Parks

When it was proclaimed a National Park in 1907 by the then German colonial government, the Park covered most of northern Namibia and stretched as far as the current Skeleton Coast National Park. As much of the communal land of various indigenous tribes was taken away, as they were not allowed to live within the parks’ boundary, the park was later made smaller to accommodate these tribes and today the park covers an area of 22’270km². Consisting of saline desert, endless grass plains, acacia savannah and mopane woodlands, the National Park is one of the largest Game Reserves in Africa and one of the most diverse. Its definitive feature is the Etosha Pan, a vast, shallow depression of approximately 5000 km², that is lined by numerous artesian springs.

Situated ideally between the capital Windhoek and the Etosha National Park, the small park is an important part of Namibia’s conservation efforts and is also a favourite for birders and hikers who may want to scale up the plateau. It is also the only place in Namibia, except for the Zambezi Strip, were you find the African buffalo roaming free.

Originally declared a protected area for the conservation of the endemic Hartmann Zebra, the park is one of supreme contrasts and extremes and a testimony to time itself. Situated in the oldest desert on earth it is Namibia’s largest conservation area (5 million km²) and, together with mountains, the highest dunes on earth and age-old canyons, there is something for every adventurous spirit and nature lover. It is one of Namibia’s most versatile conservation areas and houses several natural wonders (see Attractions of Namibia), as well as Namibia’s newest World Heritage Site, the Namib dune belt.

The ǀAi-ǀAis/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is a peace park straddling the border between and Namibia. Most of the South African part of the park forms part of the buffer zone of the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape World Heritage Site, which measures 5 920 square kilometres. The the largest canyon in Africa, the Fish River Canyon, is located in the park.

The general area consists of rugged valleys and high mountains. The park is regarded as a unique mega-ecosystem in the world. In a one square kilometre area more than 360 different plant species can be found in a place that experiences an average rainfall of only 68 mm per year. The vegetation in |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park consists of unique plant life, such as the giant quiver tree and tall aloes.