Missing boy survived on rainwater in Etosha National Park

Twelve-year-old Salom Shangula survived five days in the Etosha National Park by drinking rainwater that had accumulated in elephant footprints and sleeping beneath the trees.

Police acting regional commander deputy commissioner Titus Ekandjo reports that Shangula went missing while collecting mopane worms with his grandmother, Lahja Kambonde, on 23 February 2025.

The missing boy was found five days later by members of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and the Namibian Police Force in the Okuma area in the Etosha National Park.

Shangula describes his ordeal as a difficult experience that he will never forget.

“I left my granny to go looking for water to drink and I got confused on the way back,” he says.

He adds that during his time in the national park, he saw wild animals such as wildebeest and jackals.

“I was surprised when I saw a lion’s footprint,” he says.

During the day, he would climb trees and call out for his grandmother, while he spent the nights sleeping under the trees. The constant rain forced him to seek shelter, and when cold, he used his jersey for warmth. His only source of hydration was rainwater gathered in imprints left by elephants.

Shangula was lying beside a gravel road when representatives of the ministry of environment found him.

“I am very happy to be reunited with my family,” Shangula says.

He has been living with his grandmother since he was six years old.

The 65-year-old Kambonde says she could not sleep while her grandson was missing.

“I had sleepless nights and I cried every day,” she says.

Kambonde adds that upon discovering that her grandson was gone, she immediately informed the people who collect mopane worms with her, and they started searching for him.

“We informed everyone on our way who then started following us,” Kambonde says.

She adds that she was terrified of how her grandson would survive the heavy rain, hunger and wild animals in the park.

The police said at the time that the boy was found around 05h00 on 28 February.

– Nampa