Etosha National Park

🇳🇦 Namibia

🐘 Elephants Gather at Waterholes
🌍 #55 Global · 4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #34 in Africa #35 in Savanna & Grassland
Southern Africa, Namibia 933 spp. recorded

Etosha National Park is a wildlife reserve in northern Namibia featuring an open tropical savanna landscape dominated by sparse acacia scrub and a massive salt pan. Visitors travel along flat gravel tracks that wind through wide plains and around natural water sources.

-18.965° S   16.568° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

60–70% · Likely
Black Rhinoceros ★
CR

Black Rhinoceros

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Diceros bicornis

60–70% · Likely
Plains Zebra ★
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

80–90% · Very likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

80–90% · Very likely
Blacksmith Lapwing
LC

Blacksmith Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus armatus

70–80% · Very likely
Red-shouldered Glossy-starling
LC

Red-shouldered Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis nitens

60–70% · Likely
Southern Giraffe

Southern Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa giraffa

60–70% · Likely
Springbok
LC Endemic

Springbok

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Antidorcas marsupialis

60–70% · Likely
Blue Wildebeest
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

60–70% · Likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

60–70% · Likely
African Red-eyed Bulbul
LC

African Red-eyed Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus nigricans

60–70% · Likely
Gemsbok
LC Endemic

Gemsbok

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Oryx gazella

50–60% · Likely
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
LC

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tockus leucomelas

50–60% · Likely
Greater Kudu
LC

Greater Kudu

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus strepsiceros

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

60–70% · Likely
Black Rhinoceros ★
CR

Black Rhinoceros

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Diceros bicornis

60–70% · Likely
Plains Zebra ★
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Southern Giraffe

Southern Giraffe

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Giraffa giraffa

60–70% · Likely
Springbok
LC Endemic

Springbok

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Antidorcas marsupialis

60–70% · Likely
Blue Wildebeest
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

60–70% · Likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

60–70% · Likely
Gemsbok
LC Endemic

Gemsbok

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Oryx gazella

50–60% · Likely
Greater Kudu
LC

Greater Kudu

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus strepsiceros

50–60% · Likely
Khama

Khama

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alcelaphus caama

50–60% · Likely
Spotted Hyena
LC

Spotted Hyena

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Crocuta crocuta

50–60% · Likely
Banded Mongoose
LC

Banded Mongoose

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Mungos mungo

50–60% · Likely
Cape Ground Squirrel

Cape Ground Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Xerus inauris

40–50% · Likely
Smith's Bush Squirrel
LC

Smith's Bush Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Paraxerus cepapi

40–50% · Likely
Steenbok
LC

Steenbok

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Raphicerus campestris

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

80–90% · Very likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

80–90% · Very likely
Blacksmith Lapwing
LC

Blacksmith Lapwing

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Vanellus armatus

70–80% · Very likely
Red-shouldered Glossy-starling
LC

Red-shouldered Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis nitens

60–70% · Likely
African Red-eyed Bulbul
LC

African Red-eyed Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus nigricans

60–70% · Likely
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
LC

Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Tockus leucomelas

50–60% · Likely
Kori Bustard
NT

Kori Bustard

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Ardeotis kori

50–60% · Likely
Common Ostrich
LC

Common Ostrich

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Struthio camelus

50–60% · Likely
Grey Go-Away-Bird
LC

Grey Go-Away-Bird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corythaixoides concolor

50–60% · Likely
Helmeted Guineafowl
LC

Helmeted Guineafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numida meleagris

50–60% · Likely
Pale Chanting Goshawk
LC

Pale Chanting Goshawk

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melierax canorus

50–60% · Likely
LADO

LADO

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spilopelia senegalensis

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Kalahari Tree Skink
LC

Kalahari Tree Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis spilogaster

30–40% · Possible
Helmeted Turtle

Helmeted Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pelomedusa subrufa

30–40% · Possible
Ground Agama
LC

Ground Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Agama aculeata

30–40% · Possible
Fischer's Thick-toed Gecko
LC

Fischer's Thick-toed Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Chondrodactylus laevigatus

20–30% · Possible
Bocage's Mabuya
LC

Bocage's Mabuya

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis binotata

20–30% · Possible
Leopard Tortoise
LC

Leopard Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Stigmochelys pardalis

