Fisher’s Pan | Tsumeb

Information

Landmark: Fisher’s Pan
City: Tsumeb
Country: Namibia
Continent: Africa

Fisher’s Pan, Tsumeb, Namibia, Africa

Fisher's Pan is a large, saline terminal basin situated within the eastern sector of Etosha National Park, Namibia. It is located approximately 5km from the Von Lindequist Gate near the Namutoni Rest Camp.

Visual Characteristics

The pan is characterized by a flat, white expanse of salt-crusted clay and mud, which transforms into a shallow, brackish lake during years of high rainfall. The surrounding landscape consists of stunted mopane scrub, saline-tolerant grasses, and isolated clusters of makalani palms. During the dry season, the surface exhibits a cracked, hexagonal mud-flat texture with high solar reflectivity.

Location & Access Logistics

Access is via the C38 tarred road leading to the Namutoni entrance, followed by the well-maintained gravel "Fisher’s Pan Drive" loop. It is located roughly 500km north of Windhoek. Dedicated gravel pull-offs and designated bird-viewing hides are positioned along the southern and eastern edges of the pan.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Geologically, the pan is a remnant of a massive paleolake system that dates back to the Pliocene epoch. It was named after Lieutenant Adolf Fischer, a German colonial officer who served as the first warden of the area in the early 1900s. Ecologically, it is classified as a saline desert wetland and serves as a critical ephemeral breeding ground for migratory waterbirds.

Key Highlights & Activities

Birdwatching is the primary activity, specifically for viewing large colonies of Greater and Lesser Flamingos when the pan holds water. Wildlife viewing is productive along the edges, where cheetahs and lions frequent the open plains to hunt springbok. Self-drive safaris are permitted on the marked loop roads skirting the basin's perimeter.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There are no facilities on the pan itself to maintain the ecological integrity of the site. Restrooms, fuel stations, and 4G cellular signal are available at the Namutoni Rest Camp, located 5km to the west. Shade is non-existent on the pan's surface, requiring visitors to remain in their vehicles.

Best Time to Visit

The optimal period for photography and birding is from January to March, following the summer rains when the pan fills with water and attracts migratory species. For general wildlife viewing, the dry months of June through September are preferred as animals congregate at the permanent waterholes on the pan's periphery. Early morning light is recommended to avoid the intense midday glare reflecting off the salt crust.

Facts & Legends

Local conservation records note that Fisher's Pan is one of the few places in Southern Africa where both species of flamingos have been known to breed simultaneously in exceptionally wet years. A persistent logistical tip: during the wet season, the clay-heavy soils (black cotton soil) around the pan become impassable even for 4WD vehicles; staying on the demarcated gravel tracks is mandatory.