Reviews of Okaukuejo Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
724 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Okaukuejo Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"It's all about the waterhole"
We had read enough about this place to keep our expectations in check. As many people have written here and elsewhere, the whole camp has seen better days. Both chalets need a lot of work to get them up to date. The air conditioners leaked like crazy, light fixtures were missing, things were dingy, the smell was musty (probably due to the perpetually leaky air conditioners), etc.
The service in all aspects was not attentive - everywhere from reception to the dining room to the post office to the saddest grocery store we've ever seen. The inventory list was not available when we checked into the family chalet, and the people in the reception office would not provide us with one. So we had no way of proving that we didn't take any purportedly missing items when we checked put the next day. Luckily that was not an issue.
But in spite of all of that... the waterhole is magical, and what happens there at night can be very different from what you will see during the day. For this reason alone - the waterhole at night - Okaukuejo is an absolute *must* for at least a one night stay. On our second night (when we had the great view from our waterhole chalet balcony) we saw eight rhinos, all at once! The way they interacted with each other was fascinating. We saw and heard lions at night too, as well as elephants, giraffe, jackals and more. People generally are very quiet at this waterhole, especially at night. Several die-hards actually spend most or all of the night there just observing or taking pictures.
The other great things about Okaukuejo are that it is a convenient base for many other good waterholes that you can drive to during the day on your own. Also, the food, despite the fact that it is a buffet, was actually pretty good, especially the meat that they grill fresh every night. We were pleasantly surprised by the food for the most part.
As long as you go into your visit with moderate expectations regarding the quality of the camp itself, you will quickly put that all aside after a few minutes at the waterhole, both day and night. Expert Africa and others did a good job of making sure we knew it would be up to the caliber of the other places we stayed. We have great memories of Okaukuejo and consider it a not-to-be-missed stop in a visit to Etosha." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
"Okaukuejo - great"
Staff very friendly,smiley and competent. Rooms clean and bedding very good. Did not want to leave.
Drove ourselves into the park every day and had a super time" See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
It was worth booking an early dinner to avoid the crowds. We sat outside and watched a beautiful masked weaver bird show off his nest building skills. As ever, there was lots of activity at the waterhole after dinner.
It was worth calling in at the waterhole just near the Anderson gate. We saw a fine Lion and assorted other game before leaving Etosha and heading back towards Windhoek." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
"Surprisingly Good!"
The Water Hole was of course amazing - we saw elephants, giraffe, lions, game, rhinos, all sorts throughout the day and night. We drove around the other waterholes in the mornings and these were great too - we found Olifantsbad, Nebrowni and Gembsbokvlakte to be the best on our trip (were a bit gutted we didn't see nay Cheetahs but thats not the camps fault obviously!)
The shop wasn't great - it took ages to get served and although each hut has a barbecue outside, there was nothing in the shop to put on the barbecue and we were under the impression you couldn't take any with you. But water, beer etc was all nice and cold and you could get essentials." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
Accommodation good and well placed for the water hole which was an absolute stand out place. So also was the game park drive and the driver/guide was excellent and a delight and very knowledgeable." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
We enjoyed the same chalet as last trip! Which is well positioned. The shop is not as good as Halali rather basic stock only, but we were warned by you to expect that." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
The food was good value, the room had all that we needed and the service was good plus the big bonus of the floodlit waterhole. One evening we watched 4 rhinos and their young, the next day a large herd of elephants visited as we got back in the late afternoon.
An excellent base for exploring the western side of Etosha." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
"The start of something great!"
However, the reason for staying at Okaukuejo is the ease of access to the game park and that is brilliant." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
The chalet was excellent - clean, well equipped and well serviced. Although breakfast was adequate, service and quality of food at dinner were disappointing.
Also, we and others were somewhat frustrated that we had to pay separately each night for dinner - instead of signing each bill so that we could settle for the 3 nights as a single payment when we checked out from the camp. Arrangements for payment each night were slow and rather disorganised." See all these reviews: 6n in Namibia
"Underrated, lovely resort with waterhole"
Rooms are surprisingly large and comfortable, with good mosquito precautions. The park itself has other camps to stop and have lunch or whatever in the middle of the day, and the food is simple but tasty.
The waterhole at Okaukuejo is astounding, both by day and night. On our visit, the tourists were well-behaved, quiet and respectful of the animals. Our guide suggested we dine early (when the restaurant opened at 6.30 pm) so we could bag the best seats at the waterhole for the evening. In the four hours I was there from 7.30 pm, I saw 15 black rhino, including a suckling calf and mother, and two male lions, both of whom were eventually chased off by bad-tempered rhinos. There were also lots of jackals and giraffe. By day there was a huge concentration of giraffe, springbok, impala, zebra and various birds.
