Reviews of Onguma The Fort
Wildlife sightings and reviews
43 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Onguma The Fort and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
73% success
31% success
46% success
100% success
100% success
100% success
94% success
93% success
64% success
46% success
46% success
38% success
31% success
23% success
9% success
8% success
0% success
"Onguma The Fort review"
Quirky place but none the worse for it.
Fabulous service by all the staff. Good drives and lovely location.
Very relaxing atmosphere" See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
1 sighting
Pangolin
10 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Onguma The Fort review"
Excellent pool for seeing animals, especially from up on the tower.
Two guided drives on the resort with sightings of rhino and lion.
Very good guide (Nico) with lots of information and bushcraft" See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia; 4n in Zambia
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
1 sighting
White Rhino
1 sighting
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Onguma The Fort review"
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Oryx
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Onguma The Fort review"
We did 2 Sundowners, which were both good although the number of wildlife sightings was poor.
We did a morning game drive into Etosha which was outstanding." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
Eland
10 sightings
Elephant
8 sightings
Giraffe
6 sightings
Lion
4 sightings
Oryx
8 sightings
Spotted Hyena
2 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"What a place!!!!!!!!!!!!"
However, as we had our own private guide we didn’t. Some sightings of fellow travellers seemed to be better in Onguma than in this part ( eastern) part of Etosha.
Regardless, I would strongly recommend a stay of 2-3 nights in the Fort!!" See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Oryx
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Onguma The Fort review"
Accommodations were top notch, maybe a bit over the top? No!
Amazing experience hearing three lions vocalizing one evening near the camp. Staff and guides were great and we had some amazing adventures in Etosha.
An extra touch was our guide shared some umbrella mushrooms with us that the chef fried up for dinner." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
Roan antelope
Multiple sightings
Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Onguma The Fort review"
Although activities were not included, I went on a sundowner drive on the reserve with Victor the first night and was impressed, so I also went on morning and afternoon game drives in Etosha the following day.
All the meals were excellent." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Cheetah
3 sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
White Rhino
1 sighting
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Lovely high end lodge"
The lodge is well located, very close to the Etosha main gate, and there is wildlife within the Onguma reserve (we had a giraffe and a cheetah come to drink at the lodge waterhole while we were having dinner). However, there were a couple of little niggles which would have irritated me had we been paying full price (we were upgrade from Onguma Treeptop Camp following fire damage). Our minibar wasn’t restocked after the first day, and we had to ask for it to be done.
Also, I can’t have caffeine which means I can’t eat chocolate. The lodge were informed of this in advance and I reconfirmed it when we checked in. However, dessert on the second night was chocolate mousse, so I asked for an alternative and was presented with a bowl of fruit salad with chocolate ice cream on top! We pointed this out to the waiter who apologised, but didn’t seem to do anything about it as 20 minutes later we had to ask for another alternative to be brought out. Luckily for me, if I eat chocolate it just means I don’t sleep (it was too dark to tell it was chocolate until I tasted it), but if it had been a severe allergy it could have gone badly wrong.
The other thing is that if you are coming from the National Park and not from the direction of the main road, there is no sign for the lodge, and if you are relying on Google maps, it doesn’t know where the entry point to the Onguma reserve is. We ended up driving around for an hour in the dark trying to find it before retracing our steps and finding the sign when coming from the direction of the main road. We should have read Expert Africa's instructions the previous day!!!
We didn’t do any of the lodge activities so can’t comment on those.
We found that there was less wildlife in the eastern part of Etosha than we were expecting. We had previously been told by a number of people that this was the most wildlife-dense part of the park. There were plenty of herbivores, and occasional solitary elephants, but no rhinos or large groups of elephants, and apart from spotted hyenas the only predators we saw were one sighting of a group of three cheetahs. I’m not sure if this is usual, or is as a result of the recent fires, or a result of fewer cars driving around due to Covid so fewer pairs of eyes to spot things." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia
Cheetah
1 sighting
Elephant
5 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
Spotted Hyena
4 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"The desert fort"
Thoroughly enjoyable drive from Ongave to the fort. Pandu, our excellent driver, took us through Etoshi and stopped whenever we saw something interesting.
David our guide was extremely knowledgeable and he, along with the staff at the fort, could not have treated us any better." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
5 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Oryx
3 sightings
White Rhino
2 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Onguma The Fort, 24 hours paradise"
Everything is tastefully decorated with several water elements and walkways passing water. Everywhere delicious materials are used and everything is tastefully decorated.
We are welcomed with ice tea in the restaurant. From here there is a direct view of the pool. And to the watering hole where animals come and go.
We are informed when the dinner will be served, after which we will be driven to our room. It is an unfenced lodge, ie. all animals have free access to the area. It is therefore too dangerous to travel outside alone, especially at night.
As we arrive at our room it turns out to be a small mini fort! Impressive Moroccan wooden doors with beautiful carvings everywhere and very high ceilings!
The bathroom is almost a tower room. Outside our own large secluded wooden terrace with lovely sun loungers. We have free views of the bush (room 6). To the right we can see the water hole. Everything is completely secluded including an extra outdoor shower.
Our waiter points out that there is sherry ready on the glass carafe! In addition, there are other carafe and wines from all over the world. Everything is included in the price, which I dare not think about at all.
We enjoy the afternoon completely secluded on the terrace. In the evening, it's the 1001 night adventure on the fort. We sit at a beautifully decked table with a free view of the waterhole. We have our own personal servant all evening. There is "Rust en Vrede" (rest and peace) on the wine list. Our personal favorite from South Africa.
We sleep like a rock all night after a day of wonderland. Here we would like to stay more than one night, but it probably requires an agreement with the bank ...
(We did not do any activities." See all these reviews: 21n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia
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 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.
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 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.
