Ongava Game Reserve (Etosha National Park, Namibia)

If you’re wanting to see wildlife in Namibia then undoubtedly the best destination for this is the Etosha National Park; with its huge concentrations of animals at the numerous waterholes, and the vast expanse of the Etosha salt pan as a backdrop this really is wildlife viewing at its best!

The only trouble with staying in Etosha is that the only accommodation available within the park comes in the form of 3 rather large resorts that don’t offer the same quality of service that one might receive at a premier game lodge.   Ongava Game Reserve situated on Etosha’s southern boundary provides just this.   Wilderness Safaris has 3 lodges/camps within Ongava; each one different from the other two.   You will not miss out on the wildlife viewing either as the reserve boasts all of the plains game you can see within Etosha, along with a healthy Lion population and excellent sightings of both Black and White Rhino.   Leopard and Cheetah are also found in the reserve although rarely seen.   Alternatively Ongava also offers excursions into the park in their own open 4×4 Land Rover’s.

Little Ongava is the premier lodge within Ongava for comfort and exclusivity; situated on top of a rocky hillside there are only 3 rooms accommodating a maximum of 6 guests.   The rooms are extremely luxurious, spacious, with their own private plunge pool, outside siesta sala and offer spectacular views to the south and onto the Ongava Reserve.

Ongava Lodge has 14 chalets built of brick and thatch and is built at the base of the same hillside as Little Ongava.   The main lounge, restaurant and veranda give guests the chance to view animals drinking at the lodge waterhole both night & day from the comfort of their chair; the lodge waterhole is the best place within the reserve to view Black Rhino as these majestic pre-historic animals frequent this waterhole virtually every night!

Ongava Tented Camp is a much cosier choice of accommodation; the 10 canvas-walled tents with en-suite bathrooms are situated at ground level, giving you that feeling that you really are a part of nature.   The camp’s waterhole is a mere 25 metres away from the main dining area; viewing Lions this close whilst enjoying an evening meal is an experience nobody could possibly forget!