Ongava Tented Camp is nestled amongst Mopane woodland at the foot of a small hill on the Ongava reserve. The reserve borders Etosha National Park on the south side near Andersson's Gate and so is an ideal base from where you can explore the park.
Unfenced Ongava Tented Camp has a true middle-of-the-bush feeling and your genial hosts, Hirde and Sylvia will always make you feel at home here. Ongava Tented Camp is a small, intimate camp with only ten large, Meru-style tents. Each of these is comfortably furnished and has an en-suite bathroom (including an open air shower) and a private patio. Some also have views of the camp's waterhole.
The stone and thatch main area has a bar and lounge under a thatched roof, as well as an adjoining dining room with one large table for informal communal dining. In the lounge area is a small selection of books for guests to use, as well as a photo album showing previous game sightings. Outside, offering great views of the much-frequented waterhole, is a refreshing swimming pool and a veranda. Directors' chairs are arranged in a circle around a fire pit - perfect for pre and post dinner drinks. Another row of chairs is set up facing the waterhole, which is just a few metres away from the front of the camp. This waterhole is popular with game from the Ongava Reserve, particularly during the dry season.
All activities are included here and consist of guided walks (including the chance to track white rhino on foot), nature drives on the reserve (returning after dark to incorporate a short night drive) birding and spending time in hides. Ongava is one of the few private game reserves in southern Africa where you have the chance to see both black and white rhino. Of course there are also half and full day game drives in open 4 x 4 vehicles into Etosha National Park, as well as sundowner drives on the reserve.
Alternatively, guests can always find a comfy seat in front of the waterhole and watch the comings and goings there. On our last visit a group of six lions spent two days snoozing by the waterhole, and in the evening two rhinos came by for a drink during dinner. Needless to say, unfinished desserts were soon forgotten!
One special feature of Ongava Tented Camp is the camera set up by the waterhole, which automatically takes pictures when movement is detected. At night it takes photos in night-vision, and the following morning guests can take a look though to see who came to visit while they were sleeping!
Ongava Reserve's proximity to Etosha means that some of the smaller plains game can cross between the two, whilst reintroduction of a large number of species including giraffe, waterbuck, springbok etc, ensures that game viewing is very good here. On one of our stays at Ongava Tented Camp, we were lucky enough to have two white rhino trot out of the bush not far from us when we were standing enjoying our sundowner drink at the end of our afternoon nature drive!
In conclusion… Staying at Ongava Tented Camp is a delight - with its homely atmosphere, super waterhole and luxury bush camp feel.
Directions: The entrance to the Ongava reserve is just by the Andersson Gate entrance to Etosha National Park, on the left when arriving from the south. Once in the reserve, Ongava Tented Camp is clearly sign posted, and is about a 30 minute drive on the gravel road. On this drive you are likely to spot some aminals, especially kudus and oryx.
Accessible by: Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer
Food & drink
Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality:Breakfastconsists of a delicious buffet of freshly made bread, fruit, cereals and muffins with a choice of juices or tea and coffee. A hot breakfast is freshly cooked for each guest.
Lunch is usually a varied salad served with some fresh bread, all followed by fresh fruit.
Dinner is a set menu for starter and dessert, with the main being a 'help yourself' option. On our last visit we ate biltong pate with melba toast, followed by a very tasty game stroganoff and chocolate and vanilla cheesecake.
Tea and coffee are available in the afternoons, along with a homemade cake or slice. On our last visit mini pizzas were also there to tempt us.
Dining style: Group Meals
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Room service: Room service is not available.
Cost of meal e.g. lunch: Included
Drinks included: Included – except for premium brand and imported wines and spirits.
Special interests
Birdwatching: Birding on the Ongava Reserve and in Etosha is very good with over 300 species of bird including 10 out of Namibia's 14 endemics, including the Violet Wood-Hoopoe, bare-cheeked Babbler, Red-necked Falcon and Carp's Tit.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for birdwatching in Namibia
Walking safaris: Sharing the same property as Ongava Lodge, Ongava Tented Camp organises guided walking safaris within the private reserve, focusing on tracking white rhino. Black rhino are also resident, as well as lion, Hartmann's zebra, black-faced impala and eland. Your guides will be well-trained and armed, ensuring you get the best out of your walking safari.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for walking safaris in Namibia
Wildlife safaris: With Etosha National Park on the doorstep, Ongava Tented Camp offers wonderful wildlife viewing including the opportunity to see black and white rhino, elephant, lion, cheetah, leopard and a plethora of plains game.
- See more of our suggestions of the best places for wildlife safaris in Namibia
Children
Attitude towards children: No children under the age of 12 are accepted here.
Generally recommended for children: Yes – for older children
Notes: Children must be under parental supervision at all times.
Central communications
Power supply: Generator
Communications: A central phone and internet are available but there is no mobile reception.
TV & radio: None
Health & safety
Malarial area: Yes
Medical care: The nearest doctor is in Outjo
Dangerous animals: High Risk
Security measures: There is an armed guard to escort you back to your room at night as game can wander through the camp.
Fire safety: There is a fire extinguisher in each room.
Extras
Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: Laudry is included here.
Money: You cannot change money here.
Accepted payment: Accepted payment are local currency, US$, GB£, €, credit cards and travelers' cheques.
Ongava Tented Camp review
The camp was not what we expected and not to our taste. That said, the staff were very helpful and accommodating. Please see previous emails for more detail.
Mushara Lodge, on the other hand, was...
Amazing, Incredible
I had 4 fantastic nights at the camp, spending time in both Ongava Reserve and Etosha National Park. As I stayed several nights, I was able to spend a full day in Etosha, as well as a half-day. Eac...
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Ongava Put Ongava Tented Camp into context – read more about it in the Bradt travel guide to Namibia.
Useful links...
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Ongava Tented Camp Click here to link through to the Ongava Tented Camp homepage, hosted by Wilderness Safaris. This site is a little slow but has some good information and pictures.
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