Reviews of Okonjima Plains Camp

"We had the experience of cheetahs 2 metres away, a leopard palyng with it's cub and also eating its kill up a tree - unbeatable photo opportunities; although the area is fenced and the animals used to human contact, the area is large and you'd be pushed to get a closer view of leopards in the (semi) wild.

The lodge itself is excellent." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia

"I loved the imaginative yet simple accommodation. It was inspirational.

I had on arrival gone out on a very successful expedition looking for and finding a leopard. This was followed by a delightful evening meal. The next morning an early start for another expedition when we found a family of cheetahs, 1 sister 2 brothers. They had become estranged after an early morning hunt and the sister of the 2 brothers was calling for her brothers by putting much effort into a "meow" that had a powerful vibrato sending it long distance. I walked ahead of the group of people and close to the female cheetah. I wanted to talk to her but didn't. She knew I was just a few metres behind her and she and I both,were comfortable. She was reunited with her brothers and there was much joyful licking going to and fro. This was an experience of a lifetime for me.

After that we rode in the truck and the driver/guide managed to find a Leopard and her cub. This too was a memorable experience." See all these reviews: 5n in Namibia

"I have mixed feelings about Okonjima.

First of all our stay there was very brief and everything was extremely rushed - this may have been because we stayed at a previous location a night longer than originally planned and so had to discard a night somewhere else. Because of the rush I may be a little more harsh in my judgement than is fair.

Okohjima sounded a very interesting nature reserve and we were looking forward very much to spending the last night of our holiday there.

We arrived at lunch time - taken to our room which was well appointed, spacious & had a fantastic view.

We then returned to the restaurant & along with another couple tried to get some lunch. This proved quite difficult & took up some considerable time but eventually some food did arrive.

It was quite to rush to join the afternoon safari in search of leopards (which we didn't find) & then got back quite late to rush for supper followed by a rush to the waterhole to wait for the arrival of Porcupine. The last of the evening was taken up with packing for a pre-breakfast departure for the airport.

Some of my feelings about Okonjima may have been different had there been more time to spend there.
As it is I do not feel they have their act together somehow - the reality of the place does not live up to their very glossy brochure.

The room was good.

The service was almost non-existent.

The Leopard safari was hugely disappointing - when eventually the guide admitted he was unable to get any signal on the radio device he told us there were only 2 animals that wore the transmitters & if, as they probably had, mooched off to the distant hills, he would not be able to find them. This was said as if he was used to saying it! Despite what the brochure says - I wonder how often a visitor actually sees a Leopard & how big a part does Photoshop play in the production of photographs on page 2 of their brochure?!!

The food was poor.

The waterhole was simply awful! Looking at the stunning photographs in the brochure I can't help but wonder if maybe the standard of waterhole goes down with the standard of the accommodation?!!! After the relaxed atmosphere around the waterholes of Etosha it came as a surprise to be led down a track and into a hut to peer out at a dimly lit manky tank in the ground. Our guide then emptied a bucket of kitchen waste beside the hole & proceeded to tell us all to 'Be quiet - be quiet' whilst he went on talking loudly to a friend. Whilst we waited he clearly knew something we didn't - that regardless of any noise the Porcupine would turn up for the evening meal they knew he would bring them!!!!

It was a very sad end to a wonderful trip." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia

"everything you expect from such a camp. fabulous room with a great view. food was very good. excellent packed lunch on the day we left. activities were excellent. enjoyed walking with the cheetahs. all staff friendly and helpful." See all these reviews: 20n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana

"We were upgraded to Bush Camp as there were building works at Main Camp

Staff a bit variable in attitude

Guides Defries and Previous excellent" See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia; 1n in South Africa

"It is a good camp but compared with the others perhaps the one least to my taste. It felt a little anonymous and more like a hotel.

On the other hand the game viewing was excellent even though radio tracking does not have the same excitement as "ordinary" tracking. However, I managed to see wild dogs which I've Always wanted to so that was a highlight." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia

"Comfortable accommodation.

The activities were well planned and comprehensive with excellent guides.

The food was good and varied." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia

"WONDERFUL. The Africat Foundation is doing great work and the staff are all so involved and their enthusiasm and friendliness just shines through.

Norman Victor our safari drive guide was knowledgeable and relentless in his hunt for us to see the leopard.

Food was excellent for all the meals.

As a last camp at the end of our African trip, Okonjima couldn't have been a better choice." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 3n in South Africa

"This is the second time we have ended a trip in Namibia at Okonjima, and it really is the perfect end to the trip. Everything is done such that guests have a perfect stay.

Having stayed at Okonjima previously 13 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it then, we were pleased to find that it was even better this time than we remembered it. In particular we would highlight the game drives and wildlife viewing both by vehicle and on foot, guided for us on this occasion by the outstanding Jonas. Recommended without hesitation." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia

"I still can't make my mind up about Okonjima. On the one hand you get a close up experience of leopards and cheetahs but on the other you can't help but think it is a bit of a zoo.

The accommodation was excellent, we had a view room which was spacious had everything you required with a fabulous panoramic window out onto the bush where impala, oryx, warthog and Guinea fowl roamed.

We arrived in time to visit the Africat project and had close ups of cheetah and caracal along with a very rare pangolin that had been rescued by a lady from the near bye cap vulture centres. The guides back at camp were very jealous as none of them had ever seen a pangolin!

Our guide, Angela, was very knowledgeable about the cats but was poor on anything else. Okonjima prides itself on the number of birds there but we did not stop to study them. Also the activities were very one tracked. If we were looking for leopards we did not stop for cheetahs. On our leopard drove past two cheetahs without stopping as they were not on the morning's itinerary.

Okonjima was our insurance policy if we had not seen many cats elsewhere and so it proved though we had been lucky enough to see a leopard up a tree in Etosha. To make it a near certainly that you will see the cats some truly wild leopards and cheetahs have radio collars so you are virtually guaranteed close encounters with both. From that point of view a stop on either to or from Etosha is very worthwhile." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia