ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK:
The Etosha National Park was proclaimed as Namibia's first conservation area in 1907 by the then German government. At that stage it covered a vast area of 93 240 square kilometres and was the largest game reserve in the world. For various political considerations, however, Etosha was progressively diminished in size until by 1975 it had been reduced to its present surface area of 22 270 square kilometres.

Nevertheless, the Etosha National Park is still one of the largest game reserves in Africa. Consisting of saline desert, savannah and woodlands, its definitive feature is the Etosha Pan, a vast, shallow depression of approximately 5000 square kilometres. For the greater part of the year the pan is a bleak expanse of white cracked mud which shimmers with mirages on most days. Seeing vast herds of game against the eerie backdrop, referred to in the local vernacular as the "great white place of dry water", makes the Etosha game-viewing experience unique.

Of the 114 mammal species found in the park, several are rare and endangered, such as black rhino, cheetah and black-faced impala. The latter is endemic to north-western Namibia and south-western Angola. Due to the timeous translocation of black rhino from Kaokoland to the safety of the park in the 1970s Etosha's current population of more than 300 animals represents one of the few growing populations of black rhino in the world. Etosha's elephants are reputed to be the largest in Africa, the tallest ones measuring up to 4 metres at the shoulder. Their tusks, on the other hand, are relatively small, due to genetic defects and mineral deficiencies in their diets.

Other large mammals represented in the park include blue wildebeest, mountain and plains zebra, hyena and lion. Cheetah and leopard complete the trip of "big cats". The tallest animal on earth, the giraffe, is also well represented in Etosha. Standing almost 6 metres high from the hoof to the curious bony "horns" on its head, the striking patchwork coloration makes the giraffe a rewarding animal to photograph. Antelope species range from kudu, gemsbok and the large and stately eland, to the diminutive Damara dik-dik. These tiny antelope have a height of less than 45 cm at the shoulder and weigh about 5 kg. Smaller, mammals include jackal, bat-eared fox, honey badger, warthog and the ubiquitous ground squirrel.

About 340 bird species occur in the park, of which about one third are migratory, including the European bee-eater and several species of waders, as well as larger birds such as ostrich and kori-bustard. Etosha is one of the most important breeding grounds of the Greater and Lesser flamingo in the Southern Africa region. During a good rainy season millions of these birds congregate on the pan to breed. Ten of Etosha's 35 raptor species are migratory. Most commonly seen are Lappet faced, White-backed and Hooded vultures, while sighting of the Cape, Egyptian, Palm-nut vultures have been recorded. There are eight species of owl, including the Pearl spotted and White faced, and four species of nightjar.

For the greater part of the year, in the dry season, Etosha's animals and birds are dependent on about 30 springs and waterholes. These provide excellent game viewing and photographic opportunities. Wildlife enthusiasts who visit Etosha frequently, tend to select a favorite waterhole, which they maintain is "lucky" for them.