Okaukuejo
Encyclopedia
Okaukuejo is the administrative center for the Etosha National Park
in Namibia
. It is approximately 650 km from the capital Windhoek
. The place normally receives an annual average rainfall of around 350 millimetres (13.8 in), although in the 2010/2011 rainy season 676 millimetres (26.6 in) were measured.
Originally the site of a German
fort built in 1901, Okaukuejo now houses the Etosha Ecological Institute, founded in 1974; the round watchtower is a remnant of the fort. A major draw for tourists is the permanent waterhole
, illuminated at night, which draws all types of wildlife
, including elephant
s, lion
s and black rhinoceros
, particularly during the lengthy dry season.
The Namibian National Park Service also maintains a tourist camp. There is a variety of resort facilities from camping sites to housekeeping cottages with braai
facilities. There is also a large swimming pool, a large restaurant and bar. There are two small stores. One store sells basic foods and firewood for a braai.
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park is a national park in the Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia. The park shares boundaries with the regions of Oshana, Oshikoto and Otjozondjupa....
in Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
. It is approximately 650 km from the capital Windhoek
Windhoek
Windhoek is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia. It is located in central Namibia in the Khomas Highland plateau area, at around above sea level. The 2001 census determined Windhoek's population was 233,529...
. The place normally receives an annual average rainfall of around 350 millimetres (13.8 in), although in the 2010/2011 rainy season 676 millimetres (26.6 in) were measured.
Originally the site of a German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
fort built in 1901, Okaukuejo now houses the Etosha Ecological Institute, founded in 1974; the round watchtower is a remnant of the fort. A major draw for tourists is the permanent waterhole
Depression (geology)
A depression in geology is a landform sunken or depressed below the surrounding area. Depressions may be formed by various mechanisms.Structural or tectonic related:...
, illuminated at night, which draws all types of wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
, including elephant
Elephant
Elephants are large land mammals in two extant genera of the family Elephantidae: Elephas and Loxodonta, with the third genus Mammuthus extinct...
s, lion
Lion
The lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
s and black rhinoceros
Black Rhinoceros
The Black Rhinoceros or Hook-lipped Rhinoceros , is a species of rhinoceros, native to the eastern and central areas of Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Angola...
, particularly during the lengthy dry season.
The Namibian National Park Service also maintains a tourist camp. There is a variety of resort facilities from camping sites to housekeeping cottages with braai
Braai
The word braaivleis is Afrikaans for "grilled meat."The word braai is Afrikaans for "barbecue" or "grill" and is a social custom in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The term originated with the Afrikaner people, but has since been adopted by South Africans of many...
facilities. There is also a large swimming pool, a large restaurant and bar. There are two small stores. One store sells basic foods and firewood for a braai.