June 1, 2024

A Photo Essay of Etosha From East to West

It’s difficult to describe Etosha National Park to someone who has never been there before. Of course, you can tell them what types of animals they might see, the kind of vegetation, or even try to explain the sheer vastness of the pan. Yet, it is impossible to convey the feeling you get when you are here — the excitement of watching a large male lion cross the road in the first rays of the morning sun, the sense of sheer desolation while observing a lone gemsbok walk across the dusty pan, or the peacefulness of watching giraffes in a field of purple-flowered wild sesame, pulling the plants, roots and all, from the ground and devouring them mid-air.
June 2, 2024

Need-to-Knows before your safari in Etosha

Plan your dream safari with essential tips and advice for exploring Namibia’s stunning Etosha National Park. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know before your trip, from navigating rugged roads to observing wildlife etiquette and finding amenities at Etosha Trading Post. Discover must-follow safety guidelines to ensure both your protection and the animals' well-being, plus recommended detours like Otjikoto Lake for an unforgettable adventure.
June 3, 2024

Whispered luxuries and wild encounters at Onguma Game Reserve

As the sun set on the final evening of our visit, our hearts were as warm as the play of colour on the horizon. Under the sprawling canvas of a fading African sky, where hues of crimson and lavender melt into twilight, makalani palms sway to a gentle breeze, accompanied by the silhouettes of a tower of giraffes as they slowly amble along – a puppet show of shadows against the evening glow.
November 8, 2024

Stop, snap and share

Join the citizen science initiative in Etosha National Park! Help researchers protect cheetahs and leopards by snapping and sharing your sightings of these iconic predators. Led by the Greater Etosha Carnivore Programme, this survey invites visitors to contribute photographs that will be analyzed using AI for individual identification, helping establish crucial population estimates. With each submission, citizen scientists aid in wildlife conservation and stand a chance to win a luxury stay at Ongava Game Reserve. Dive into this unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Namibia’s wildlife conservation efforts!
November 13, 2024

Wilderness – A luxury never to be taken for granted

Experience an unforgettable journey into the heart of Namibian wilderness at Little Ongava. Perched atop a rocky outcrop in Ongava Game Reserve, this luxurious retreat offers panoramic views, intimate wildlife encounters, and a seamless blend of comfort and adventure. From early morning game drives filled with awe-inspiring sightings of elephants, lions, and rare aardwolves to serene evenings under a starlit sky, every moment celebrates nature’s grandeur. With a dedication to conservation and a commitment to luxury without pretension, Little Ongava immerses guests in the raw beauty of Africa, making every experience here feel like a precious and unparalleled gift.
December 2, 2024

Ongava for the Photographer

Ongava is one of Namibia’s premier retreats, seamlessly blending luxury and comfort with spectacular wildlife sightings set against the natural beauty of the reserve. Situated adjacent to Etosha National Park, the extensive wildlife found here also makes it the ideal getaway for photographers. With animals ranging from rhinos, elephants and lions to smaller game and a colourful assortment of birdlife, it offers both seasoned camera enthusiasts and casual smartphone users the opportunity to capture stunning shots of Africa’s wildlife against rugged landscapes.
December 20, 2024

The Etosha Pan

The Etosha pan is a large endorheic basin, covering an area of approximately 4760 km2 and stretching some 120km from east to west and 55km north to south. This area is so vast that it is visible from space. Most visitors and tourists to Namibia’s flagship park are greeted with stunning sights of the vast, shimmering expanse of the pan as they navigate their way along scenic routes. Every now and again, specks of wildlife can be seen in the distance, traversing parts of the pan, leaving one pondering the fact as to what could possibly draw them to such a seemingly barren, desolate wasteland.
February 28, 2025

Discover Etosha National Park

In the hushed quiet of the afternoon, I found myself at a waterhole, the air alive with the sounds of nature. A soft breeze swirled white dust into the air, the particles dancing in the sunlight, the landscape all around barren and forlorn, yet the stretch of white pan before me is the epicentre of a prolific national park. A distant rumble of thunder hinted at rain, but for now, the drama unfolded under the expanse of an endless sky.
February 28, 2025

Serene and wide-open

Elephants playfully rolling in the mud on a scorching summer day – a huge herd, with several young ones of various ages. It is a sight of pure joy. I could watch them for hours, captivated by their carefree antics as they fling mud over their backs, the youngest sliding on its belly in the cool, soft earth, and the eager excitement palpable as they run to greet each other.
June 11, 2025

Charismatic large cats of Etosha

The lion has inspired more myths and traditions than any other animal. Due to its size, power, as well as its noble and majestic appearance, it is rightly referred to as the king of beasts. Grace, strength, agility, elusiveness and sheer beauty are some of the other attributes that define large cats, especially leopards, with the cheetah famed for its slender elegance and remarkable speed, making it the fastest animal on land.
June 11, 2025

A Century of Stewardship

Etosha National Park, often called the “Great White Place” due to its enormous salt pan, is not only one of Namibia’s top tourism destinations; it is also one of the oldest and most iconic conservation areas in Africa. Its story is one of resilience, transformation and an evolving understanding of what it means to protect nature for future generations.
June 11, 2025

Etosha Unlocked

It begins with stillness. A lioness crouched in the golden grass, barely a ripple in the morning light. Nearby, a dust-coated elephant approaches a waterhole, flanked by a dazzle of zebras and an entourage of springbok. This is Etosha National Park, the shining jewel in Namibia’s crown, where every turn of the road unveils a wild adventure.
June 11, 2025

Return to tranquillity

The main lodge area sets the tone – airy, open and sophisticated without trying too hard. Sunlight filters through the high thatch roof, catching on carefully curated artefacts, warm woods and soft whites. The interiors are a masterclass in understated elegance. Large glass doors invite the outdoors in, and every corner seems designed for comfort and contemplation, from the sink-in sofas to the long communal tables dressed with wildflowers and wine.
June 11, 2025

Halali – Birding with Pompie

Different people, such as birders, have different ideas about their favourite birding spot. Etosha is no different. Some prefer Namutoni and the surrounding areas, especially Fischer’s Pan where thousands of water birds congregate to enjoy the food the pan produces once it fills up during the rainy season. My favourite camp by far is Halali, probably because I prefer a place where there are lots of different birds in the camp and at the surrounding waterholes.
June 12, 2025

A journey into stillness and wonder

We arrived to the sight of a landscape transformed – lush, green bush thick with life, puddles still shimmering on the tracks, and trees heavy with the gift of recent rain. Though the earth was damp and the sky still heavy, the heat clung to the air. At the lodge, Anderssons at Ongava, ice-cold towels were handed to us along with a glass of homemade lemonade – a crisp, refreshing welcome against the warm weight of the day. Bags disappeared into capable hands while the landscape stretched out before us, antelopes grazing unfazed in the distance.