Waterhole counts were undertaken at selected sites in the escarpment zone of north-west Namibia. In 2018,18 waterholes in 7 conservancies were counted but from 2019 onwards, the number of waterholes was increased to more than 25 covering 11 conservancies. Counts were undertaken over a period of 2, 3 or 4 days during which time all animals seen were counted. Game species differ in the frequency with which they need to visit water resources with some able to acquire much of their hydration needs through foraging. Waterhole counts are therefore best suited to species (like elephants) which need to make regular trips to water points. Estimates are calculated using the number of count days, and the drinking frequency of the species. They are crude estimates and should be considered a guide to the relative abundance of animals in the area. Values are influenced by several assumptions including drinking frequencies and independence of sightings. Of interest is the high number of kudu and Hartmann’s zebra at waterholes compared with transect counts (left). These animals are clearly present but not well covered by transect routes. In contrast, much lower numbers of gemsbok were seen in both waterhole and transect counts.