Proclaimed as Namibia's first conservation area in 1907 by the then German government, The Etosha National Park is now one of the most famous game sanctuaries in the world.  Its 22,270 sq km (8,599 sq miles) are located in the northern part of the country, surrounding the 5,000 sq km Etosha Pan.  

For the greater part of the year, the Pan is a bleak expanse of white cracked mud, shimmering with mirages on most days.  Referred to locally as the 'great white place of dry water', the vision of vast herds of game against this eerie backdrop makes the game-viewing experience here quite unique.

There are vast stocks of wildlife, particularly elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, springboks, kudus, gemsboks or oryxes (indigenous to Namibia),  hyenas, jackals, leopards and cheetahs. It is also a sanctuary for black and white rhino, and since the relocation from Kaokoland to the safety of Etosha in the mid-70's, its current population of over 300 animals represents one of the few growing populations of black rhino in the world.  Etosha's elephants are reported to be the largest in Africa, measuring up to 4 metres high. 

It is also a bird-watchers delight, with over 340 species, of which about one-third are migratory.

For the best part of the year, the animals and birds are dependent on springs and waterholes, providing excellent game viewing and photographic opportunities.