Andersson's at Ongava

19°21’20.6"S 15°54’13.3"E

96% (24 reviews)

Full review Our view Geographics Food & drink Special interests Children Wildlife sightings Communications Health & safety Activities Extras

Andersson's at Ongava: Our full report

Opened in April 2019, Andersson's at Ongava is a complete reimagining of the original Andersson's Camp.

Extensive renovations have change what was a mid-range, family-friendly camp on the private Ongava Reserve into something more luxurious and exclusive. Following the update, the camp is also home to the exciting and unique Ongava Research Centre (ORC).

In some respects, this incarnation of Anderssons is the same as the old camp. It still occupies the same location, 8km inside the Ongava Reserve; it is still the only fenced property on the reserve, as was the old Anderssons; and it still has the same excellent sunken hide overlooking a waterhole. However, don't be fooled: the new Anderssons at Ongava is a very different prospect to the original, and has overtaken its sister properties Ongava Tented Camp, and Ongava Lodge as perhaps the most luxurious property on the Ongava concession; only Little Ongava remains more exclusive.

Gone are the 18 simple tented rooms, replaced by eight luxurious suites with large, comfortable twin or king-size beds under a canopy of mosquito nets. Each suite comes with air conditioning, a writing desk, tea and coffee station, luggage rack, comfy sofa, WiFi and a smart TV connected to cameras overlooking the lodge's waterhole.

To the front of the suite, large sliding glass and screened doors open onto a wraparound veranda, looking out onto the surrounding bush, generally toward the waterhole. A clever electric fence system means that the view isn't obstructed by wires and that wildlife can get quite close to the suites.

To the side of the bedroom is a modern en-suite shower room with marble surfaces, twin basins, rain-effect indoor shower and a separate toilet cubicle, while a sliding door opens to a well-screened outdoor shower.

For families or couples travelling together, suites five and six have been positioned closer together than the others. Aside from their proximity, there is no other difference, so when not being used by a group/family, they are used as independent suites. As the whole lodge is fenced, walking between rooms is relatively safe, so this arrangement works well, even for families with relatively young children.

Brick pathways through the bush link the suites to the main area: several buildings arranged in a semi-circle around a courtyard looking out over the waterhole. At its heart is a large firepit, a perfect spot to relax with a drink at the end of the day. Set around this are the bar and lounge; the dining area; and a large open viewing deck fronting another lounge and a presentation area. A small curio shop doubles as reception.

Surrounded by manicured lawns and a deck with sunloungers, the camp's large infinity pool sits alongside a separate elephant trough – giving elephants access to fresh water without them resorting to the pool itself.

During our stay in April 2024, the presentation area was the location for half-hour talks on research conducted at the Ongava Research Centre, which is a short walk from the main camp. The center itself is an impressive structure, with space for veterinary studies and research as well as an auditorium and a sky deck, giving guests front-row seats to the spectacular Namibian sky.

Our favourite feature at the research centre was the museum, although our schedule meant that we could not spend as much time there as we would have liked. We could have whiled away a couple of happy hours learning about Namibia's geology, country-wide conservation efforts, the history of Ongava and all sorts of facts about both of Africa's rhino species. We understand it is relatively common for guest from Andersson’s and the other Ongava camps to spend an afternoon touring the research facilities and museum during their stay on the reserve.

By no means least on the impressive list of facilities at Anderssons is its thrilling sunken hide. Dug into the ground, so guests are at eye level with the animals while they drink, the hide is accessed through a tunnel and offers an exceptional opportunity to get up close and personal with the reserve's wilder residents. The hide was designed with comfort in mind, with a water cooler and comfortable seats reminiscent of those in the game-drive vehicles, but as both the tunnel and the hide are quite echoey, it's important to keep movements to a minimum. During our stay we had the most fantastic animal sightings here, including watching a male black rhino chase two full-grown male lions around the waterhole.

Other activities from Anderssons focus largely on game drives – both into Etosha National Park and on the reserve itself. Unlike in Etosha, however, Ongava can offer walking safaris, rhino approaches and night drives, as well as the more traditional game drives.

Our view

Andersson's at Ongava occupies a fantastic location on a rewarding and well-run private game reserve within easy reach of Etosha National Park. We have always enjoyed staying on the reserve and this lodge certainly to lives up to the high standards we've come to expect from the Ongava portfolio. The sunken hide and research centre add the opportunity to gain unique perspectives on some of Namibia’s most endangered species.

Sabina Hekandjo

Namibia expert

Geographics

Location: Etosha National Park, Namibia
Ideal length of stay: Two or three nights here is ideal if you want to go on game drives into Etosha and the Ongava Reserve as well as experiencing the Ongava Research Centre.
Directions: The lodge is located on the Ongava Reserve on the southern boundary of Etosha National Park, near the Andersson's Gate into the park.

