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 Safari at Ongava"
On the game drives on the reserve, we saw white rhino and lions, in addition to the usual suspects. Really liked that we were allowed out of the jeep to view the rhinos. Our guide was Bono, and he was very good. He provided a great introduction to Etosha and helped us plan our crossing after we left.
The camp generally was slightly more rustic than some of the other places we stayed, which I enjoyed: it seemed a little "wilder". That said it was very comfortable.
This camp was more social than others. Management socialized with guest and guests were encouraged to mingle. It made a nice change." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
"Well-placed watering hole at the camp"
What is so great about this camp is the watering hole, which attracts elephants and antelopes by day, and big cats and rhinos by night. Our guide - Bono - deserves special mention for his persistence (if not his knowledge). In spite of rainy season, we found elephants, lions, cheetahs, rhinos, giraffes, antelopes, warthogs, jackals and foxes because he drove us to lesser traversed corners of Ongava reserve and Etosha. We never tired of going out on safari drives even though we initially had reservations about so many drives.
We would have liked to know upfront the list of activities available at Ongava. Bono did mention that we could do bush walks but only on our last day when we were already on a safari drive, though he did say that bush walks were not recommended during the rainy season. Still, it would have been nice to know our options first.
The food at Ongava was quite tasty, but the portions were smaller than at Kulala or Doro !Nawas. They also served a very rich, creamy and delicious pasta dish during lunch - which was quite hard to eat because it was so hot! We also noticed that Ongava was less committed to Wilderness Safari's eco-friendly ethos. They did not encourage us to use our water bottles, and freely gave us plastic bottles to drink from all the time.
Overall, the staff were friendly throughout our stay at Ongava. We were the only guests during our last two nights because the camp was about to undergo renovations. However, when we checked out and went to thank them - our departure was quite unceremonious and brusque, probably all the more jarring because the staff had made such a big deal of us when we arrived and throughout our stay. We put it down to the renovation works, but unfortunately it was the last experience/memory we had at Ongava.
We did not experience this at Kulala Desert Lodge or Doro !Nawas, where the staff (managers, servers, and guides alike) were really friendly, sincere and warm. Overall, we would probably not return back to Ongava Tented Camp." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
"Disappointing experience"
We did enjoy seeing rhinos up close on foot and the waterhole in front of the lodge is really nice and attracts a lot of animals." See all these reviews: 20n in Namibia
"Ongava lodge review"
The camp waterholes as a major feature as it was visible from the dining area and many animals used it , including 16 lions one night as well as 5 black rhino. Etoshe was an interesting experience with many more people using the roads. The large waterholes were a major attraction with a huge number of animals.
The camp is changing from Wilderness and retained some, but not all, of the style. Our preference is for a smaller, more personal camp." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
We were very impressed with the way Chrisma, a manager handled the situation as for the last three days she gave us the vehicle to ourselves with the same guide, Rio, who was excellent. He had very good eyes and we felt that we were all part of the same team, enjoying it together.
Our only criticism was that we were given a room near to the car park. As we were staying for four nights, unlike most people, we felt that we should have been put nearer to the mess tent and the waterhole. However, again Chrisma dealt with this quickly and after two nights we were put into another room." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
"Excellent service at Ongava Tented Camp"
We were the only passengers in the jeep for two of the three game drives we did and saw lots of animals, including rhinos and lions in the Ongava reserve. The only negative point was that, at the time of year we visited (September) the camp surroundings, which consisted mainly of mopane trees, were just dry and brown, so not attractive, but the lodge has no control over that!" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
"Top experience"
Saw a black rhino at the waterhole 20 m from restaurant, white rhino on bush walking and lions feasting on a giraffe during driving activity.
Nice big tents. Very good food." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia
"Very attractive camp, beside Anderson gate"
Our only criticism was that the guides concentrated on the big animals, ignoring the smaller ones which are just as interesting. we felt that we were driven vast distances just to get a glimpse of something, without our guide telling us what he was aiming to find." See all these reviews: 27n in Namibia
"Good location ant excellent for game"
The food was very good and the meal set up in the bush for our second night was fantastic. We enjoyed the communal dining experience as it gave us the opportunity to meet other travellers from different countries. We liked the flexibility we were given to organise our activities during our stay.
The waterhole in front of the camp attracted lots of game, including rhinos, giraffe and (very briefly) a brown hyena." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
There is a good of variety of game including lion and rhino in their own reserve, especially the bird life. The food was a bit dull compared to some of the other camps." See all these reviews: 17n 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.
