About Olifantsrus Waterhole
Situated in the quiet western section of Etosha National Park, Olifantsrus (Afrikaans for "Elephants' Rest") offers one of the most unique wildlife viewing experiences in Southern Africa. The waterhole features a two-story, glass-enclosed viewing hide connected to the campsite via a long timber boardwalk, allowing visitors to observe drinking game safely at water level.
Fed by a reliable borehole, Olifantsrus attracts large numbers of elephants that come to drink, spray water, and socialise right in front of the hide's lower glass panels. After dark, spotlighting illuminates the waterhole, attracting endangered Black Rhinoceroses and wide-ranging lion prides traversing the western wilderness corridors.
Key Facts & Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Waterhole Type | Artificial (Borehole-fed + Night Lighting) |
| Structure | Two-story enclosed timber & glass viewing hide with boardwalk |
| Surrounding Vegetation | Arid mopane woodland & dolomite scrubland |
| Best Time of Day | Afternoon (Elephants) & Night (Black Rhinos & Lions) |
| Peak Season | Dry Season (June to November) |
| Accessibility | Pedestrian timber walkway inside Olifantsrus Camp boundaries |
Targeting Elephants, Rhinos, or Lions in the West?
Olifantsrus offers unbelievable eye-level photography of big game. Use our Wildlife Finder to filter Etosha waterholes by target species and plan your western safari route.
Wildlife Sightings Matrix
| Species | Probability | Behavior / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Elephants | Very High (95%) | Large herds drinking and bathing right next to the hide glass |
| Black Rhino | High (80%) | Frequent evening and night visits under the hide's low-glare lights |
| Lions | High (65%) | Prides drinking early morning or stalking game near the mopane tree line |
| Plains Zebra & Oryx | Very High (90%) | Constant daytime activity along the water edge |
| Red Hartebeest | High (75%) | Regular visitors approaching across the surrounding open scrub |
Stopping for Lunch in Western Etosha?
Olifantsrus features a dedicated day-visitor area with picnic tables, kiosk facilities, and clean restrooms. Use it as your primary rest stop when traversing between Okaukuejo and Galton Gate.
Distances from Main Rest Camps & Gates
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Galton Gate (West) | ~ 60 km | ~ 1 hr |
| Okaukuejo Resort | ~ 130 km | ~ 2.5 hrs |
| Halali Resort | ~ 200 km | ~ 3.5 hrs |
Plan Western Tracks & Download Offline PDFs
Traversing the remote western tracks between Galton Gate and Okaukuejo? Use our interactive route planner to calculate exact distances and export a printable offline PDF route map before setting off with limited mobile coverage.
View Olifantsrus on Interactive Map
Waterhole Gallery
Images property of NWR / Stalin Kay
Quick Facts
- Region Western Etosha (Olifantsrus Sector)
- GPS Coords 18°58'00.7"S 14°51'35.2"E
- Water Source Borehole / Floodlit
- Key Attraction Eye-Level Hide, Elephants & Rhinos
- Photo Quality World-Class (Glass hide & high tower)
- Facilities Hide, Boardwalk, Kiosk, Restrooms
