Reviews of Okonjima Plains Camp

"Many people sing the praises of the Okonjima Plains Camp - and Africat... we were not so sure.

Having visited eight national parks in five different African countries over the years this was our first experience of an 'enclosed' park. In comparison, we did not like it.

We felt that the camp tried too hard to ensure their guests were regimented. I am sure we disappointed by choosing to go on a self-guided walk rather than any paid activity (we seemed to be the only people doing that); this meant we were not certain what time we would arrive for breakfast (having been advised that it rant from 7-10) - but they wanted us to name a time (which we didn't) - meaning that, when we arrived just after 7am for breakfast, it was not ready.

The staff were regimented too - so it always felt like they spoke only from their script.

Overall, whilst the self-guided walk was quite enjoyable, not somewhere I would recommend." See all these reviews: 7n in Namibia; 6n in Zambia; 3n in Botswana

"Really luxurous feel to View rooms at Plains Camp.

Guides and staff fantastic- vey professional, helpful and welcoming.

Saw cheetah (am) and leopard (pm). Even though they are collared, it was still a thrill.

Seems very heavily branded as an organisation - hopefully their commercial success does pay off for wildlife & locals." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia

"I understood that there are also other accommodation at the Okonjima, we would have maybe preferred to stay in a more upscale accommodation, but apart from the first impact (which was a bit shocking for such a big place after all the small lodges where we stayed), we must say that they do a great job, we had a big room, a lot of privacy and a lot of opportunities to walk around by ourselves (we couldn't at the Ongawa Tented Camp)" See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia

"We used this as a stopping point between Etosha and Windhoek and before we flew home. However, we wish we made it more of a destination in its our right and spent longer here than 1 night. 1 night doesn't give you much time to do all the activities they have to offer, or the chance to see the cats because there is a chance that on one of the drives you won't see one.

We got upgraded to a view room - although I have a feeling this was due to some sort of mix up with the booking. We were written in pen at the bottom of the sheet when we arrived at the gate for the reserve, and they were not ready with our check-in sheets when we got to reception unlike everyone else's. The view room we got was also brand new with us being the first in it, and still clearly in the process of having finishing touches being done. However, it was a lovely spacious room and very spacious bathroom with a nice view. We did however, both have to have two cold showers - not sure if this was due to it still being finished off.

The activities were brilliant with an enthusiastic guide who clearly cares for the nature. We got there early enough to go onto the leopard tracking, and we managed to track the first leopard to some deep undergrowth. Unfortunately it was clear that we were not going to spot him so we moved on to try and spot another leopard. All the guides talk to each other, and another guide had spotted a leopard called Shanti, up a tree. So we went to see her. It was incredible to be so close to her while she was up a tree. It was nice to also hear the guide say that sometimes we can't always take photos and its just for looking, when someone was complaining a branch being in the way and could he move the vehicle.

The next morning we got up early to go on the cheetah tracking - this was incredible. We walked with two cheetahs while they were hunting and watch them make a kill. I got the impression it doesn't happen often, and it was something I won't forget!

The food was ok. The cake and tea was nice before the activities. The evening meal was a bit chaotic, but they explained it was the busiest night the camp has had since it opened - I think they learnt a lot that night, and they managed to deal with it! I have a feeling if we stayed another night it would be a bit smoother, and be a bit quicker.

A great place, with friendly staff and fantastic guides and activities. Busy but once on the activities you don't notice that so much. Activities are well organised." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia

"The Plains Camp is superb. The barn is a very pleasant area to sit at night and to eat meals in.

The rooms are very comfy, well equipped and have beautiful views with lots of friendly wildlife. The game drives were excellent and we saw lots of wildlife.

The staff here are very friendly and the whole atmosphere is superb. Our evening meals were very good, the quality and variety are excellent." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana; 2n in Zambia

"When we arrived we found that we had been upgraded to the Bush Camp which was very luxurious and a nice surprise for our last couple of nights. A pity we couldn't make more use of it with so many trips available.

