Onduli Ridge

20°36’57.5"S 14°29’37.1"E

95% (8 reviews)

Full review Our view Geographics Food & drink Special interests Children Wildlife sightings Communications Health & safety Activities Extras

Onduli Ridge: Our full report

Onduli Ridge is an exclusive, semi-permanent camp located on the Doro !Nawas Conservancy in southern Damaraland.

The camp, formerly called Camp Onduli, is tucked away at the foot of a granite outcrop or kopje, with spectacular views of the Brandberg Mountain, Namibia's tallest. The camp is conveniently situated for access to many of the region's attractions and offers activities from tracking desert-adapted wildlife to e-biking, visits to the rock art at Twyfelfontein and guided nature walks.

A high level of comfort pervades the whole camp, earthy tones throughout help it blend into its surroundings.

The camp has six suites, each with king-size or twin beds topped with luxurious bedding and curtained by mosquito nets. Bedside tables with reading lights and international/USB charging points are a nice touch. During the evening turn down, mosquito repellant and room spray are placed on the bedside tables too. A writing desk, large luggage storage area, tea and coffee station, minibar and big squashy beanbag complete the main bedroom.

To the front of each suite, shuttered bifold doors open to reveal spectacular views and a spacious deck, complete with sunloungers, a coffee table and chairs. If the fancy takes you, the housekeeping team can pull back the mosquito net, open the bifold doors and roll your bed out onto the desk so you can enjoy sleeping under Namibia's spectacular night sky. The deck is also the perfect place to enjoy a spot of yoga using the equipment provided to help ease sore muscles from bouncing around in a safari vehicle.

To the side of the bedroom is a semi-open bathroom, which features his and hers basins, a flush toilet and rain-effect shower. When we stayed in April 2024, we thought that the shower and toilet in our suite enjoyed particularly spectacular views.

Onduli Ridge's main area encompasses four sections. Central to the whole is the main building, which houses the kitchen, large open bar, dining area and lounge. When the weather demands, bifold glass doors can be shut, keeping wind, rain or cold at bay without obstructing the views. In winter (June–September) a substantial fire helps to warm the open-plan space.

Down some steps from the main building is a well-stocked air-conditioned wine cellar. Many guests will pass this by, which we think is a shame. Even if you don't end up choosing a bottle from the impressive collection, it is a great place to cool off for a few minutes on a hot day, or perhaps for a romantic private meal to celebrate a special occasion.

To one side of the main building is the boma. Surrounded by a natural stone wall, this open-air dining area hosts braai (BBQ) nights and pizza evenings when the weather permits. Choose your own toppings and watch the chef cook your pizzas to order in the wood-fired oven is a very pleasant way to pass the evening.

Beyond the boma a winding path snakes its way between granite boulders to a small yet refreshing pool. Shielded from the rest of the camp by natural boulders, this makes an excellent spot to sunbathe or relax with a book in the middle of the day. As the water is not heated, a dip here is likely to be refreshing even in the hotter months (October–December).

Continuing further on from the pool area is a beautiful wooden deck, with a small makeshift bar, where sundowners are served. We loved this spot as the views are absolutely beautiful and we got to know more about our guide and his homeland over a nice cold gin and tonic.

Throughout the camp innovative construction and sustainable design are evident. The flying wooden arches that support the suites and main area are a unique, eye-catching design, the camp is powered entirely by solar, and grey water from the rooms is treated on-site and reclaimed to water the kitchen garden.

Activities at Onduli Ridge focus on searching for desert-adapted elephants or black rhinos (the rhino activity needs pre-booking and is only available on three-night stays). It is worth noting that the densities of desert-adapted wildlife are low and that the animals themselves roam large areas. If they happen to be a long way from camp, as they were on our previous visit, then activities can be long. Furthermore, black rhino can be skittish and – not surprisingly – can traverse the landscape rather better than 4WDs. As such this activity may include some challenging hiking – and even so, there's no guarantee of sightings, particularly close up.

Other activities include guided nature walks, trips to see the rock art at Twyfelfontein, solar e-bike rides and visits to the Damara Living Museum to gain insight into the Damara people's traditional way of life. One additional activity that we particularly enjoyed on a previous stay was an impromptu wine and cheese tasting with one of the bar staff who was undertaking sommelier training with support from the camp.

The experienced team behind Onduli Ridge own and manage several other camps in Namibia including Camp Sossus and Camp Doros, as well as running excellent privately guided safaris.

Our view

Onduli Ridge offers a secluded and exclusive setting in the heart of Damaraland. An array of activities, top-quality guiding, excellent food and personal service make this camp one of the best we’ve visited in Damaraland, so if you are looking for somewhere to inject a touch of luxury on your Namibian adventure, Onduli Ridge would be an excellent choice.

Sabina Hekandjo

Namibia expert

Geographics

Location: Damaraland, Namibia
Ideal length of stay: 2-3 nights
Directions: Onduli can be accessed on both self-drive and fly-in itineraries.

Fly-in guests often arrive at the camp’s own airstrip, from where the 30-minute journey to camp is by safari vehicle.

Self-drivers drive themselves to the camp's airstrip, near Twyfelfontein, where they leave their vehicle and are transferred the last 30 minutes into camp by safari vehicle.
Accessible by: Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board & Activities
Food quality: During our stay at Onduli Ridge in April 2024, we once again enjoyed some of the best meals we've had in Namibia. We're pleased to note that, with advance notice, they can accommodate most dietary requirements.
Breakfast at Onduli combines a continental breakfast of teas, coffee, juices, cold meats, cheeses and pastries with hot dishes cooked to order. Hot options include bacon, sausage, and eggs to your preference, including omelets. Smoothies can also be prepared to order – our pineapple smoothie was delicious.

When we arrived at Onduli after a long drive we were treated to a beautifully presented lunch of oryx fillets, baked aubergine rolls in tomato sauce, chicken drumsticks, a selection of cheeses and salads three ways arranged over a three-tiered stand. This cornucopia of tasty titbits was then followed by a luxurious pavlova and frozen berries. Away from the lodge, bush lunches often provide a welcome break on long days spent seeking out desert elephants or rhino.

Dinner is usually a three-course set menu. We relished the "sesame-crusted" salmon starter served with cucumber noodles", pickled ginger and a wasabi dressing. After a cucumber and gin sorbet to cleanse the pallet, the main course was seared beef fillet cooked to our liking. Sides included truffled potatoes, green beans and wild mushroom jus. This was rounded off with a light dessert of chocolate crêpes. Onduli's outdoor choose-your-own topping pizza evenings complete with wood-fired oven are also a big hit here, providing an unusual and often welcome change from
Dining style: Individual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service: Private dinners can be arranged on request. These might be served in the boma, at the pool, in the wine cellar or in your suite.
Drinks included: Soft and house drinks from local gins and beers to the often extensive collection of South African wines are included. Bottled and filtered water are available.

Special interests

Honeymoons: Spectacular views of the rolling hills of Damaraland, ancient rock art, free-roaming desert wildlife, a small intimate camp and top-quality service combine to make Onduli Ridge an ideal stop on your Namibian honeymoon.; See ideas for Honeymoons in Namibia
Luxury: Great food, a wide range of activities and personalised service from a highly experienced team makes Onduli Ridge a great option for a stay on your luxury Namibian safari.; See ideas for Luxury in Namibia

Children

Attitude towards children: Onduli Ridge welcomes children of all ages.
Property’s age restrictions: Families with Children under 12 are required to book a private vehicle for activities.
Special activities & services: The top-quality guiding team at Onduli Ridge can tailor activities towards children, with interpretive bush walks near camp particularly enjoyed by younger travellers. The camp’s make-your-own pizza evenings are popular with children and adults alike.
Equipment: Additional beds, cots and highchairs are available on request.
Generally recommended for children: Although the team at Onduli Ridge will make families feel welcome in camp, we feel that the general atmosphere is better suited to adults and older children.
Notes: Onduli Ridge is open to wildlife, the pool is unfenced and unguarded and there are numerous drop-offs. For these reasons children should always be supervised by a responsible adult.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Onduli Ridge

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Onduli Ridge have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Elephant

100% success

Giraffe

71% success

Black Rhino

57% success

Oryx

57% success

Wildebeest

33% success

Zebra

33% success

Brown Hyena

0% success

Cheetah

0% success

Leopard

0% success

Lion

0% success

Spotted Hyena

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes: There is a back-up generator.
Communications: There is WiFi in the suites, but during our stay we found it to be a little temperamental.
TV & radio: None
Water supply: Borehole
Water supply notes: Hot water is solar-heated. All suites are en-suite with hot and cold running water and flush toilets.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: The closest hospital is in Outjo, about a 2½hr drive from the lodge. In case of emergency, guests can be flown to Windhoek.
Dangerous animals: Moderate Risk
Security measures: Managers and guides stay on site round the clock.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers in the suites and main area.

Activities

4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Mountain biking
Sleeping under the stars

Extras

Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: A laundry service is included.
Money: There is a small digital safe in each suite.
Accepted payment on location: Almost everything is included in your stay at Onduli Ridge so there is little to pay for. If necessary, payments in cash by South African rand or Namibian dollars are best. Card payments by Visa or Mastercard may be accepted in exceptional circumstances.