Waterhole-sitting is by far the most rewarding Kruger exercise for me. One saves petrol, relieves congestion, and generally it is peaceful with all sorts of big and small things to look at. (And the odd surprise!)
Obviously this is less rewarding during the wet season, though, but with a bit of research one can find areas that are surprisingly dry, as Kruger rainfall is often patchy.
Big dams are sometimes difficult as the area to look at is too big, but conversely they serve large numbers of animals and at the end of the dry season they can shrink to a small size and be very busy!
Small dams/pans sometimes dry up, though, and windmills can break or "disappear'...
For me the following factors are important:
A- Shade
B- Closeness to the water
C- Rare mammal species
D- Proximity to a camp/gate (ease of access)
E- Remoteness (off the main roads)
I must think a bit about my top 3, but for example:
Klopperfontein Dam A-
viewtopic.php?f=263&t=576
A- Shade (4/5)
B- Closeness to the water (5/5)
C- Rare mammal species (4/5) - (Roan, Tsessebe, Eland, Lion)
D- Proximity to a camp/gate (ease of access) (2/5) (Punda Maria, Pafuri, H1-8)
E- Remoteness (off the main roads) (3/5)
= 18/25
Best sightings: Lion, CLOSE elephant.
Link to flavour:
https://www.africawild-forum.com/viewto ... =263&t=576