Reviews of Ongava Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
173 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
87% success
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12% success
96% success
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91% success
87% success
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"Ongava Lodge review"
Very hot and lots of steps to the main areas, very smart. lots of others staying. Our chalet, No 1, excellent position to view their waterhole, where there is always something going on. PM Game drive with guide Pascalis,. drove a long way through dense vegetation seeing very little. Expensive with not much to see. The Etosha Game Drive very expensive N$1200 each.
Lovely room extremely comfortable near pool & Lodge. Good night viewing of Rhino at dinner, escorted by armed staff back to room due to 16 Lions in camp night before.
Watched waterhole all next day, saw lots of game Black & White Rhino, spotted Hyena." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia
"Ongava Lodge review"
Our guide for the safari was not very interesting and gave impression that he was finding it all pretty boring having done it all many times before." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
"wonderful place, wonderful staff"
Very friendly staff.
The guide was very friendly and gave a lot of interesting information during our safaris." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 3n in Zambia
"Lovely location but not great on service"
The location is wonderful, as was our very private tent, and the waterhole viewing from the verandas is incredible - particularly seeing 5 black rhinos while having dinner - were all very memorable. But in terms of the service, we felt it was quite distant, at times even strange (with one staff arguing that we shouldn't get a glass for a bottle of beer as it might get knocked over!), and also not once was it acknowledged that the trip was our honeymoon.
There was one lovely lady who served dinner to us both evenings, and another very friendly lady who served breakfast, but otherwise the service didn't feel very personal. Also on departure I was settling the bill and found the guy doing the check out to be rather cool, with not even a handshake for good-bye. It was a shame as the two previous lodges which are part of Wilderness Safaris were excellent.
We would not come back to Ongava, but perhaps even stay within Etosha at one of the camps there." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
"Ongava Lodge review"
This may have been due to the imminent change of management of the lodge. Disappointing to find that dinner was a buffet meal unlike the table service at all of the other lodges. Game drive guide was less informative than at other lodges." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
"Ongava Lodge review"
The room was lovely, delightful décor and good facilities. The lodge's waterhole was the icing on the cake - we saw the most phenominal amounts of game morning, noon & night.
Food was fine but could have had a bit more variety (we were there for 3 nights)." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia
"Ongava Lodge review"
"Pleasantly surprised"
The only problem here was the other people - and it did seem like there was a lot of them. The guides and the management should make more effort to ensure that the guests don't make so much noise. We saw a lot of game at the water hole, including lots of lion and two or three rhinos both nights we were there, but many of the animals were visibly put off by all the noise the people were making.
The worst was from some people who were staying at Little Ongava above Ongava Lodge, and who probably couldn't see the water hole, but they were having a real party with a lot of shrieking and laughing. And people on the same game drive as us had no idea how to behave with wild animals, making a lot of noise and moving about in the vehicle all the time. At times it disturbed the animals they were trying to view but they were oblivious to the effects. It's a pity the guide didn't advise them before setting off, as some others did.
In your review you mention that the guides have at times been mediocre, we would have to say that whereas none of the guides we had in Namibia was as knowledgeable as other places we've been, they were all been good, and here was no exception. The guide we had here was good and fun to be with. We really enjoyed his guiding and his company." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
"Great safari lodge"
Guide took us tracking white rhino on foot - an exhilarating experience. Experienced and efficient staff.
Significant downside at the time of our visit was construction of a new deck next to the main viewing deck/loung area, which created noise for guests and the game." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
"Ongava Lodge and Etosha"
It was great looking at the animals coming to the waterhole either from the dining area or from our bedroom. We saw giraffes, a rhino and a number of different types of antelope. One of our party woke at 6 and saw a lion.
The staff were very helpful and the manager and his wife an excellent source of knowledge.
We did not go on any activities because we wanted to drive around Etosha. This was a fantastic experience. Driving ourselves was easy and gave us the chance to see animals and birds in a more natural setting than a game reserve." See all these reviews: 10n 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 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.
Toshari Lodge
Smart and professionally run, the hotel-style Toshari Lodge is well-placed for self-driving in Etosha National Park.
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.
