Reviews of Ongava Tented Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
151 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
100% success
14% success
14% success
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100% success
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96% success
96% success
81% success
44% success
14% success
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8% success
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0% success
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
White Rhino
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ongava Tented Camp"
We spent all but one of our drives in Ongava's private reserve to avoid the big roads and busy waterholes of Etosha. The wildlife in Ongava was plentiful and varied with fantastic sightings of White Rhino with young, including a baby only days old.
We had to drive away quickly from an angry Black Rhino and spent time with 3 prides of lions.
It was interesting to see lots of birds for the only time on the trip including several Kori Bustard." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Eland
2 sightings
Elephant
4 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Lion
4 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
White Rhino
2 sightings
Wildebeest
8 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
Highlights: walking up to three rhinos and having the waterhole visited late in the evening by a black rhino!
Comment: my wife very much disliked the use of margarine in various dishes - surely, butter is better!" See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Elephant
2 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Oryx
4 sightings
White Rhino
1 sighting
Wildebeest
3 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"Ongava Tented Camp"
I paticularly liked tracking the white Rhinos on foot. The sightings everyday were plentiful.
The waterhole in front of the camp is entertaining all day (and even at night with Rhinos coming to drink).
Ongava Reserve has a lot to offer but the camp itself in my opinion could improve on their level of attention to details. I would have much preferred a verbal "knock knock" than a phone call for wake up. I found the management service level and attitude rather impersonal." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 7n in Zambia
Elephant
10 sightings
Giraffe
5 sightings
Lion
8 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
White Rhino
5 sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Ongava Tented Camp review"
On the reserve we saw lions and white rhino which were spectacular. Again, we could walk a short distance to the rhino, which is not possible in Etosha.
On the best waterholes, with regular visitors, including rhino!" See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
White Rhino
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Another amazing wildlife encounter at Ongava "
Off we set for our sundowner, and then a bush dinner to watch the eclipse. As we arrived in the dark, at the location for our dinner, we were immediately struck by the effort staff had gone to to set up tables with white cloths, wine glasses, candles, warming fires, and yet more candles in paper bags to circle the dinner site, and we thought wow. Then the lights of our safari vehicle highlighted the two lions sitting on the banks of the dinner arena watching the proceedings! We had a short delay while staff shooed the lions away - we hoped. Next day we found out that there were actually 12 lions and of course the staff were keeping a very close eye on those lions.
Next morning our drive seemed quite mundane in comparison as we 'only' saw white rhinoceros and a few giraffes! Unfortunately we missed out on the opportunity to walk with the rhinoceros.
It is great when the guide, as our guide did here, talk to you, only when they have stopped the vehicle.
Our welcome here was warm and as we had had lunch we were offered a fruit platter. We can't remember breakfast as we were too busy watching the animals around the waterhole." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia; 1n in South Africa
Giraffe
1 sighting
Lion
2 sightings
Zebra
1 sighting
"Good wildlife viewing here"
Elephant
1 sighting
Giraffe
2 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Oryx
1 sighting
White Rhino
1 sighting
Zebra
3 sightings
"Excellent!"
One interesting thing about this camp is that you can't leave the walkways, and you can't walk from building to building at night unescorted because there's no fence. The animals are right there. For our excursion we went out and found a bunch of lions who had killed a giraffe and were eating it. We got very close to some very bloody looking lions. We met a mother white rhino and baby at a waterhole. That night a whole family of rhinos came to the waterhole and splashed around while we were eating dinner, looking like pale ghosts in the moonlight.
The next morning we went to Etosha. We saw huge masses of zebras, gnu and antelopes politely taking turns one species at a time at the waterholes, Huge bull elephants slowly approached like some huge container ship and splashed into the waterhole for a drink, all the other animals giving them a wide berth. In camp a funny fat hyrax munched on leaves in a tree, and the Monteiro's hornbills came to our table again. Way fun! Our tent was comfortable -- but it is a tent, it gets cool at night in winter, although they do put a hot water bottle in the tent which sure helps. It was fun chatting with other guests. Our guide was great." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Black Rhino
2 sightings
Eland
10 sightings
Elephant
2 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
Wildebeest
4 sightings
Zebra
4 sightings
"Wonderful luxury tented camp"
Nothing was too much trouble for the staff & service was impeccable. Our room was pretty far from the waterhole, so they immediately switched us to the one closest to the waterhole.
There were only 1 or 2 other parties the day we checked in, so we inquired on whether we could have a jeep to ourselves for the first game drive & they asked if we wanted our own jeep, the next day as well, even though the camp was full the next day.
I fully expected to be charged extra, but they didn't, so we made sure to tip our guide Michael as if he had a full jeep both days. And Michael was amazing! We saw lions eating a giraffe within 10 minutes on our first drive & got to approach 3 rhinos on foot, maybe w/in 10 meters or so. Plus so many other sightings! The tent was very comfortable & we had a lovely time at Ongava." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Brown Hyena
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
"A super camp"
The camp's waterhole is a big bonus. At breakfast we had three elephants walk across the waterhole and come very close to the camp, great fun. We flew in from the previous camp - which saves a lot of time.
Trips into Etosha National Park were good, however there are insufficient fenced off stopping places there for a coffee stop. Where we stopped had lots of rubbish piled up as well, probably because they want you to go to the main restaurant facilities.
Thoroughly recommend Ongava camp." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
Eland
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
White Rhino
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
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.
Onguma Forest Camp
From its woodland setting on the Onguma Reserve, Forest Camp is within easy striking distance of Namibia’s flagship national park.
Safarihoek Lodge
At the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, Safarihoek Lodge offers comfortable accommodation and excellent game-viewing.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Etosha Garden Hotel
Safari in Etosha National Park Namibia, whilst based at the nearby Etosha Garden Lodge.
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.
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.
