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Ongava Lodge

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Floodlit watering hole
- Easy access into Etosha National Park
- Rhino tracking
- Stylish accommodation

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Overview

Ongava lodge is located inside Ongava Game Reserve; a large private reserve adjacent to Etosha National Park in North central Namibia. Set atop a hilltop, with panoramic views of the bush below, this high quality camp, one of only four small lodges in this private reserve, offers great service and quality wildlife viewing.

The camp is centred on the large, thatched main building that houses a relaxing bar and comfortable lounge area. These both lead out onto the verandah and overlook the area’s main watering hole, which is floodlit at night to give guests around the clock sightings of the fantastic local wildlife. Meals are served in a pleasant restaurant and a large swimming pool is a great place to cool off during the day.

Activities at Ongava help guests explore the local area and include good game drives in the immediate vicinity and longer drives into the main Etosha National Park. Experienced guides point out wildlife including white rhino, lion, leopard, spotted hyenas and black-faced impalas. Day and night game drives are both included in the programme as well as rhino tracking on foot. Good bird watching and walking safari can also be enjoyed and there is an impressive hide out by the waterhole for avid photographers to get that perfect shot. All four lodges in this reserve are under the same ownership so you can expect the same high quality activities to be run from each.

The accommodation at Ongava is split into fourteen air conditioned chalets. Made out of rock and thatch these traditional buildings are light and spacious and include one family chalet that comfortably houses a family of four. All the rooms are ensuite with double basins and showers and glass doors that open onto your own private verandah. Extra beds are available for children in any of the rooms.

There is a minimum age of six years old to stay at Ongava and twelve years old to take part in the guided safari activities. Whilst the guides do their best to tailor the experience to their guests, there are no specific children’s programmes and constant supervision will be needed in these wild landscapes. The family chalets are ideal for four people and flexibility in accommodation means families of any size can be accommodated.

Ongava lodge is a pleasant and professionally run camp that offers a good safari experience.

Whilst fenced National Parks such as this may not provide the remote wilderness you can find in other areas, you are rewarded with easy to find and impressive wildlife. This kind of structured safari is ideal for families and is a great way to enjoy Etosha from a quieter base.

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What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 536 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • Trip was great and all the arrangements were excellent so thank you for all the help!

    Drivers and transfers were all good - on time and very good service on each trip.

    Accommodation was lovely - Douar Samra was amazing (weather could have been better but lovely regardless). Riad in Marrakesh was also great!

    All in all a great trip and we loved the variety of the mountains, Marrakesh and the coast.

    Thanks you once again!

    MissingHardeep S reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains on 15 April 2024

  • I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.

    Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

    El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.

    Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

    So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

    MissingJuhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

  • Thank you, we had an absolute wonderful time, and everything was well-planned and as described. Carla was crying on the day of our departure from Ants Nest, she didn’t want to go home and for it all to end, and when I asked how much longer she would want to stay, she responded “four weeks”

    MissingLars B reviewing Best of South Africa for Families on 01 March 2024

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