There is an airstrip on the Ongava Reserve, and from here Andersson's is just a short drive.
Accessible by: Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board
Food quality: On our visit in April 2024, we were very impressed by the high quality of the food. The lodge is able to cater for most dietary requirements so long as sufficient notice is given.

Breakfast comes in the usual Namibian style with a buffet of cereals, bread, cold meats, fresh fruits, yoghurt, tea, coffee and fruit juice, along with hot dishes cooked to order.

We didn’t have lunch when we visited in April 2024 but on a previous visit, we enjoy a light and refreshing tomato and mozzarella salad, followed by a choice of vegetable pasta or a kudu kebab with roast vegetables. The meal was rounded off by chocolate brownies and/or vanilla ice cream.

Our three-course meal on our latest visit dinner started with chilled carrot and ginger soup topped with vanilla yoghurt. The main course was a choice of either venison carpaccio served with beetroot chutney, thyme and garlic crote, micro-herb salad, balsamic and herb oil, or a typically Namibian Kapana mixed grill (beef fillet, lamb chops and boerewors) served with pap, spinach and tomato chutney. Although we were quite full we thoroughly enjoyed the apple crumble with crème anglaise.
Dining style: Individual Tables
Dining locations: Indoor and Outdoor Dining
Further dining info, including room service: Private dining can be arranged on request.
Drinks included: Local and house drinks are included on a full-board basis with premium drinks such as champagne and whisky available at extra charge. Drinks are not included for those staying on half board.

Special interests

Family holidays: Although it has been upgraded and is now a more upmarket lodge, Andersson’s at Ongava remains a great option for a family holiday to Namibia. The lodge is still fenced, with a family suite.; See ideas for Family holidays in Namibia
Photography holidays: Andersson’s at Ongava has a one-of-a-kind sunken hide overlooking their waterhole. Accessed via a tunnel from the lodge this offers photographers in Namibia a unique perspective on some of the country’s most endangered species, and more besides.; See ideas for Photography holidays in Namibia
Walking safaris: The focus of walking safaris from Andersson's is often on tracking white rhino, although you may also see some of the reserve's species. Lead by expertly trained, armed guides this a great way to experience the bush from a different perspective.; See ideas for Walking safaris in Namibia

Children

Attitude towards children: Andersson’s accepts children of all ages.
Property’s age restrictions: The Minimum age for walking activities is set at 16 years.
The Minimum age for use of the viewing hides is set at 12 years.
In addition, parties with children 12 years and younger are required to book and pay for private activities.
Special activities & services: There are no child-specific activities here but we have always found the staff to be flexible and good with families.
Equipment: The camp has two suites that are relatively close together that would suit families with children. Subject to availability, extra beds can be provided for young children to stay in their parent’s room, if requested in advance.
Generally recommended for children: Andersson’s is fenced but it has a relatively adult atmosphere and with no child-specific activities on offer we don’t believe it would be a good fit for young children.
Notes: Despite the fence around the lodge, we advise that children are supervised at all times; the fence is electric, and the pool is both unfenced and unguarded.

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Andersson's at Ongava

Since mid-2018, many of our travellers who stayed at Andersson's at Ongava have kindly recorded their wildlife sightings and shared them with us. The results are below. Click an animal to see more, and here to see more on our methodology.

Lion

100% success

Giraffe

95% success

Zebra

95% success

Elephant

91% success

Black Rhino

90% success

White Rhino

90% success

Oryx

79% success

Wildebeest

78% success

Eland

47% success

Spotted Hyena

44% success

Leopard

19% success

Brown Hyena

17% success

Roan antelope

17% success

Cheetah

11% success

Sable antelope

7% success

Aardvark

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Communications

Power supply notes: There is a back-up generator in case of mains failure.

There are universal charging points in the suites for guests to charge electrical devices.
Communications: There is cellphone reception throughout the lodge, and WiFi is available for guests to use in the main area and the suites.
TV & radio: There are TVs in the suites but these are for watching the action at the waterhole and are not connected to satellite channels.
Water supply: Borehole
Water supply notes: Each room has a flush toilet. Hot running water is provided by a solar geyser.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: Yes
Medical care: All staff have first-aid training, and the nearest doctor is in Outjo. In the event of a serious medical situation, travellers would be airlifted to Windhoek
Dangerous animals: Moderate Risk
Security measures: The entrance to the reserve is guarded and the lodge is fenced. In addition, the camp’s managers sleep on site.
Fire safety: There are fire extinguishers in the suites and main areas.

Activities

4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Private activities

Extras

Disabled access: On Request
Laundry facilities: A full laundry service is included on a full-board stay. On a half-board stay laundry is charge per item.
Money: There is a small electric safe in each suite.
Accepted payment on location: Cash payments are accepted in Namibian dollars and South African rand – with British pounds, US dollars and euro accepted in an emergency. Card payments can be made using Visa, Mastercard or AmEx.