ONGAVA TENTED CAMP
Namibia

Lodge near Etosha National Park

Ongava Game Reserve on the southern boundary of Namibia's Etosha National Park has two camps; the main lodge, and the tented camp in a different part of the reserve. Guests can choose the style of accommodation and size of camp that suits them best. The camps are managed independently and each has its own full~time staff, guides, managers and vehicles. Both camps will have a similar activity schedule. Ongava Tented Camp is situated more towards the centre of the game reserve, at the base of the foothills of the Ondundozonanandana Range, meaning "mountain where the boy took the calves". .

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 ensuite 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.

Game Viewing

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. Species that can be seen year round include Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeast, Springbok, Oryx, Kudu and the Diminuative Damara Dik-Dik. Birdlife is also good with Ostrich and raptors in abundance. Local specials include the Short-toed Rockthrush, Hautlaubs Francolin, Rockrunner, Ruppells Parrot, White-tailed Shrike and Chesnut Weaver. 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. White Rhino can be trekked on foot. Ongava Game reserve also has a good population of Lion, Eland, Mountain Zebra, Black Faced Impala and a number of other anteloppe species.

Mornings are normally spent within Etosha and afternoons on the reserve, tracking white Rhino on foot being one of the many highlights. Aditional 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 proir to departure or directly with the Camp Manager.

Etosha was first proclaimed in 1907. The park stretched all the way to the Skeleton Coast and, up to 1967, was the world's largest park. In 1967, the park's size was slashed from nearly 10 million hectares to its current size of 2.7 million hectares (about the size of Switzerland). 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 programme 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 (Oryx), Springbok, Red Hartebeest, Eland, Wildebeest, Zebra and the rare Blackfaced Impala. Lion, Leopard and cheetach have also moved back onto Ongava Reserve.

Pricing

Please contact us for current rates:

Location

o Situated along the southern boundary of the Etosha National Park, close to the Anderssen Gate in Northern Namibia
o South of Okaukuejo
o In own private game reserve (65,000 acres)

Accommodation

Number of tents:
6 twin bedded tents
1 tent that can accommodate up to 4 guests or be used as a guides tent.
Tent details:
o Luxury tents with double doors in the front allowing for views to the bush and waterhole.
o Overhead fans in all tents
oEvery guest tent has ensuite thatched bathrooms with open air shower.
oAll tents have covered verandas.
o Soaps, Shampoos and insect repellents are supplied in each room.

Camp description

o Bush around camp gives it an intimate atmosphere
o Stone and thatched communal area consisting of bar and dining room
o Open fire
o Swimming pool
o Eye-level view of a highly productive small waterhole
o Selection of Assorted gifts and branded clothing available from Curio Cabinet.
o Reference library available
o Spotting Scope for viewing game.

Game viewing

Etosha has good concentrations of elephant, as well as all of Namibia's plains game including Springbok, Oryx, Wildebeest and Zebra. Ongava Reserve offers guests the opportunity to view both Black and White Rhino. The reserve also has a healthy Lion population and a large variety of plains game. The birding is superb with a number of Namibia's specials.

Activities

o 3 x 7 seater gameviewers
o Game drives on Ongava's reserve
o Guided walks with armed guide to track White Rhino on Ongava's Reserve
o Night drives on Ongava's Reserve
o Game drives in Etosha National Park

Suggested Daily Activity Schedule

05h30 - Wake up, full English and Continental buffet breakfast
06h10 - Depart for Etosha (15 minute drive to the gate)
12h00 - Return to the lodge for lunch
16h00 - Tea with snacks
16h30 - Depart on nature drive on Ongava property with sundowners
20h00 - Dinner - served on an elevated deck under the stars overlooking a floodlit waterhole. Dinner is Buffet style serving International Cuisine and also local game dishes

Laundry policy

Daily service is included in the nightly tariff

Extras payment

Payment can be affected by Cash, Traveller's Cheques and Visa/Mastercard credit cards
If guests feel that they want to tip, our recommended tipping schedule is as follows:
Lodge staff - US$3.00 per guest per day.
Driver/guides - US$5.00 per guest per day
(This is the suggested gratuity schedule only and is subject to service standards)

Flying times

to/from Windhoek 1hr 30 minutes
to/from Swakopmund 1hr 45 minutes

Air strip details

Ongava Air strip Co-ordinates: S 19.19.7, E 15.54.9
1200m long, calcrete surface.
Can take aircraft up to a 19 seater Beechcraft

Electricity

o Generator
o 12v power
o Solar heated water

Guest Comments

"I felt very welcome and was treated as a special guest throughout my stay. It could not have been better'"

V.K., Denmark

"Of all the 5 camps we visited, Ongava Tented camp is the ideal African experience. We would like to say beautifully run with thoughtful and attentive service by everyone"

J. mc K. , Canada

"We stayed at the tented camp and had a wonderful game experience. The waterhole in front of the dining area was so productive. You needn't even go on a game drive if you don't want to, as all the game seemed to come here to drink! We were lucky enough to see two lions and two rhinos at the waterhole one evening and the lions kept us awake with their roaring! It was an amazing bush experience".

M. K., Switzerland

"It was a pleasure to stay in a small very personal Lodge, the tents are excellent, very comfortable and we had a great bush experience"

W.S., SA

"This camp is expertly run, with very professional, yet amicable staff"

R. G., USA

"I was here only for one night, yet was made to feel a part of everything, and not just like another tourist"

M.S., Hungary

"This camp has a beautiful atmosphere, it is small and intimate, and is run by a good team with friendly staff. We ate dinner under the stars whilst watching two white rhino drinking at the waterhole, which was magical. Etosha and the property of Ongava itself are fantastic and we were lucky to see lots of game, including the black and white rhinos as well as lions. It was a very special trip for us. Thanks to you all."

B.G., UK

"We have enjoyed all the Wilderness Camps, all of them have been excellent, but this one has been superb. Thank you all for a super time"

M. M., UK

"My entire experience here was wonderful, one I will remember for a long time"

E.W., USA

"Terrific trip, Wilderness runs a unique personal safari"

G.G., Scotland

"The intimate friendly family atmosphere of the tented camp was ideal. Our guide was especially stimulating and informative. All our family thoroughly enjoyed their stay."

J.B., USA

"Not only was the service outstanding, but also every request was met with a smile. The Management Team make excellent hosts."

R.T., USA

"We had a great time with a great guide. The interaction and friendship of the staff is marvellous and you really feel like you are amongst friends!"

A. v. C., South Africa

"This camp is terrific. It is close to Etosha and we saw so much game on the property as well. We were very well looked after and particularly liked tracking the white rhino on foot. It was exhilarating to finally come across them. The camp is extremely comfortable in fact we were surprised how luxurious a tented camp could be! We even had an afternoon swim and saw a rhino come down for a drink at the waterhole not more than 50 metres away!"

J.S., UK

Please contact us for current rates: