From Salt Pan Serenity to Safari Wonders: The Ultimate Etosha Adventure

Our first stop is Etosha National Park.

As we left Windhoek, the vastness of Namibia unfolded right before our eyes. The landscape transformed with every kilometer, from the rolling hills surrounding Windhoek to the expansive plains leading to Etosha National Park. We pass by acacia trees casting drawn-out shadows that stretch across the terrain. The occasional silhouette of wildlife on the horizon added a touch of anticipation, as if the road held the promise of encounters with the wild. Dark clouds followed us to Etosha, with lightning and occasional bursts of heavy rain. Our trusted companion, Jimny, navigated the winding roads with a not-so-sturdy grade. Its clunky frame weaves through the vastness like a clumsy explorer wavering on a wacky trail.

Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s oldest and largest national parks. Etosha means the ‘great white area’ and refers to the vast salt pan. This is Africa’s largest salt pan—an impressive sight! The water pools in the pan attract hundreds of flamingos, but we only saw them at a distance—a rarer sight at that time. Visitors typically gather at the waterholes to witness animals come to drink, but there were only a few animals due to the recent rain.

You can self-drive in the park or book a game drive through the camp. We hired a local guide, Franz, whom we met while talking to the locals at the entrance gate. He works for a local company in Okaukuejo. We hired him for three days to take us on a three-day game drive with the only goal of spotting the Big Four (Lion, Rhino, Elephant, and Leopard). What about the African buffalo? Well, you can only find African buffalos in Caprivi and Kavango.

Unfortunately, in Etosha, we only saw two of the Big Four. A lion and two rhinos! We spent three days looking for the leopard but only saw gemsbok giraffes, zebras, rhinos, flamingos, and various antelope species. We had also just missed a cheetah coalition twice by mere minutes.

One evening, as the sun descended over Etosha National Park, the landscape transformed into a breathtaking vision that exceeded our expectations. We had initially ventured into the waterhole with the simple intention of contemplating and enjoying the evening sky. We waited to see if animals would turn up for water. But what we witnessed was truly extraordinary! The sky, a canvas of warm hues, transitions from a brilliant azure to a soft, golden embrace. Wisps of clouds catch fire, painted in shades of coral and rose, casting a celestial ballet against the canvas of the heavens.

Armed only with our iPhones, we felt unprepared to capture such a magnificent scene, as we had left our cameras in the room. However, the iPhone captured the stunning colors and expansive beauty that unfolded before us.

Capturing this video on our iPhone immortalized the moment, which is what Mi Bella Mondo is all about. This video tells the story of that magical evening, a perfect reminder of nature’s unplanned yet unforgettable displays.

Recommendations:

Staying in the park is highly recommended.

We stayed at the Okaukuejo Camp inside Etosha National Park. The park has six camps. We chose to stay at Okaukuejo because it was easier to get in and out of Okaukuejo to our next destination.

You can stay at the premier waterhole chalets, which overlook the floodlit waterhole, or in a bush chalet, a family chalet, or a double room. You can include the meals and game drive when you book or wait until you get to the camp. We had a double room with plenty of space for two people and a very nice air conditioner.

Okaukuejo Camp offers one of the best waterholes in the park. Although we were there during the rainy season, we did not see a lot of animals in the waterhole. We still, however, saw plenty around the park. The thick, fresh foliage made it difficult, but they were around. The high season is from May to September; the best time to go is when animals seek out the waterholes.

Book your accommodations directly through the park’s website.

https://etoshanationalpark.co.za/

After you send out a booking request form, you will receive an email from one of their agents stating that you are provisionally booked. Your booking is only confirmed once you send the payments. They will confirm your reservation when payment is received. Make sure you keep the receipt, just in case!

If you want to help out a local guide, you can call/text Franz through WhatsApp. He is responsible, easygoing, and always on time. He even brought a spotter on the third day because I was desperate to find a leopard! Although we didn’t find one, we saw many animals on the first two days with him, and his spotter spotted a rhino napping in a deep-shaded tree right next to the road we almost drove past! He went above and beyond what we had asked them to do. His WhatsApp number is +264-812058487.