Reviews of Ongava Tented Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
153 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Ongava Tented Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Dining/lounge area/pool overlooking waterhole"
The large dining area overlooked the water hole but otherwise it didn't have much character. It was set out with separate tables and felt like a cafeteria.
The accommodation was fine.
We stayed at the camp for access to the Etosha National Park, which was like the Kruger National Park, where you had to stay on the road to see the animals, apart from two areas where there were large water holes. There were lots of animals there, and also lots of vehicles. Since our return home we have spoken to a number of friends who have been to Etosha and all of them were disappointed with their experience there, saying that it was a bit like a UK safari park.
The camp was situated in, or had access to, a large reserve with plenty of animals, and there our guide could drive wherever he wished. The scenery there was stunning, with long golden grass, trees and wild flowers, and with dark mountains in the background." See all these reviews: 7n in Namibia
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
The trip to Etosha wasn't as good as the drives we had around the reserve. Etosha we thought was rather overrated." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
"Ongava Tented Camp"
We spent all but one of our drives in Ongava's private reserve to avoid the big roads and busy waterholes of Etosha. The wildlife in Ongava was plentiful and varied with fantastic sightings of White Rhino with young, including a baby only days old.
We had to drive away quickly from an angry Black Rhino and spent time with 3 prides of lions.
It was interesting to see lots of birds for the only time on the trip including several Kori Bustard." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
Highlights: walking up to three rhinos and having the waterhole visited late in the evening by a black rhino!
Comment: my wife very much disliked the use of margarine in various dishes - surely, butter is better!" See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
"Ongava Tented Camp"
I paticularly liked tracking the white Rhinos on foot. The sightings everyday were plentiful.
The waterhole in front of the camp is entertaining all day (and even at night with Rhinos coming to drink).
Ongava Reserve has a lot to offer but the camp itself in my opinion could improve on their level of attention to details. I would have much preferred a verbal "knock knock" than a phone call for wake up. I found the management service level and attitude rather impersonal." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 7n in Zambia
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
On the reserve we saw lions and white rhino which were spectacular. Again, we could walk a short distance to the rhino, which is not possible in Etosha.
On the best waterholes, with regular visitors, including rhino!" See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
"Another amazing wildlife encounter at Ongava "
Off we set for our sundowner, and then a bush dinner to watch the eclipse. As we arrived in the dark, at the location for our dinner, we were immediately struck by the effort staff had gone to to set up tables with white cloths, wine glasses, candles, warming fires, and yet more candles in paper bags to circle the dinner site, and we thought wow. Then the lights of our safari vehicle highlighted the two lions sitting on the banks of the dinner arena watching the proceedings! We had a short delay while staff shooed the lions away - we hoped. Next day we found out that there were actually 12 lions and of course the staff were keeping a very close eye on those lions.
Next morning our drive seemed quite mundane in comparison as we 'only' saw white rhinoceros and a few giraffes! Unfortunately we missed out on the opportunity to walk with the rhinoceros.
It is great when the guide, as our guide did here, talk to you, only when they have stopped the vehicle.
Our welcome here was warm and as we had had lunch we were offered a fruit platter. We can't remember breakfast as we were too busy watching the animals around the waterhole." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia; 1n in South Africa
"Good wildlife viewing here"
"Excellent!"
One interesting thing about this camp is that you can't leave the walkways, and you can't walk from building to building at night unescorted because there's no fence. The animals are right there. For our excursion we went out and found a bunch of lions who had killed a giraffe and were eating it. We got very close to some very bloody looking lions. We met a mother white rhino and baby at a waterhole. That night a whole family of rhinos came to the waterhole and splashed around while we were eating dinner, looking like pale ghosts in the moonlight.
The next morning we went to Etosha. We saw huge masses of zebras, gnu and antelopes politely taking turns one species at a time at the waterholes, Huge bull elephants slowly approached like some huge container ship and splashed into the waterhole for a drink, all the other animals giving them a wide berth. In camp a funny fat hyrax munched on leaves in a tree, and the Monteiro's hornbills came to our table again. Way fun! Our tent was comfortable -- but it is a tent, it gets cool at night in winter, although they do put a hot water bottle in the tent which sure helps. It was fun chatting with other guests. Our guide was great." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
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