Reviews of Andersson's at Ongava
Wildlife sightings and reviews
26 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Andersson's at Ongava and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
100% success
17% success
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95% success
95% success
92% success
91% success
87% success
81% success
80% success
47% success
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6% success
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0% success
"Andersson's at Ongava review"
The water hole was the best thing about this lodge. Loved the hide.
Game viewing in Ongava was limited. I stopped going on the safaris.
However Etosha was spectacular." See all these reviews: 6n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana; 3n in Zimbabwe
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Oryx
1 sighting
Roan antelope
1 sighting
White Rhino
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Andersson's at Ongava review"
The game viewing in the private reserve was excellent but we felt that the game drives themselves were problematic. On one drive all the other guests were talking at the top of their voices all the time. One couple were constantly chatting loudly and spending their time sending and comparing WhatsApp messages. Very distracting for the other guests, never mind the animals. As the wife said she was quite a senior member of the team, it wasn't possible to ask her to shut up. But you'd think she'd know better.
Also on one drive, there was a group of three lions (two males, one female) with a kill, and a family of five rhinos. In both cases the guides are on the radio to each other so that all the vehicles could rush to the scene. This is, of course, understandable but, in the case of the lions, which were off the road, there was at best room for only two vehicles at a time so there was a lot manoeuvring and the lions were visibly disturbed by all the noise and activity.
It was much the same with the rhinos in that all of the vehicles arrived at full speed, roaring into view, and the guides were trying to give their guests the best possible vantage point.
It's a dilemma: great game viewing but unsettling circumstances, compounded by the fact that there are many accommodations at Ongava all chasing the same game." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Oryx
1 sighting
White Rhino
1 sighting
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Andersson's at Ongava review"
We delayed our trip to Namibia because Andersson's wasn't available on our first dates. We are very glad we did as the experience is so memorably good..
We saw less wildlife on our drives than we did at Safarihoek but this was balanced by the many visitors to the watering hole which was less than 100 metres from the main lodge area.
There is also a great viewing hide which allows you to get within around 20 metres of the animals when they come for a drink." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Black Rhino
5 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
7 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Andersson's at Ongava review"
The position is great, the set up superb, excellent food and some of the best staff I have ever had the pleasure of being "served" by. Summed up by the fact that they knew all of our names within a very short time of arrival.
It is an absolute must." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
3 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Andersson's at Ongava review"
The lodge and accommodation exceeded all expectations with large, airy rooms.
The main reception and restaurant overlooks the waterhole so at night you eat your delicious dinners while watching wildlife (we saw lions and rhinos most nights).
The hide again is just spectacular and gives a whole new perspective on watching the animals. I just loved this lodge and cannot speak too highly about it.
We only did game drives in the reserve as we were travelling to Etosha independently.
Anyone who stays here is in for a real treat.
Ongava Reserve Guided game drives
Game drives were run professionally and we saw lions, elephants, rhinos and plains game on most of our drives.
We were asked if we wanted to have a drive into Etosha but as we were travelling there independently we decided to stay on the Ongava reserve and we were very happy with our decision.
What I loved so much about Ongava is the game viewing doesn’t stop when you’re back at camp due to the fabulous waterhole where we had wonderful sightings (mainly lions and rhinos).
The second afternoon was the best game drive of the stay with just superb viewings of elephants and rhinos (both black and white)" See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
Spotted Hyena
Multiple sightings
White Rhino
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Andersson's at Ongava review"
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
10 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
6 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
10 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
White Rhino
3 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Lions & Rhinos at Andersson's at Ongava"
The view on the waterhole is even streamed inside the rooms, if you happen to be away from the common area or on your private terrasse. Sighting of Rhinos at the water hole during dinner almost guaranteed (you get 2 m close to the hole through a hide accessible with a 25 m tunnel). And many other sightings. We had 13 elephants at lunchtime one day. We booked 2 of the perhaps 9 bungalows for 4 nights and enjoyed a unique almost private luxury Safari experience.
Special mention for the food from the Lady Chef Cook, for the manager Benedikta and expertise of our guide Vilho. Visitor Centre / Museum at Andersson is worth the detour. The game drive within the relatively crowded Etosha National Park was a disappointment compared to what you can see doing much less kilometers at the much less crowded Ongava (despite the 4 lodges on the property).
The Etosha visit is a must nevertheless for the landscape and the views on the salt pan. In retrospect, when leaving Andersson, we should have perhaps taken the tedious approx. 6 hour drive on gravel roads through Etosha from East to West to get a better impression of the National Park instead of leaving Southeast by the tar roads." See all these reviews: 21n in Namibia
Black Rhino
6 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Lion
5 sightings
Sable antelope
10 sightings
White Rhino
8 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Andersson's at Ongava review"
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
White Rhino
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Andersson's at Ongava review"
Viewing the wildlife at the waterhole at lunch and dinner was fantastic and the photographic hide was great." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Black Rhino
3 sightings
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
White Rhino
6 sightings
Wildebeest
3 sightings
Zebra
6 sightings
"Andersson's at Ongava review"
Too many people for me so we only went once but did see a lot of animals. We felt that staying in Ongava itself was more interesting so the rest of our rides occurred here.
