Ongava Safari Camps, Etosha

There are three different private camps at Ongava Game Reserve near Etosha National Park, each offering a unique and exclusive safari experience. Choose the style that suits you best:

1. Little Ongava

Perched high on a rocky outcrop, with incredible views over the surrounding African savanna, Little Ongava has only three sumptuous units, offering one of the most luxurious and exclusive safari stays in Namibia. Each secluded unit has its own private deck and plunge pool, a sala or sitting area and a luxury en-suite bathroom with both indoor and open-air outdoor shower – all of which offer spectacular views from every angle.

Sumptuous Main Area

Once again, the common deck, lounge and dining areas offer unbeatable views onto the plains below as well as overlooking the active waterhole which is often teeming with wildlife. It’s a unique, magnificent setting where you may be forgiven if you forget, just for a moment, that you’re not the only one enjoying this destination.

2. Ongava Tented Camp

Tucked into a hidden valley at the foot of a dolomite hill, Ongava Tented Camp can accommodate a maximum of 16 guests, two children and four guides/pilots/tour leaders, depending on availability and concession numbers. There are six twin-bed luxury canvas tents, a honeymoon tent and a family unit with two en-suite bedrooms.

Stone, Canvas and Thatched Main Area

The spacious main area has a bar, lounge and dining area with an open deck, a sparkling pool and campfire overlooking a floodlit waterhole to which animals beat a path to quench their thirst, day and night. It's not unusual to see lions coming down to drink. There's also a library and curio shop.

3. Ongava Lodge

Set near the top of a hill, Ongava Lodge offers wonderful views over the plains and active waterhole below. This camp can accommodate 28 guests plus two children and four guides/pilots/tour leaders, depending on concession availability. Altogther, there are 14 units: 13 twin-bedded rock chalets and one family rock unit with two twin-bedded rooms, each en-suite.

Split-Level Thatched Main Area

There's a lounge, dining room and bar offering views over the waterhole. A swimming pool, library corner, curio shop and private sala with a spotting scope complete the picture. This camp is constructed on various levels and there are multiple steps throughout the lodge. Regrettably, there is no wheelchair access.

Enormous Variety of Wildlife

Ongava Game Reserve offers most of the usual wildlife you’d expect to see in the area: springbok, gemsbok (oryx), wildebeest, both Burchell's and Hartmann's mountain zebra, waterbuck, red hartebeest, giraffe, Damara dik-dik, eland and the rare and endangered endemic black-faced impala. Lion and rhino (both black and white) move freely between Ongava and Etosha – only elephant remain exclusively within the national park. At Etosha, you’ll often see various species gathered together around the waterholes, particularly during the dry season. Ten of Namibia’s 14 endemic bird species have been recorded here, together with the other 340 bird species found in Ongava.

Game Viewing Activities

Most activities revolve around day and night wildlife-viewing drives and guided bush walks with experienced guides – either on the private 30 000-hectare Ongava Game Reserve – or daily excursions into neighbouring Etosha National Park. There’s also an excellent hide at the Ongava Lodge waterhole which provides superb photographic opportunities. You can even book a private safari vehicle at an extra cost (subject to availability).

Conservation

Ongava is involved in many local conservation and environmental efforts. Firstly, most endemic game has been successfully reintroduced to the area. There is an ongoing research and conservation programme which closely monitors all wildlife – particularly endangered species – with great success. Today, there are healthy populations of black-faced impala and black rhino in Ongava.

Getting There

By air: Private or charter aircraft can fly directly to Ongava’s airstrip within the reserve. A daily air taxi service also connects to Windhoek (one-and-a-half-hour flight)

By road: It’s approximately a four-hour drive from Windhoek via Okahandja and Otjiwarongo. Transfers are available by arrangement from Windhoek for groups of four or more.

Our Take on Ongava

All the best of Wilderness Safaris’ ethos of service, hospitality, luxury and passion for conservation and wildlife have been bundled up and presented here in three varied safari lodge styles. It’s a personalised, exclusive safari experience that highlights the stark beauty of this unique land.