Etosha's Top Waterholes

The lifeblood of the park. Here are the best spots for guaranteed wildlife action.

Artificial / Two Basins

Olifantsbad

🐘 Large Elephant Herds 🦌 Red Hartebeest 🦓 Zebra

True to its name ("Elephants' bath"), this waterhole is a favorite for breeding herds. It features two separate drinking basins and is surrounded by mopane shrub, providing excellent close-up photography opportunities.

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Artificial / Floodlit

Okaukuejo Waterhole

🦏 Black Rhino 🐘 Elephant 🦁 Lion

Arguably the best waterhole in the world. Famous for its theater-like seating where you can watch Rhinos and Elephants interact all night long.

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Natural Spring

Okondeka

🦁 Lion Prides 🦓 Blue Wildebeest

Located on the edge of the great Etosha Pan. This is a contact spring and a classic spot to find the resident lion pride hunting in the open plains.

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Artesian Spring

Chudop

🦒 Giraffe 🐆 Leopard 🦌 Eland

A high-yield artesian spring near Namutoni. Its consistent water flow makes it a favorite for large giraffe towers and the elusive leopard.

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Natural Spring / Pan Edge

Salvadora

🐆 Cheetah 🦁 Lion 🦓 Plains Zebra

Known for its incredible views over the Etosha Pan. The open plains around Salvadora are a prime hunting ground for Cheetahs. It’s a great spot to see large herds of zebras and wildebeest trekking across the salt crust.

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Natural Spring

Homob

🐘 Elephant 🦒 Giraffe 🦅 Verreaux's Eagle

A stunning natural spring located in a depression below the road level. It offers a 180-degree view of the Pan. Watch for "ghost" elephants covered in white calcrete dust arriving here to drink in the heat of the day.

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