About Okonjima Plains Camp

Okonjima Plains Camp: Our full report

Okonjima Plains Camp is the most affordable place to stay within the 220km² private Okonjima Nature Reserve.

Designed to reflect its cattle-farming origins, it opened in 2014, replacing the first lodge on the farm, Okonjima Main Camp, which had been converted from the original Hanssen family farmhouse. Predators, most notably leopard, roam across 220km² of plains and rolling hills, their presence underpinned by the work of the AfriCat Foundation, which was set up to conserve and protect Namibia's wildlife, focusing primarily on carnivores.

The newest of the accommodation options on the reserve, Okonjima Plains Camp opened in 2014, replacing Okonjima Main Camp, the original Hanssen family farmhouse that was converted into the first lodge on the farm. Plains Camp, along with its sister properties the Bush Suite and Bush Camp, is located within a 20km² fenced “wilderness” area of the Okonjima Reserve. While there are antelope, warthog and giraffe in this fenced area, most larger predators have been moved elsewhere in the reserve, so it is deemed safe for guests to walk around the lodge unescorted. This safe zone also makes Plains Camp a great option for those travelling with under 18s.

The focal point of Plains Camp is the enormous main area that houses the reception desk, bar and curio shop, and a large dining area and several sitting areas spread out over two levels. Rather aptly nicknamed The Barn, the building is indeed reminiscent of a farm barn, albeit quite a modern, industrial one with a polished concrete floor, very high metal roof and exposed beams and brickwork, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows across the entire front, facing the grassy plains. From the murals on the walls depicting life on a cattle farm, to the cattle-loading ramp near the main entrance and the swimming pool designed to look like a farm dam, Okonjima’s farming past is the main design influence here - we particularly liked the cooling “windmill” ceiling fans. In winter, warmth emanates from woodburners that are spaced between the homemade polished-metal dining tables and numerous sofas.

Because of its size, Plains Camp doesn't feel as cosy as its more exclusive sister lodges on the reserve – Okonjima Bush Camp, Okonjima Villa and Okonjima Bush Suite – and it may even seem a little “cold” at The newest of the accommodation options on the reserve, Okonjima Plains Camp, along with its more exclusive sister properties, Okonjima Bush Suite and Okonjima Bush Camp, is located within a 20km² fenced “wilderness” area of the private reserve. While there are antelope, warthog and giraffe in this fenced area, most larger predators have been moved elsewhere in the reserve, so it is deemed safe for guests to walk around the lodge unescorted. This safe zone also makes Plains Camp a great option for those travelling with under 18s.

The focal point of Plains Camp is the enormous main area that houses the reception desk, bar and curio shop, and a large dining area and several sitting areas spread out over two levels. Rather aptly nicknamed The Barn, the building is indeed reminiscent of a farm barn, albeit quite a modern, industrial one with a polished concrete floor, very high metal roof and exposed beams and brickwork, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows across the entire front, facing the grassy plains. From the murals on the walls depicting life on a cattle farm, to the cattle-loading ramp near the main entrance and the swimming pool designed to look like a farm dam, Okonjima's farming past is the main design influence here - we particularly liked the cooling “windmill” ceiling fans. In winter, warmth emanates from woodburners that are spaced between the homemade polished-metal dining tables and numerous sofas.

Because of its size, Plains Camp doesn't feel as cosy as its sister lodges on the reserve, and it may even seem a little “cold” at first. However, take some time to chat with a member of the team or to walk around, and we think you'll start to feel more in touch with the place, as we have on our visits – most recently in April 2024. In pride of place, pictures of smiling family and team members line the wall in the dining area, while opposite, on the lounge side, Hanssen family photographs of years gone by add a welcome personal touch.

Outside, the setting is completed by an alfresco sitting area and, to the side, a barbecue and a couple of pizza ovens. There is also a small pool, surrounded by manicured lawns dotted with sunloungers and shaded areas to relax out of the sun.

With a total of 24 rooms, Okonjima Plains Camp is larger than its predecessor, with two types of room: 14 Standard Rooms and 10 View Rooms, which are larger. Despite the names, both offer views out towards the plain in front of the camp. All are comfortable, but the View Rooms have a larger bedroom, bathroom and outside veranda than the Standard Rooms. In addition, a little more attention has been paid to their décor and they are spaced further apart for added privacy.

