Reviews of Ongava Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
169 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
90% success
13% success
12% success
96% success
96% success
92% success
92% success
88% success
84% success
83% success
41% success
29% success
16% success
15% success
15% success
3% success
0% success
"Its jewel is the hideout by the water hole."
It will be a very memorable place for us as after 6 safaris in Africa we saw so many rhinos ( mostly white ) in the Ongava reserve. Also the western part of Etosha seemed to have more animals than the eastern part.
It is difficult to settle from the Fort to the Ongava Lodge and thus we may be biased in our review of it. Yet, undoubtedly we would recommend it. Don’t bother visiting the nearby ‘research centre’ unless you are totally bored with everything else and keep in mind that the air-strip is very near the lodge should you decide to fly in or out from there." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Cheetah
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
White Rhino
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
A place to spend more time than just one night.
Very good food, very service oriented staff." See all these reviews: 21n in Namibia
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Zebra
1 sighting
"Ongava Lodge review"
Cheetah
1 sighting
Elephant
1 sighting
Giraffe
1 sighting
Lion
1 sighting
Oryx
Multiple sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
White Rhino
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
Games drives were very good and were lucky enough to see African Wild Cat. The floodlit water hole was spectacular, particularly the first evening when there was a constant procession of rhinos.
Best sighting of the trip, for me, was a Caracal, which was initially chased off by the rhinos, but then came back to drink. I had to be fetched back from the hide for dinner!" See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
White Rhino
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
Very nice rooms and luxurious lobby as well as the pool
Wonderful food and service
Beautiful view of a cistern (sic meaning waterhole) just a few meters
A stunning hideout for watching animals around the clock
The greatest wealth in animals on a trip
No need to waste time on Etosha
Already on the access road we met our friends the rhinos lions elephants .....
The staff tries to be polite but a bit oppressive in an attempt to show interest
Need to explain to them to give a little space....One by one we go to the table to chat and it's pretty transparent" See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
Black Rhino
10 sightings
Eland
Multiple sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
Roan antelope
Multiple sightings
Sable antelope
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Fabulous"
Received a warm friendly welcome. Informative yet quick check-in. Amazing room with fantastic views close to the watering hole. Incredible sightings at the watering hole - including elephants and black rhino - and the hide is an excellent facility. Great food. Amazing service. Staff couldn't do more for us and even changed a flat tyre. Game drives were fantastic with a friendly knowledgeable guide.
Didn't want to leave, Would highly recommend." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
Black Rhino
8 sightings
Eland
10 sightings
Elephant
8 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Lion
8 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
White Rhino
6 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Good Lodge with superb staff"
In the evening we did the local Ongava game drive. They obviously know where the game is and we saw the local lion pride and several white rhinos.
The food was excellent. At dinner they were good at handling my lactose free needs.
The rooms were very comfortable and the wildlife walks past your balcony.
They insist on walking you to your room at night, but our guide said he’d never used the gun he carried.
The only downside was the light illuminating the waterhole. This stayed on all night, and shone into our room which made sleeping difficult. It is a shame that they can't turn it off after guests have gone to bed." See all these reviews: 20n in Namibia
Lion
3 sightings
White Rhino
2 sightings
"Luxury at Ongava Lodge"
The adjacent waterhole attracted plenty of animals and it was a pleasure to dine whilst watching them drink. Food was excellent and, as with everywhere we went, the staff were very helpful and courteous.
Franz was our excellent guide and our Safaris included a visit to Etosha National Park.
Maybe visitors should be warned that the number of steps can be quite trying, especially as, some days, it was over 100 F." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
Black Rhino
4 sightings
Elephant
4 sightings
Giraffe
3 sightings
Lion
4 sightings
Oryx
8 sightings
White Rhino
4 sightings
Wildebeest
2 sightings
Zebra
4 sightings
"Ongava Lodge for best rhino sightings"
We loved this lodge for the amount of wildlife sightings and the stunning, beautifully laid-out communal area with perfectly positioned seating areas overlooking a well-frequented waterhole. The large and comfy Hide was a bonus and we were lucky enough to have it to ourself on each occasion we spent time there photographing the animals, particularly various antelopes and oryx, zebra and giraffe coming down to drink. Whilst we couldn’t fault the service, the food and game drives we found the staff were efficient and polite but more formal and not as friendly or as engaged as other places we stayed, possibly because it is larger, although not full when we were there. Having said that we had a really great stay here and thoroughly enjoyed the game drives with the very well-informed Guides." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia; 4n in South Africa; 3n in Botswana
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Giraffe
6 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
White Rhino
3 sightings
Wildebeest
5 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Fantastic location for access into Etosha"
We loved the views from the main lounge/dining area and also from the swimming pool, which we enjoyed lots as it was one of the more generous sized pools we encountered.
The setting of the room was fantastic and we had a close encounter with a giraffe who came right up to our balcony late one night, which was brilliant. They were great at providing cold drinking water, but it would be even better if they could provide a fridge in the room.
We didn't do any of the activities here but used it as a base to drive ourselves into Etosha (concentrating on the quieter western section which was fantastic), which worked really well due to the easy access into the Park.
This felt a bit more traditional than Onguma and service was a little more reserved, although still incredibly polite and helpful.
Onguma was the setting of our only (very small) health hiccup during the holiday, when I was stung by an unknown insect on the foot whilst watching animals down at the hide at dinner time, when it was dark. This was my fault as I was wearing flip flops and not closed shoes as recommended, and in the end it was not serious at all, but the fact we didn't know what had stung me was a bit of a cause for concern. Bradley from Onguma was absolutely brilliant, took charge straight away and administered some first aid to sort me out. I was much more careful to wear closed shoes in the evenings for the rest of the trip!" See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
2 sightings
Giraffe
4 sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Oryx
3 sightings
Roan antelope
Multiple sightings
Sable antelope
Multiple sightings
White Rhino
1 sighting
Wildebeest
3 sightings
Zebra
4 sightings
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.
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.
