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
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in May-2018, 131 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Okaukuejo Camp.
Mrs J.
Newton Abbot
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
1 night Arrived 3 Jul 2022
"Friendly staff. Busy at check in.
Waterhole great for viewing animals including elephant, rhino and giraffe" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
Waterhole great for viewing animals including elephant, rhino and giraffe" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Sightings Report
Mr & Mrs B
Colorado
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 2 Jul 2022
"Okaukuejo is a necessary stopping point simply because the waterhole at camp is fantastic. The waterhole was generally very busy with antelope species, giraffe and elephant, and a standout moment when six black rhino visited at night. The outdoor area around the waterhole is a beautiful place to spend time and have a break from all the driving around the park to just appreciate the animals up close.
The lodge itself is something that has to simply be tolerated in order to spend time at their waterhole. The dinner served is barely edible and the dining area very depressing–fluorescent lighting in a dark and dingy dining hall. The rooms are very small to the point of being uncomfortable (our son injured himself on the end table while we stayed there) and the amenities are minimal.
Beware of relying on the gas station at camp for fuel -- they were out of diesel during our stay and we had a bit of a scare that we wouldn't make it." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
The lodge itself is something that has to simply be tolerated in order to spend time at their waterhole. The dinner served is barely edible and the dining area very depressing–fluorescent lighting in a dark and dingy dining hall. The rooms are very small to the point of being uncomfortable (our son injured himself on the end table while we stayed there) and the amenities are minimal.
Beware of relying on the gas station at camp for fuel -- they were out of diesel during our stay and we had a bit of a scare that we wouldn't make it." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Terrible
Facilities:
Poor
Rooms:
Terrible
Food:
Terrible
Sightings Report
Family P
Spain
"Okaukuejo Premium Waterside Chalet"
2 nights Arrived 1 Jul 2022
"We arrived at Okaukuejo with low expectations and have to say we were so blown away by just how incredible the location of our chalet was that nothing else mattered very much! We were lucky enough to have had Sabina's help with reserving a premium waterside chalet and to our delight Chalet 34 gave us a perfect view over the waterhole.
We had spent the previous 3 days experiencing Etosha from the car with our kids, and us adults had had to sacrifice our own enjoyment on more than a few occasions when the kids had seen more than enough of a particular waterhole. Okaukuejo gave us the chance to gaze to our heart's content while the kids played, and the first floor balcony felt like the royal box at the theatre, with a seemingly nonstop stellar cast below us. We spent a blissful afternoon with between 50 and 60 elephants bathing and causing a fabulously dusty noisy ruckus, and an evening with so many rhino, elephants and giraffe sharing the stage that even the kids were left speechless.
The camp itself was crowded and in need of repair, with numerous small defects in the chalet which ought to have mattered considering the price we were paying. Food in the strip-lit noisy restaurant was better than we expected, although we were glad to only be there for 2 evening meals, and we were also pleasantly surprised by a couple of lovely staff members we met in the restaurant (especially Ruth...what a star!).
I can well imagine all the reasons people might choose not to stay at Okaukwejo, and from time to time the noise and behaviour of some other guests around the waterhole was difficult to ignore. However for our family at least, the camp gave us a different way to access the joy that is Etosha and we'd go back in a heartbeat." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia
We had spent the previous 3 days experiencing Etosha from the car with our kids, and us adults had had to sacrifice our own enjoyment on more than a few occasions when the kids had seen more than enough of a particular waterhole. Okaukuejo gave us the chance to gaze to our heart's content while the kids played, and the first floor balcony felt like the royal box at the theatre, with a seemingly nonstop stellar cast below us. We spent a blissful afternoon with between 50 and 60 elephants bathing and causing a fabulously dusty noisy ruckus, and an evening with so many rhino, elephants and giraffe sharing the stage that even the kids were left speechless.
The camp itself was crowded and in need of repair, with numerous small defects in the chalet which ought to have mattered considering the price we were paying. Food in the strip-lit noisy restaurant was better than we expected, although we were glad to only be there for 2 evening meals, and we were also pleasantly surprised by a couple of lovely staff members we met in the restaurant (especially Ruth...what a star!).