We drove out of the camp and visited a few waterholes in the daytime, at one seeing a small pride of lions staking out zebra and then being chased off by a male elephant; and at another, a large herd of white-dust stained elephant drinking, with ostrich, zebra, impala and even a sleeping rhino. Etosha is based on driving across the rather dull landscape and settling down at a waterhole and hoping for the best. The concentration and variety of game is relatively poor compared to other African parks – so we saw no leopard or cheetah, for instance – but there are plenty of elephant, the unforgettable black rhino, and some interesting scenes at waterholes, as antelope (kudu and eland among those we saw) come and go." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Holiday styles & special interests in Namibia
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Namibia.
Other lodges in Etosha National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Halali Camp
The smallest of Etosha's erstwhile restcamps, overlooking its own floodlit waterhole, Halali has a superb location near the centre of Etosha Pan.
Mushara Bush Camp
The family-friendly Mushara Bush Camp offers great value and is an excellent base from which to explore Etosha National Park.
Ongava Lodge
With fantastic views over a private reserve bordering Etosha, the smart Ongava Lodge offers driving and walking safaris on the reserve, and guided drives in Etosha.
Ongava Tented Camp
Set around a waterhole on a private reserve, the small Ongava Tented Camp combines understated comfort with activities that include walks and night drives.
Onguma Tented Camp
Onguma Tented Camp is a lovely, little tented camp which centres around an attractive waterhole a short drive from the Von Lindequist Gate to eastern Etosha.
Mushara Lodge
Close to the eastern entrance to Etosha, the comfortable Mushara Lodge is well-placed for exploring the park in your own vehicle or on a guided drive.
Dolomite Camp
Opened in 2011, Dolomite Camp allows visitors access to the far west side of Etosha National Park, which was previously off limits to most visitors.
Onguma Bush Camp
For great wildlife viewing without breaking the bank, the affordable and understated luxury of Onguma Bush Camp could be perfect.
Namutoni Camp
Centred on an old fort, the government run Namutoni Camp is located just inside Etosha National Park, close to Fisher's Pan.
Hobatere Lodge
To the west of Etosha National Park, on the edge of Damaraland, Hobatere Lodge offers good game-viewing on its own reserve.
Mushara Outpost
Intimate and luxurious, Mushara Outpost is well-placed on a private reserve to explore nearby Etosha National Park on your own or on a guided drive.
Safarihoek Lodge
At the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, Safarihoek Lodge offers comfortable accommodation and excellent game-viewing.
Onguma The Fort
The Fort is the jewel in the crown of the Onguma lodges, and arguably the whole of eastern Etosha.
Onguma Camp Kala
For a bird’s eye view across African bush, the stilted rooms at Onguma Camp Kala are truly special.
Onguma Forest Camp
From its woodland setting on the Onguma Reserve, Forest Camp is within easy striking distance of Namibia’s flagship national park.
Etosha Safari Lodge
A short drive from Etosha National Park's southern entrance, Etosha Safari Lodge is a convenient base from which to explore the park.
Taleni Etosha Village
Only 4km from Etosha's southern entrance, Taleni Etosha Village is an affordable base from which to explore the park.
Etosha Safari Camp
Funky, low-key and very original, Etosha Safari Camp is well placed for visiting Etosha National Park on a self-drive or guided safari.
Little Ongava
The beautifully located and luxurious Little Ongava is a stunning place to stay in order to explore Etosha National Park and the private Ongava Reserve.
Andersson's at Ongava
With game drives on both its private reserve and in Etosha, Andersson's at Ongava also offers access to the Ongava Research Centre.
Mountain Lodge
In the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, the family-friendly Mountain Lodge offers game drives and bush walks within an exclusive environment.
Mokuti Etosha Lodge
With 106 rooms, child-friendly Mokuti Etosha Lodge is more like a hotel than a lodge. Facilities to include a gym, spa, tennis courts and even a snake park.
Etosha Oberland Lodge
A short drive from Etosha National Park's southern entrance, Etosha Oberland Lodge is a very comfortable base from which to explore the park, with excellent food.
Vreugde Guest Farm
Vreugde Guest Farm is a delightful owner-run and working sheep farm where you can expect a warm welcome and charming hospitality.
Villa Mushara
Offering luxury on a peaceful private reserve close to Etosha, Villa Mushara is a great choice for honeymooners & those wishing to indulge themselves.
Etosha King Nehale
A short drive from the national park's northern entrance, Etosha King Nehale Lodge is an interesting and comfortable base from which to explore the park.
Safari House
The private Safari House on the Etosha Heights reserve is a great option families or friends travelling together.
Onkoshi Camp
Onkoshi Camp is owned and run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. Built on elevated wooden platforms it overlooks Etosha Pan.
