Reviews of Onguma Etosha Aoba
(89%) From 32 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Etosha Aoba comfort
We found the accommodation perfect for the 3 of us in a family suite. The suite was well maintained and furnished, air conditioning effective on a very warm day.
We enjoyed dinner in a boma with other guests from a set menu with traditional singing from staff at the end of the meal. Although checking out next day because of availability we were able to take a morning game drive in Etosha NP which was very well guided. Expert Africa note that many guests self drive in the Park which we also did but a guide offered insights and less familiar views, like a family of cheetahs, which we would probably not have experienced on our own.
Our initial reception was a little brusque but later staff contact was fine; after our game drive we were able to enjoy the setting and lunch with almost nobody else around and felt - and were - in a comfortable location very much in the bush
Onguma Etosha Aoba review
Getting to Etosha Aoba was straightforward and the signposting in the property was clear. We received a warm and apparently genuine welcome.
The food was well cooked, presented and served in very impressive surroundings.
Our room was comfortable and the communal areas inviting. We didn't do any activities based around the lodge itself (choosing to spend our time in the Etosha National Park) but spotted the animals noted below during our drive through the Onguma grounds. Did dik also visited the waterhole overlooked by the dining terrace.
Although it was brief we enjoyed our stay here very much.
Etosha Aoba and Walking Safari
We took a walking safari one morning when we were staying at the Etosha Aoba. It was a very memorable time when we were actually out on the ground seeing the tracks of the cats and antelope. It was also the jumping-off point for our most memorable drive in Etosha, where we saw herds of animals just a few feet from our car.
Read more about the whole safariVery good and comfortable
Very comfy and good food - more like a hotel than a game lodge but very enjoyable.
Waterhole activity was good and the guides were really good. Very pleasant staff
Let down by poor service
We were disappointed by this lodge. Although it's in a lovely setting, from the moment we arrived it seemed that everything was too much trouble.
Over the Christmas break (when anyone should expect that it would be busy), there apparently weren't enough guides to allow us to do some of the activities that were clearly advertised as being available. We asked to speak to the Manager, who never contacted us.
Other staff also weren't welcoming, friendly or helpful. In comparison with all the other places we stayed, this was such a disappointment.
The accommodation was very nice, though simple. Comfortable beds and nice decor. The food was excellent and was certainly the highlight.
A jewel at Aoba
Being just outside the eastern gate, the Lodge is in a great location for visits into Etosha. I had not expected the amazingly pleasant surroundings in woodland. This was a contrast to the desert vistas enjoyed in Outpost and Desert Nawas.
The accommodation is superb with chalets in a setting in which birds, dik dik and kudu wander freely. The antelopes walk within metres of bedroom windows and tables in the restaurant. The food is of high quality and the staff first class. They, like those at Doro Nawas, sang briefly during the evening meal.
Convenient base in a lovely setting
The rooms at Onguma are quite spread out which is nice is some ways but has its challenges - a bit of a long walk back to base but a very short drive!
Frankly we were not as impressed with the "Honeymoon suite" as we expected. There were some lovely touches - like the outdoor shower - but the indoor decor seemed like it was trying for a traditional safari look but with inconsistent elements - and basic amenities were lacking. The staff was nice but, again, seemed a bit less experienced as elsewhere - a bit thrown by relatively simple requests - not a tight team. Meals were OK
Unfortunately, the guide was the one weak guide we had in the entire trip. He warmed up a bit by the evening drive but was extremely distracted in the AM and almost a bit defensive. He seemed to be attending to his cell phone a lot and initiated little information. Most often, he offered minimal answers to questions in a fairly low voice. Not engaging at all for whatever reason - a stark contrast to every other drive we had.
Onguma Etosha Aoba review
This was a lovely lodge and the staff was excellent. The food was beautifully prepared and served outside by candlelight.
One downside of staying outside the park is not being able to take night drives or view the lodge waterholes at night or in early morning but the staff packed us a great take away breakfast so that we could enter the park as soon as it opened. We took one sundowner drive into Fisher Pan and saw a spectacular sunset but otherwise the drive wasn't very interesting.
Peaceful and a beautiful location.
Our first intention was to stay at Namutoni but the camp was apparently fully booked 7 months before our visit so we had to stay at Aoba which is just outside Etosha Park.
We could have travelled into the Park from Aoba but the Lodge was so pleasant that we spent all our time at the Lodge. This suited us because we are keen on birdwatching.
number 1 room too noisy!
Our first night spoiled by noisy guests around the pool and bar, manager put us in a quieter chalet on second day.
First meal was very poor from start to finish, but second night was ok.
We felt they were pushing the alchohol too much, clearly a profitable item. They even charged for coffee, even though it was not made clear that it was an extra after dinner (in many places incuded as free).
Access road needs attention, too many potholes.
