In the north, the mountainous landscape disappears in a flat expanse. It is here that the Etosha Pan occurs. The Etosha Pan is the largest pan, 120 km long and 55 km wide at its widest point. Most of the year the pan is dry, but there are saline seepages along the southern edges and artesian waterholes along the edge of the saline pan, mopane savanna and scrub, mixed woodland in the east of the park and dolomite hills and koppies around Halali.

There are two major river inlets into the pan, the Ekuma River inters in the northwest and the Omuramba Ovambo River in the east. The latter feeds Fischer’s Pan, which is at best filled with water only a metre deep and is therefore an ideal feeding and breeding habitat for a large number of waders and waterbirds.

Etosha National Park was proclaimed Namibia’s first conservation area in 1907 by the then German government.

It was the largest game reserve in the world, covering a vast area of roughly 80 000 km2. Because of political considerations the size was reduced to 22 912 km2.

Etosha is one of the biggest game reserves in Africa. The Etosha Pan, a vast, shallow depression of 5 000km2 is the most prominent feature of Etosha.

Most part of the year the pan is a bleak expanse of white cracked mud, crating mirages during daytime. This creates photographic scenery when viewing the herd of game against this background.

The Etosha mirage is referred to by the local people as the ‘white place of dry water’ because it creates a water-like reflection in a dry place.

Dry seasons are the best times to visit the Etosha National Park because, due to the dry pan, large herds of game head to the man-made waterholes that are mostly situated near to the rest camps.

Etosha is a sanctuary to the largest population of the western sub-species of the black rhino, white rhino, large herds of elephant, the striking black faced impala, lions and a profusion of other animals and birds.

Three resorts found in the Park are: Halali, Namutoni and Okaukuejo. These resorts underwent major renovations and redecorations and are quite pricier now. But the comfort is worth every coin. There are also fully serviced camping sites.

For your own safety and that of the animals, strict rules need to be followed in the park.

• Never leave your car once you are in the Park.
• Never approach or leave the water hole fast as this disturb the animals.

Never get tempered to get of the car and pose with the game in the background, it is very dangerous because the lions and other dangerous beasts could be nearby.

Never repeat the mistake my husband once did.

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