Ongava Lodge
Perched on a ridge with seemingly endless views across the plains, Ongava Lodge offers characterful accommodation with a distinct African style. The spacious main lounge, bar and dining areas are housed under thatch and built using local materials, with stone floors and high wooden beams giving the property a traditional feel. A large deck extending out to the front provides excellent views over the floodlit waterhole, which attracts a variety of wildlife. The pool area also makes a relaxing place to unwind in the sun, or you can enjoy peace and privacy in your stone and thatch chalet, which subtly blend into the landscape.
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Rooms
The air conditioned chalets are tastefully built out of rock and thatch and have been smartly decorated, featuring African-style fabrics, wooden furniture and high ceilings, as well as lots of natural light. Each has an en suite bathroom with flush toilet and both indoor and outdoor hot showers. They offer large twins beds, overhead fans, hairdryers and tea/coffee making facilities. A private viewing deck at the front of each chalet makes a relaxing place to spend an afternoon reading or admiring your surroundings.
Location
The lodge is situated on the private 600 square kilometer Ongava Game Reserve, in the foothills of the Ondundozonanandana Range, with wonderful views across the plains below. Ongava is an extension of Etosha National Park, lying directly on the southern boundary, but is exclusive to the guests of just four camps. It’s home to elephant, lion, black and white rhino, giraffe, several antelope species and the rare black-faced impala.
Food and Drink
Tasty meals are served in the thatched dining area, and there’s a bar serving a variety of beverages. Sundowners can be enjoyed around the open fire out on the deck as the sun sets, where you can socialize with fellow guests and watch out for wildlife visiting the floodlit waterhole.
Families
Children aged six and over a welcome to stay at the camp. Each of the chalets has space for additional beds to accommodate children, and there’s a family chalet that sleeps up to four.
Facilities and Activities
The camp has a pool with sun loungers, a curio shop and Wi-Fi access in the lounge area. Around the grounds you may spot tree squirrels and bush babies, which staff can help point out to you.
Activities include photographic hides, birdwatching by waterholes, rhino tracking on foot and guided nature walks and game drives around the reserve, including night drives. The guides have an excellent knowledge of the land and its wildlife, which they share enthusiastically with guests.
Our opinion
We’ve found that Ongava Lodge is a long-time favorite with return visitors to Namibia. It’s well located in the middle of the Ongava Reserve, but only a 30 minute game drive to Etosha's main gate.
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Nearby accommodation
Nearby places
Places & hotels on the map
Alternative places to stay nearby
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can’t be bettered.
Anderssons Camp
This model of eco-sensitive lodging provides an authentic, safe and down-to-earth experience for small groups, families and independent travellers to Etosha National Pak.
Dolomite Camp
This is the only property on this side of Etosha, and staying here will allow you to visit a really untouched part of the park. The camp itself is built on a dolomite hill, making the most of the sweeping views of the vast Etosha pan.
Etosha Safari Camp
Etosha Safari Camp is a basic no frills camp. It is clean and comfortable and a great option for families. Due to its size, this is not suitable if you want somewhere peaceful.
Etosha Safari Lodge
Etosha Safari Lodge is situated on a hillock about ten kilometers from Etosha's Anderson Gate. This is a fairly large lodge but the rooms are comfortable and its a good base from which to visit Etosha National Park under your own steam.
Halali Rest Camp
Halali feels quiet and low key and the location is excellent as you are right in the heart of the park. Its ideal for the real wildlife enthusiast.
Little Ongava
Little Ongava is Namibia's most luxurious camp. The rooms are huge, very stylish and very private. Its an ideal place for a few really special days on your vacation.
Mondjila Safari Camp
Located in Etosha National Park, Mondjila Safari Camp comprises just 11 tented rooms set amongst indigenous vegetation, each raised on a platform with a veranda and chairs where you can relax and enjoy the views.
Mushara Bush Camp
A comfortable, stylish camp located just to the east of the gate to Etosha National Park. Very family friendly, it has plenty of amenities and facilities to keep the little ones entertained.
Mushara Lodge
Ideally positioned for exploring the eastern side of Etosha National Park and its diverse wildlife, Mushara Lodge has a unique character, blending traditional African and modern styles. Its comfortable accommodation, tranquil surroundings and excellent service make for a pleasant stay.
Mushara Outpost
This small, homely camp offers a peaceful location nestled in the bush, just a short drive from Etosha National Park. Balancing modern comfort with an authentic bush camp feel, it’s an excellent base for exploring the area’s diverse wildlife.
Okaukuejo Rest Camp
Everyone traveling to and through Etosha will stop here at Okaukuejo to refuel vehicles, buy provisions and rest. However, it’s the floodlit waterhole that draws guests here as night falls for excellent wildlife viewing.
Ongava Tented Camp
We particularly like Ongava Tented Camp as it is small, personal and the waterhole in front of camp usually attracts a fair amount of game.
Onguma Bush Camp
Located in the eastern part of Etosha National Park, Onguma Bush Camp is ideal for guided and self-drive trips, and particularly for visitors looking to observe the endangered black rhino in the wild.
Onguma Plains Camp
The accommodation at Onguma Plains is unusual - the Moroccan theme and Fort-style architecture is not your traditional safari camp. That said, it has been beautifully decorated in a contemporary style.
Onguma Tented Camp
Onguma is a lovely option for Eastern Etosha. It has a good location for either guided or self-drive trips into the park. The camp offers incredible luxury and true wilderness for game viewing.
Onguma Treetop Camp
The main focus of the camp is to experience wildlife in its truest form, it is a small and intimate camp, especially designed for those travelers who would like to truly experience the bush in all its raw splendor.
Toshari Lodge
Toshari Lodge is situated 25 kilometers from the Etosha National Park between the town of Outjo and Okaukuejo in Etosha. This is a good value option making it a good base from which to explore under your own steam.