For reasons that will soon become clear, the Okaukuejo Watering Hole is hands down the highlight of Etosha National Park. It’s also home to the hippest party in the animal kingdom on a nightly basis.

The main lodge and campground are situated around this watering hole. Our guides have explained that guests often visit the watering hole throughout the night — if you have to use the restroom at 2am, maybe take a few extra minutes and walk to the watering hole to see what kind of animals have congregated. Perhaps the elusive black rhino will make an appearance? There is almost always activity around-the-clock, and it gets especially busy at sunrise and sunset.

Here is the crowd I encounter on the first of our two nights here:

The buzz of excitement is palpable as I walk closer. Turns out two herds of elephants are duking it out for access to drink and bathe in the watering hole.

Synchronized sipping:

After one group has had a few minutes in the water, the matriarch from the other herd demonstrates they should leave.

These ladies roar at each other for a few tense moments until the first group huffs away.

One moves out as the next moves in:

The crowds disperse a bit and it’s easier to move to the front.

Elephant butts.

Giraffes stand in the background, patiently waiting for the pachyderms to finish before moving in for their turn.

Elephants — even freshly bathed ones — love to douse themselves in dirt. This guy below goes to town:

While many tourists have left to eat dinner, the photography enthusiasts stay behind, soaking up every last shot of this moody sky and wildlife foreground.

At last this giraffe musters enough courage to move right up to the water.

This next photo shows the distance — crowds aren’t very far away from the action. That floodlight will stay on all night long so that spectators can keep an eye on the game (pun intended).

The last batch of photographers from the sunset crowd:

At this point I go back to our campsite to eat dinner with our group. But I come back before bed to a veritable menagerie of African wildlife — a bachelor male elephant, a half-dozen rhinos, and giraffes. The gemsbok are running fashionably late to the party.

I feel like I hit the jackpot — how fortunate to encounter this variety of animals at once.

It must be a question of safety in numbers — the giraffes finally feel comfortable to lower their elongated necks and sip from the watering hole. Check out their awkward, spread-legged stance:

Now the gemsbok have arrived. Let’s get this late night nature shindig started:

Just as I think to myself how remarkable it is that all these creatures are so kindly sharing this space, the peace is broken by dueling rhinos. It’s all fun and games until those horns come out.

The tension is short-lived as the rhinos back down. By now I’m cold and sleepy so it feels like an appropriate time to turn in.

Thanks to these party animals for the late night entertainment. Same time tomorrow night?

I visited Namibia on a 12-day tour from Windhoek to Cape Town with Acacia Africa. They discounted my tour in exchange for blogging and photography; opinions are my own.