The 22’000 km² Etosha National Park is the most important national park in Namibia. It is situated some 400 km north of the capital Windhoek, and includes the 5’000 km² Etosha Salt Pan, the relic of a former inland lake. The region’s waterholes attract an abundance of wildlife during the dry season.

The park thrives mainly on these artificial waterholes, which attract countless animals in the dry season. With the onset of the rainy season, the animals are much less dependent on these waterholes and more difficult to find. The Etosha Pan itself can then contain up to 10 cm of water, and the park becomes more exciting for birdwatchers.

There are a few government camps in the park itself, most of which offer a less favourable experience. The good accommodation is located outside the park in private areas, in the east these are Mushara and Onguma, in the south it is the private Ongava area.

Namutoni and Okaukuejo are the two main camps at the eastern Von Lindequist Gate and the southern entrance to Etosha at Andersson's Gate respectively. The quieter Halali Camp is situated between the two. The state camps are very large and offer chalets, campsites, petrol stations and large picnic areas. If you are looking for a private experience, this is certainly not the place for you. Most of the roads run between these three camps and lead visitors to the various waterholes.

The western part of Etosha opened to visitors in 2011. This part of the park is very different from the area around the Etosha Pan, it has many more bushes and trees, less traffic, but also less to see.