Reviews of Ongava Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
162 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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91% success
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9% success
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11% success
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96% success
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95% success
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91% success
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91% success
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87% success
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82% success
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81% success
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38% success
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26% success
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14% success
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13% success
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11% success
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3% success
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0% success
"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
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Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
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Elephant
1 sighting
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Giraffe
1 sighting
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Leopard
1 sighting
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Lion
1 sighting
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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
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Black Rhino
10 sightings
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Elephant
10 sightings
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Giraffe
3 sightings
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Lion
10 sightings
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Oryx
2 sightings
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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
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Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
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Cheetah
Multiple sightings
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Elephant
Multiple sightings
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Giraffe
Multiple sightings
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Lion
Multiple sightings
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Oryx
Multiple sightings
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White Rhino
Multiple sightings
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Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
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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
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Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
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Zebra
1 sighting
"Ongava Lodge review"
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Cheetah
1 sighting
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Elephant
1 sighting
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Giraffe
1 sighting
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Lion
1 sighting
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Oryx
Multiple sightings
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Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
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White Rhino
Multiple sightings
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Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
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Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
Games drives were very good and were lucky enough to see African Wild Cat. The floodlit water hole was spectacular, particularly the first evening when there was a constant procession of rhinos.
Best sighting of the trip, for me, was a Caracal, which was initially chased off by the rhinos, but then came back to drink. I had to be fetched back from the hide for dinner!" See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
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Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
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Elephant
Multiple sightings
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Giraffe
Multiple sightings
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Lion
Multiple sightings
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Oryx
Multiple sightings
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White Rhino
Multiple sightings
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Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ongava Lodge review"
Very nice rooms and luxurious lobby as well as the pool
Wonderful food and service
Beautiful view of a cistern (sic meaning waterhole) just a few meters
A stunning hideout for watching animals around the clock
The greatest wealth in animals on a trip
No need to waste time on Etosha
Already on the access road we met our friends the rhinos lions elephants .....
The staff tries to be polite but a bit oppressive in an attempt to show interest
Need to explain to them to give a little space....One by one we go to the table to chat and it's pretty transparent" See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
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Black Rhino
10 sightings
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Eland
Multiple sightings
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Elephant
10 sightings
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Giraffe
10 sightings
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Lion
3 sightings
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Oryx
10 sightings
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Roan antelope
Multiple sightings
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Sable antelope
Multiple sightings
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Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
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Zebra
10 sightings
"Fabulous"
Received a warm friendly welcome. Informative yet quick check-in. Amazing room with fantastic views close to the watering hole. Incredible sightings at the watering hole - including elephants and black rhino - and the hide is an excellent facility. Great food. Amazing service. Staff couldn't do more for us and even changed a flat tyre. Game drives were fantastic with a friendly knowledgeable guide.
Didn't want to leave, Would highly recommend." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
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Black Rhino
8 sightings
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Eland
10 sightings
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Elephant
8 sightings
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Giraffe
10 sightings
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Lion
8 sightings
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Oryx
10 sightings
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White Rhino
6 sightings
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Wildebeest
10 sightings
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Zebra
10 sightings
"Good Lodge with superb staff"
In the evening we did the local Ongava game drive. They obviously know where the game is and we saw the local lion pride and several white rhinos.
The food was excellent. At dinner they were good at handling my lactose free needs.
The rooms were very comfortable and the wildlife walks past your balcony.
They insist on walking you to your room at night, but our guide said he’d never used the gun he carried.
The only downside was the light illuminating the waterhole. This stayed on all night, and shone into our room which made sleeping difficult. It is a shame that they can't turn it off after guests have gone to bed." See all these reviews: 20n in Namibia
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Lion
3 sightings
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White Rhino
2 sightings
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