Walk tracking rhino was fun and got very close to 2 of them" See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
Black Rhino
8 sightings
Brown Hyena
5 sightings
Eland
10 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Lion
10 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
Roan antelope
10 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
White Rhino
10 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
Holiday styles & special interests in Namibia
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Namibia.
Other lodges in Etosha National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Okaukuejo Camp
Set within Etosha National Park, Okaukuejo Resort is a large camp with a productive, floodlit waterhole.
Halali Camp
The smallest of Etosha's erstwhile restcamps, overlooking its own floodlit waterhole, Halali has a superb location near the centre of Etosha Pan.
Mushara Bush Camp
The family-friendly Mushara Bush Camp offers great value and is an excellent base from which to explore Etosha National Park.
Ongava Lodge
With fantastic views over a private reserve bordering Etosha, the smart Ongava Lodge offers driving and walking safaris on the reserve, and guided drives in Etosha.
Ongava Tented Camp
Set around a waterhole on a private reserve, the small Ongava Tented Camp combines understated comfort with activities that include walks and night drives.
Onguma Tented Camp
Onguma Tented Camp is a lovely, little tented camp which centres around an attractive waterhole a short drive from the Von Lindequist Gate to eastern Etosha.
Mushara Lodge
Close to the eastern entrance to Etosha, the comfortable Mushara Lodge is well-placed for exploring the park in your own vehicle or on a guided drive.
Dolomite Camp
Opened in 2011, Dolomite Camp allows visitors access to the far west side of Etosha National Park, which was previously off limits to most visitors.
Onguma Bush Camp
For great wildlife viewing without breaking the bank, the affordable and understated luxury of Onguma Bush Camp could be perfect.
Namutoni Camp
Centred on an old fort, the government run Namutoni Camp is located just inside Etosha National Park, close to Fisher's Pan.
Hobatere Lodge
To the west of Etosha National Park, on the edge of Damaraland, Hobatere Lodge offers good game-viewing on its own reserve.
Mushara Outpost
Intimate and luxurious, Mushara Outpost is well-placed on a private reserve to explore nearby Etosha National Park on your own or on a guided drive.
Safarihoek Lodge
At the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, Safarihoek Lodge offers comfortable accommodation and excellent game-viewing.
Onguma The Fort
The Fort is the jewel in the crown of the Onguma lodges, and arguably the whole of eastern Etosha.
Onguma Camp Kala
For a bird’s eye view across African bush, the stilted rooms at Onguma Camp Kala are truly special.
Onguma Forest Camp
From its woodland setting on the Onguma Reserve, Forest Camp is within easy striking distance of Namibia’s flagship national park.
Etosha Safari Lodge
A short drive from Etosha National Park's southern entrance, Etosha Safari Lodge is a convenient base from which to explore the park.
Little Ongava
The beautifully located and luxurious Little Ongava is a stunning place to stay in order to explore Etosha National Park and the private Ongava Reserve.
Taleni Etosha Village
Only 4km from Etosha's southern entrance, Taleni Etosha Village is an affordable base from which to explore the park.
Etosha Safari Camp
Funky, low-key and very original, Etosha Safari Camp is well placed for visiting Etosha National Park on a self-drive or guided safari.
Mountain Lodge
In the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, the family-friendly Mountain Lodge offers game drives and bush walks within an exclusive environment.
Mokuti Etosha Lodge
With 106 rooms, child-friendly Mokuti Etosha Lodge is more like a hotel than a lodge. Facilities to include a gym, spa, tennis courts and even a snake park.
Etosha Oberland Lodge
A short drive from Etosha National Park's southern entrance, Etosha Oberland Lodge is a very comfortable base from which to explore the park, with excellent food.
Vreugde Guest Farm
Vreugde Guest Farm is a delightful owner-run and working sheep farm where you can expect a warm welcome and charming hospitality.
Villa Mushara
Offering luxury on a peaceful private reserve close to Etosha, Villa Mushara is a great choice for honeymooners & those wishing to indulge themselves.
Toshari Lodge
Smart and professionally run, the hotel-style Toshari Lodge is well-placed for self-driving in Etosha National Park.
Etosha King Nehale
A short drive from the national park's northern entrance, Etosha King Nehale Lodge is an interesting and comfortable base from which to explore the park.
Safari House
The private Safari House on the Etosha Heights reserve is a great option families or friends travelling together.
Onkoshi Camp
Onkoshi Camp is owned and run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. Built on elevated wooden platforms it overlooks Etosha Pan.
