Reviews of Okonjima Bush Camp

"THE BEST!

24 hours is not long enough!

Excellent Guide Matthew." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia

"On driving to the gatehouse we were told that we'd been upgraded from the Plains Camp to the Bush Camp. As the two camps were a little apart and the guests kept separate, we've no idea what the difference is or how good the Plains Camp is. We can only review the Bush Camp. Our building had a large room that was both bedroom and bathroom and then adjacent was another building with a living room. all rooms had windows to view whatever was going on outside.

The staff were good and the food was good. Our only complaint is that when about to set off on a leopard tracking trip we were told that we should buy water from the bar as none was carried. Really? This must be the only safari we've ever been on when the organiser didn't carry water for guests. With a few other little things it left an impression with us that it was a place very focused on the bottom line. There's nothing wrong with making a profit but a little subtlety with guests would go a long way.

The leopard tracking was a great success. We were lucky that he'd obviously had a big meal recently and was fairly inactive. Another day and he might have been in the mountains hunting and we'd not have seen him. The history of 'our' leopard was fascinating and we learned a bit about others on the reserve too.

The cheetah experience was more mixed but only because these magnificent animals are being squeezed out of their habitat across Namibia (and beyond) and are struggling to compete against leopards and hyenas. The Government has changed the law so helping orphans is much more difficult and their future looks bleak - but learning more about it all was worthwhile." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia

"Same as before" See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia

"We really packed in the activities while we were an Okonjima. We went on a walk by ourselves on one of the very well-marked foot paths, which was enjoyable, although very hot.

We did an afternoon leopard tracking drive. The leopard was radio-collared and our guide drove through bushes and up dry river beds to find her. It felt a little harassing, as she was hiding and obviously not super excited to see us, and we caused her to move a couple of times.

That night we went on a drive to see a pangolin. The pangolin was also tagged and two researchers had been out to find her, so we were led right to her. Because many of the leopards at Okonjima are radio-collared, the guide we were with was aware that there was a large male leopard near by. We waited in the vehicle until it appeared that he was moving away. We used red lights to see the pangolin, and were very quiet. Unlike the leopard, she did not seem to be disturbed by our presence, often walking toward us as she snuffled about for ants. Seeing this strange and rare animal in the wild was really pretty thrilling, and we felt very lucky to have the opportunity.

The next day we did another nature drive with a guide. Because it was just the two of us, the guide as able to focus on our interests. We spent some time looking for a hyena, but did not find any. We did see a pair of bat-eared foxes. We spent more time looking at birds, and we saw quite a few that we hadn't seen anywhere else. While birding near a water hole, we heard kudus barking in alarm, and our guide told us that a leopard was likely near. And then there she was, walking up to the water hole to get a drink. This leopard sighting felt more satisfying than the first, since it came unbidden.

Our final activity at Okonjima was a tour of the Africats facility. We saw the rescued cheetahs who are living in captivity there. They had tried releasing cheetahs back into the park main area at Okonjima, but because they did not know much about hunting, because they'd been living in captivity, and because the leopard population is so high, and it really is better leopard than cheetah habitat, the cheetahs were being killed off. They were returned to this somewhat zoo-like setting (although with a great deal more space than any zoo could provide) to live out their days. It was a bit sad, although of course also wonderful to get to see these animals, and much better than their being shot, which would likely have been there fate had they not been rescued and brought to Okonjima. We also got a tour of the veterinary facilities and a small museum, and learned about the history of Okonjima and about the various uses of land in Namibia and how they are regulated, which was interesting.

Okonjima was the only place we visited where the herbivores were being fed. Our guide said that this was due to the drought, but it may also keep the population of herbivores artificially high, supporting an artificially high population of leopards as well. Okonjima was also the only place we visited that talked about doing research on their animal populations (although we did see radio collars on lions at Hobatere and on a hyena in Etosha). It seems like the main thing they do is keep track of where they find the animals (leopards and pangolins are two of the animals being researched) and what they see them doing. In the case of pangolins in particular this research seems to have led to new insights into the behavior patterns and territoriality of the animals.

Mammals we saw at Okonjima included:
black mongoose, leopard, elephant shrew, eland, bat-eared fox, pangolin, kudu, springboks, jackals, impalas, steenboks, damara dik diks, duikers, giraffes, plains zebras, red hartebeets, scrub hares, baboons and wildebeests." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia

"Pangolin tracking was a highlight of trip: our guide grabbed us from a late dinner and took us into the dark night and we found a pangolin and followed it for 30 minutes -- amazing!

We saw cheetahs -- and we got close enough to hear them purring.

The leopards were elusive, but our guide was intent on finding them until we succeeded.

The room was beyond great. We saw wildlife, even giraffes, from our room." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia

"A wonderful place.

The rooms are fantastic and the reception area overlooks a large water area so plenty of game to watch. Service is impeccable and the food plentiful and delicious.

One note is that the leopards here are collared (once they reach a certain age) which not all visitors might like. Having said that, we had superb sightings and our guide, Peter, went out of his way to ensure we had a good time.

He was also very knowledgeable about placing the vehicle for the best photo opportunities.

Can thoroughly recommend this place and huge thanks to them for upgrading our first night from Plains Camp to Bush Camp." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia

"A glorious place to stay. Wonderful service.

Great location and the lodge is top notch.

Service is superb and really friendly and attentive without being oppressive." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia

"Excellent location" See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia

"Another fantastic place - especially as we were upgraded to a room in the villa, though not inside the fenced area so we could not wander around. It was very exclusive, only 4 bedrooms with our own private, not-overlooked terrace facing the water hole, and just one other couple were staying there.

We shared a private chef and swimming pool and private game drive vehicle and driver between us but luckily did not have to sit together for dinner,only at breakfast time and for afternoon tea. The villa also had its own waterhole.

Highly recommend all the activities we did: leopard game drive in the afternoon, visit to AfriCat the next morning, rhino tracking the next afternoon,and another game drive the morning we left. Well worth getting up very early for and breakfast was really an excellent brunch after the morning drives, with juise, tea, coffe and cookies to wake us up before the morning drives." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia

"We were upgraded (from Plains Camp) to Bush Camp in celebration of our 45th wedding anniversary!

We visited Plains Camp two years ago and thought it was outstanding, but Bush Camp is on an entirely different level. It is quiet and small, with understated luxury and attentive, friendly staff. It has the feel of the original Okonjima camp.

The activities are the same in both camps. We took a morning nature drive with a very knowledgable guide, Asser. The afternoon leopard tracking was absolutely unmissable. Spending a hour or so watching two cubs on a kill was pure magic.

Okonjima should be on everyone’s itinerary. It is a stunning place in all respects." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia