Reviews of Ongava Tented Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
153 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Ongava Tented Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Ongava great lions and rhino"
Expert guides Leon and Festus. Nothing seemed to much for them or camp manager Elizabeth. They also had Wilderness Safari staff inspecting while we were there, also very friendly.
Fantastic location overlooking well frequented waterhole, although with lions close to camp we had to be escorted at pre-arrranged times after dark and once in your tent you did not open the door.
Comfortable accommodation but our donkey boiler had sprung a leak so our room had no hot water for the 2 days which they did not seem to have noticed. It would be good if they could use solar power rather than burning wood. A very sociable camp where we all ate together at large table overlooking waterhole. The animals made this another highlight." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
"Ongava Tented Camp Review"
Accomodations were well-appointed tents--simple safair luxury right in the bush. And the service here was unsurpassed. We dined each night with the charismatic manager Festus and spent our days with our knowledgable and attentive guide Bono. One night we even had the entire camp to ourselves--a rare treat!
If you want to be close to game, stay at Ongava! The first animal we saw was an alpha male lion no more than 10 feet from our vehicle. And we went on to see more than 20 lions at close range, white rhinos, and a plethora of other animals.
Travelers should beware that the tented camp is not fenced. You are escorted to your tent each night by a guide with a rifle, and two of our three nights we were awoken by lions roaring right outside of our tent! That said, we never felt unsafe. To the contrary, we knew we were in expert hands and our experience was all the more memorable for being that close to the animals." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
Excellent service, guide very knowledgeable and enthusiastic, we would have missed so much without him" See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
"Sleeping in the wild"
We liked this camp a lot. The overall feel is very relaxed and friendly. It reminded us of our favorite camps in Bostwana. Our guide, Momo, was the best we had throughout the trip. We saw several white rhino on the reserve, and, of course lots of animals in Etosha. But what we enjoyed most was sitting on our deck in the afternoons watching the animals at the waterhole." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
"Ongava Tented Camp"
"Ongava Tented Camp"
Corne, in particular, helped us in many extra little ways and took us out on the only walk we managed in the whole two weeks - a rare and much desired treat. Hermine was a delight.
Our guide, Leon, really pulled out all the stops, giving us a twelve-hour day out when we drove into Etosha on our own and even coming home via the scenic route and giving us the usual evening game drive after a full day out. He also took us to visit the local primary school inside Etosha which was fascinating and will benefit the school as we're sending them a donation - everyone should have this included !
Only slight disappointment here (for one of us more than the other) was that Etosha was so commercialised and touristy. It was the only location of our four that we felt was not as unspoilt and remote as we'd hoped. Probably inevitable but it might have helped if we'd been expecting it. But the game was amazing and the second day there, when we went out on our own for the whole day and were able to get further away from the ghastly lodges, was much better.
One tiny point about the camp itself, very difficult to get out of the sun in the heat of the afternoon. Our veranda was in full sun, as was most of the seating in the main areas. A bit more shade needed." See all these reviews: 7n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
Our last night a pride of 14 lions came and encamped at the water hole some 100 ft. from our dining table (an incredible spectacle), and then some of them moved to our tent's front 'lawn.' At first the staff insisted after dinner that we couldn't return to our tent even with the gun-toting guard but that we'd have to be driven there (somehow); eventually we did walk back with the guard, encountering lions at rest maybe 50 ft. from our door. It was an exciting venture. The weak spot, however, given the camp's cost, was the very mediocre food (by far the worst we encountered at our hotels), served buffet style and not much better than a cafeteria's." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
"Manager"
"OTC"
"Wildest part of our trip!"
Again, the food was excellent, the rooms were super comfortable and cozy. The waterhole is great to check out animals after dark.
The game drives were great and this private reserve has no shortage of big game to watch (we saw a group of a female lioness and three cubs on our first outing and a group of 6 adolescents on our second, a white rhino stopped by the waterhole in front of the camp during dinnertime on our first night there).
The staff is a particular strong point of this lodge. Very friendly and with a high standard of service quality.
I wouldn't recommend this camp for families travelling with small children as you find yourself much more in the middle of the reserve and can feel much more exposed to the wildlife, but that makes it ever more so thrilling!" See all these reviews: 11n 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 Lodge
With fantastic views over a private reserve bordering Etosha, the smart Ongava Lodge offers driving and walking safaris on the reserve, and guided drives in Etosha.
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.
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.
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.
Namutoni Camp
Centred on an old fort, the government run Namutoni Camp is located just inside Etosha National Park, close to Fisher's Pan.
Onguma Bush Camp
For great wildlife viewing without breaking the bank, the affordable and understated luxury of Onguma Bush Camp could be perfect.
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 Garden Hotel
Safari in Etosha National Park Namibia, whilst based at the nearby Etosha Garden Lodge.
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.
