Etosha National Park in Namibia is renowned for its remarkable wildlife and otherworldly salt pan landscapes, but its fascinating history is often overlooked. For travellers who want to understand more than just what they see on safari, Etosha’s historical background offers insight into ancient cultures, colonial conflicts, and the development of conservation in southern Africa. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the park’s history, making it the perfect companion to assist you in finding out more about your Etosha accommodation options.

Early Human Settlement and Indigenous Heritage

Long before Etosha became a national park, the area was inhabited by several indigenous groups. Most notably, the Hai//om people, a San-speaking hunter-gatherer community, lived around the southern edges of the Etosha Pan. They referred to the area as “Khubus,” meaning “totally bare, white place.” The park’s current name, “Etosha,” comes from the Oshindonga language (spoken by the Ovambo people) and means “Great White Place,” a reference to the vast, chalky pan at the heart of the park.

Other nearby communities included the Ovambo and Herero, who engaged in subsistence farming and regional trade. These groups had a deep relationship with the land and its wildlife, and their presence shaped the human history of Etosha long before the arrival of Europeans.

European Exploration and the Colonial Era

The First European Encounters

In 1851, European explorers Sir Francis Galton and Charles Andersson were the first to document the Etosha Pan. Guided by Ovambo traders they reached a cattle post called Omutjamatunda, now known as Namutoni, and started to chart the area’s geography and wildlife. Today, their names are commemorated at two of Etosha’s major entrance gates—Galton Gate in the west and Andersson Gate in the south.

Forts and German Colonial Expansion

The late 19th century saw increasing colonial interest in the region. The Germans, who controlled what was then known as German Southwest Africa, set up a veterinary control point in 1896–1897 at Namutoni and Okaukuejo to stop the spread of deadly rinderpest among cattle and wildlife. By around 1901–1903, the Germans constructed more permanent fortified structures at Namutoni and Okaukuejo. These fortified structures formed part of a chain of German control points stretching from Sesfontein in the west to Okaukuejo and Namutoni in the east to assist enforcing veterinary quarantine but also to assert colonial border control.

Tensions between colonial forces and local communities came to a head in 1904 when Chief Nehale Mpingana led an attack that destroyed Fort Namutoni. The Germans later rebuilt it with stone, and it still stands today as a historical landmark within the park. Fort Namutoni was declared a national monument in 1950.

The Establishment of Etosha as a Protected Area

From Game Reserve to National Park

Etosha was first declared a protected area in 1907 under German rule, named as Game Reserve No. 2. It was declared by the Governor of German South West Africa, Friedrich von Lindequist (the eastern gate of Etosha was named after him). It originally covered nearly 100,000 square kilometres—stretching all the way to the Skeleton Coast making it the biggest game reserve in the world. However, over time, administrative changes significantly reduced the park’s size. By the late 20th century, it had been scaled down to its current area of approximately 22,900 square kilometres.

Forced Relocation of the Hai//om People

When Etosha was declared a game reserve, the Hai//om were allowed to stay within the boundaries. However, in 1954, they were forcibly removed by the South African authorities who had taken over administration. The Hai//om lost access to their ancestral lands and were moved to areas on the park’s fringes. In recent years, some efforts have been made to resettle Hai//om families on land near the park, and initiatives are underway to recognise their historical and cultural connection to the region.

Etosha Place Names & Their Meanings:

• Etosha – “Great White Place” (Hai//om), describing the vast salt pan. The Hai//om were original inhabitants of Etosha but were evicted from the Etosha roughly 60 years ago.
• Okaukuejo – “The woman who drinks from the waterhole” (Hai//om origin, possibly descriptive of local folklore).
• Namutoni – “High place” or “place of elevated ground”, fitting for its historic German fort.
• Halali – Derived from a German hunting call meaning “the hunt is over.” It was named during the colonial period when hunting was still permitted in the area.
• Olifantsbad – Afrikaans for “elephant’s bath,” likely due to frequent elephant visits to this waterhole.
• Okerfontein – Afrikaans/Dutch origin: “Ocher Spring,” referring to the colour of the soil or water.
• Goas – Believed to come from the Hai//om language, possibly meaning “where water surfaces”.
• Soutpan – Afrikaans for “salt pan”, directly describing the terrain.
• Groot Okevi – Afrikaans for “big Okevi,” a distinction between two nearby waterholes (the other is Klein Okevi – “small Okevi”).
• Kalkheuwel – Afrikaans for “limestone hill,” a name describing the geology of the area.

Conservation and Scientific Research

The Etosha Ecological Institute

In 1974, the Etosha Ecological Institute was established at Okaukuejo to coordinate scientific research and conservation initiatives. This institution has played a critical role in restoring wildlife populations, managing vegetation, and studying disease outbreaks in the park.

From Overhunting to Wildlife Recovery

Before Namibia’s independence, overhunting and poaching had caused severe declines in wildlife numbers, particularly among elephants, rhinos, and predators. With the introduction of stricter laws and improved conservation strategies in the 1960s and 70s, Etosha saw a dramatic recovery. Today, it is home to healthy populations of iconic African species, including the endangered black rhino and endemic, black-faced impala.

The Geological Story of the Etosha Pan

At the centre of the park lies the Etosha Pan, a vast, flat expanse that dominates the landscape. This salt pan was once an ancient lake, likely fed by the Kunene River. Over millions of years, tectonic activity and climate change transformed it into the dry, saline basin that exists today. The pan is an important habitat for migratory birds like flamingos during the rainy season and adds a dramatic element to the park’s scenery.

Etosha Today: Connecting Past and Present

For modern travellers, understanding the history of Etosha adds a meaningful dimension to the wildlife experience. A visit to Fort Namutoni offers a glimpse into the colonial era, while the Okaukuejo watchtower and the floodlit waterholes reflect the park’s ongoing conservation efforts. Cultural interpretations, including exhibits and guided talks, are increasingly highlighting the role of the Hai//om and other communities in the area’s heritage.

Whether you’re exploring the park independently or as part of a guided tour, knowing Etosha’s story—from ancient human settlement and colonial struggle to modern-day conservation—makes the experience far more rewarding.

To make the most of your visit, don’t forget to check out our guides on game viewing in Etosha and all the Etosha Travel tips you will need. These resources will help you plan your trip effectively while gaining a deeper understanding of this extraordinary destination.