African game reserves and national parks are unique and each has a distinctive drawing card that attracts visitors. The water wells in Namibia’s Etosha National Park are what brings us back year after year. Each water hole has its own unique character and in the dry season (June to October) these watering holes are a magnet for hunting, making Etosha a wildlife photographer’s paradise.

Visitors to Etosha want to see and photograph as many animals as possible, but they usually have a few days, if any. Here we list all of our favorite waterholes stretching from Okaukuejo Camp in the west to Namutoni Camp in the east with tips that should help you save valuable time and enhance game viewing and wildlife photography.

Okaukuejo Rest Camp Area:

Okaukuejo – This must be the most popular water hole in Etosha. There is a constant procession of animals from morning to night that can be seen from inside the camp. Our recommendation would be that you sit by the waterhole from just before sunrise until 09:00, as the light is perfect for photography with the sun on your shoulder providing frontal lighting. We have seen hyenas and lions drinking and then when the pigeons start to fly the black-backed jackals chase them and we have managed to get some great action shots. If you sit by the waterhole the rest of the day, you won’t be disappointed as there are elephants, herds of gazelles, wildebeest, gemsbok and zebras coming to drink.

Whether you’re staying at the waterhole or going for a walk, be sure to be back just before sunset, as the setting sun creates large silhouettes and reflections in the water, and after the floodlights come on, we have also seen black rhinos fighting. like a lion kills after sunset!

Gemsbokvlakte – We suggest you visit this water well in the afternoons; here we have seen herds of gazelles, gemsbok, elephants and zebras.

Olifantsbad – this is a morning waterhole and attracts elephants, zebras, black faced impala, giraffes, red hartebeest and we have seen an African wild cat drinking here.

Nebrownii – This water hole is near Okaukuejo, but it still has an impressive amount of drinking games here. We have seen large herds of elephants, zebras, gazelles, gemsbok, ostriches, and giraffes. The water hole is small, so the elephants tend to get aggressive towards each other, making for some nice action shots. Lighting is good both in the mornings and afternoons for photography.

Okondeka – The light is better in the afternoons. For landscapes, this must be one of the best watering holes in the park. The water well is on the edge of the pan and animals come from miles around to drink, so you can get pictures of masses of animals scattered for miles. We have seen giraffes, zebras, gazelles, gazelles, ostriches, and wildebeest, all clustered in the plains surrounding the waterhole. There is also a resident pride of lions that hide in the dunes to ambush the animals.

Halali Rest Camp Area:

Moringa – This water hole can be seen from inside the Halali camp and is illuminated. In the mornings there are normally only a few small herds of animals drinking here, but evening is when the action begins, with herds of elephants, black rhinos, lions and leopards making their appearance!

Goas – is our favorite water hole in this area. We have seen large herds of elephants and black-faced impala, as well as black rhinos, lions, and leopards. The lighting is good both in the morning and in the afternoon.

Savior – it has a magnificent backdrop of the open plains and the frying pan. Zebras love to drink here and we have seen herds of about 2000 zebras drinking at this watering hole. Mornings provide the best lighting.

Rietfontein – this waterhole has a large open plain surrounding it so you can see approaching animals from a distance. Lighting for photography is best in the evenings.

Homob – We have seen some small herds of kudu and wildebeest here, but also a leopard. The morning light is the best.

Namutoni rest camp area:

Namutoni – This trough can be seen from inside the camp and is illuminated. It has not provided us with good sightings except at sunset when hundreds of red-billed queleas come to perch and fly in and out of the reeds with their wings against the light. Keep an eye out for giraffes as you may get lucky and get a silhouette against the setting sun. There is also a platform in the fort where you can observe the queleas and other animals.

Klein namutoni – Afternoons provide the best lighting, but mornings can provide pleasant silhouettes. We have seen giraffes, hyenas, lions, leopards, and elephants drinking here.

Chudop – this water hole is very picturesque with a floating island of reeds. Mornings and afternoons provide good lighting for photography.

Kalkheuwel – this water hole is oriented to the south, so the light for photography is good most of the day. The waterhole attracts a lot of animals and is very close to the parking area so you don’t need a long lens to get good photos.

Twee palms – We have seen mainly zebras here, but the two palm trees make a nice background for pictures in the morning or a silhouette in the afternoon.