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

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"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
"Ongava Lodge review"
Pascal is best guide by far of our 3 different safari locations during our trip!" See all these reviews: 4n in Namibia

Black Rhino
1 sighting

Cheetah
1 sighting

Eland
1 sighting

Elephant
1 sighting

Giraffe
1 sighting

Leopard
1 sighting

Lion
1 sighting

Oryx
1 sighting

Roan antelope
1 sighting

White Rhino
1 sighting

Wildebeest
1 sighting

Zebra
1 sighting
"Just amazing"
The water hole brought lots of night-time rhino sightings and we loved the hide besides the water hole. We enjoyed the game drive/sundowner with the guide going all out to find us lions.
The staff did everything to make us happy." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia

Black Rhino
4 sightings

Eland
2 sightings

Elephant
3 sightings

Giraffe
8 sightings

Lion
1 sighting

Oryx
6 sightings

White Rhino
1 sighting

Wildebeest
2 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
We liked seeing the lion pride with cubs eating a giraffe the the interplay. And the chance, albeit briefly, to see “wild” cheetah.
Guide was a bit disappointing however. Also our guide was not entirely credible, especially when he tried to tell us the stone tower at Okaukuejo was an ancient San prison!!" See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia

Cheetah
1 sighting

Eland
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Oryx
10 sightings

Pangolin
2 sightings

Roan antelope
2 sightings

Sable antelope
2 sightings

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ongava Lodge was expensive but lovely"
It is crazy to be able to watch the animals directly from our own private terrace - or the outdoor shower. There is no fence around the lodge and at night an armed guard follows one back to the cabin from to the living area / restaurant.
Ongava Lodge was an expensive and lovely place, though not a very personal lodge. The food and service did not quite live up to the high price. But with a location just outside Etosha's gate, that's probably the price you have to pay. We had a good time at this lodge" See all these reviews: 21n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
"Our favourite place in Namibia!"
Beautiful, hugely spacious reception/eating area with several separate sitting areas with stunning views over the plains and watering hole.
Bedrooms were luxuriously enormous with an outdoor shower on the veranda - and fabulous indoor bathroom.
The food and service absolutely excellent and swimming pool was great - but the best bit was the hide overlooking the watering hole where you could go at dusk (with your glass of wine!) and quietly watch the animals come to drink.
We saw a rhino with her baby and giraffe with her baby - plus lots of plains game.
We had a brilliant game drive and saw an elephant, 2 lionesses with a kill, lots of rhino and plenty of plains game.
Wish we could have stayed longer." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia

Black Rhino
Multiple sightings

Elephant
1 sighting

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Lion
2 sightings

Oryx
Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings

White Rhino
Multiple sightings

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Front row seats for Rhino!"
We went on a late afternoon game drive with our guide who managed to find a very wide range of animals for us including 4 white rhino, two adults and two calves. The land is so very dry (more so than usual at this time of year due to the drought) that Ongava are, quite rightly, feeding the rhino. This has the benefit of attracting all sorts of other animals too who come along for a meal including common zebra and the rare mountain zebra, giraffe, Oryx and many others. They also feed the porcupine in the evening and a dream came true for me when I witnessed two huge spiny fellows marching up the stairs to the restaurant kitchen for their evening meal. We turned and saw two rare black rhino plodding towards the illuminated waterhole.
What a wonderful place." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia

Black Rhino
2 sightings

Eland
2 sightings

Giraffe
3 sightings

Oryx
4 sightings

Roan antelope
Multiple sightings

Sable antelope
Multiple sightings

White Rhino
4 sightings

Zebra
10 sightings
"The Hide"
Unexceptional staff from the top down." See all these reviews: 7n in Namibia
"Great lodge, lots of animals to see"
Food was great and lovely to eat outside at night." See all these reviews: 21n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe

Black Rhino
1 sighting

Eland
1 sighting

Elephant
2 sightings

Giraffe
1 sighting

Lion
1 sighting

Oryx
7 sightings

White Rhino
2 sightings

Zebra
3 sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"

Black Rhino
Multiple sightings

Eland
Multiple sightings

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
1 sighting

Lion
1 sighting

Oryx
Multiple sightings

White Rhino
1 sighting

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
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