Etosha has approximately 114 species of different mammals, which include the beautiful black and white Rhino, as well as the black-faced Impala. Unfortunately this park does not have the Big Five present, as Buffalo are not found in the Park. Likewise there are no hippo, crocodile or monkeys.Due to the large open areas that can be found in the park, you will often notice the animals congregating in large herds which acts as a defence strategy against the relatively high concentration of predators which follow the game. From time to time large concentrations can also be found on the Andoni Plains north of Namutoni.
After good rains when the grasslands flourish, the game concentrate in these places to feed. This causes migratory patterns to vary from year to year, depending upon which area has had good rainfall. At the beginning of the rainy season the animals disappear quickly from the tourist areas, but return gradually after the rains. The rainy season is also the time of year when many young animals can be seen, since it is also the lambing and calving season. The young of jackals, Springbok, Red & Black Hartebeest, Zebra and the felines are often seen, especially near the camps of Okaukuejo and Halali.After the first rains most of the elephant leave the tourist area for the northern and southern part of the park. Some of them even leave the park for areas outside, depending on the availability of water. Game that stick to the plains, like zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, springbok, impala and eland abound in great numbers on the grasslands and congregate at waterholes in the dry season. Herds of fifty elephants are not unusual and often walk right down the middle of the road giving people in cars an incredibly close and thrilling encounter. Lions and hyenas must be searched for, but silver-backed jackals trot around almost oblivious to you. The Oryx, will certainly be seen here along with the impressive curly horned kudu.
Etosha birdlife is amazing to say the least. From the cheeky yellow-billed hornbills whose squawk and loping flight becomes a familiar sight, to the Lilac breasted rollers which are so colourful especially in flight. Eagles and vultures cruise high in the warm air currents or perch on branches with beady eyes alert for those remnants of a kill. In the various camps, you will often encounter the Sociable weavers which mass together in their hundreds, in nests built into the trees. These nests eventually become so heavy that they break the trees. The weaver family then relocates to another tree and rebuilds the nest there.
After good rains when the grasslands flourish, the game concentrate in these places to feed. This causes migratory patterns to vary from year to year, depending upon which area has had good rainfall. At the beginning of the rainy season the animals disappear quickly from the tourist areas, but return gradually after the rains. The rainy season is also the time of year when many young animals can be seen, since it is also the lambing and calving season. The young of jackals, Springbok, Red & Black Hartebeest, Zebra and the felines are often seen, especially near the camps of Okaukuejo and Halali.After the first rains most of the elephant leave the tourist area for the northern and southern part of the park. Some of them even leave the park for areas outside, depending on the availability of water. Game that stick to the plains, like zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, springbok, impala and eland abound in great numbers on the grasslands and congregate at waterholes in the dry season. Herds of fifty elephants are not unusual and often walk right down the middle of the road giving people in cars an incredibly close and thrilling encounter. Lions and hyenas must be searched for, but silver-backed jackals trot around almost oblivious to you. The Oryx, will certainly be seen here along with the impressive curly horned kudu.
Etosha birdlife is amazing to say the least. From the cheeky yellow-billed hornbills whose squawk and loping flight becomes a familiar sight, to the Lilac breasted rollers which are so colourful especially in flight. Eagles and vultures cruise high in the warm air currents or perch on branches with beady eyes alert for those remnants of a kill. In the various camps, you will often encounter the Sociable weavers which mass together in their hundreds, in nests built into the trees. These nests eventually become so heavy that they break the trees. The weaver family then relocates to another tree and rebuilds the nest there.
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