Main accommodation - Northern region

Ongava Lodge, Little Ongava Lodge & Tented Camp Wilderness Safaris

Ongava lodge located just outside of Etosha National Park from Okaukuejo camp side. The lodge is situated on the private 30,000 hectare Ongava Game Reserve and shares a common border with Etosha. This establishment offers to experience Etosha park and provides great accommodation and service, as well as the opportunity to take night drives and nature walks on the reserve. These activities are not allowed within Etosha National park.

Ongava Game Reserve on the southern boundary of Namibia's Etosha National Park has two camps; the main lodge, and the tented camp in a different part of the reserve. Guests can choose the style of accommodation and size of camp that suits them best. The camps are managed independently and each has its own full-time staff, guides, managers and vehicles. Both camps will have a similar activity schedule. Ongava Tented camp is situated more towards the centre of the game reserve, at the base of the foothills of the Ondundozonanandana range, meaning "mountain where the boy took the calves".

Ongava Lodge description:

Ongava Lodge has 10 chalets which are attractively built out of brick and thatch  close to the top of a hill. Each chalet has an en suite bathroom with flush toilet, bath, shower and double hand basins. There is an air-conditioner in the rooms and overhead fans. The rooms have glass fronted doors which lead out onto a private covered verandah overlooking the bush. The main lounge, bar and dining area is also under thatch with wonderful views across the plains and floodlit waterhole below. Outdoor dining under the stars, whilst viewing game drinking at the waterhole is something never to be forgotten. There is also a swimming pool and a large curio shop stocking a good selection of African gifts and branded safari clothing. As the lodge is built close to the top of a hill, there are several steps. If you can not climb steps, we suggest you book into Ongava tented camp.

Game viewing at Ongava:

Etosha is Namibia's premier game viewing destination. It is one of Africa's largest game parks being nearly the size of Switzerland. Large herds of plains game concentrate around the waterholes in the dry season making for exciting game viewing. A highlight at Ongava is that it is one of the few private game reserves in Southern Africa where you have a chance of seeing both black and white rhino. For those who enjoy close wildlife encounters, tracking white rhino on foot with an armed guide is a highlight not to be missed. Ongava Game Reserve also has a good population of lion, eland, mountain zebra, black faced impala and a number of other antelope species.

Activities at Ongava:

Mornings are normally spent within Etosha National Park, returning to Ongava in time for a lunch. After tea, guests head out onto the private reserve to enjoy more flora and fauna. The option of tracking white rhino on foot is available as is night drives. Additional activities at Ongava could also include full day excursions into Etosha National Park, taking along a picnic, subject to availability of vehicles and also a visit to one of the hides on the property. Private vehicles can be booked at an additional charge subject to availability either prior to departure or directly with Ongava's camp manager.

History of Ongava:

In the early 1990s a group of Namibian, English, American and South African partners clubbed together and bought 30,000 hectares of land on Etosha's southern boundary. The aim of this venture was to create Namibia's finest private game reserve and to create a buffer for Etosha along its southern boundary. Ongava (meaning rhinoceros in Herero) was born, and a massive rehabilitation and restocking program took place. White rhino were introduced and over time black rhino migrated onto the reserve. Many thousands of animals are now found on Ongava including elephant, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, red hartebeest, eland, wildebeest, zebra and the rare black faced impala. Lion, leopard and cheetah have also moved back into Ongava Reserve.

Tented camp description:

Ongava tented camp is a small classic traditional tented camp. Guests sleep in "Meru" tents which are the classic East African style of tent. Each have double doors to allow for uninterrupted views of the bush and waterhole in front of camp and every tent has it's own covered verandah. The tents have been tastefully furnished each with it's own en suite thatched bathroom with flush toilet and unique open air private shower. The bar and dining area is built out of rock and thatch and has an intimate feel. Drinks and dinner can be enjoyed around the open air fire place and swimming pool, both of which overlook a productive floodlit waterhole situated at eye level in front of the camp.
Activities. Mornings are normally spent within Etosha and afternoons on the reserve, tracking white rhino on foot being one of the many highlights. Additional activities could also include full day excursions into Etosha National Park, taking along a picnic, subject to availability of vehicles. Night drives on Ongava Reserve and visits to one of the hides on the property. Private vehicles can be booked at an additional charge subject to availability either prior to departure or directly with Ongava's Camp Manager.

Directions to Ongava:

Just outside of the western entrance to the Etosha National Park.

Rates per night per person - DBB: on request

Rates per night per person - FI: on request

Ongava Tented Camp: rates per night per person - FI: on request

CHILDREN'S POLICY

• Minimum age limit is 8 years.
• 8 - 12 years old sharing with parents or in family unit: above discounted rates.
• 13 years old and above: full rate even if sharing with parents.

Discounted rates per night per person/child - FI: a minimum of six nights: on request

6 nights or longer in any of Wilderness Safaris' camps & lodges (except Skeleton Coast):
3% discount!

Full list of camps and lodges is here

"Ongava Lodge is a real oasis in Namibia's heat. We were lucky to experience Etosha at its hotest and dryest so we saw a multitude of game at the waterholes. Our guide looked after us superbly, he always had a supply of cold drinks at hand and when we returned to camp it was great relaxing in the pool. The air-conditioned chalet was a real bonus. We thoroughly enjoyed dinner outside on the deck overlooking the waterhole. We had a great stay and cannot thank your staff enough. A.S., UK

"We have travelled for 3 weeks now in Namibia and were glad to take 3 days at Ongava. We felt refreshed and pampered after our stay. We saw 7 white rhino and 2 black rhino during our stay, which was amazing, and I hope I got some good photos." G.B., Germany

"Thank you for a wonderful honeymoon, for chalet number one close to all the animals at the waterhole, for our candlelit dinner by the pool and for the chilled champagne, you went out of your way to make it special for us. We will never forget our stay with you." M. B., Italy

"I have been fortunate to visit Africa several times due to the fact that I am in the travel business. This year I travelled to Namibia and stayed at Ongava Lodge for three nights. I was very impressed with not only the high standard of guiding, but also that of the service and cuisine. The genuine friendliness of the staff made my stay special. I will highly recommend this lodge to my friends and travel acquaintances." S.A., USA

"We were really impressed by the amount of game that we saw at Ongava. Tracking the white rhino on foot was experience that I will never forget. " S.J., France

All Wilderness Safaris' establishments: due to a high demand the full balance is due strictly not later than 10 weeks prior to arrival!
Special meals can be booked in advance. Rates are subject to change without prior notice should tax be increased or Government levies introduced. Rates include Value Added Tax.

Reservations & information agent:

Elena Travel Services & Car Hire CC
P.O. Box 3127 Windhoek, Namibia
Fax:  +264 61 244558
E-mail: info@namibweb.com

To book:

1) you can e-mail us requesting information and/or rates

Reservations are only accepted in writing: by fax or via e-mail.
Final availability confirmation: in writing: by fax or via e-mail.

See also: Terms & conditions, Payment options and Cancellation policy

PICTURE GALLERY: ONGAVA LODGE

Pictures:

• Ongava tents
• Lodge's deck
• Map

Related links and other Wilderness establishments:

• Etosha National Park
• Transfers
• Kulala Tented Camp
• Little Kulala
• Damaraland Camp
• Kulala Lodge
• Skeleton Coast Camp & Safaris
• Sossusvlei Wilderness Camp

Accommodation in the area:

• Etosha Safari Camp
• Mokuti Lodge

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