Reviews of Okonjima Main Camp
(95%) From 132 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Okonjima Main Camp review
Note; We were upgraded to the Bush Camp - we loved it. It is a very good example of what a really well run lodge should be like.
All the answer below refer to the Bush Camp, not Main Camp. We did visit Main Camp briefly. The general atmosphere was not as attractive as at te Bush Camp.
Disappointing Okonjima
Their fame has gone to their heads! The camp has been doubled in size with the addition of 10 very ugly looking rooms. From the outside they look like square concrete storage huts!
Inside they are spacious and modern. They are called View rooms but the view is of a buiding site. Everywhere there is building work and landscaping going on - whilst guests are trying to relax.
A very impersonal service - this and the Burning Shore were the only places where we weren't known by name. The only bright spot was hyena tracking with Jack - he was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The other guide we had for leapard tracking and cheetahs was Arnold and he seemed to be going through the motions.
Expert Africa comments
We’re very sorry that these clients didn’t enjoy Okonjima – and have discussed the issues at length with the team from Okonjima.
Ten rooms were added to Okonjima Main Camp after the rains around April/May 2008. Currently the landscape around these is dry and scarred in parts, which has left these new rooms looking a bit ‘boxy’ from the outside. However, this should change as soon as the rain comes, when they expect the vegetation to burst into life, and ‘soften’ the look of everything – blending it into the rest of the lodge.
When we sent these comments to Okonjima, they were quite concerned. Roselea Hanssen, one of the Hanssen family who own and run Okonjima, assured us that no building work was going on whilst these clients were staying at the lodge. However, she apologised if the garden landscaping work that was happening disturbed them in any way.
The description of the guiding from Arnold as ‘going through the motions’ isn’t at all typical of the normal praise that we get from Okonjima’s visitors for its guides – but Roselea is looking into the circumstances of this for us.
Okonjima Main Camp review
Lived up to expectations. Very well organised, excellent guiding (succesful leopard tracking and very knowledgeable) and great atmosphere.
New bungalows are probably more modern than the garden rooms (no AC or fridge) and there is an ongoing plan of rennovations to the older parts of the lodge.
Well worth visiting for 1 night or 2. 2 are probably needed to take part in all the activities. Facilities include a pool and also self-guided walking trails which means you avoid the "cabin-fever" of some lodges.
Okonjima Main Camp Review
What a way to finish the trip. We knew this would be a highspot and were not disappointed. The work they are doing in conjunction with Africat is truly valuable.
Our guide there who took us to see the cheetah and on the second day the leopard was brilliant. He, along with his colleague did more than "go the extra mile" in search of the leopard. He asked us if we minded "extreme driving" We of course did not object and we had an incredible drive literally through, over, round trees, bushes, large holes in the ground that housed goodness knows what to be rewarded with very close up contact with a beautiful leopard. She literally walked calmly along the side of the vehicle and we were able to follow her for some time. A great experience and privilege.
Okonjima Main Camp review
We stayed in the new accommodation at the Main Camp. This was excellent and will be even better once the surroundings have matured.
Guided activities were also excellent and tailored to our photographic needs whilst recognising that I and some other group members had visited several times before.
It is important to stay for at least two nights to get the benefits of what Okionjima can offer.
Great cheetah viewing.
Wonderful accomodations, good food and game drives. The leopard tracking was a highlight.
Accomodating staff. We arrived late afternoon due to delays at the airport and they arranged to have us join the game drive.
Only suggestion is warmer blankets for the bed. The nights were cold!
Okonjima Main Camp review
best combination of comfort, game and service. wished we had stayed one more night
Read more about the whole safariOkonjima Main Camp review
If there is only one reason to go to Namibia this should be it. On arrival we were upgraded to the Bush Camp which was wonderful! Lodge amazing, staff fantastic from the minute of arrival at the door to the minute of departure.
Customer service was pitched perfectly - not over done but attentive when required.
The guides were brilliant - we had Marius and Dean - whose knowledge of the animals and their environment together with their great sense of humour just added to the greatness of the place. Don't miss it.
A brilliant cat experience
The Main Camp at Okonjima is well situated and offers plenty of "must do" activities.
We went Cheetah tracking on foot. Leopard tracking by vehicle.
Every day was a new experience
We are slightly concerned that by adding more accomodation Okonjima is going to become less friendly which would be a great pity.
Okonjima Main Camp review
Okinjima is a highly sophisticated, professional and well tuned operation. The welcome was very warm, but as we arrived at 3pm, it was a rush to take advantage of the afternoon activity- advise others to arrive by 230pm at the latest.
The meals too were of a very high standard and excellent formal service. We were a little surprised to have two European style meals, but the quality was excellent. The bushman's omelette as a brunch was excellent too!
The viewing of the cheetahs, leopards and the rescue work was all very polished too, but again excelllent, and the guides were keen to please the guests, as were the rest of the very professional team. The tracking of a cheetah on foot was exciting, especially as it had a kill, and although it is easier to be successful, when the animals are tagged, it was stiil exciting and rewarding.
The rooms had some quality and thoughtful touches (wall hangings, ornaments etc) and were good, but not outstanding, compared to 2 other lodges we had stayed in.
Overall, highly recommended, used to high turnover and we hope they maintain the quality with the big planned developments and extensions
We have always believed that acting responsibly is the only way to approach tourism and we're one of
the few companies to hold AITO's original coveted 5-star status for responsible tourism. It's a lead
that others are now following.
