Reviews of Little Ongava
Wildlife sightings and reviews
25 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Little Ongava and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Outstanding in every respect!"
Blommie and Tobias made sure we were totally pampered throughout, with lovely lunches and evening meals to the backdrop of a waterhole where we saw Black Rhinos, Lions, Eland, Kudu, Oryx and Black-faced Impalas. Incredible stuff! Plus the evening visits from Porcupines uniquely combine 5* luxury with nature. An outrageously beautiful place.
Our rooms, well, were absolutely outstanding. Superbly finished with an outside small pool and a couple of decks for sun loungers. Immaculate and massive too - plus with plenty of reading material too. Yes of course we visited the surrounding Ongava Game Reserve where we had three separate sightings of Lions, both Black and White Rhinos too along with a whole host of other game and birdlife." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
"Wish we'd stayed longer!"
"Exquisite"
"Little Ongava review"
So, in isolation, an exceptional camp. But this is the problem, it is not in isolation. The foot of the same rocky outcrop contains a second camp called Ongava Lodge comprising 15 rooms, 30 guests, six vehicles. You can hear and see the this camp particularly at night. It is not overly intrusive but you are very aware of their presence and it cuts across the exclusive nature of Little Ongava.
The territory comprises thick bush so game viewings are not great. Worse the tracks are very dusty and with so many vehicles, at times it was like driving through fog. As well as general game there are predators, elephants and rhino but the density of the bush makes them hard to find and view. Also, the vehicles constantly communicate by radio so anything worth seeing attracts a lot of vehicles at the same sight. This can get out of hand. There is a generally observed protocol on safaris of restricting the number of vehicles to three at any one time to stop the animals becoming stressed. This was not observed and a very rare sighting of a cheetah and three cubs with a kill attracted 8 vehicles. The cats were clearly distressed. We insisted on leaving and as we did, more vehicles were driving to the location. Very bad!
Talking of vehicles, if Little Ongava is fully occupied it means six guests sharing one vehicle. Fine if you get on with your fellow travellers. We ended up hiring a private vehicle.
Etosha National Park is close by. It is too sanitised and commercial for our liking but you will see general game and elephants.
The highlight of the camp for us was its water hole which attracted animals day and night. The camp has a hide close to the hole and we got very close to white and black rhino and it is the first time we had ever seen interaction between the two.
So, a mixed experience. Worth it for the rhino but otherwise does not live up to its proposition." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
"Little Ongava review"
"Stunning accommodation"
The rooms are stunning in every respect and it was very nice to have a touch of such luxury during our trip. Now morning we were woken up (in a very pleasant way) by a red billed hornbill bird knocking on the bathroom window! The game drives however were excellent and the guide found us such a lot!
It would have been preferable to have had dinner with all 6 guests together, but maybe not all guests like this." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
"Little Ongava review"
"Little Ongava Paradise"
We were originally booked into the Okaukuejo Camp, but due to a local hiccup our reservation was cancelled. Our Expert Africa rep (Gwynneth) managed to negotiate this upgrade for us to this fantastic place - thanks!
Amazing trips with very knowledgeable guides (esp. Franco). If you get the chance go on the White Rhino Tracking Walk.
A 5 star place indeed." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia
"Little Ongava review"
Etosha is a bit of a culture shock as we shared our game viewing with 2 large buses and some quite noisy self drivers. We only went into Etosha park once which we felt was enough for us.
Little Ongava is amazingly luxurious but rather characterless we felt. Again 2 nights is enough." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
"Little Ongava review"
Our guide Willem excellent with a great sense of humour. very good game viewing, particularly for rhino and lion" See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
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.
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.
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.
Namutoni Camp
Centred on an old fort, the government run Namutoni Camp is located just inside Etosha National Park, close to Fisher's Pan.
Onguma Bush Camp
For great wildlife viewing without breaking the bank, the affordable and understated luxury of Onguma Bush Camp could be perfect.
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.
Onguma Camp Kala
For a bird’s eye view across African bush, the stilted rooms at Onguma Camp Kala are truly special.
Onguma The Fort
The Fort is the jewel in the crown of the Onguma lodges, and arguably the whole of eastern Etosha.
Safarihoek Lodge
At the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, Safarihoek Lodge offers comfortable accommodation and excellent game-viewing.
Onguma Forest Camp
From its woodland setting on the Onguma Reserve, Forest Camp is within easy striking distance of Namibia’s flagship national park.
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 Lodge
A short drive from Etosha National Park's southern entrance, Etosha Safari Lodge is a convenient 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.
Andersson's at Ongava
With game drives on both its private reserve and in Etosha, Andersson's at Ongava also offers access to the Ongava Research Centre.
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.
Etosha Garden Hotel
Safari in Etosha National Park Namibia, whilst based at the nearby Etosha Garden Lodge.
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.
