Etosha, meaning 'Great White Place', is named after the massive salt pan which dominates the game reserve.
Occasionally, if the rains have been good, the pan fills with water and forms a temporary lake which attracts large flocks of flamingos. Most of the time the pan is dry, but perennial springs draw large concentrations of wildlife at all times of year.
In between Windhoek and Etosha is Damaraland, one of the most scenic areas in Namibia. Its dramatic landscape of petrified forests also hosts abundant wildlife such as the endangered desert elephant, and also black rhino. Damaraland is also home to a multitude of ancient rock engravings depicting scenes thousands of years old.