Nonetheless, all the rooms are spacious, and beautifully designed with light hues of blues and greens, and splashes of bright colours. The walls are decorated with painted wooden African artwork and photographs of Okonjima's carnivores; brightly handcrafted giraffe carvings stand tall around the room and woollen rugs and mats are scattered on the polished concrete floors.

The main bedroom area has huge windows, letting in plenty of light and affording great views of the plains from your bed. Two double beds, which can be pushed together to make one king-size bed, lie beneath two ceiling fans, while hot-water bottles are provided for cooler evenings. Behind the headboard are shelves and hanging space, and each room has a tea/coffee station, a small selection of books, a safe and a telephone to contact reception.

The bathroom is a good size and has twin washbasins, with large wall mirrors and a vanity area with a retro-style stool and a make-up/shaving mirror. There is also a mini fridge where you can keep bottled water and drinks. Off this is a separate toilet and at the other end of the bathroom is a large walk-in shower, with single shower heads in the Standard Rooms and twin shower heads in the new View Rooms.

For families, two of the View Rooms and four of the Standard Rooms are configured as adjoining units with an interleading door. Plains Camp has the most relaxed attitude towards families and children at Okonjima, accepting children as young as three years old, although parents still need to be aware of some restrictions to activities, in place for safety reasons.

Outside, each of the rooms has a private veranda with comfortable canvas chairs and a small table. Each also has its own shaded parking area, a useful addition as rooms furthest from the main area are quite a hike.

Activities at Plains Camp, as at its sister camps at Okonjima, are varied, but here, with the exception of the self-guided walking trails, all activities cost extra. They can be arranged and paid for at the camp.

Without doubt the main attraction of the Okonjima Reserve is the chance to track big cats and carnivores. Radio-tracking leopards from open-sided game-viewing vehicles is the main event (though you will see a range of other animals and birds on this activity too). A stay of one or two nights at Okonjima will usually give you the chance to see leopards, and much more, at close range, although even with the aid of radio collars, leopard sightings can never be guaranteed.

In addition to leopard tracking, other activities include:

• Nature Drives: There are over 40 mammal species on the reserve and many more birds. Guests will see many of these while out tracking leopard, or other species. If you stay more than a night or two you may choose to go out without using tracking telemetry and see what you can find.
• Pangolin Tracking: this activity has limited availability and is weather-dependent. Departing after dark, guests have the opportunity to track radio-tagged ground pangolin, following at a discreet distance on foot. Good footwear and a flashlight are required. Pangolins spend much of their time underground, so even with tracked individuals, sightings are not guaranteed.
• Rhino Tracking: Okonjima is home to a small population of southern white rhino that is constantly monitored by the reserve's anti-poaching team. On this activity, guests may often approach the rhino on foot.
• AfriCat Carnivore Care Centre: Visit some of the reserve's welfare animals, individuals that cannot be released into the wild. These animals help with education and provide an insight into the work of the AfriCat Foundation. After visiting the welfare animals you'll head to the information centre to learn about the history of Okonjima and their ongoing work.
• Night Drive: Many of Namibia's animals are exclusively nocturnal, so this activity offers the chance to head out into the bush after dinner to try and find species that you'd usually miss during the day.
• Self-guided Walking Trails: For those who'd like a break from bumping around in a vehicle and/or would like to stretch their legs, there are several well-marked walking trails within the fenced wilderness area. These offer the chance to look at the smaller things and spot some of the reserve's many bird species.

It is worth noting that, in 2019, Okonjima Nature Reserve stopped their cheetah-tracking activities. Prior to this AfriCat was releasing rehabilitated cheetah to live wild within the reserve, and for many of our travellers over the years, tracking and interacting with these cheetahs was a highlight. Sadly, it became clear that competition with leopard and hyena made Okonjima an unsuitable habitat for cheetah. As such the only cheetahs left on the reserve are welfare animals.

Guests who have checked out of the camp but want to leave later can spend their time relaxing by the pools, enjoying lunch or visiting the Carnivore Care Centre until they are ready to leave.