Reviews of Okaukuejo Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
726 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Okaukuejo Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Underrated, lovely resort with waterhole"
Rooms are surprisingly large and comfortable, with good mosquito precautions. The park itself has other camps to stop and have lunch or whatever in the middle of the day, and the food is simple but tasty.
The waterhole at Okaukuejo is astounding, both by day and night. On our visit, the tourists were well-behaved, quiet and respectful of the animals. Our guide suggested we dine early (when the restaurant opened at 6.30 pm) so we could bag the best seats at the waterhole for the evening. In the four hours I was there from 7.30 pm, I saw 15 black rhino, including a suckling calf and mother, and two male lions, both of whom were eventually chased off by bad-tempered rhinos. There were also lots of jackals and giraffe. By day there was a huge concentration of giraffe, springbok, impala, zebra and various birds.
We drove out of the camp and visited a few waterholes in the daytime, at one seeing a small pride of lions staking out zebra and then being chased off by a male elephant; and at another, a large herd of white-dust stained elephant drinking, with ostrich, zebra, impala and even a sleeping rhino. Etosha is based on driving across the rather dull landscape and settling down at a waterhole and hoping for the best. The concentration and variety of game is relatively poor compared to other African parks – so we saw no leopard or cheetah, for instance – but there are plenty of elephant, the unforgettable black rhino, and some interesting scenes at waterholes, as antelope (kudu and eland among those we saw) come and go." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
The chalet was excellent - clean, well equipped and well serviced. Although breakfast was adequate, service and quality of food at dinner were disappointing.
Also, we and others were somewhat frustrated that we had to pay separately each night for dinner - instead of signing each bill so that we could settle for the 3 nights as a single payment when we checked out from the camp. Arrangements for payment each night were slow and rather disorganised." See all these reviews: 6n in Namibia
"Different but wonderful"
Upon arrival, reception was a little chaotic (don't forget to pay the park permit fees to the tourism official sat at the end of the reception desk) but the welcome was friendly. You leave a N$500 refundable deposit which must be in cash. The rooms are chalet style and perfectly well appointed with a separate kitchen/sitting area. Upon advice of Expert Africa we carefully went through the inventory and found a couple of things broken/missing. These were pointed out to reception who came straight around and repaired them. The site offers a mini bar replacement service whereby you fill in a form and drop it at the bar; they then stock the fridge in your room.
The floodlit waterhole is incredible and we were lucky enough to see rhino, elephants, lions and many more each day, both there and in the wider park itself.
The shop on camp is pretty poorly equipped provision wise so you are really left with no alternative than to take dinner at the camp. This was however very reasonable at N$180 a head and consisted of a three course buffet style meal. It might not win any culinary awards but it was wholesome and well cooked.
Check out was smooth and we were sorry to leave Okaukuejo. It might feel like a holiday camp in some ways, but it more than makes up for it with the quality of wildlife on offer." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 4n in South Africa
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
Room was comfortable with a fridge which was good to cool water for the following day. It was close to the waterhole and we were able to go down there for 10 mins easily if wished.
The service at reception was not particularly friendly and it struck me that they were tired and bored.
The real asset of this camp is the waterhole. We saw lots of animals here elephant, zebra, springbok, impala, giraffe, guinea fowl, sand grouse. At night we saw 4 lions the first evening and two the second, 2 rhinos the first evening and eight together the second: 1 white and 7 black including a baby . One of the rhinos came right up to the fence. This was one of the highlights of our trip. Even if not stopping here to stay it is worth looking at any time of day." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
If you travel with a baby there is not a lot of room for the cot and the rooms are not very well isolated. We had neighbours and we're sure they knew we had a baby with us." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
The site itself is rather municipal and the restaurant food basic. The bush chalet was well equipped comfortable and clean.
It was what we expected so no complaints." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 6n in Mozambique; 3n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa
"The waterhole was one of the trip highlights"
The waterhole was fascinating, we spent many very happy hours, both during the day and the night, watching the interaction of the animals as they came to drink. We would happily stay here again. Being inside the park is a real benefit. Unfortunately the night drive was fully booked when we got around to enquiring but that meant we could spend longer at the waterhole." See all these reviews: 23n in Namibia; 9n in Botswana
"Okaukuejo camp is what it is!"
The buffet style meals bring out the worst in people. The selection had been drastically reduced. There is not a good atmosphere about the camp. We witnessed a serious accident when a man fell from the concrete grandstand steps at the end of the waterhole. He badly injured his ankle and had to be taken by ambulance to hospital. We considered these steps to be very dangerous and work needs to be done to make them safer" See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
Our electricity tripped out the first night but we filled out a fault slip and it was repaired (blown water heater) by 11 am which was pretty impressive.
Everyone was asked for a 500 N$ deposit in cash on arrival, no problem but we hadn't been advised of this beforehand." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia
"Southern Africa Manager"
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
The camp as a whole was too developed, a little crowded, and the buffet meals were just ordinary. The room was great and the watering hole just spectacular." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa
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.
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.
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 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.
Toshari Lodge
Smart and professionally run, the hotel-style Toshari Lodge is well-placed for self-driving in Etosha National Park.
Onkoshi Camp
Onkoshi Camp is owned and run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. Built on elevated wooden platforms it overlooks Etosha Pan.
