Reviews of Okaukuejo Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
701 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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"Okaukuejo Camp review"
Checking in and out was very quick. There were no problems with credit cards at reception, the restaurant, the shop or the fuel station. In fact, there are signs encouraging the use of these.
Our room was big and had all that we needed, but, as has been the case for some time, everything from the towels to the benches by the waterhole are in need of repair or replacement.
The buffet dinner has been replaced by “a la carte”, their words, not ours. This means grilled beef, lamb, chicken, pork or fish (a choice of 3 each night) and assorted basic desserts, that rapidly run out. We weren't surprised that this didn't work very smoothly. Guests are meant to book for dinner, but this certainly doesn’t guarantee a table. On the first night we waited half an hour for a drink and an hour for our food, which was cold; that was was good compared to the two hour wait for another couple! We were told the delays were because there was no more cutlery ……. Luckily, things improved, though probably because we decided to go for dinner early.
Breakfast is self-service and works much better. The food isn't top-notch, but it's perfectly acceptable.
Braiis are outside most rooms, but there are no cooking utensils in the rooms and there is not a steady stock of meat - or anything in the shop - so this isn't really an option.
Okaukuejo is just what it is. However, the reason for being here is the abundance of wildlife. Within half an hour of our first visit to Okaukuejo's waterhole, we had seen 70 elephants. Once dark, 6 rhinos arrived. The waterhole is busy all the time and you could, as we often did, sit all day and see a vast variety and number of animals. I wouldn't visit Namibia without coming here." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia; 7n in South Africa
Black Rhino
4 sightings
Brown Hyena
3 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
White Rhino
2 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
The waterhole by the camp is what makes this place so special, and we had to pull ourselves away from it. Thankfully most of the observers from the camp viewing area were quiet, especially at night, as I had read they could be a bit noisy and detract from the experience, but apart from the odd person who seemed incapable of whispering most people were respectful of the big beasts on the other side of the wall.
One of the black rhino sightings listed below was of no less than 12 animals at the Okaukuejo camp waterhole, starting with six at 8.00pm and then more appearing from the dark - there was much gentle interaction and a little bit of pushing, and several led down for a sleep for 20 minutes.
A herd of 28 elephant visited this waterhole at midday one day, with many young ones amongst them, rolling in the water and generally having a good time, and they were frequent visitors in smaller numbers at other times. We saw four lionesses one night at the Okaukuejo waterhole, one of which chased off a spotted hyena." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
Black Rhino
4 sightings
Elephant
8 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
Rooms are good but tired. We had a waterhole side bungalow, spread over 2 stories with a good partial view of the waterhole from the first floor balcony. However, water supply to the first floor shower was none existent, meaning the shower unit was unusable and required use of the downstairs bedroom shower (which if any party apart from a family group was staying there could present difficulties). Numerous lights were also out. Minor points possibly but if the stay was for more than a night could prove irritating.
Other camp facilities were average and check-in laborious and long if there happens to be a queue.
.....but location and wildlife viewing trumps all this and a few inconveniences are, from our perspective, more than offset by watching 4 Black Rhino at the waterhole for a few hours in the middle of the night" See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 6n in South Africa
Black Rhino
2 sightings
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
6 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
Spotted Hyena
3 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
We had a waterhole premium lodge (W32) which was actually really nice though with trees directly in front of our balcony we could only see a small part of the waterhole so preferred to take a bench seat.
Service in restaurant is pretty shocking at times and staff quite blunt. Prices are very high for Namibian standards, choices limited (often just 2 and I would hate to be a veggie). Food tasty though when it finally arrives." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
Black Rhino
10 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Oryx
10 sightings
Spotted Hyena
3 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
The rooms were very spacious and very clean and the meals we had at the restaurant were excellent.
We went on a night drive which was great seeing black rhino, white rhino, hyenas and lions as well as a variety of other animals and at the camp there were always animals visiting the waterhole including large herds of elephant, zebras and antelope as well as large groups of giraffes, black rhino and jackals." See all these reviews: 17n 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
"Comfortable accommodation, great waterhole."
The waterhole was a short walk away and we were overwhelmed with the gathering of a large herd of 31 elephants silhouetted against the sunset, never to be forgotten.
The restaurant was chaotic having diners all turning up at once, unaware that they should have booked a table for a time slot, which was not explained at check in or in any literature. Service very slow and food cold. There seemed to be no organisation/ person in charge!" See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
White Rhino
5 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
The waterhole is also a massive plus point - 25 elephants at one time! However, the accommodation and food available are a disappointment - we were aware that that was likely. Namibian Wildlife Resorts could really improve this, which would improve the overall experience, but has a monopoly, I suppose there is no incentive for them to do so.
We stayed 2 nights here which was enough and also stayed outside the park for a few nights which was excellent. Overall, the waterhole and night drive compensated for the less good facilities in this location." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Oryx
Multiple sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
White Rhino
1 sighting
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
Waterhole great for viewing animals including elephant, rhino and giraffe" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Eland
Multiple sightings
Elephant
1 sighting
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
The lodge itself is something that has to simply be tolerated in order to spend time at their waterhole. The dinner served is barely edible and the dining area very depressing–fluorescent lighting in a dark and dingy dining hall. The rooms are very small to the point of being uncomfortable (our son injured himself on the end table while we stayed there) and the amenities are minimal.
Beware of relying on the gas station at camp for fuel -- they were out of diesel during our stay and we had a bit of a scare that we wouldn't make it." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
Black Rhino
6 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Okaukuejo Premium Waterside Chalet"
We had spent the previous 3 days experiencing Etosha from the car with our kids, and us adults had had to sacrifice our own enjoyment on more than a few occasions when the kids had seen more than enough of a particular waterhole. Okaukuejo gave us the chance to gaze to our heart's content while the kids played, and the first floor balcony felt like the royal box at the theatre, with a seemingly nonstop stellar cast below us. We spent a blissful afternoon with between 50 and 60 elephants bathing and causing a fabulously dusty noisy ruckus, and an evening with so many rhino, elephants and giraffe sharing the stage that even the kids were left speechless.
The camp itself was crowded and in need of repair, with numerous small defects in the chalet which ought to have mattered considering the price we were paying. Food in the strip-lit noisy restaurant was better than we expected, although we were glad to only be there for 2 evening meals, and we were also pleasantly surprised by a couple of lovely staff members we met in the restaurant (especially Ruth...what a star!).
I can well imagine all the reasons people might choose not to stay at Okaukwejo, and from time to time the noise and behaviour of some other guests around the waterhole was difficult to ignore. However for our family at least, the camp gave us a different way to access the joy that is Etosha and we'd go back in a heartbeat." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia
Black Rhino
10 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Oryx
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.
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.
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.
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.
