This area is located in the Eastern part of the Etosha National Park, not far from the Von Lindequist Gate.
 
Here lies the Namutoni Camp that was one of the first accommodation for tourists in the park and was established in 1957; it also hosts a range of services: 3 types of accommodation from campsites to chalets, a petrol station, a swimming pool, 2 restaurants, a bar and few shops.
 
This camp was created in a German fort that was built by the Imperial Germany Colonial Army troops, Schutztruppe, in 1899; later the fort was used as a police station and then as the South African army military base, it was finally declared a national monument in 1950.
 
From the walls of the fort you have a privileged view of the King Nehale pool, named in honor of King Nehale Mpingana who led the Hai||om against the German army, being able to destroy the fort in 1904.
 
Always from the walls you can admire the wonderful colors of the sunset over the Etosha plains.
 
The King Nehale pool is illuminated at night and so allows you to spot the nocturnal visitors, but a puddle attracts fewer animals compared to the Halali and the Okaukuejo pools.
 
Around the Namutoni there are several pools where you can go to observe the animals; in the winter months simply go to one of these puddles and wait, there will be a constant coming and going of herbivorous that come here to drink, with a little luck you can also spot some predators waiting for their prey.
 
This area of the park is characterized by open and, in part shrubby, savannah, with the exclusion of the area in the vicinity of the salty depression where only a few species of halophytic plants are able to survive.
 
Here the ground is completely flat and has a high concentration of salt; the herds travel to this area during the winter months.
 
There are also some plants such as the Tamboti or African Spirostachys, the beautiful and poisonous Euphorbia camdelabrum and the quiver tree or Aloe dichotoma or kokerbroom used by the San people to build their own arrows.
 
Here is also the acacia reficiens, especially on the road between the Namutoni and the Von Lindequist Gate, and the Hyphaene ventricosa or Makalani palm tree, also known as vegetable ivory because its round fruits, loved by elephants, if engraved and machined, resemble a lot to ivory; usually these palms are located in close proximity of water.
 
The area North of the Numatoni is characterized by abundant rainfall in summer and here is a more luxuriant vegetation that in summer attracts elephants and other herbivorous.
 
Here are a few large plants such as the Terminalia prunioidies and the Terminalia sericea.
 
Near the Namutoni there are 16 permanent, among natural and artificial, ponds, that attract many animals including lions, elephants, springboks, elands, sables, kudus, zebras, jackals, hyenas, giraffes and different species of birds.
 
Close to the Stinkwater pool is the exclusive Onkoshi lodge, located on the edge of the salty depression; it was built in wood and uses only solar energy, this to minimize the impact on the environment.
 
The view of the pan from the rooms, the restaurant and the pool is spectacular and from here you can enjoy beautiful sunsets.
 
Only lodge guests can travel to this remote area of the Etosha National Park; the staff at the lodge awaits guests in the Namutoni where they welcome them and lead them to the lodge.
 

Etosha National Park areas.

  • Pan area in the Etosha National Park
  • Namutoni area in the Etosha National Park
  • Halali area in the Etosha National Park
  • Okaukuejo area in the Etosha National Park
  • Western area of the Etosha National Park

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