I can well imagine all the reasons people might choose not to stay at Okaukwejo, and from time to time the noise and behaviour of some other guests around the waterhole was difficult to ignore. However for our family at least, the camp gave us a different way to access the joy that is Etosha and we'd go back in a heartbeat." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Poor
Facilities:
Poor
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Average
Sightings Report
Drs M & R
UK
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 3 Jun 2022
"Been here before - accommodation OK but food less good.
Pretty touristy but central in the park." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Pretty touristy but central in the park." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Explorers
Oklahoma
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 30 May 2022
"We really enjoyed our two nights at the camp. Our lodging was in a block of rooms not far from the waterhole. Each evening and morning animals came to the waterhole and it was our only sighting of a black rhino. The waterhole was a big plus, but it also attracts a large crowd of persons with cameras. Nonetheless it is a beautiful waterhole with a view of the forests and scrub behind. The accommodations were clearly comfortable. The service was sincere and helpful. You could tell it was a government run operation with lots of rules and excess staff but the staff was very pleasant and helpful. The easy access to many very attractive and active waterholes was a major plus for this camp."
See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 10n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Dr M & Mr D
Yorkshire
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 18 May 2022
"That this is a government run lodge is obvious from the moment of trying to check in. Our second time staying here and this time was no less stressful and frustrating a start as the last. However, our room (a premier waterhole view room) was stunning in design - we were very happily surprised. All the furnishings looked reasonably new and were clean and comfortable. There was, as we had hoped, a great view of the waterhole from the upper floor.
There was significantly less wildlife in Etosha on this visit than there had been on our previous ones. The late rains this year may have had something to do with this but also a number of the waterholes were empty of water or exceptionally low so there was little game viewing to be done around them - and certainly very few elephant. Despite that, and the long grass, we had a few wonderful sightings - Aus and Klein Namutomi were particularly enjoyable.. Okaukuejo waterhole was full and several different animals visited day and night - tending towards zebra and antelope of differing types during the day and giraffe and rhino at night.
We weren’t expecting much of the food in the restaurant but it was worse than even our low expectations, though you could get freshly cooked eggs for breakfast. The restaurant staff were uniformly helpful and friendly. Would highly recommend bringing snacks - very few of the rooms have the equipment to self-cater which is a shame.
Overall, we would stay here again because of the waterhole and the standard of the room but sincerely hope they do something about the available food." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
There was significantly less wildlife in Etosha on this visit than there had been on our previous ones. The late rains this year may have had something to do with this but also a number of the waterholes were empty of water or exceptionally low so there was little game viewing to be done around them - and certainly very few elephant. Despite that, and the long grass, we had a few wonderful sightings - Aus and Klein Namutomi were particularly enjoyable.. Okaukuejo waterhole was full and several different animals visited day and night - tending towards zebra and antelope of differing types during the day and giraffe and rhino at night.
We weren’t expecting much of the food in the restaurant but it was worse than even our low expectations, though you could get freshly cooked eggs for breakfast. The restaurant staff were uniformly helpful and friendly. Would highly recommend bringing snacks - very few of the rooms have the equipment to self-cater which is a shame.
Overall, we would stay here again because of the waterhole and the standard of the room but sincerely hope they do something about the available food." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Terrible
Sightings Report
Ms B
Arizona
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 7 May 2022
"A great location to stay to explore Etosha. Rooms were nice and big. Staff was not very helpful, not customer service oriented. It seemed they might have had a staffing shortage during our visit.
Food was adequate. Grounds are nicely maintained. Lots of big tour groups stay here so some areas were crowded at different times of the day.
The watering hole at the lodge had lots of activity day and night. Lions roaring all night was a treat. The location is wonderful for the daily safari drives. We saw many types of wildlife and many species of birds." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia; 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Food was adequate. Grounds are nicely maintained. Lots of big tour groups stay here so some areas were crowded at different times of the day.
