Reviews of Okonjima Plains Camp

"We went with some apprehension after reading other reviews but we found Okinjima and its staff very warm and engaging. We arrived in time for lunch and were able to arrange salad and sandwiches rather than the set 2 course lunch - which after our generous breakfast at the previous accommodation was just as well. The leopard tracking was well orgainsed and we were able to see 2, one hiding under a bush but another very happy to pose for cameras in the twilight. On our return to camp we also came across a cheetah (which the guide no doubt had the experience to locate without radio tracking). Pleasant sundowners.

We found the accommodation in a standard room fine with amazing views over the savannah, clean and comfortable. Meals were good and service was personable - I didn't recognize comments from others about impersonal service despite the turnover of guests" See all these reviews: 7n in Namibia

"We stayed at Okonjima on our last night in Namibia and are very glad we didn't miss it off the itinerary! It's a fantastically well run camp, a lovely welcome by the reception staff in the enormously airy and beautifully decorated main camp building. Lots of photos on the walls and pictures of big cats everywhere! The rooms are huge, with an open view of the reserve and lots of warthog and guinea fowl passing by.

We opted for the leopard sunset drive and weren't disappointed - brilliant to see a leopard snoozing in a river bed - and read about all the research work they are doing too.

We were treated to a special bush supper in the tiny boma just near the restaurant - a lovely surprise, and delicious! ..and our trip wouldn't have been complete without a little look in the shop, lots of lovely things to take home!" See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia

"This is a fab place and we wish we had had longer than one night. Rooms are massive and with stunning views, food was excellent and the guide on the game drive was probably the best we had.

For the first time ever we saw leopard...twice! and some cheetah. We went on a night drive and saw aardvark and porcupine.

They even surprised us with a bottle of champagne for our wedding anniversary and as it was our last night it made it very special." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia

"I am not really sure about the ethos of this place. It really is a zoo and a somewhat contrived experience.

After having been in places where the skill of the guide(s) in finding wildlife was important, seeing animals with radio transmitters on them, was underwhelming.
I would not consider returning to this Camp, which is in contrast to others we visited." See all these reviews: 26n in Namibia; 7n in Botswana

"The activities here were incredible in particular tracking a cheetah on foot and also some great close up leopard sightings (from the truck !). Our guide, Peter, was very clear and knowledgeable. Our stay here was another tour highlight." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia

"Accommodation was pleasant, but game drives and food make this place great.

Both drives were wonderful and highly recommended." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia

"We really didn't like it. The rooms were very spacious, although a bit tired. Food was so so. The reserve is a large rehoming area for big cats that were at threat from farmers or facing problems. There is also a lot of research done on the reserve into animal behaviour etc which it would have been interesting to have been offered the opportunity to hear more about. The focus though was almost exclusively on tracking the big cats (the hyena tracking we asked to do failed and was just turned into cheetah tracking). If you are going to Etosha then far better to see the cats there in a more natural environment. However, the set up was strange in that you and another family or two are allocated a shared guide so have to agree activities you want to do, eg cheetah search, visit to the cat rehabilitation centre. Much better to list the activities on a board for people to choose and then match families up that way.

Then the drives are always focused on finding one of the cat types. This means you zoom around with a driver waving an aerial that beeps if it locates the tracking device that animal type is fitted with. On every drive we did, this was totally unproductive for almost two hours at which point the driver phoned a friend who had found something and off we went to congregate in a big group. It felt very inefficient and, moreover (i) resulted in us speeding past a pangolin only my husband spotted and which he had some difficulty persuading the driver to reverse for, and (ii) when you did find the leopard or whatever it was it had a big tracking collar on which wasn't a great look.

The rehabilitation centre was interesting and you got to see the newly arrived cheetahs in a smaller outside space (without collars!) up close. The work the Africat foundation is doing in finding ways of getting farmers to live alongside big cats seemed far more worthwhile and interesting and I get the impression that this camp probably funds a lot of better work. The other family we shared a guide with asked when their children would get to cuddle baby cheetahs (!) which rather summed up for us the Disneyfied feel of this place." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia

"Loved this place but sadly had very little time here, that was determined by our schedule but I wouldn't send people here for less than 2 nights.

I know it was due to availability but would go to bush camp next time as apparently less kids.

Service was a little lackadaisical but they are in to different market with a lot more people being processed." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia

"A truly wonderful experience but way too short. We would have loved to stay another night or 2.

Seeing leopard and cheetah was magical." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia

"Despite only being one night this was one of my favourite places. We could stay only one night due to difficulties with our return flights. However, it was well worth it.

On arrival we wee upgraded to a View room which was massive and very well appointed. Indeed the view was excellent and we could watch loads of wildlife from our terrace.

The visit to the on site AfriCat Foundation Conservation Centre was a highlight.

Highly recommend overall." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia