South Africa hides one of the biggest surprises in the western region of the African continent: the Etosha National Park, a sanctuary with more than 22 thousand km² of green area, six hours from the capital Windhoek.
This varied fauna was almost decimated during the period in which the territory of present-day Namibia was under German administration and took the name of German South-West Africa.
Thanks to Governor Von Lindequist, the region was declared a protected reserve in 1907, and what was an immense wild hunting area became one of the largest natural parks in the world.
Green Namibia
Titles and adjectives will always be insufficient to describe the feeling of seeing your path crossed by hundreds of zebras and other African animals.
So, the best thing to do is hop in a 4×4 car to see up close (and from a distance almost unlikely in other parts of the country) the landscape that once inspired the dazzling declarations of Europe’s first adventurers, in the second half of the 19th century.
THE rangerthe driver responsible for the safaris is in no hurry. If necessary, stop the car, turn off the engine and spend a few minutes giving long and curious explanations about what foreign eyes have just seen.
More than a safari, the experience is a lesson with information on the food and other habits of the animals encountered.
Where only trees, stones and sand are seen, the keen gaze of the experienced man can see recent footprints and clues about the park’s inhabitants.
That immense green plain is usually frequented by flocks attracted by the waterholes strategically positioned at the edges of the rough dirt paths. There are believed to be 45,000 zebras and 3,000 elephants living in the Etosha region.
The best time to visit is the dry months, between May and September, when hundreds of animals cross the territory in search of water and approach the roads. It is a guarantee of life for them and emotions for those who visit the region.
Etosha Pan
When the eyes seem satisfied with that animal variety, another scene captures the gaze and what was green transforms into a flat terrain with light tones, called Etosha Pan.
This salt flat of almost 5,000 km², in the far north of Namibia, remains dry almost all year round.
However, after short seasons of heavy rain, the place attracts groups of flamingos that feed on the algae that grow in the lagoons that form along its entire length and which, due to the lack of impermeability of the clay soil, can remain there for a long time.
From north to south and from orange to green, Namibia truly seems like a great mirage that not even its wildest inhabitants tire of returning to see.
FIND OUT MORE
Etosha National Park
www.etoshanationalpark.co.za
Namibia Tourist Board
www.namibiatourism.com.na
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
