Reviews of Ongava Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
172 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"
Being right by the water hole that so many animals visited from early in the day, you were able to watch them from the outside shower, our own deck or the dining area.
Everything about this camp was run for the pleasure of the guests and the staff were charming." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
"Ongava Lodge review"
A second comfortable chair & minibar in the rooms would make it more comfortable when you retire for the evening." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
"Ongava Lodge review"
The guide was friendly and relatively informative.
Service was effusive but not always efficient." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 1n in South Africa
"Lions and more Lions!"
Staff very efficient, a bit too quick though at clearing plates and rushing dinner. However, all staff were very friendly and full of information about the lodge, animals and Namibia in general.
Our guide, Henock came from Angola and was very good at finding lions and rhino. He also arranged for our daughter to have a local dish for breakfast, mopane worms and porridge. She ate it all, to the surprise of all the staff watching!
The rooms were excellent, but as our ones were at the back, we could not see the waterhole, and passers by could see us in the bathroom as there was no blind.
The Ongave private reserve is huge, it took us over an hour to drive back to the lodge at night, so you don't feel that the animals are in a compound.
Swimming pool is good, and cooled us off after a day of driving." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
"Ongava Lodge review"
Wonderful game drive watching at close quarters several lions and cubs." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
"Ongava Lodge review"
Game viewing seemed rather artificial after Zambia and Tanzania, with Etosha full of coaches and private cars all heading for the manmade watering holes. However, we did not go to Namibia for the game, so no problem." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
"Ongava Lodge review"
Rooms were fantastic - the aircon was particularly welcome. Lunches were particularly good (great soup and salad selction) - dinner was actually a little disappointing by comparison but still good.
The game drives were quite spectacular - the guides were patient and thoughtful." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
"A taste of luxury and big game"
The small waterhole was our first experience of "waterhole animal watching" and this was enhanced by the ability to watch while eating. We were impressed that newcomers were given the best view on their first night.
The staff were always very attentive and solicitous and we especially appreciated having the same guide for our two evening drives and the morning spent in Etosha - we felt we really got to know him!.
We felt that, we benefitted greatly from what we learnt from the guide when we continued our journey into Etosha to stay at Halali.
It was worth the money!" See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
"Ongava Lodge review"
Our only reservation was the way that the game viewing, especially in the Etosha (but not exclusively) intruded upon the animals (eg vehicles pushing for the best position and in doing so forcing lions off roads they were trying to cross or pushing them to make mock charges at the vehicles)." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
"Ongava Lodge review"
Although the breakfasts, lunches and starters and desserts for dinner were good, we felt that the buffet main course did not match the high standards of the other food we ate.
In contrast to the other places we visited, we also felt that the Lodge lacked a visible host/hostess, so whilst our guide was fantastic, we didn't really feel that the atmosphere was as welcoming during the evenings, for example." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 6n in Mozambique
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