Reviews of Ongava Tented Camp
(91%) From 58 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
| 
Ongava Tented Camp
Ongava was excellent- wonderful waterhole and animals on our door step
Read more about the whole safariOngava Tented Camp
Camp was excellent. Again, management and staff were charming and very helpful and efficient.
Corne, in particular, helped us in many extra little ways and took us out on the only walk we managed in the whole two weeks - a rare and much desired treat. Hermine was a delight.
Our guide, Leon, really pulled out all the stops, giving us a twelve-hour day out when we drove into Etosha on our own and even coming home via the scenic route and giving us the usual evening game drive after a full day out. He also took us to visit the local primary school inside Etosha which was fascinating and will benefit the school as we're sending them a donation - everyone should have this included !
Only slight disappointment here (for one of us more than the other) was that Etosha was so commercialised and touristy. It was the only location of our four that we felt was not as unspoilt and remote as we'd hoped. Probably inevitable but it might have helped if we'd been expecting it. But the game was amazing and the second day there, when we went out on our own for the whole day and were able to get further away from the ghastly lodges, was much better.
One tiny point about the camp itself, very difficult to get out of the sun in the heat of the afternoon. Our veranda was in full sun, as was most of the seating in the main areas. A bit more shade needed.
Ongava Tented Camp review
We didn't anticipate the degree to which we were in the midst of African game! Our tent was beautifully appointed and comfortable but, after dark, a safety-enclosed spot from which we couldn't move without supervision (and having no phone meant staying put). After dark, all movement was accompanied but someone with a gun, for good reason -- lions were growling at night all around our tent.
Our last night a pride of 14 lions came and encamped at the water hole some 100 ft. from our dining table (an incredible spectacle), and then some of them moved to our tent's front 'lawn.' At first the staff insisted after dinner that we couldn't return to our tent even with the gun-toting guard but that we'd have to be driven there (somehow); eventually we did walk back with the guard, encountering lions at rest maybe 50 ft. from our door. It was an exciting venture. The weak spot, however, given the camp's cost, was the very mediocre food (by far the worst we encountered at our hotels), served buffet style and not much better than a cafeteria's.
Expert Africa comments
After receiving the feedback from these travellers Ongava Tented Camp informed us that they have put together a new chef training course. Their aim is to raise the standard of the meals offered to a much higher level. The camp management is also discussing the possibility of moving away from buffet style meals, although they are still working through the logistical issues of how to best transport the food from the kitchen to the dining area whilst keeping it fresh and warm.
OTC
Truly remarkable! Festus and his staff made this an adventure to never forget.
Read more about the whole safariWildest part of our trip!
Very exciting camp!
Again, the food was excellent, the rooms were super comfortable and cozy. The waterhole is great to check out animals after dark.
The game drives were great and this private reserve has no shortage of big game to watch (we saw a group of a female lioness and three cubs on our first outing and a group of 6 adolescents on our second, a white rhino stopped by the waterhole in front of the camp during dinnertime on our first night there).
The staff is a particular strong point of this lodge. Very friendly and with a high standard of service quality.
I wouldn't recommend this camp for families travelling with small children as you find yourself much more in the middle of the reserve and can feel much more exposed to the wildlife, but that makes it ever more so thrilling!
Ongava Tented Camp review
Not quite up to the standards of the other two camps and by the standards of Wilderness. Comfortable enough but food was decidedly average.
Etosha itself more like a ZA park with lots of paved roads and private vehicles. Wildlife impressive and the guides worked very hard to find what clients wanted to see. Again guides knowledgeable but not quite as deeply impressive as Botswana and Zambia - or perhaps just more reticent? Good in any event.
Ongava Tented Camp review
Probably the best place we stayed on our holiday. Comfortable and very professionally run.
The lions at the waterhole on our last morning were a bonus!
Ongava Tented Camp review
This camp was remote - a long drive in from the road - but well worth the drive. It was beautifully situated on its own reserve just outside Etosha. The tent was great - attractive, well-secured which felt necessary, and comfortable, with views over the watering hole.
On our first full day the lions moved into camp as their hunting ground and we became very aware of safety -escorted from our room both day and night to the dining area ,viewing patio and cars. Animals flocked to the hole until the lions appeared. 3 females and a large male drank 40 feet from us, and stalked their prey, day and night around us - they were stunning and very loud at night, right around our tents. I met a 7 ft male kudu on the path outside our tent, accompanied by two females, startled off by the lions.
The staff were very good, the meals delicious and guides excellant. we visited Etosha with our guide,as well as Ongava reserve, seeing rhinos, 2 types of zebra and all the regulars: springbok, warthogs, wildebeest, giraffes, etc etc! A great camp but not for the faint of heart.
Great time at Ongava Tented Camp
We didn't want to leave Ongava tented Camp, we had a wonderful time there.
Everything about the camp was excellent, The rooms were very comfortable and clean, the food was delicious ( I'm sure my waist expanded whilst there) and the game drives were exciting, we were very sad to leave.
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 super.
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.
