Wildlife cinema: 6 places to stay with a view of the waterhole

When dusk falls in the evening and the heat of the day eases, it’s the best time to watch animals. But it’s also worth taking a look at a waterhole during the day – this is when plains animals such as zebras, oryx or wildebeest come to drink and quench their thirst.

How practical would it be if an exciting waterhole was right next to your place to stay, right? In this article you’ll therefore find out ...

• three lodges and camps with a waterhole and
• three campsites from which you can watch animals at the waterhole.

Did you know that you can save suitable places to stay and campsites? Simply tap the heart and save the place to stay to your favourites list. That way you can easily find it again at any time.

Lodges & Camps with waterhole

Okaukuejo Camp

Okaukuejo Camp lies inside Etosha National Park and is just a stone’s throw from Andersson Gate. This state-run camp offers various types of accommodation. Among these are 35 special waterhole chalets, from which you have a direct view of the Okaukuejo waterhole.

The waterhole is known for black rhinoceroses coming to drink under cover of darkness. Giraffes and elephants also like to come to Okaukuejo to quench their thirst.

Okaukuejo Camp

Onguma Tented Camp

Right next to Etosha National Park lies the Onguma Nature Reserve. There are only a small number of very stylishly furnished tents in this reserve. All the tents are arranged in a semicircle around a waterhole.

In the very peaceful atmosphere you can watch animals either from your private veranda or straight from your bed. The camp is also unfenced, so all animals can move freely between the tents and the waterhole.

Onguma Tented Camp

Onguma Bush Camp

Bush Camp is another lodge in the private Onguma Nature Reserve. The rooms are furnished in safari style and are suitable for families with children, as the camp is fenced.

The camp has a large waterhole, so you can watch all day long. You can overlook the waterhole from the restaurant, pool and lounge area. There is also a campfire with chairs, from which you can watch the waterhole with a cool sundowner.

Onguma Bush Camp

Campsites from which you can watch animals at the waterhole

Okaukuejo Campsite

The campsite lies in Etosha National Park and is only 18 kilometres from Andersson Gate. As the camp is fenced, you can walk from the campsite to the nearby waterhole.

There are several benches at the waterhole from which you have an excellent view of a well-frequented waterhole. Especially after dark, black rhinoceroses come to drink and bathe. Elephants, giraffes and zebras also often put in an appearance.

Okaukuejo Campsite

Halali Campsite

The campsite lies in the middle of Etosha National Park and between the camps Okaukuejo and Namutoni. With 58 pitches it is the largest campsite in the park, but in return it offers a very exciting waterhole.

You can watch Moringa waterhole from an elevated viewing platform. As the camp is fenced, you can visit it around the clock and, with a bit of luck, watch elephants, hyenas or leopards.

Halali Campsite

NamibRand Family Hideout Campsite

In NamibRand Nature Reserve there are three very well-equipped campsites, beautifully set between red dunes. The campsites are about 120 kilometres south of Sesriem.

The campsites Orion, Venus and Jupiter are each on their own and have their own waterhole. With a bit of luck you can watch springbok, oryx, zebra, bat-eared fox and various bird species here.

Those were six exciting places to stay from which you can watch wildlife at the waterhole. We hope there was a lovely lodge or campsite among them for you!