Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), on September 27, confirmed that wildfires affecting Etosha National Park (ENP) have burned over 775 000 hectares inside the park, around 34%, since the fires began on September 22. A further 170 000 hectares outside ENP has also been burned.
The fire, which is due to suspected charcoal production activities on bordering commercial farms outside the park, has also spread into communal land in the Omusati and Oshana regions, destroying grazing land and wildlife habitats.
The most affected ENP zones include Dolomite (north and south), Okatutu, Renostervlei, Jackalswater, Halali and the area between Olifantbad and Halali. At least nine antelope have been confirmed dead while a pangolin was successfully rescued.
According to MEFT, firefighting efforts are ongoing with support from the Namibian Defence Force, Namibian Police Force, regional councils, neighbouring farmers and the private sector. Resources on the ground include fire engines, helicopters, water tankers and fire blowers. Strong winds and dry vegetation remain challenges. MEFT has urged visitors to exercise caution and avoid affected areas including roads around Halali Junction, Rietfontein, Eland Drive and Rhino Drive.
Natural Selection, which operates the Etosha Heights Private Reserve adjacent to the park, reported that its properties have not been significantly affected.
“The fire reached the border and slightly into the northwest where only a few hectares were lost. It is no longer in the southwest of the park and is not clearly visible from the reserve. The smoke has also subsided considerably,” Natural Selection Namibia MD Ally Karaerua told Tourism Update.
“There is no immediate danger to our lodges and we continue with business as usual. We are happy to accommodate the guests from other lodges that are affected,” he added.
Karaerua noted that it is too early to quantify the ecological damage but emphasised the importance of joint response measures: “ENP is a public asset and animals driven by the fire will end up in private land. As the fire can continue into private land from Etosha, we should all jointly contribute to its extermination.”
MEFT has cautioned all tourists and communities in or near the affected areas to follow instructions from park authorities, law enforcement and firefighting teams, stressing that fire can change direction suddenly due to wind.
