Water Holes in Etosha

As part of my Fulbright grant, I have been researching water resources management practices in Namibia. To further that effort, I recently took to the opportunity to study the water resource utilization practices of wildlife in Namibia. Below are some of the results from my data collection....

On our most recent trip to Etosha National Park, we visited two amazing water holes. The first water hole is named Okondeka and is located right on the western edge of the pan about 20 km north of the main camp at Okaukuejo near the center of the national park. Driving towards the water hole (about 2 or 3 km away), we began to encountered long, single file lines of springbok, oryx, and zebra moving towards the water hole. The closer we got to the water hole, the more lines of animals we encountered. As far as you could see in all directions where lines of animals moving to and from the direction of the water hole. I became really excited as I began to realize how spectacular the water hole was going to be because I had never seen so many animals moving and congregating at all once in the same location before.

Once we arrived at the water hole, we were not disappointed. A whole variety of plains animals in continual motion. Just like a picture right out of National Geographic. The only thing that could have made it any better was if there had been some of the big game like elephants, giraffes, or lions. But, it was what you always imagine Africa to be like.

The wildlife appear to be collectively utilizing the scarce water rather efficiently....

The next water hole was located east of Okaukuejo (exact location not disclosed in order to protect against poachers). Here we were able to see several elephants and one rhino. One elephant just stood there drinking and playing in the water.

Elephant Taking a Bath

Elephant and Rhino

It appears there is even enough water for the animals to take baths.....

We also encountered this nice little (about 1 meter long) rock monitor crossing the road. Everything, including reptiles, are big in Africa!

My guess he doesn't use too much water.

Hope you have been impressed with my in-depth academic findings and conclusions. Now I just need to find a journal to publish in....