20–30% · Possible
Rock Monitor
LC

Rock Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus albigularis

10–20% · With luck
Wahlberg’s Striped Skink

Wahlberg’s Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis wahlbergii

10–20% · With luck
Western Rock Skink
LC

Western Rock Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis sulcata

10–20% · With luck
Namib Rock Agama
LC

Namib Rock Agama

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Agama planiceps

10–20% · With luck
Bradfield's Dwarf Gecko
LC

Bradfield's Dwarf Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Lygodactylus bradfieldi

10–20% · With luck
Etosha Agama
LC

Etosha Agama

Reptile

Agama etoshae

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Power's Toad
LC

Power's Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Sclerophrys poweri

5–10% · With luck
Giant bullfrog
LC

Giant bullfrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Pyxicephalus adspersus

Insufficient data
Tandy's sand frog
LC

Tandy's sand frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Tomopterna tandyi

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Elephant waterhole congregation

Aug

During the dry season, elephants gather in large numbers at Etosha's permanent waterholes, creating dramatic sightings.

African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
🦌

Lion pride breeding peak

Nov

Lion mating peaks in November, leading to increased pride activity and roaring displays across the park.

Lion
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

60–70% · Likely
🦌

Cheetah cub rearing season

Mar

Cheetah mothers raise their cubs during the cooler months, making them more visible as they teach hunting skills.

Cheetah
VU

Cheetah

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Acinonyx jubatus

30–40% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
African Bush Elephant
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
Lion
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
Black Rhinoceros
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
Plains Zebra
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
Fork-tailed Drongo
70–80
70–80
60–70
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
Cape Turtle Dove
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
Blacksmith Lapwing
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
Red-shouldered Glossy-starling
60–70
40–50
40–50
60–70
70–80
50–60
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
Southern Giraffe
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
Springbok
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
Blue Wildebeest
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Impala
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
African Red-eyed Bulbul
60–70
50–60
30–40
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
Gemsbok
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
Southern Yellow-billed Hornbill
30–40
30–40
30–40
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
Greater Kudu
40–50
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
Animal Events
🦌 Elephant waterhole congregation
🦌 Lion pride breeding peak
🦌 Cheetah cub rearing season

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🐘 Elephants Gather at Waterholes

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.2 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
589
🐒 Mammals
153
🦎 Reptiles
167
🐸 Amphibians
24
933 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
36 Threatened 16 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.6 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
69%
📊
Coverage (214 species at ≥5% of 933 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
23%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 mammal, 4 bird)
46% Global avg
59%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
152
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
32
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
38

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Etosha National Park?

The most likely sightings are Fork-tailed Drongo (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Cape Turtle Dove (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Blacksmith Lapwing (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Plains Zebra (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), African Bush Elephant (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 933 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Etosha National Park for wildlife?

November has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see African Bush Elephant in Etosha National Park?

Yes — about 69% of wildlife watchers report a African Bush Elephant sighting in Etosha National Park, based on 387 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Lion in Etosha National Park?

Yes — about 63% of wildlife watchers report a Lion sighting in Etosha National Park, based on 297 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Black Rhinoceros in Etosha National Park?

Yes — about 61% of wildlife watchers report a Black Rhinoceros sighting in Etosha National Park, based on 279 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Plains Zebra in Etosha National Park?

Yes — about 71% of wildlife watchers report a Plains Zebra sighting in Etosha National Park, based on 415 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

Etosha or ?

Compare species and sighting probabilities

Compare parks

Explore Other Parks

Waterberg Plateau Park 📍 174 km 🦌 Dik-dik and Hyrax on the Plateau

Waterberg Plateau Park

🇳🇦 Namibia 🌍 #52 Global · 4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #33 in Africa #34 in Savanna & Grassland
Namib-Naukluft National Park 📍 587 km 🦎 Watch Namib Sand Geckos Thrive

Namib-Naukluft National Park

🇳🇦 Namibia 🌍 #122 Global · 4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #48 in Africa #8 in Desert & Scrub
Moremi Game Reserve 📍 724 km 🦁 Lion Pride Roams Moremi's Floodplains

Moremi Game Reserve

🇧🇼 Botswana 🌍 #13 Global · 4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #9 in Africa #1 in Wetlands & Mangrove
Chobe National Park 📍 803 km 🐘 Largest Elephant Herds Roam Chobe

Chobe National Park

🇧🇼 Botswana 🌍 #27 Global · 4.8 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #21 in Africa #21 in Savanna & Grassland