Etosha National Park Nightlife

Usually the waterholes in Etosha are very active at night. Many animals take refuge from the sun during the dday and spend the night in the waterholes. Is a great time to see rhinos in particular. Some have spot lights.

Dress Code: long sleeves, bugs can get pretty bad

One of the simple things they did in Etosha is to locate the camping’s sites by the waterhole (or creating waterhole by the camping) It is a great opportunity to watch the animals at night approaching carefully to the drink.

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Well, this is definitely not a place for clubbing, but the acivity definitely does not die down at night! At each restcamp, there is a floodlit waterhole, perfect to view the nocturnal life of the animals after dinner.

The star attractions are the rhinos, which are somewhat more difficult to spot during the day. But keep in mind other animals such as lions & hyenas are nocturnal so staying a bit by the waterhole is a great opportunity to see some, even in action as we did!

If you are keen on photography, don't forget a tripod to be able to take pictures - and please be considerate towards the animals and other visitors and refrain from using flash guns. The animals are usually a bit too far away anyway.

Dress Code: Dress warmly, especially in winter nights - it can get really, really cold!

One of the best thing to do in the evening/night at the restcamps is to sit down on a bench and wait for the animals on the other side of the electrified fence. You might need a lot of patience. In Namutoni and Halali, we were not very lucky. But in Okakuejo, we saw a rhino around 9 pm. Then at about 1:30 in the morning, we were awakened by the roar of the lions. I was so scared in my tent ! The roar was so loud that I thought the lions were in the camp and didn't dare to go out of the tent until I heard our Australian friend Matt saying : "come one guys, lions at the waterhole". I jumped out of my sleeping bag and ran to the waterhole to see 7 lionnesses and a few babies drinking there. What a great moment ! Unfortunately we couldn't see the males, but we could hear them as well as a laughing hyena and other animals I didn't recognized. After a while, I went back to the tent (we were supposed to wake up at 4). On the way, I also saw a really huge owl on top of a car but didn't dare to approach. After that, I was so excited and the lions were still so loud that I couldn't close my eyes. But what a unforgettable memory !

Oukakoueja Camp has (as the other two camps in Etosha Ntl park) a waterhole that is lighted in the night, but it is the waterhole where you most likely see most animals.

Starting after dark, it seems to be a theatrical play. Here come the giraffae, very cautious and slowly they proceed to the waterhole. Why so cautious? Because there are lions around. You haven´t seen them yet? But you will. They keep the giraffae at a distance, at least until the rhinoceros arrive.... and they only stay until the elefants come...

Dress Code: long sleeves (maybe you will find some mosquitos), but else: come as you are.

Oh: if you stay on the campsite, bring a flash-light with you. That should keep the jakals away .... when you are wandering back. :-) I have had my experiences.