Etosha National Park

To the south of the pan are open grasslands, woodlands and permanent waterholes acting as liquid magnets for the abundant animal congregations and rarest of wildlife species. Some waterholes are floodlit at night, offering a unique way to view Etosha’s nocturnal activities, and ideal places to sit quietly and observe. In the silence, you can almost sense the infrasonic sounds by which it is thought these animal groups communicate over long distances. Okaukeujo is one such waterhole with a handy nearby camp, frequented nightly by black rhino, numerous elephants and lion.

In the areas with thicker vegetation, you’ll spy cheetah, leopards, spotted hyena, zebra, jackal and huge herds of springbok, gazelle, impala and antelope. You’ll quickly become entranced by the sight of prides of majestic lions slumbering under thorn trees, camouflaged in the pale-golden colour of these grasslands. You’ll be mesmerised by the rhythmic plod of families of elephants trooping down to waterholes to drink, wallow and bathe, and you’ll wonder at the imperious saunter of giraffe nibbling from their high-rise acacia cafes.

A birdwatcher’s paradise, Etosha has over 400 recorded bird species, with stunning sightings of hundreds of pink flamingos, dancing ostrich and long-legged secretary birds. There are over 35 species of raptor, including the yellow-billed kite, steppe eagle and pygmy falcon, as well as the ever-vigilant and iconic vulture.

So when visiting Etosha, step into the rhythm of the animals, rise at dawn to watch them feed in the cool early morning, relax during the midday heat, contemplate life under the African moringa tree, known as the “Tree of Life”, for its multiple healing benefits, and venture out on safari again in the late afternoon. This is the rhythm of Etosha, and it will echo in your heart forever.