Etosha and the Northeast travel guide

The north of Namibia is home to some of the country’s principal attractions and is an almost inevitable part of any tour, due largely to the stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife in Etosha National Park. Visitors should allow at least a couple of days to view the game at this magnificent park, one of the highlights of any trip. As well as comfortable and recently upgraded accommodation within the park, a number of the country’s most luxurious lodges are located on its perimeter, where game from Etosha wanders freely through, providing an unforgettable and upmarket bush experience.

Lesser-known game reserves in the region include the well-stocked Waterberg Plateau Park, which offers some excellent hiking across an unusual limestone terrain. To the northeast, Khaudum Game Park is in one of Namibia’s more remote areas, deep in the flat and dry wilderness known as Bushmanland.

Also in the northeast, the Kavango and Caprivi regions provide a welcome change from the relentlessly dry landscapes for which the rest of the country is famous. The landscape here is dominated by rivers and green forests and, for overseas visitors, it offers something of ‘real’ Africa and presents a new range of vegetation and wildlife. Souvenir hunters will find some of Namibia’s finest local crafts at the community-run markets and roadside stalls. The northeast is certainly a long drive from Windhoek but many hail it as their favourite corner of the country, and it provides easy access to attractions over the border in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.