Famous for its floodlit waterhole Okaukuejo Rest Camp is also the administrative centre of Etosha. Most visitors travel though this camp with its characteristic stone tower and Etosha Ecological Institute is also situated within the camp.

The rest camp was formerly a military outpost founded in 1901 and the tower was added in 1963. Located in the south of Etosha National Park, Okaukuejo is only 17 km from Anderson Gate. Okaukuejo offers a wide range of accommodation as well as all the necessities such as a petrol station and a shop. The restaurant and bar offer refreshments and delicious meals, while the swimming pool offers relief on hot days. The waterhole is a hub of animal activity starting in the early hours of the morning. Especially during winter diversity of game congregate in close proximity to the camp to quench their thirst.

After sunset floodlights illuminate the waterhole. This is the best time and place to see the endangered black rhino. This archaic mammal can often be seen drinking alongside lion and elephant. The number and interaction of the animals is the major drawcard of Okaukuejo Rest Camp in Namibia.

Gitzo G 1549 MK II Tripod, Nikon D810, Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports at 450mm, 1/500 sec at f/6.3 with ISO 2.000

The waterhole at Okaukuejo Camp is truly amazing in terms of wildlife sightings. At no other place in Namibia have I ever seen so many different animals together at a waterhole. However, you are a good distance away from the waterhole, which makes a good telephoto lens useful if you want to portray the animals.

Gitzo G 1549 MK II Tripod, Nikon D810 with Nikon MC-36, Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports at 150mm, 1/13 sec at f/6.3 with ISO 12.800

Gitzo G 1549 MK II Tripod, Nikon D810 with Nikon MC-36, Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports at 600mm, 1/15 sec at f/6.3 with ISO 12.800

The adult elephant gives a good impression of why it is difficlut to photography animals at the Okaukuejo waterhole at night (without a flash for sure). The animals are pretty far away, and the 2500 Kelvin floodlight makes it even harder to correct the photos with Photoshop afterwards. You need a 5-600mm supertele lens and a very sturdy tripod.