Etosha: Own road grader vehicle purchased for gravel roads

Good news for all Namibia holidaymakers visiting the Etosha National Park. The park now has its own road grader to maintain the gravel roads.

According to media reports, this is a new, ultra-modern "grader", also known as 'pad scraper' in Namibia. Cost: five million Namibia Dollar (equivalent to around 250,000 euros).

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) financed this with money from the Game Product Trust Fund. The fund was set up in 1997. It receives income from the sustainable use of animals and animal products.

Recently, the condition of the gravel roads in Etosha had deteriorated. Many self-drive tourists, but also tour companies, complained about 'corrugation' and potholes.

The new road grader will probably initially only be used on the main route between the Okaukuejo and Namutoni rest camps. However, a senior representative of MEFT announced that they would like to procure more of these vehicles as soon as possible.

Sven-Eric Stender