Reviews of Okonjima Bush Camp

"Okonjima was really just an overnight stop on the way to Windhoek and home, but it was well worth doing.

The ethos is very different - we have reservations about leopards with radio collars just so they can be located for tourists. But the night hide was great - seeing porcupines for the first time was very rewarding. A slick operation which felt rather more commercial than other camps we visited." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 8n in Namibia; 2n in Zambia

"The visit here was a particular highlight of our holiday. The accommodation was very spacious and attention had been given to small details such as providing a small pool for the birds immediately outside our room and a supply of bird food which enabled us to attract birds to the logs adjacent to the pool. We saw a number of exotic species and spent several hours watching and photographing them.

There were great opportunities here for viewing leopards and cheetahs. We enjoyed a particularly exciting drive tracking leopard and were rewarded with sightings of two leopards relatively close up.

Our guide on this occasion, Maurice, was particularly expert at finding the cats and very helpful in postioning the vehicle so that we could take photos. We also tracked cheetahs on foot which was also very enjoyable and rewarding.

On the last day morning we visited the Africat project and our guide described in detail the work that the project is undertaking, including rehabilitating injured cheetahs in to the wild. It was very interesting and their were numerous opportunities to take close up photos." See all these reviews: 25n in Namibia

"We had a lovely stay at the Bush Camp. On arrival, we were actually upgraded to the Bush Suite, which was absolutely incredible, although by all accounts the accommodation at the Bush Camp was meant to be very good too.

The activities were really interesting as we were able to go cheetah and leopard tracking and the food was delicious.

An excellent end to our holiday in Namibia." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 6n in Mozambique

"We only spent one night here but wished we had been able to stay longer!

The Bush Camp chalets were beautifully appointed and the Lapa was an oasis of calm. Staff were very welcoming, friendly and gave a great sense of enjoying their work - this created a wonderful atmosphere for both staff and guests. Activities were well planned, entertaining, informative and hugely enjoyable.

We were lucky enough (sightings are not guaranteed as another group discovered the same night) to successfully track the elusive leopard, we also met around 14 cheetahs. Our guide, Jacques was great fun and seemed to love what he did. Food was of a high standard and a visit at the end of the evening meal from the chef was a nice touch! This was definately a highlight of the trip and we very much hope to revist both Okonjima and Africat again at some point in the future." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia

"Okonjima is a special place in many ways. If you have missed out on wildlife viewings of cheetah and leopards on the rest of your trip, this is the place where you are almost guaranteed some close encounters with both. It is exciting, but not quite the same as spotting one or more of these beautiful creatures in the wild. Most animals that are scheduled to be released into the wild have been collared so they can be tracked easily - in the case of cheetahs this is done by foot, while leopards are tracked during game drives. We were kind of lucky on one day, as we came across three out of the five leopards living in the enclosure on a single day - one we tracked and two by coincidence. It is tricky to photograph the collared animals at an angle where you cannot see the collar in the image. Even if the animal looks backwards and the collar seems hidden, you usually spot part of the antenna on closer inspection of the image. Not to worry, the experience is great regardless. And at nighttime you can opt to be taken to a feeding place where you will encounter plenty of porcupines and, on rare occasions, even a wild leopard. Food and service are excellent, the accomodation is spacious and comfortable." See all these reviews: 28n in Namibia

"The end of our trip and definitely the highlight. Fantastically helpful and friendly staff, really good room with plenty of facilities (hurrah - a hairdryer!), good food and brilliant organised activities.

Our guide (Albert) was experienced, knowledgeable, engaging and funny. He also was careful to let us know what was happening and to check that what we were going to do was ok with us. As this involved climbing up and down a hill during the on foot cheetah tracking, that was pretty important. As an Africat 'ambassador' we were delighted that he was more interested in locating animals than giving us 'sundowner' drinks!

The opportunity to see the big cats at close quarters was magical - lions, leopards and cheetash - all fantastic. The radio tracking allows you not just to see the cats, but to see the work of Africat in action, as each tracking is done to obtain important information about the cats' progress. I've read other reviews that frown on the tracking devices, but I believe they do this in pursuit of the cat's wellbeing, and only a small number of animals in the rehabilitation area appear to be tagged.

I was surprised not to find more overt advertising / literature available to promote Africat - perhaps this is deliberate. There was nothing beyond the small leaflet in our room and I was initially told they had run out of the usual material. I thought the back of the pool area was a curious place to put the detailed info that I really wanted to see - particularly as in winter the pool isn't the most obvious resting place!

I asked about information and was provided with a pack of info and some cds. I expected the curio shop to be full of books and Africat branded merchandise, and although there were some T shirts I was surprised not to find more. Nor were we encouraged to sponsor or otherwise support the cause - other than a donations box in the reception area. Again I wouldn't want anything to be hard sell, but we are keen cat lovers and so are our friends, so this was definitely an opportunity missed.

It might also be worth warning people about the terrain near the hide where you go to view the nocturnal animals - which was a little tricky to negotiate in the dark after a couple of glasses of wine. Still, seeing the crazy porcupines was worth it!

Fantastic to be a part of Africat's world for a short time." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia

"Okinjima Bush Camp was as lovely as ever again with good food and very good guiding, they really do run both a professional and friendly operation there.

Do go on all the activities as we saw great Cheetah and Leopard, and go to the night hide for the Porcupine (but wrap up very warm in winter)" See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana

"Another 'wow' place to stay, very select, relaxing, stylish. The activities are all good value and very interesting, our guide Jacque was superb and it was good that we stayed with him throughout our stay.

We had a lovely chalet and the communal dining was well thought out. We still argue whether Okonjima or Mowani was the best place we stayed!" See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia

"A good place to relax before flying back home. The rooms were very comfortable and beautifully designed and we enjoyed extra touches like our own birdbath.

Although we support the objectives of Africat, we are less convinced that feeding animals, such as porcupines is helpful.

Very friendly camp, and easy to talk to other guests." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia

"After the half-hour drive from the main road it was pleasing to find that the camp was absolutely gorgeous.

The room at Okonjima is our favourite and it was a big shame that we only stayed there one night.

We did more activities in the nineteen hours on the camp than we did anywhere else, simply because they were so interesting - leopard tracking, porcupine feeding, lion watching, cheetah breakfast and wild dog spotting.

The food here was really exceptional - afternoon cake, 4 course dinner, sunrise muffins pre-game drive and bushmans omlette post game drive. Our guide Dean was full of fun and knowledge." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia