Ongava Lodge

OVERVIEW:

Ongava was the first proper lodge to be built in this beautiful area, and with this their first choice for location the owners really chose a good spot! Perched on the slopes of a small row of dolomite hills and with views as far as the eye can see, this classic, charming lodge has consistently delivered high-quality safari – with the many rhino sightings as a particular highlight. Rhino often come to the lodge’s watering hole to drink, and walking safaris here can bring you right up close to these magnificent, prehistoric beasts.

Ongava’s position just outside the slightly busier Etosha National Park means you have great access to both that game area, and the quieter and stunning Ongava Game Reserve. Its proximity to Etosha, which is Namibia’s foremost park and where you can see the best volumes of big game in the country, makes for ample sightings as the wildlife spills over into Ongava, but with fewer crowds. As the active, floodlit watering hole is situated very close to the lodge, meals (and swims!) are often taken in the company of local residents, including elephant, oryx, zebra, giraffe, and lion. The rooms are as spacious as the views and very comfortable, with twin washbasins, air conditioning, and, of course, views across the grassland plains. It’s a first-class option for your safari in Namibia, and the staff here are always warm and welcoming!

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Ongava Lodge is located on the southern edge of Etosha National Park, in the much less busy Ongava Game Reserve. Ongava has strong populations of predators in its own right, including lion, leopard, spotted hyena, and black-backed jackal. The property is almost like a giant treehouse that clings to the side of the excellently named Ondundozonanandana Range. The positioning of Ongava Lodge gives you the best of both parks. You can do half- or full-day trips into Etosha, since you’re right next to the gate, and then come home to the less hectic private reserve.

The lodge is accessed either on a driving circuit, with a 6-hour drive from Windhoek on tarmacked roads, or you can fly into Ongava’s local airstrip by scheduled light aircraft – from here it’s a short 15-minute drive to camp. It is also worth noting that you cannot do self-driving activities within the private concession, even if you come by road. 

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT ONGAVA LODGE:

It’s rare to wake up and be able to enjoy a view as far as the eye can see! Each one of Ongava's 14 rooms is wonderfully positioned to make the most of the dramatic scenery. All are super-spacious, constructed out of thatch and stone to blend into the hillside, with double or twin beds, twin basins, an enormous shower, aircon, indoor and outdoor showers, tea and coffee facilities, and a private terrace where you can marvel at the surrounding savanna with your morning coffee.

The main area is large, with deep comfy seating in the lounge and a small library corner. From the dining area and from most of the main part of the lodge, including the well-sized pool which brings some welcome cooling relief at the hottest times of year, you can see the watering hole. This is a real standout feature of the property, with lions and rhinos regular visitors – it’s floodlit too, so you can have ‘company’ during your delicious evening meals! The staff at Ongava are all delightful and the food is very good, with a mix of traditional African dishes based around roaring BBQs, alongside salads bristling with fresh local produce. The decking area where meals are taken really is fantastic! And if this is not close enough for your perfect photo opportunity, the lodge has a great hide, which gets you even closer to the action.

ACTIVITIES AT ONGAVA LODGE:

You have two parks to explore from Ongava, and this is some of the best big game safari in Namibia – a country that’s perhaps more famous for its stunning lunar landscapes and the dunes of the Skeleton Coast.

• Expertly guided game drives

  - The lodge offers two game sessions per day – morning and late afternoon. It is possible to enjoy half- or full-day trips into Etosha, and we’d recommend this at least once, but Ongava’s private reserve and its tranquillity may be more to your liking. Either way, these are great options! Among the highlights in the parks are lion, leopard, elephant, hyena, and rhino. You can look out for smaller predators too, such as jackal, serval, and civet, while the large herbivore collection features giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and an assortment of antelopes.

• Walking safaris

  - Why not head out into the bush with an armed guide? As well as enjoying animal tracking and the area’s great birdlife, you’ll take a closer look at the reserve’s insects and plant life. The real treat here is the chance to see both black and white rhino. Different levels and distances are available, depending on the ages of your group. Please note, classic walking safari here has an age limit of 16 years.

• Night drives

  - You can also drive out at night, when all the big predators come alive. It’s always an unforgettable experience, watching what goes on in the dark of the night! You might see porcupines, genets, civets, bush-babies – and occasionally a larger predator with its prey.

• Wildlife hides

  - The lodge’s hide can be an excellent spot for photography. With the watering hole always busy with one visitor or another, this is a great chance to see animals at eye level.
  
  

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.