Anderssons at Ongava

Named for the Swedish explorer who 'discovered' Etosha Pan, Andersson at Ongava uses natural elements and opulent touches to reflect the surrounding environment and provide guests with an immersive nature experience. Set on the 30,000-hectare (74,129-acre) private Ongava Game Reserve in Namibia, guests at Anderssons can interact with resident researchers, visiting scientists, conservationists and rhino security personnel at the Ongava Research Centre or retreat to their eco-friendly guest units, waterhole, photographic hide or infinity pool.

Spacious, comfortable eco-units

Anderssons at Ongava can accommodate up to 18 guests in seven contemporary luxury units and one family unit. Each air-conditioned, en-suite unit has a separate toilet, an indoor and an outdoor shower, a double vanity basin and a private viewing deck with 180° panoramic views. The family unit consists of two suites, each with its own bathroom and entrance. The two suites are connected by a short walkway.

Guest facilities

Guests gather for meals in an indoor or open-air dining area. There is a bar in the spacious lounge, a dedicated photographic nook for photographers, a curio shop, a library, a sunken observation terrace, complimentary WiFi and a waterhole-facing infinity pool. Open fireplaces chase away the chill in winter and there's a nearby underground photographic hide for guests who want to see wildlife from a different perspective.

Abundant, varied wildlife

At Anderssons at Ongava, you'll probably see most of the area's characteristic wildlife - springbok, gemsbok, wildebeest, warthog, giraffe, both Burchell's and Hartmann's mountain zebra, waterbuck, red hartebeest, giraffe, eland and endemic black-faced impala, lion, elephant, black rhino and white rhino. Over 340 bird species are found on Ongava, with 10 of Namibia's 14 endemics recorded.

Activities at Anderssons at Ongava

• Open-safari vehicle, offroad game drives with a qualified guide in Ongava
• Full- or half-day guided game drives into nearby Etosha National Park with a picnic lunch
• Night drives in the sprawling private Ongava Reserve
• Guided nature walks (seasonal) with a skilled walking guide
• Photographic hide near the waterhole allows you to view game up close and unnoticed – if you’re lucky, even rhino and lion
• Visit the exhibition area at Ongava Research Centre (a short walk away)

Focus on conservation

Set in a fragile ecosystem, Anderssons at Ongava has been carefully designed and built for minimal impact on the environment – maximising natural light, airflow and insulation. A large-scale wildlife rehabilitation project has seen consistently healthy increases in the game on Ongava. The Black & White Rhino Project is one of the largest rhino custodianships for the Namibian government and Ongava is one of the few places in southern Africa where you have a good chance of spotting both of these majestic creatures. The Ongava Research Centre (ORC) has achieved outstanding conservation results, specifically with regard to the endangered black rhino and endemic black-faced impala.

Getting there

By road - Anderssons at Ongava is accessible by road, but no self-drive activities are allowed within the concession. Andersson's gate is the closest access to Etosha and the entrance is affected by its gate times. It's about a four-hour drive from Windhoek (425km).

By air - Wilderness Air flies to Ongava Airstrip. From there, it's a 15-minute road transfer to the camp, depending on any stops en route for wildlife, scenery and photos.

Our take on Anderssons at Ongava

Andersson is an exclusive, family-friendly camp with quirky little extras like outdoor showers. As with all Wilderness Safaris properties, the staff, service and hospitality are exceptional. It has an excellent location and you get to experience the best of both worlds on safari: the luxury private game reserve experience at Ongava and the world-famous national park experience of Etosha with its 'white' elephants. Well worth a visit!