Waterholes in Western Etosha

With all the waterholes that are a convenient distance from the Dolomite camp, I have found that the all game will be very timid and most will move away as a vehicle arrives in the parking area, even if approached cautiously. The most successful method to photograph game is arrive at a waterhole and park so that you are not directly in the sun and able to take photographs without moving around in the vehicle. It’s just a matter of waiting and hoping you have selected the right waterhole.

New game will approach the waterholes extremely cautiously and most probably make their way to the farthest point from the vehicle, if you are lucky gradually as more game arrive at the waterhole some of the game will gain confidence and move nearer.

Realistically to have any real chance of success with photography a long lens is a necessity for all the waterholes.

Waterholes Not Functioning

Bitterwater & Duiwelsvuur water holes looked dry and in disrepair therefore out of action. I was also informed the following waterholes nearer to the Dolomite Camp are also dry and out of action Okondethe, Luiperdskop, Aasvoelbad and Miernes.

Klippan This waterhole needs a long lens to achieve anything successful as the game tends to move to the rear of the overflow pan which is located at the back of the pumped water basin. Game very nervous and AM photography is best.

Rateldraf This waterhole consists of a small concrete basin to the front, with a small mud hole to the left hand side, the parking is closer than Klippan but a long lens will give you a greater choice photo opportunities. AM and PM photography.

Renostervlei This has a wind pump supplying the concrete basin sited at the front and a mud hole to the rear on the right hand side. The mud hole is quite lower than the basin and which has an impact on photography. This was the most prolific waterhole (Rateldraf ran a close second) and on both visits black rhino appeared and stayed for a while to drink. AM and PM photography

Jackkalswater There is a noisy diesel water pump supplying this waterhole which is situated in the middle of a very open area, never particularly successful when I visited except for a few Springbok scattered here and there. Morning photography is directly into the sun from the parking area, so PM would be better but I never tried it.

Duikerdrink This waterhole is at the end of a long dirt road, the game along this road was more abundant than at the waterhole. The dirt road may not be passable to non 4 wheel drive vehicles in the wet season. Open area around the waterhole but again only a few springbok at the times I visited. Morning photography is directly into the sun from the parking area, so PM would be better but again I never tried it.

Okawao This waterhole is a natural spring and situated just of the main road, visited this waterhole twice and both times plenty of game was present but nervous and moved to the back of the waterhole which was quite some distance from the parking area. AM photography was into the sun, so PM would be better but as those above I never tried it.

Duineveild Not particularly successful here but the signs tell me that it must be well visited, at least by elephants. An open area with the water basin not too far from the parking. AM photography into the sun so would suit PM photography.

The following waterholes were visited on the way east to Okaukuejo, so they were a just a quick drive through to see what was on offer.

Nomad The concrete basin is not too far from the parking open short grass area AM and PM photography

Olifantsrus The parking is elevated and with a clear view of the concrete water basin, fairly open area some game when visited, plenty of evidence of elephant but none sighted. AM photography into the sun PM should be OK but long way from Dolomite camp.

Tobieron Concrete basin and mud hole some distance from parking, open area with some mopane trees. Should suit AM and PM photography

Teespoed Concrete basin with small mud hole, PM photography

Sonderkop Concrete basin some distance from parking, no mud hole and surrounded by flat ground. PM photography.

Important Note Jackkalswater, Duikerdrink and Okawao waterholes are some distance from the Dolomite Camp, so if venturing out on a late afternoon safari to these waterholes, you must allow sufficient time to get back to the Dolomite Camp before sunset.