Moonlighting in the Etosha park

AS PART of the Etosha National Park centenary celebrations, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) will next month open limited moonlight walks for Namibians at the Etosha Pan.

This is the first time that the Ministry is offering this activity. Permanent Secretary Dr Malan Lindeque said for three nights only, visitors to the 100-year-old, world-renowned Etosha Park, will be able to hike under the stars before camping overnight on the edge of the pan.A maximum number of 20 people per group, departing from each of the three resorts on each of the evenings, will be accompanied on the hike by an area warden and at least two armed MET staff to ensure safety.”The nights of August 26 to 28, have been chosen to coincide with the full moon, on August 28, offering spectacular moonlit vistas of the pan and surrounds,” Lindeque said in a statement.The first 180 visitors can book a 12 km hike departing from Okaukuejo, a six-kilometre hike from Halali or an eight km hike from Namutoni.The cost of the hike, which is N$250 per person, for Namibians and N$500 for non-Namibians or permanent residents, does not include the normal park fees.Only persons older than 18 years of age may be included.”Hikers should be self-sufficient, providing their own transport, food, water, bedding and camping equipment.They will be permitted to camp under the stars without tents if desired to maximise the moonlit experience,” said the statement.The Ministry’s staff will provide cooking fires and long-drop toilets and care will be taken to ensure that there is no environmental damage as a result of the activities.Permanent Secretary Dr Malan Lindeque said for three nights only, visitors to the 100-year-old, world-renowned Etosha Park, will be able to hike under the stars before camping overnight on the edge of the pan.A maximum number of 20 people per group, departing from each of the three resorts on each of the evenings, will be accompanied on the hike by an area warden and at least two armed MET staff to ensure safety.”The nights of August 26 to 28, have been chosen to coincide with the full moon, on August 28, offering spectacular moonlit vistas of the pan and surrounds,” Lindeque said in a statement.The first 180 visitors can book a 12 km hike departing from Okaukuejo, a six-kilometre hike from Halali or an eight km hike from Namutoni.The cost of the hike, which is N$250 per person, for Namibians and N$500 for non-Namibians or permanent residents, does not include the normal park fees.Only persons older than 18 years of age may be included.”Hikers should be self-sufficient, providing their own transport, food, water, bedding and camping equipment.They will be permitted to camp under the stars without tents if desired to maximise the moonlit experience,” said the statement.The Ministry’s staff will provide cooking fires and long-drop toilets and care will be taken to ensure that there is no environmental damage as a result of the activities.