Reviews of Ongava Tented Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
162 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Ongava Tented Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Great game at Ongava Tented Camp"
We were given the Tent n. 1, close to the parking spot, the most far away from the water hole, I understand that somebody have also to stay there but....." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
"A great safari at Ongava"
We preferred the safaris at Ongava rather than in Etosha; we felt closer to the animals and were allowed to drive off road.
The service was fantastic and all the staff friendly. We loved Sidney!
The waterhole by the pool was incredible. A really special place." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
"Ongava Tented Camp Reserve"
Lions appeared to have settled very close to camp whilst we were there. We managed to get pretty close to them which was memorable even though they appeared to be very comfortable around humans... Our guide Leon slotted an extra game drive in for us so we could see Rhino's which we did. It's very dusty and bumpy around there, but that's what Safari's and Africa is all about! An added bonus was that on our last night in the camp we had two male lions in our camp roaring at each other - very surreal...
We spent a day in Etosha but didn't see big herds of animals as I had imagined and the animals we saw were quite far away." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
"A camp with an abundance of wildlife"
The camp is on the smaller side with 10 tents, located in a quiet area of the Reserve, sufficiently separated from two other camps and Etosha NP so we didn’t notice our neighbors at all. The highlight of the camp itself undoubtedly was the water hole, situated only a few yards from the veranda in front of the dining area. A regular stream of animals visited, members of the antelope family (kudu, waterbuck, springbok) in particular, but also zebras and even lions and rhinos on occasion. Everyone brings a camera to the meals!
Leon, our outstanding guide, located a great variety of wildlife for us, and always positioned the vehicle for the best photo angle. We saw three young male lions lounging in the sun by the side of the road with a giraffe carefully watching them, two adult females blocking our route, and the pride’s male striding down a trail. We barely missed a rhino with calf one evening, and returned early the next morning to find a couple of them posing for photos. Leon brought us close to many other animals: elephants, giraffes, assorted antelopes (such as black faced impala, waterbuck), wildebeests, black backed jackals, and more, including colorful birds.
This camp was well maintained with a friendly and efficient staff that ensured our stay was perfect in all respects. Food was very good. The family dining arrangements made for lively conversation with other guests.
We are very pleased we included Etosha National Park, and this camp and its private reserve, on our itinerary in Namibia. We would recommend a stay here, to experience a somewhat greener face of Namibia. Our other stays were all in the desert.
The full report on the Expert Africa web site is redundant in several places, and should be re-done with duplicate info removed.
Our Namibia safaris were arranged by Expert Africa (Maruska handled our account), and they did a superb job. We can't recommend them too highly." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia; 8n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa
"Wonderful relaxing place; a lot of animals"
A lot of the wild animals I saw at the waterpool in front of my safaritent. Less in the surrounding bush area. Except Ethosha of course.
The food was good but not special. But the treats at around three o,clock were excellent!. The staff was very helpfull and nice. My guide was excellent!!!
When I describe my highlights you can understan that I was very happy there,
1. The first morning my guide came to my tent. It was still dark. He called my name. "look out your window" and there was a black rhino drinking at the waterhole!!! Wat a start.
2. Ethosha. After a little bit of a disappointing morning we saw een leopard from a distance of 2 meters. Wow!! And it dit not ran away.
3. My last gamedrive. My excellent guide did everything to find a rhino. And what miracle. A group of nine rhino's together. I thank my guide for this special moment! What an experience.
So what more do you want? Nothing. It was wonderful and relaxing." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
"Ongava Tented Camp Review"
However, we only took one trip to the Etosha Pan, which was not good! Unfortunately, the wind that day was very strong, almost to sandstorm level. This, obviously did not help our experience. The worst aspect, however, was the number of vehicles on the pan at the same time, including some very large 'coaches', where the drivers had no respect for other people, and did not even turn off their very noisy diesel engines.
The consequence being that filming contained the engine noise! After this, we requested to remain on the reserve, which was perfect every time!!" See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
"A Quality Camp with Good Wildlife"
There is a single communal dining table (which I normally don't favour), but this one works well with the support of good staff who make the dining experience pleasant without the "singing/dancing" stuff of Damaraland Camp. The dining area is open on both sides and is good viewing for the water hole. The buffett breakfast was good, there were no starlings in the cereal, and the main meals were tasty, varied and good quality.
The game drives were actually more rewarding than first impressions and there was quite a lot to see, albeit there was a fair bit of travelling between sightings/locations. But the Reserve is well worth exploring and based on my experience was much more rewarding that traversing the wind, dust and crowds of the actual Etosha National Park. The latter was, frankly, disappointing and I only went into the Park for the one "unrewarding" explore.
But Ongava produced some excellent close ups of a pride of lions with an impressive large male (although Guide Zamu probably was a bit over enthusiastic about getting us close for a shot and disturbed the pride), great close up of a mum and junior white rhino, some excellent giraffe and elephant sightings at a water hole and a close up of black rhino from a hide. And in between there were other useful sightings which completed the experience.
It is a nice camp, well run with lots to see and well worth spending a few days. Based on my experience I would not actually go into Etosha itself unless the winds were "down" but also you can really only view from the roads so are somewhat restricted to sightings around water holes - which naturally attract all sorts of vehicles and crowds." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
"Fantastic wildlife experience!"
The Tented Camp has a waterhole just beyond the dining tent/deck which offers an almost unending stream of wildlife just a few feet from where you're sitting. The tents are not five-star villas but they are roomy and comfortable, more than adequate for a tented camp. They are, in my opinion, the perfect balance of rustic and luxury.
Both the food and the service at Ongava were very good. The managers were present, personable, and attentive. The wait staff were always on the ball - especially Sydney, whose eagle eye and attention to my food allergy kept me safe.
Some safari camps provide separate, private dining tables and some prefer the communal style of dining. By virtue of guests' different schedules and Ongava's flexibility with meal times, they struck a nice balance between social mingling and each party's privacy. We met other guests and enjoyed our time with them but never felt forced to interact.
Ongava also offers a lodge but we stopped there for tea one afternoon and concluded that we much prefer the smaller, more intimate feel of the Tented Camp. Whether you stay at the Lodge or the Tented Camp, both offer the ability to do safari drives in Etosha or within the private reserve and are, therefore, excellent options while in this area." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
"Lovely camp with active waterhole"
There is a very active water hole by the dining area. We saw kudu, elephant, impala, waterbuck (not native to the area but had been introduced at one time and were thriving), jackals, warthogs, a black rhino and even a caracal. There are many rock hyrax and hornbills around the grounds.
Food and service were excellent. The game drives and walks were very good and our guide, Bono, was excellent. We had an outstanding rhino walk." See all these reviews: 27n in Namibia
"Beautiful camp. Very well managed."
Great guide & outings into Etosha National Park.
Pleasant dinners with others, great meal accommodations (veggie) & especially great manager (Chris)." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
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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 Lodge
With fantastic views over a private reserve bordering Etosha, the smart Ongava Lodge offers driving and walking safaris on the reserve, and guided drives in Etosha.
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.
