Reviews of Ongava Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
163 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Ongava Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Ongava Lodge review"
The rooms were spacious and had a good view of the waterholes, and the additional outdoor shower was a pleasant surprise. Insect repellent was available in the rooms which was nice. The mosquito netting extended well beyond the bed, which is both good and bad - good that it gave more room to walk around and still be protected, but bad in that it is invisible in the dark and make walking to the toilet at night more of a challenge than one is expecting. We kept a light on our first night because of this, but that led to a less-than ideal night's sleep - which matters a lot when getting up early for the morning safaris. Note that we had the closest room to the lodge/restaurant, and we could hear conversations from diners while in our room. I'm sure the next room further over did not have this (very minor) issue.
There were two minor detractions from what would otherwise have be superb stay: (i) We felt rather rushed and uncomfortable by the room service, which we really did not need since we only stayed 2 nights. (ii) When dining, it was frustrating to not be able to sit at the edge of the balcony/patio so that we could watch the waterhole below. This was because there were two of us dining and the tables at the edge were for 4 or 6 diners. We understand that this makes sense if the dining area is crowded, but when it was nearly empty, to be denied that view was more than disappointing. Speaking of food, the options and food were very good, but not as great as some other places we stayed. We didn't like that there were birds freely walking and picking at the bread and other items at the breakfast buffet.
Note: There are a lot of steps between the parking area and lodge and the rooms." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Elephant
1 sighting
Giraffe
2 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
2 sightings
Oryx
2 sightings
Roan antelope
3 sightings
Sable antelope
2 sightings
White Rhino
2 sightings
Wildebeest
3 sightings
Zebra
3 sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
The game drives were very good, though it is a pity they do not go deeper into Estosha NP. Although this was not an issue for us, as we went later driving ourselves, it might be for guests whose only experience of Etosha is from this lodge (for example, we did not see any elephants when we were there)." See all these reviews: 25n in Namibia; 5n in South Africa
Black Rhino
6 sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Oryx
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
9 sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
Our room was spacious with a view over the reserve and a partial view of the waterhole especially from the bathroom and through peepholes in the outdoor shower. It was well equipped with plenty of shelving/hanging space, a lovely sitting out area and a hairdryer. There were tea and coffee making facilities, but no milk or fridge. We had bought some long life milk with us but we could have asked for milk and it would have been provided. Surprisingly there was no key to the lock on the door. We were reminded to keep all valuables in the safe.
There were quite a lot of steps up to the main buildings from the rooms but it was an entertaining trek thanks to the rock hyrax. There was a small pool half-way up to the main buildings but we didn't have a chance to use it.
Food was excellent and the views of the waterhole while eating were lovely. Brunch was served after a morning game drive, if not back too late. If brunch had finished (~1130) then the pool menu was offered - salads, sandwiches etc as an early lunch. Dinner offered a couple of choices and the standard was very good. After our first night, we learnt to go straight to dinner following the game drive to ensure a table with a view. It paid off because at one point there were 8 black rhino around the waterhole including 2 who were having a tussle head-to-head. They kept it up for an hour or so. Eventually one pushed the other backwards behind some bushes and although we couldn't see them we could hear them grumbling. On the second evening we saw a female black rhino with a calf challenging an elephant who got too close and the elephant backed off. Really interesting.
We were assigned Salomen as our guide and found him very good. Game drives were sometimes in the Ongava reserve and sometimes in Etosha National Park. The drives in the reserve were more private and we saw plenty of kudu, zebra, elephants, giraffe, 2 male lions and a dik-dik. In the NP there was a lot of game but there were a lot more vehicles around and when a sighting of a pride of lions on a zebra kill was reported, it was difficult to find a place to park to see the animals. After a few minutes of patient waiting there was some rearrangement of the spectators and Salomen managed to find a good spot.
Salomen managed to squeeze us in a short game drive in the reserve on our last morning. He said he had been listening to the radios overnight and the anti-poaching patrol had reported a family of white rhino. He drove to the general area and managed to find the group of 4 which were the first we had seen.
One great facility was the hide, which is down a lot of steps to waterhole level. Our waitress insisted we try it out and we weren'y disappointed. We spent an hour or so watching a family of elephants drinking and playing. One large elephant was chasing off any other animal which came to drink while he was there and it was quite thrilling when a group of wildebeest were chased away immediately in front of the hide.
Overall this was a lovely place to spend 2 nights." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Black Rhino
10 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
White Rhino
1 sighting
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
Private game reserve with so much to see, incl rhino (white & black), lion, elephant, all manner of bok & general game.
Rendered Etosha a bit ho hum!
Fantastic guide Samuel.
Waterhole & hide yielded amazing sights.
Highlight was a guided walk to see white rhino 15 mtr away. Unforgettable." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Black Rhino
6 sightings
Eland
8 sightings
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Lion
4 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
White Rhino
6 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
The highlight is the hide next to the waterhole, a short walk from the lodge, large game so close.
Highly recommended" See all these reviews: 24n in Namibia
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
Roan antelope
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
Very comfortable feeling and one of the best rooms of our trip!
Great hide for viewing of the waterhole. Super friendly staff! Good sundowners after seeing lions, rhinos, elephants, mongoose and honey badger. Also the hyraxes playing around the rocks by the pool were cute.
We were told to arrive by two in the afternoon for possible afternoon activities but this was not necessary, just be there by around four-four-thirty." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
White Rhino
Multiple sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
We enjoyed our jeep trips out with our excellent guide, Teacher. We saw two large male lions, one of them striding along purposefully and the other flaked out on the side of the track, as well as a whole pride of other lions.
The setting of the lodge is beautiful and looks over a waterhole. We were privileged to see rhinos both evenings we were there, including a baby and other young ones. We also enjoyed seeing elephants at the waterhole one lunchtime and viewing them from the hide." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Oryx
1 sighting
White Rhino
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
Highlights included walking with rhinos and a separate bush walk with our guide the next day. The hide by the watering hole allows a very close up view of animals - including rhinos and elephant. Staying for three nights gave more flexibility in what we did with our guide.
Accommodation was luxurious and the food good." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
Black Rhino
4 sightings
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Elephant
5 sightings
Giraffe
7 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
White Rhino
5 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
Compared to other hotels, the service wasn't quite so good - we weren't given an option to have a guide take us to Etosha, perhaps a lack of staff that day.
The rooms are also quite tired and in need of a refresh and cleanliness could have been better (a little dusty and a stained towel).
Overall a good experience but some updates to the rooms would be a good idea." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
1 sighting
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Oryx
Multiple sightings
Roan antelope
1 sighting
White Rhino
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
The rooms and facilities were exactly as we remembered.
The food was fine but not memorable (again no change from 2016). The view of the water hole from the restaurant is terrific. Watching the rhinos each evening during dinner never palls.
Teacher was a great guide, very professional. Although the lodge was pretty full we were lucky to be the only people with him on most of the drives morning and evening. So he could and did tailor to our preferences.
We did a couple of rhino approaches, leaving the car and walking with him up to the white rhinos which are a lot less skittish than the black.
It was a great contrast to Desert Rhino camp." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
Black Rhino
5 sightings
Elephant
5 sightings
Giraffe
4 sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Oryx
2 sightings
White Rhino
10 sightings
Wildebeest
5 sightings
Zebra
5 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 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.
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 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.
