Reviews of Ongava Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
170 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Ongava Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Aug-2018, 55 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Ongava Lodge.
Lion
90% success
Leopard
13% success
Cheetah
12% success
Giraffe
96% success
White Rhino
96% success
Mr P & Mrs E
E Sussex
"Ongava Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 26 Oct 2008
"The most disappointing of all our locations, when one takes into account the cost.
The guide was friendly and relatively informative.
Service was effusive but not always efficient." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 1n in South Africa
The guide was friendly and relatively informative.
Service was effusive but not always efficient." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Poor
Facilities:
Good
The F Family
UK
"Lions and more Lions!"
2 nights Arrived 24 Oct 2008
"Very high speed bumps in the grounds to get to the lodge. Our car grounded so much that eventually all passengers got out at each bump (Over 20 to get to the Lodge), apart from the bump which had 4 lions sitting next to it.
Staff very efficient, a bit too quick though at clearing plates and rushing dinner. However, all staff were very friendly and full of information about the lodge, animals and Namibia in general.
Our guide, Henock came from Angola and was very good at finding lions and rhino. He also arranged for our daughter to have a local dish for breakfast, mopane worms and porridge. She ate it all, to the surprise of all the staff watching!
The rooms were excellent, but as our ones were at the back, we could not see the waterhole, and passers by could see us in the bathroom as there was no blind.
The Ongave private reserve is huge, it took us over an hour to drive back to the lodge at night, so you don't feel that the animals are in a compound.
Swimming pool is good, and cooled us off after a day of driving." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Staff very efficient, a bit too quick though at clearing plates and rushing dinner. However, all staff were very friendly and full of information about the lodge, animals and Namibia in general.
Our guide, Henock came from Angola and was very good at finding lions and rhino. He also arranged for our daughter to have a local dish for breakfast, mopane worms and porridge. She ate it all, to the surprise of all the staff watching!
The rooms were excellent, but as our ones were at the back, we could not see the waterhole, and passers by could see us in the bathroom as there was no blind.
The Ongave private reserve is huge, it took us over an hour to drive back to the lodge at night, so you don't feel that the animals are in a compound.
Swimming pool is good, and cooled us off after a day of driving." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs I & Family
Keston
"Ongava Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 22 Oct 2008
"Again a very warm welcome - in the car park with drinks and cooling flannels. A beautiful location overlooking a waterhole where we saw rhino (black and white) amongst others.
Wonderful game drive watching at close quarters several lions and cubs." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
Wonderful game drive watching at close quarters several lions and cubs." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs & Mr C
Chelmsford
"Ongava Lodge review"
4 nights Arrived 18 Oct 2008
"Excellent facilities in room, excellent guide. 4 nights was a bit too long, but I think you said you had no choice because of scheduling.
Game viewing seemed rather artificial after Zambia and Tanzania, with Etosha full of coaches and private cars all heading for the manmade watering holes. However, we did not go to Namibia for the game, so no problem." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Game viewing seemed rather artificial after Zambia and Tanzania, with Etosha full of coaches and private cars all heading for the manmade watering holes. However, we did not go to Namibia for the game, so no problem." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Miss P & Miss E
UK
"Ongava Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 17 Oct 2008
"Another wonderful lodge location - right beside the Etosha Park entrance and with a waterhole right in front of the main lodge. Rhino and lions to watch while we had dinner.
Rooms were fantastic - the aircon was particularly welcome. Lunches were particularly good (great soup and salad selction) - dinner was actually a little disappointing by comparison but still good.
The game drives were quite spectacular - the guides were patient and thoughtful." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
Rooms were fantastic - the aircon was particularly welcome. Lunches were particularly good (great soup and salad selction) - dinner was actually a little disappointing by comparison but still good.
The game drives were quite spectacular - the guides were patient and thoughtful." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Meerkats party x 7
UK
"A taste of luxury and big game"
2 nights Arrived 23 Aug 2008
"We were bowled over by the reception from so many people when we arrived and by the view of the landscape and waterhole when we first entered up into the dining and reception area. This continued when we were told to be ready in half an hour for the evening drive which lasted into the darkness and in which we saw black and white rhino, giraffe and lions to name but a few!
The small waterhole was our first experience of "waterhole animal watching" and this was enhanced by the ability to watch while eating. We were impressed that newcomers were given the best view on their first night.
The staff were always very attentive and solicitous and we especially appreciated having the same guide for our two evening drives and the morning spent in Etosha - we felt we really got to know him!.
We felt that, we benefitted greatly from what we learnt from the guide when we continued our journey into Etosha to stay at Halali.
