In Etosha National Park, about 114 species of mammals live in the area, and the wide, open landscapes make them easier to see. One of the most iconic animals here is the African elephant.
These elephants are known for their large size and their dark grey appearance, which comes from covering themselves with dust and mud taken from the salty soil. Another special highlight of Etosha is the black rhino.
These animals are rare and endangered, but the park is one of the best places in the world to see them.
Etosha is home to four of Africa’s Big Five: the elephant, lion, leopard, and rhino. The only one missing from the list is the buffalo, which does not live in the park.
Lions are often found resting or hunting near waterholes, especially early in the morning or later in the afternoon when the heat is less intense.
Leopards are more secretive and harder to spot, but patient visitors may find them hiding under bushes, resting in trees, or quietly moving through thicker vegetation in search of prey.
The park is also full of herbivores. Large groups of kudu, Burchell’s zebra, springbok, blue wildebeest, giraffe, and oryx (also called gemsbok, Namibia’s national animal) roam the plains.
These grazing animals are a major food source for predators such as lions, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, and jackals. Watching the interaction between hunters and grazers is one of the main reasons visitors enjoy game drives in Etosha.
Sightings are often most rewarding in the cooler hours of the day, especially at sunset, when animals become more active and the light is perfect for photography.
Etosha is not only about mammals but also about birds. More than 340 bird species have been recorded in the park. These range from the tall ostriches that stride across the open plains to colourful bee-eaters that sit on branches waiting to catch insects.
The mix of small and large bird species makes Etosha a special destination for birdwatchers, who can enjoy spotting birds at waterholes, along the plains, and near the Etosha Pan.
