Reviews of Onguma Tree Top
(96%) From 10 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Tree top in Onguma
This place is just wonderful - a real bush experience. The tree house was brilliantly constructed and room facilities terrific. Overlooking the waterhole (complete with a pair of sleeping lions for much of the stay) we could sit on the deck for much of the day just watching the animals and birds, with periodic wanderings along the walkway to the lovely lounge/bar/restaurant area for a drink or light lunch.
The staff here were brilliant too. Very personal and attentive service, food beautifully cooked in the open kitchen and presented personally by the chef. Nothing too much trouble for them.
We went on both a night drive and a sundowner drive here, and both were excellent. The guide was great and the variety of animals (and snakes!) spotted impressive.
Sleeping in the tree house with the front open and the sounds of the night was awesome. Being woken by lions roaring or hyenas cackling was a terrific experience. Our only regret was that we didn't spend longer here.
Amazing bush experience at Onguma Tree Top
We had very high hopes for this camp and weren't disappointed. The rooms are fabulous - quite small but perfectly formed and the ability to just sleep under a mosquito net with the front of the tent open listening to the sounds of the bush is definitely an experience not to be missed. We were able to watch a variety of animals including warthog, impala, zebras, wildebeest, kudu and even a lone giraffe from our bed, terrace and shower. We were advised by the staff that a close encounter with a snake on the terrace was nothing to worry about!
Rooms are not overlooked and the camp is well designed so that all can see the waterhole but are only a short walk from the dining and communal areas. Staff were friendly and welcoming and on our first night food was cooked over the Braai in front of us and we were lucky enough to have the camp to ourselves on the second night.
Although the camp is located in a private game reserve, it was clear from the views of the guide that Etosha is still the big attraction in the area. We had a very pleasant sundowner drive around the reserve but wildlife viewing was limited although the sunset and G&Ts were spectacular. We also took the morning drive back into eastern Etosha and despite a slow start were ultimately rewarded with a fantastic close encounter with an Elephant and views of a lioness hunting warthog and kudu (unsuccessfully!).
All in all this place is as a must do!
Onguma Tree Top review
A wonderful relaxing location for the latter stages of our trip.
The cook was excellent, but in comparison to Ongava the place lacked a bit of professionalism. We couldn't fault the enthusiasm, but - the cooking apart - we found the staff a little amateur. We did a game drive, which was not of the standard of others we did in Namibia - guide very difficult to understand.
Great staff at Onguma Tree Top
We were the only guests at the camp and the staff were very anxious to please. We had a great time on the drives and probably saw more game in the local area around the camp than we saw in the Etosha.
The food was very good and our tent had a wonderful view of the water hole.
Onguma Tree Top review
The entrance to this camp is vitually directly outside Von Lindequist Gate on the left. Wonderful welcome from MarKus, who was a genial host throughout. Only 4 rooms, uniquely built among the trees with a wonderful view of a waterhole. Great food and service.
We did an afternoon, morning a night drive with an excellent guide, Justin.
A lost battery and a leopard kill.
This is a very specail camp with a friendly atmosphere, excellent staff and beautiful rooms. The food is stunning and the view equally so.
Our time here was a little hectic as one of us had to drive back to Ongava (350 Km round trip) to retrieve a lost battery charger - a fantastic days drive that took 8 hours owing to the time spent at the excellent waterhole activity in Etosha.
The others were treated to a leopold killing an impala, so a pretty good day alround. The activities at Onguma are varied and the staff very enthusiastic - certainly aplace I would like to re-visit.
Onguma Tree Top review
Lovely setting. Nice place to relax after driving round Etosha.
Staff very friendly and food excellent.
Guide knowledgable, but not good at judging his audience. In drive round the private reserve, there were too many stops and his explanations were far too detailed.
A few doubts about the operation of the reserve. They've bought in some black wildebeeste, but they haven't thrived. We were told later that they also had problems with a rhino, which had to be sold on.
Onguma Tree Top review
We had a short one night stay at Onguma en route to Etosha. Our night game drive was an excellent experience, particularly tracking a group of lions in their courtship ritual, as well as sightings of many other smaller carnivores.
The elevated tents are excellent, well designed and highly functional, with an excellent view of a large active waterhole.
We enjoyed our meals very much but unfortunately arrived relatively late and left quite early to continue into Etosha so could not sample the reserve's daytime activities.
Onguma Tree Top review
What an amazing place. So simple and oh so special. In essence all the camp consits of is 5 tree houses connected by a walk way. It's this simplicity that makes it so special. The individual tree houses are just a bed platform with a roof overlooking a waterhole. The walls are canvas and optional (They can be rolled up or down) The star lit shower hangs off the main platform, with plenty of pressure and plenty of hot water, it's fantastic .
Being so small it's easy for the staff to outnumber the guests so that you are truly looked after by the ever attentive staff. The food was without doubt some of the best we had on the whole trip. The camp is run by a husband and wife team which adds to the homleyness.
The only aspect that could be improved on would be the quantity and variety of game in the Onguma Reserve itself, however this is compensated by the very easy acess to Etosha.
Onguma Tree Top review
A special place, one not to rush, stay and savour........ and the food is excellent. Mike wanted to stay and have the chef's job.
The empahsis is on what you want but also on a very subtle persuasion to sit a while, take their advice, listening to birdsong all afternoon is theraputic. And a special thanks to JJ - a true pro.
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.