It was worth the money!" See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
The small waterhole was our first experience of "waterhole animal watching" and this was enhanced by the ability to watch while eating. We were impressed that newcomers were given the best view on their first night.
The staff were always very attentive and solicitous and we especially appreciated having the same guide for our two evening drives and the morning spent in Etosha - we felt we really got to know him!.
We felt that, we benefitted greatly from what we learnt from the guide when we continued our journey into Etosha to stay at Halali.
It was worth the money!" See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs F
Maidstone
"Ongava Lodge review"
3 nights Arrived 7 Aug 2008
"Very comfortable, everyone was very helpful and friendly. Views were spectacular and we saw good game both in the Ongava Reserve and in the Etosha.
Our only reservation was the way that the game viewing, especially in the Etosha (but not exclusively) intruded upon the animals (eg vehicles pushing for the best position and in doing so forcing lions off roads they were trying to cross or pushing them to make mock charges at the vehicles)." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Our only reservation was the way that the game viewing, especially in the Etosha (but not exclusively) intruded upon the animals (eg vehicles pushing for the best position and in doing so forcing lions off roads they were trying to cross or pushing them to make mock charges at the vehicles)." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Ms Z
Ford
"Ongava Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 30 Jun 2008
"We thought Ongava Lodge was in an excellent location. The accommodation is to a very high standard and very clean and spacious. It was also great to be able to go for private game drives in the Ongava Reserve during the afternoons and to visit Estosha during the mornings.
Although the breakfasts, lunches and starters and desserts for dinner were good, we felt that the buffet main course did not match the high standards of the other food we ate.
In contrast to the other places we visited, we also felt that the Lodge lacked a visible host/hostess, so whilst our guide was fantastic, we didn't really feel that the atmosphere was as welcoming during the evenings, for example." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 6n in Mozambique
Although the breakfasts, lunches and starters and desserts for dinner were good, we felt that the buffet main course did not match the high standards of the other food we ate.
In contrast to the other places we visited, we also felt that the Lodge lacked a visible host/hostess, so whilst our guide was fantastic, we didn't really feel that the atmosphere was as welcoming during the evenings, for example." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 6n in Mozambique
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Royal Albatross
UK
"Only one night at Ongava"
1 night Arrived 16 Jun 2008
"We arrived at Ongava as it was going dark. The drive from the main road was irksome - there are speed bumps at very frequent intervals - something that seems unnecessary on a gravel road when you can't go very fast anyway if you want to keep your tyres! The car parking area looked more like a boulder field - it really should be improved - it was by far the worst area we drove on during our 2 weeks. The staff made light of our protests about the state of it, which didn't impress us.
The Lodge, however, was fantastic. Great viewing from the restaurant over the floodlit waterhole. The room was great - although a bit odd that the front door, which is between bedroom and bathroom has clear glass so you can be observed by anyone passing by! The mixture of indoor / outdoor places to sit and relax are lovely and we were sorry we only had one night at this location. It could do with a larger safe to store valuables." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
The Lodge, however, was fantastic. Great viewing from the restaurant over the floodlit waterhole. The room was great - although a bit odd that the front door, which is between bedroom and bathroom has clear glass so you can be observed by anyone passing by! The mixture of indoor / outdoor places to sit and relax are lovely and we were sorry we only had one night at this location. It could do with a larger safe to store valuables." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
The swifts
London
"Amazing view of waterhole from our room"
3 nights Arrived 26 May 2008
"The location of the room was excellent, however the design of the room could be improved. The front door was glass, so people walking by can see into the room. Also, the outside shower is overlooked by the next room, so it loses its value.
The activities were from early morning to evening - partly due to distance of camp from Etosha. There was a lot of driving, and, even so, it was not possible to cover much of Etosha. Saw good viewings of game, including an amazing sighting of leopard.
We asked if it was possible to go on a nature walk, which we enjoyed. However, we had to ask for this as it was not offered.
The dining room was a bit chaotic and it was unclear where everyone was to sit at dinner, and nobody seemed to be taking orders for drinks." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
The activities were from early morning to evening - partly due to distance of camp from Etosha. There was a lot of driving, and, even so, it was not possible to cover much of Etosha. Saw good viewings of game, including an amazing sighting of leopard.
We asked if it was possible to go on a nature walk, which we enjoyed. However, we had to ask for this as it was not offered.
The dining room was a bit chaotic and it was unclear where everyone was to sit at dinner, and nobody seemed to be taking orders for drinks." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
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.
Okaukuejo Camp
Set within Etosha National Park, Okaukuejo Resort is a large camp with a productive, floodlit waterhole.
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 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.