The watering hole at the lodge had lots of activity day and night. Lions roaring all night was a treat. The location is wonderful for the daily safari drives. We saw many types of wildlife and many species of birds." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia; 8n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Sightings Report
Mr & Mrs O
N Ireland
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 4 May 2022
"Perfectly adequate chalet for 2 nights. Ideally located to explore the western Etosha.
Very good local waterhole illuminated at night - we saw interactions between elephants and a black rhino.
We also saw a large group of mongoose frolicking nearby.
The restaurant was busy and slightly disorganised but the staff were very pleasant and welcoming.
We spent sunrise to sunset out in the park, self driving, and saw a wide range of wildlife - a great place to be for 2 days." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
Very good local waterhole illuminated at night - we saw interactions between elephants and a black rhino.
We also saw a large group of mongoose frolicking nearby.
The restaurant was busy and slightly disorganised but the staff were very pleasant and welcoming.
We spent sunrise to sunset out in the park, self driving, and saw a wide range of wildlife - a great place to be for 2 days." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Average
Sightings Report
Mrs CH
Guildford
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
1 night Arrived 23 Mar 2022
"Functional chalet and convenient camp for staying in the centre of Etosha.
No frills but useful." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
No frills but useful." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Poor
Activities:
Poor
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Poor
Facilities:
Average
Sightings Report
Mr K & Mrs N
UK
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
3 nights Arrived 19 Mar 2022
"We have stayed here a number of times before and always found the bush chalets to be clean and relatively comfortable. This remains the case.
The main reason for coming here has always been the amazing water hole, visited by elephants and rhinos which made the average service received you generally receive here, worth putting up with. However, all aspects (apart from the rooms) of the camp have deteriorated. The service was far worse than during previous stays (waiting staff were dis-interested at best, those cleaning the chalets leaving doors wide open even though they were no longer in the vicinity and even though we had told them they did. not need to service the room).
In addition, the food was not good - limited menu as at the other camps (understandable) but poorer quality and much higher prices than at the other camps for exactly the same food. Breakfast was slightly better than at Namutoni. Animals were sparse in this area which didn’t balance out the issues of the service and food - we appreciate that animal sightings are never guaranteed so this is effectively normally the bonus, but without them, it is difficult to overlook the issues.
The shop had very limited stock (and again was charging more than at the other camps for exactly the same items green ice creams N$4 each more at Okaukuejo than Namutoni, similarly cans of soda N$2 extra each). Many local people were visiting and having brought their own food, were able to by-pass at least the food / service issues. As international visitors and not having access to anything other than the park shop, this was not an option for us.
We would seriously consider whether to stay outside the gate in future when visiting this area of the park." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia
The main reason for coming here has always been the amazing water hole, visited by elephants and rhinos which made the average service received you generally receive here, worth putting up with. However, all aspects (apart from the rooms) of the camp have deteriorated. The service was far worse than during previous stays (waiting staff were dis-interested at best, those cleaning the chalets leaving doors wide open even though they were no longer in the vicinity and even though we had told them they did. not need to service the room).
In addition, the food was not good - limited menu as at the other camps (understandable) but poorer quality and much higher prices than at the other camps for exactly the same food. Breakfast was slightly better than at Namutoni. Animals were sparse in this area which didn’t balance out the issues of the service and food - we appreciate that animal sightings are never guaranteed so this is effectively normally the bonus, but without them, it is difficult to overlook the issues.
The shop had very limited stock (and again was charging more than at the other camps for exactly the same items green ice creams N$4 each more at Okaukuejo than Namutoni, similarly cans of soda N$2 extra each). Many local people were visiting and having brought their own food, were able to by-pass at least the food / service issues. As international visitors and not having access to anything other than the park shop, this was not an option for us.
We would seriously consider whether to stay outside the gate in future when visiting this area of the park." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Poor
Location:
Good
Service:
Poor
Activities:
Poor
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Poor
Facilities:
Poor
Sightings Report
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