Reviews of Ongava Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
157 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

90% success

9% success

12% success

97% success

95% success

90% success

90% success

88% success

80% success

79% success

38% success

26% success

15% success

14% success

12% success

3% success

0% success
"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
"Ongava Lodge review"
We had been to Ongava before and loved it in the tented camp. The biggest advantage of the Lodge is the view of the watering hole, whilst the tented camp feels more exciting but would be happy to stay in either again." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia

Black Rhino
2 sightings

Eland
3 sightings

Elephant
2 sightings

Giraffe
5 sightings

Lion
1 sighting

Oryx
3 sightings

Roan antelope
3 sightings

Sable antelope
3 sightings

Spotted Hyena
5 sightings

White Rhino
2 sightings

Wildebeest
3 sightings

Zebra
4 sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
Meals were great, in particular they cooked the brown rice we brought with us to cater for a diabetic in our group. In all honestly though, you almost forget about the food, because you’re glued to the activity at the waterhole out front whether at breakfast or dinner: rhinos, elephants, giraffe, even a leopard sighting at night.
You can get even better views from the hide, something I have never experienced - why go out and look for animals when they come right to you. Note that you can go to the hide in the evenings as well which we would have done had we known beforehand (this is something the staff might want to highlight when guests check in).
As for the game drives, the rhino tracking was thrilling as you are able to exit the vehicle, and we got to see a pride of lions including cubs which has to be one of my most memorable moments of the trip." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia

Black Rhino
Multiple sightings

Elephant
1 sighting

Giraffe
1 sighting

Leopard
1 sighting

Lion
1 sighting

White Rhino
1 sighting
"Ongava Lodge review"
"Ongava Lodge review"
Loved the water hole visible from the main lodge and (at an angle) from our veranda. We saw 11 rhino there one evening, the average being about 3.
We spent two mornings at the hide by the water hole and saw a great variety of wildlife; an elephant herd spent 55 minutes there one morning as well as giraffe, oryx, kudu, black backed jackel, warthog, impala and hundreds of comical Guinea fowl.
We found three rhino whilst on foot as well as others from the vehicle." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia

Black Rhino
10 sightings

Elephant
10 sightings

Giraffe
3 sightings

Lion
10 sightings

Oryx
2 sightings

White Rhino
10 sightings
"Its jewel is the hideout by the water hole."
It will be a very memorable place for us as after 6 safaris in Africa we saw so many rhinos ( mostly white ) in the Ongava reserve. Also the western part of Etosha seemed to have more animals than the eastern part.
It is difficult to settle from the Fort to the Ongava Lodge and thus we may be biased in our review of it. Yet, undoubtedly we would recommend it. Don’t bother visiting the nearby ‘research centre’ unless you are totally bored with everything else and keep in mind that the air-strip is very near the lodge should you decide to fly in or out from there." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia

Black Rhino
Multiple sightings

Cheetah
Multiple sightings

Elephant
Multiple sightings

Giraffe
Multiple sightings

Lion
Multiple sightings

Oryx
Multiple sightings

White Rhino
Multiple sightings

Wildebeest
Multiple sightings

Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
A place to spend more time than just one night.
Very good food, very service oriented staff." See all these reviews: 21n in Namibia

Black Rhino
Multiple sightings

Zebra
1 sighting
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.