Hello wildlife lovers! My name is Ilaria – a travel blogger and travel lover from Italy. Thanks for stopping by my article on Etosha National Park.
A little bit about myself: I’m 44 and the mother of two beautiful girls Mia (nine years old) and Bianca (five years old). My main passions in life are travel and photography. In terms of a profession, I work in graphic design.
I would consider myself a practical person. I’m not fashionable. I’m more direct and passionate. So I created a blog called “Chi Mi Ama Mi Segua” – translating to “Who Loves Me Follow Me”. I don’t claim to please everyone. However, I try to connect with people who have similar passions. I live in Bologna, Italy – a land rich in history, traditions, nature and food!
Looking Back on A Wonderful Trip to Namibia
My trip to Namibia dates back ten years! My partner and I had no children at the time and we enjoyed quite a few adventurous trips back then. The trip to Namibia looked to be an expensive trip. So I decided to organise the trip on my own. It took several months, hundreds of emails and hours spent reading travel guides. But in the end everything was ready to go.
There were four of us: me, my partner Luca and two friends (Francesca and Luca). We left in mid-August for three full weeks, excluding travel time. We rented a powerful 4×4 with two rooftop tents. Our first week was spent in the deserts south of the capital, Windhoek. We visited the Kalahari Desert, Sossusvlei dunes and the sea dunes in the Swakopmund area.
The second week was dedicated to the north. Specifically, the Damaraland territory and land of the Himba (indigenous population of northern Namibia). We visited some important archaeological sites such as Twyfelfontein and its rock paintings, organ pipes and petrified forest.
We then moved to a very remote place – which won’t be for everyone: an authentic and remote village called Purros. The last days of the week, we relaxed on the banks of the Kunene River. Here, the nature is really lush and the landscapes are beautiful. Our third week was for Etosha National Park.
Four Days in Etosha National Park
We spent four days in Etosha National Park. Each area of the park is different and should be visited! We experienced the park without any problems and did it independently with our car. The freedom to be able to move around at leisure was priceless. It was a wonderful few days.
The most special place in the park was near a pool of water around which many animals gathered. The incredible thing was to see them organised in orderly groups, alternating with the water in order of “prestige”. First were the elephants, then other animals in order from the biggest to smallest.
Animals of Etosha National Park
At Etosha National Park, it’s possible to observe all the wild animals that are typical of Africa. The most beautiful, in my opinion, is the leopard. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to see this creature. It’s a difficult animal to spot in Etosha. Other amazing animals in the park include:
- Elephants: Seen in the dozens if not hundreds by us
- Zebra: We saw countless zebra – it’s impossible not to
- Kudu: Beautiful woodland antelopes which are rare to come across
- Rhinos: They were rather difficult to spot but we saw a few of them
- Cheetahs: We didn’t see any (there are only captive ones at the park)
- Lions: We saw many lions, mainly in packs and sometimes with cubs
- Antelope: Stunning animals with huge horns – very few are seen here
- Giraffes: There aren’t many at Etosha but they aren’t impossible to see.
Where to Stay at Etosha National Park
We booked our stays in Etosha National Park well in advance and went with three campsites: Namutoni Camp, Halali Camp and Okaukuejo. It’s definitely worth sleeping inside the park. Obviously, it costs more but if you are a traveller in tents then the cost won’t be high. The lodges are nice but expensive. I can certainly recommend the three places mentioned above.
My Favourite Memory of Etosha
My favourite memory of Etosha National Park was when we headed towards the campsite one night at sunset. The sun was setting and the grass of the savannah was tinged orange. We drove fast but then, suddenly, we were forced to slow down. Something was in the middle of the road. There were three lions playing right in front of us! They were just wonderful.
I started to think at that point that the three lions wouldn’t be alone. We looked around and then the king of the savannah walked out. A majestic lion stood peacefully in the grass kissed by the sun. It’s an image that I will never be able to forget – this amazing lion had such a presence about him.
As often happens on these rare occasions, I was moved to tears by the experience. I filled an entire sim card with photos of this moment as well as capturing some video. Time was running out and so we had to return to the campsite. What a moment it was in the stunning Etosha National Park!
Need to Know Before you Go
I recommend staying at Etosha National Park for at least four days. Five or six would be better. Inside some of the campsites and lodges there are watering holes that can be visited safely (even at night). This is an experience not to be missed as it’s the only way to see animals in the dark.
Beyond a certain time you must exit the park and head back to your enclosed lodge or campsite. Make sure you wake up early and hang out at the park until sunset. Early morning and golden hour are the best times to see rare animal sightings and also for photography as the light is best then. Thanks for reading everyone and enjoy your trip to Etosha National Park!
