Etosha National Park is home to about 40 watering holes. Some are natural but many are man-made and fed artificially from a borehole.
The number of game at the each waterhole vary from season to season, depending on the rainfall and the migration of the animals. Many natural waterholes are often dry during the winter when rain does not fall and some artificial waterholes can also be dry periodically due to a rotation system of providing water to the game.
The best season to visit Etosha is the winter from May to August to see game gathering at the waterholes, especially early morning or late afternoon.
The list below is in alphabetic order and the waterholes we believe are the most interesting are in bold.
Adamax
This waterhole is dry most of the time.
Andoni
A popular artificial waterhole for birds close to the Nehale Lya Mpingana gate.
Aroe
On the edge of Fischer's Pan, elephant, springbok, blue wildebeest, kudu, zebra and giraffe often visit this waterhole.
Aus
A natural spring feeds this waterhole in Mopani veld which attract elephant, zebra, springbok, red hartebeest, black-faced impala, kudu, gemsbok and sometimes rhino.
Batia
A popular waterhole for plains game to drink.
Charitsaub
This artesian spring is sometimes visited by lion and spotted hyena. The large umbrella thorn tree attract birds of prey.
Chudop
This natural spring coming from underground is a regular place to watch giraffe, lion, spotted hyena and especially eland not easy to see elsewhere.
Dolomitepunt
This artificial waterhole at the base of the Dolomite Camp attracts a lot of game including elephant, rhino & lion.
Duikerdrink
Gaseb
Although often dry, it is a fairly good place to see a rhino.
Gemsbokvlakte
This artificial waterhole attract a lot of game in the dry season. Big herds of elephant, gemsbok (“plains of the oryx“ in Afrikaans), giraffe, red hartebeest, springbok and zebra. Lion may also visit the place. Best in afternoon.
Goas
A natural spring within dense mopane trees which attracts a lot of birds during the day. In the late afternoon, lion, hyena and elephant herds may come to drink. There is even a chance of spotting a leopard here. Best in the morning and afternoon.
Great Okevi
Fed by a natural fountain, this waterhole is often visited by Kudu, zebra & elephant as well as predators, such as cheetah and leopard.
Grunewald
This waterhole is dry most of the time.
Halali - Moringa Waterhole
Imagine sitting at an amphitheatre surrounded by moringa trees to watch the game attracted by this man-made waterhole and floodlit at night. There is a good chance to see black rhino, leopard and large herd of elephant. Watch for the honey badger haunting the campsite at night and do not feed these deceptively adorable creatures which will turn into gremlins!
Homob
Animals often cross the parking area to come to drink at this picturesque waterhole. Best in the morning.
Jakkalswater
Kalkheuwe
A typical waterhole where it is best to be patient to see large breeding herds of elephant, stalking lion, eland, kudu, black-faced impala and warthog.
Kapupuhedi
Although this waterhole is often dry, it is a good place for landscape photography.
King Nehale
This water hole lies adjacent to Namutoni rest camp and is illuminated at night.
Klein Namutoni
A good spot to visit late afternoon before the sunset curfew to watch game come to drink and to spot the tiny Damara dik-dik in the bushes along the road. Keep in mind that the sun will set behind the waterhole, so animals will be silhouettes.
Klein Okevi
A popular waterhole with elephant, zebra, springbok and kudu. Best late afternoon especially when black rhino come to drink.
Koinachas
A popular artesian fountain often visited by local game.
Leeubron
This waterhole is dry most of the time.
NATCO
This waterhole is dry most of the time.
Namutoni
A man-made and floodlit at night waterhole inside Namutoni camp. At sunset, the game will be silhouette.
Newbrownii
Large herds of black-faced impala, elephant, gemsbok, giraffe, red hartebeest, springbok and zebra often gather at this man-made waterhole surrounded by white calcrete. Early morning, lion and spotted hyena also come for their sunrise drink.
Ngobib
A small water level spring feeds this quite hidden waterhole which can attrac kudu, zebra & elephant. Leopard & cheetah can sometimes be along the circular road.
Noniams
A dry fontein with little interest.
Nuamses
This is a very picturesque small and impressive waterhole, especially when visited by a herd of elephants in the afternoon.
Okaukuejo
This artificial waterhole which is floodlit at night attracts elephant, endangered black rhino, giraffe, kudu and plains game almost every evening. Lion may make a kill nearby and attract spotted hyena. The perfect place to sit, drink a beer and watch for hours. Best in Jun-Dec.
Okerfontein
This is the strongest contact spring situated on the edge of the pan where cheetah and lion are regular visitors.
Olifantsbad
Large herd of elephant often come in the morning to have a drink and wallow in the mud (the perfect "elephant bath" in Afrikaans).
Olifantsrus
A impressive passerelle takes you to a two-level bird/game hide above the man-made waterhole.
Ombika
A very popular drinking hole, visited by quite a variety of animals including lion.
Okondeka
The best place to see lion although they might be in the bushes far from the parking area. Best in afternoon or morning.
Ondongab
A dry fontein on the edge of the pan with little interest.
Ozonjuitji m'Bari
This waterhole is the best place to see roan antelope. It is close to the fairy-tale moringa forest.
Ozonjuitji mirador
A picturesque site along the water channel from the Adamax pan.
Rietfontein
There is always something happening at this large waterhole where elephant, giraffe, kudu, red hartebeest, zebra are often together, sometimes lion and even leopard.
Salvadora
A beautiful site and popular natural fountain - due to low salt content - close to the salt pan and which can attract lion, cheetah climbing in trees and black rhino. Sometimes, a curious yellow mongoose might come right up close to your car. Best light in the morning.
Sonderkop
Sueda
A natural fountain on the edge of the pan which can attract some game including lion and black rhino.
Tiespoet
A large waterhole.
Tobieroen
A large waterhole.
Tsumcor
A man-made waterhole often visited by many elephant, eland and other plains game. Best late afternoon.
Springbokfontein
A waterhole formed by contact spring on the edge of the pan which attract a variety of game even white rhino.
Two Palms
A beautiful site on the edge of Fischer's Pan where two makalani palm trees are perfect for a sunset photograph.
Wolfsnes
This waterhole is dry most of the time.