The staff, restaurant and central area were also excellent as were the guided trips to see the Leopards and Cheetahs.

I think our only comment would be that we didn't realise how far off the main road the camp was (aprox 30km and 30 mins extra drive) which meant we arrived too late for that days game drive. That is definitely worth mentioning for future clients.

We were certainly very pleased to have asked to go there as it wasn't on your original itinerary." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia

"I was unsure what to expect at this camp. I thought of it as a stop-over between Windhoek and Etosha National Park. Everything was first rate from the moment we arrived until we left.

The lodge and its reception/restaurant area are amazing. The leopard track was fantastic. We also had the chance to see the wild dogs and walk with the cheetahs. The service was great.

This stop we definitely a highlight and I highly recommend including this stop to everyone who plans a trip to Namibia." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 3n in Zambia; 1n in South Africa

"We arrived a little late for the evening activities. The welcome was wonderful with very friendly and helpful staff, refreshments and a stunning reception building. The facilities were of the highest quality, the view rooms were beautiful, very comfortable and the highest standard that we could expect. We had two connecting rooms for our group.

One point which I raised with the staff was that in my room there were two double beds for my 80yr old mother, my 11yr old daughter and myself, three guests two beds and only towels and glasses/cups for two people. The staff said there was nothing they could do about the beds but brought the other extras. It wasn't such a big deal but if my daughter had been older I think it would have. In the end and as is her was she wanted to sleep on the floor between the beds so we made a bed with blankets etc.

The evening meal was wonderful, the views of the waterhole, the building etc were superb. The guide trying to organize our drive for the following morning didn't seem to have much knowledge and we were left a little unclear as to what was going to happen as our group wished to participate in 2 different excursions. However, following a great sleep, 5:30 alarm call, coffee and cakes at 6 our actual guide Martin arrived. He was excellent!

He had a first class knowledge of the site, the wildlife the history, the ecology and was determined to show us as much as he could. We were supposed to be back for 9 and arrived after 10 as he did everything he could to find a leopard, we didn't see on but get very close and we did see everything else. It was really great in windy and dusty conditions, the whole family loved it and we ended up seeing the cheetahs wild dogs, hyena, and lots more besides.

As with all of the sites we stayed at for only 1 night we should have stayed for 2 nights at least." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia

"I experienced the welcome at the reception as unprofessional. Let me waiting for a very long time, did't gave me the right information. Not a good start.

The room is very big with an exceptional beautiful vieuw. Good bed and a lovely shower. I do like the wooden giraffes in different collars, who are standing everywhere. A very nice touch.

The main area is devided into functional segments. Furnished very tastefully with a good feeling for details. The food is good, specialy the afternoon tea. The service was very helpfull and nice.

The guide was extremely enthusiast, That was a little bit of a compensation, because we did see just a few animals on the two gamedrives.The nightdrive (an eveningdrive when it's dark) was more fun. The walkingsafari to find a cheetah was fun and successful. We had no luck to find a leopard.

Inside the encloser there was a good possibility to make pictures of cheetah's.

I don't regret coming to Okonjima Plains Camp, but it was just a nice experience. Not more.
For me it is to big and to less wildlife feeling." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia

"We were able to visit the Hoba meteorite (worlds heaviest metal meteorite) en route to Okonjima - well worth the slight deviation. The reserve .... We booked an early morning trip in search of leopard and although there are no guarantees to see any we were lucky enough to find three and we spent an exiting couple of hours watching them at really close quarters.

When they finally moved on we headed back to camp. although we had booked to look for wild dogs in the afternoon we saw them on the way back. So in the afternoon we took a guided tour of the reservation's work rescuing cats and returning them to the wild and helping farmers protect their herds from the indigenous carnivores - well worth your time. This included getting close to two cheetah.

The rooms are close together but entirely private - safe to walk to and from even in the dark as the camp is isolated from the main reserve. They have large picture windows looking out over open bush with various herbivores visiting the waterhole. We had a small family of wart hogs bedding down for each night against the wall of the room." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia