One of the world's greatest wildlife-viewing venues, Etosha National Park is the Namibian destination for many travellers. The western part of the park is characterised by scrubby savannah but further east, the scrub gives way to mixed woodland. The lifeblood of Etosha is the Etosha Pan - an immense, flat, saline desert that only occasionally holds water. During winter months, perennial springs around its edges draw large concentrations of birds, elephants, giraffes, lions, zebras and a few cheetahs and leopards. The animals of Etosha also include such protected species as the black-faced impala and black rhino. After exceptionally rainy periods, the pan fills with up to a metre (3ft) of water and enormous numbers of flamingoes and pelicans arrive to feed and breed. You'll have the best chance of seeing the animals gather around the water holes between May and September.

Although Etosha may be visited on a day trip, it's impossible to see much of the park in fewer than three days. Most visitors opt for at least a couple of nights at one of three rest camps (Namutoni, Halali and Okaukuejo), which are spaced about 70km (43mi) apart and have excellent facilities. Etosha is over 500km (310mi) north-west of Windhoek. The town of Tsumeb has the nearest commercial airport. It's also possible to take a bus or train to Tsumeb from Windhoek, but thereafter, travellers headed for Etosha must join a tour or hire a car as there's no public transport into the park.

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Etosha national park|Fish river canyon
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