Accommodation - Northern Region
Ongava Lodge
Etosha National Park
Wilderness Safaris |
Ongava Lodge is cleverly
constructed on a small hill in the Ongava Game Reserve against the southern
boundary of the Etosha National Park. From up 
here
guests can enjoy a host of thirsty wildlife congregating around the waterhole.
Accommodation at Ongava Lodge consists of 13 chalets and 1 family room,
attractively built out of brick, rock and thatch. Each chalet has an en-suite
bathroom with flush toilet, shower and double hand basins. Air-conditioning and
overhead fans keep guests cool in summer. Mosquito nets are fitted to the
windows and each room features a tea/coffee station and a safe. The rooms have
glass-fronted doors which lead out onto a private, covered veranda, overlooking
the plains.
There are impressive views of the waterhole and surrounding plains from the main
lounge, bar and dining areas. Meals are either served in the main dining area
under thatch or on the dining deck under the stars.
Ongava Lodge was listed on the Condé Naste Traveller's Gold Reserve List for
2005.
Etosha National Park is Namibia's premier wildlife destination and one of
Africa's largest game reserves. Large herds of wildlife teem around the
waterholes and the endless plains offer breathtaking vistas. The Ongava Game
Reserve shares a boundary with the Etosha National Park.
Activities at Ongava Lodge revolve around day and night wildlife-viewing drives,
visiting hides that overlook waterholes and walks with experienced guide
s.
A hide at the camp waterhole provides superb photographic opportunities. The
Ongava Game Reserve features all the characteristic wildlife of the area, with
both desert-adapted black and white rhino to be seen as well as lion.
Game drives and daytrips into the easily accessible Okaukuejo area of Etosha
National Park are rewarding, with sightings of lion, elephant, gemsbok,
springbok, red hartebeest, and white and black rhino. Guests at Ongava Lodge
share a dedicated guide and Land Rover, ensuring the best possible nature
experience at one of Africa's great wildlife destinations.
The Ongava Game Reserve is unique in that it is one of the few private game
reserves in southern Africa where there is a chance of seeing both black and
white rhino. For those who enjoy close wildlife encounters, tracking white rhino
on foot with a guide is a highlight not to be missed.
Game
viewing at Ongava:
Etosha is Namibia's premier game viewing destination. It is one of Africa's largest game parks being nearly the size of Switzerland. Large herds of plains game concentrate around the waterholes in
the dry season making for exciting
game viewing. A highlight at Ongava is that it is one of the few private game
reserves in Southern Africa where you have a chance of seeing both black and
white rhino. For those who enjoy close wildlife encounters, tracking white rhino
on foot with an armed guide is a highlight not to be missed. Ongava Game Reserve
also has a good population of lion, eland, mountain zebra, black faced impala
and a number of other antelope species.
Activities
at Ongava:
Mornings are normally spent within Etosha National Park, returning to Ongava in time for a
lunch. After tea, guests head out onto the private reserve to enjoy more flora and fauna. The option of tracking white rhino on foot is available as is night drives.
Additional activities at Ongava could also include full day excursions into Etosha National Park, taking along a picnic, subject to availability of vehicles and also a visit to one of the hides on the property. Private vehicles can be booked at an additional charge subject to availability either
prior to departure or directly with Ongava's camp manager.
History of
Ongava:
In the early 1990s a group of Namibian, English, American and South African partners clubbed together and bought 30,000 hectares of land on Etosha's southern boundary. The aim of this venture was to create Namibia's finest private game reserve and to create a buffer for Etosha along its southern boundary. Ongava (meaning rhinoceros in Herero) was born, and a massive rehabilitation and restocking
program took place. White rhino were introduced and over time black rhino migrated onto the reserve. Many thousands of animals are now found on Ongava including
elephant, giraffe, gemsbok, springbok, red hartebeest, eland, wildebeest, zebra and the rare
black faced impala. Lion, leopard and cheetah have also moved back into Ongava Reserve.
Tented
camp description:
Ongava
tented camp is a small classic traditional tented camp. Guests sleep in "Meru" tents which are the classic East African style of tent. Each have double doors to allow for uninterrupted views of
the bush and waterhole in front of camp and every tent has it's own covered verandah. The tents have been tastefully
furnished each with it's own
en suite thatched bathroom with flush toilet and unique open air private shower. The bar and dining area is built out of rock and thatch and has an intimate feel. Drinks and dinner can be enjoyed around the open air fire place and swimming pool, both of which overlook a productive floodlit waterhole situated at eye level in front of the camp.
Activities. Mornings are normally spent within Etosha and afternoons on the reserve, tracking white
rhino on foot being one of the many highlights. Additional activities could also include full day excursions into Etosha National Park, taking along a picnic, subject to availability of vehicles. Night drives on Ongava Reserve and visits to one of the hides on the property. Private vehicles can be booked at an additional charge subject to availability either
prior to departure or directly with Ongava's Camp Manager.
Directions
to Ongava:
Just outside of the western
entrance to the Etosha National Park.
Rates
per night per person - DBB or FI: on request
Activities: Scheduled afternoon/morning nature drives.
CHILDREN'S POLICY
- Minimum age limit is 8
years.
- 8 - 12 years old sharing
with parents or in family unit: above discounted rates.
- 13 years old and above:
full rate even if sharing with parents.
"Ongava Lodge is a real oasis in
Namibia's heat. We were lucky to experience Etosha at its hotest and dryest so
we saw a multitude of game at the waterholes. Our guide looked after us
superbly, he always had a supply of cold drinks at hand and when we returned to
camp it was great relaxing in the pool. The air-conditioned chalet was a real
bonus. We thoroughly enjoyed dinner outside on the deck overlooking the
waterhole. We had a great stay and cannot thank your staff enough. A.S., UK
"We have travelled for 3 weeks
now in Namibia and were glad to take 3 days at Ongava. We felt refreshed and
pampered after our stay. We saw 7 white rhino and 2 black rhino during our stay,
which was amazing, and I hope I got some good photos." G.B., Germany
"Thank you for a wonderful
honeymoon, for chalet number one close to all the animals at the waterhole, for
our candlelit dinner by the pool and for the chilled champagne, you went out of
your way to make it special for us. We will never forget our stay with you." M.
B., Italy
"I have been fortunate to visit
Africa several times due to the fact that I am in the travel business. This year
I travelled to Namibia and stayed at Ongava Lodge for three nights. I was very
impressed with not only the high standard of guiding, but also that of the
service and cuisine. The genuine friendliness of the staff made my stay special.
I will highly recommend this lodge to my friends and travel acquaintances." S.A.,
USA
"We were really impressed by the
amount of game that we saw at Ongava. Tracking the white rhino on foot was
experience that I will never forget. " S.J., France
All
Wilderness Safaris' establishments: due to a high demand the full balance is due strictly not later than
10 weeks prior to arrival!
Special meals can be booked
in advance. Rates are subject to change without prior notice should tax be
increased or Government levies introduced. Rates include Value Added Tax.
Reservations & information:
E-mail:
info@namibweb.com
To book:
1) you can e-mail us requesting information and/or rates
Reservations are only accepted in writing: by fax or via e-mail.
Final availability confirmation: in writing: by fax or via e-mail.
Terms & conditions,
Payment options and
Cancellation
policy
PHOTO GALLERY: ONGAVA LODGE
Pictures:
Related links
and other Wilderness establishments:
Accommodation
in the area:
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