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
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"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"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
"Ongava Lodge review"
"Over rated"
Trip into Etosha was a waste of time, did not see anything much and can only describe it as ‘godforsaken’ land. Probably because of the time of year so not their fault. Ongava reserve provided plenty of game.
Several guests were annoyed that they allowed people prebooking the prime positioned tables for dinner overlooking the water hole by placing their jumpers or books on the chairs well before dinner. Needless to say they were mostly German and the three nights we stayed we never got a decent table at the front.
We had wonderful lion sightings and maybe we should have stayed at the Ongava tented camp which is more intimate." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
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