Little Ongava is the new, super-luxurious sibling of Ongava Lodge situated within the exclusive Ongava Game Reserve on the southern boundary of the Etosha National Park. Set on the crest of a hill, the lodge overlooks the private 300km2 game reserve that borders Etosha National Park to the south and boasts a wide range of wildlife including lion and rhino.
With just three large suites, Little Ongava is a very private lodge with very personal service. Each spacious stone and thatch suite is divided into three main areas, all cleverly lit by mood lighting and separated by a series of wooden sliding doors. The bedroom forms the centre of the room behind which you'd find a dressing room. To one side of the bedroom is the lounge, where comfortable armchairs face an open fire place and drinks are kept cool in the mini-bar. Glass doors in the lounge and bedroom slide back for access to a private deck complete with its own infinity pool.
In a large bathroom, to the other side of the bedroom, a Victorian bath stands in front of a floor to ceiling window with a great view over the reserve. A central plinth made of natural wood holds twin sinks and there is a separate toilet and indoor shower. A short walkway leads from here to an outdoor shower and a 'sala' or outdoor day bed. This is 5* safari luxury complete with temperature control air-conditioning. Each room also has its own safe and mosquito nets over the bed.
Wooden walkways wind around rock boulders to link the suites to the main thatched area. A large lounge furnished with a library and complete with a stone fire place opens out onto a large viewing deck which overlooks a waterhole below. This is a great spot for a sundown drink and on our last visit we watched a rhino and her calf followed by two lions come to drink. Guests can choose to dine under the sky or under the cover of a thatched roof. This part of the camp retains a very relaxed atmosphere allowing guests simply to sit back in comfort and enjoy the surrounding views. Ongava lodge also has a small open chapel that is used for weddings.
Activities to be enjoyed at Little Ongava include day and spot-lit night drives in open 4WD game drive vehicles. Morning drives usually head into Etosha National Park whilst afternoon drives happen on the Ongava Reserve itself. Visitors can also opt to go on guided safari walks or sit in the nearby hide waiting quietly for the animals to pass or drink from the waterhole.
In conclusion… The three opulent suites here offer supreme levels of comfort, and so, if you are looking for a luxurious safari experience, Little Ongava is the perfect choice. In fact, the rooms are so lavish that we found it hard to tear ourselves away to go on a game drive – it was worth it for the pride of lions and tracking rhino on foot though!
Lodge overview
Lodge type: Safari
No. of bedrooms: 3 suites
Season: Open Year Round
Ideal length of stay: Expert Africa would recommend at least a two night stay in order to enjoy this special lodge and make the most of the safari activities on offer.
Directions: Little Ongava is found just a couple of minutes walk along a wooden walkway from Ongava Lodge. On the C38, the turnoff to the Ongava Reserve is just a few metres in front of Etosha's Andersson Gate. Once inside, follow the signs to Ongava Lodge, as there are no signs to Little Ongava, for about 20 minutes. You will need to park in Ongava Lodge's car park and then walk up the stone steps to Little Ongava.
Accessible by: Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer
Key personnel
Owner: Wilderness Safaris
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality: A sumptuous breakfast buffet is served.
A light lunch is offered on the viewing deck. On our last visit this was mini vegetable quiches with a mixed salad followed by raspberry cheesecake.
Dinner consists of three courses of innovative and delicious food prepared to a high standard.
Tea and coffee are available all day, and cakes are served for afternoon tea.
Dining style: Inidividual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: Yes
Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included
Drinks included: Beers, house wine, local spirits and soft drinks are included. Please note that champagne, imported wines or premium brands spirits are offered at an additional cost.
Special interests
Honeymoons: Set in the private Ongava Reserve, Little Ongava treats its guest with expertly-guided walking safaris, guaranteeing you close wildlife encounters and the chance to spot both black and white rhino. Those walks generally focus on tracking white rhino, whilst lion, elephant, gemsbok and red hartebeest are also frequently seen.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for honeymoons in Namibia
Walking safaris: Set in the private Ongava Reserve, Little Ongava treats its guest with expertly-guided walking safaris, guaranteeing you close wildlife encounters and the chance to spot both black and white rhino. Those walks generally focus on tracking white rhino, whilst lion, elephant, gemsbok and red hartebeest are also frequently seen.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for walking safaris in Namibia
Children
Attitude towards children: Children aged between six and twelve years are welcome at Little Ongava provided the family book and pay for a private vehicle and activities. Children over the age of 12 are considered adults.
Age restrictions: Children over 8 years are welcome.
Activities: There are a few games in the lounge that children could play.
Equipment: None
Generally recommended for children: No – the atmosphere here is fairly adult, and there is little for young children to do. The open raised walkways are also not suited to children. For families with younger children we would recommend the more relaxed Andersson's Camp - Little Ongava's sister camp on the same reserve.
Notes: Children must be supervised at all times by their parents.
Central communications
Power supply: Generator
Communications: There is phone reception here.
TV & radio: There are no TVs or radios.
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: Staff are all first aid trained. There is a small clinic at Okaukuejo that can treat minor complaints, but in a more serious case patients would be airlifted out. The nearest doctor is in Outjo.
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: There is no guard but the main gate to the reserve is locked at night.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers in all rooms.
Extras
Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: A complementary laundry service is included.
Money: No currency exchange is possible.
Accepted payment: Payment in local currency cash, travellers' cheques or via Visa or MasterCard.
Viewpoint over the waterhole
Franco is the best guide we have ever had in Africa; his breadth of knowledge is exceptional for a young man - he made our stay a pleasure. Michael was an extremely attentive host. His wine list is wo...
Little Ongava review
The rooms and facilities are probably the best, or very near, you can get in Namibia, or maybe in the world, but of course for a price. Rhinos are easy to see in their private reserve, which may be ...
Click on the links below to read sections from the Bradt guidebook which are related to Little Ongava.
Ongava Put Little Ongava into context – read more about it in the Bradt travel guide to Namibia.
Useful links...
We want you to understand more about Little Ongava. We're also confident that a trip there with us cost you the same or less than booking it any other way, even directly. So follow the links below.
Homepage for Little Ongava Click here to visit Little Ongava's homepage on the Wilderness Safaris' website. They run this lodge, and here you will find interesting information and pictures.
Ongava 