Okonjima Plains Camp (formerly Okonjima Main Camp) is a wonderful retreat hidden away in the Omboroko Mountains, west of Waterberg in Namibia's Central Highlands. It is the original camp in the Okonjima collection (there are four others), constructed around an old farmhouse owned by the Hanssen family, and one of the oldest lodges in Namibia, having opened as a guest farm in 1986. The lodge is large (and constantly expanding) with 30 twin/double rooms scattered among pretty gardens.
One of the primary attractions of Okonjima is its resident population of wild cats. The lodge is home to the ‘AfriCat Foundation’, which is dedicated to preserving the big cats of Namibia. Special emphasis is placed on leopard, but the Africat Foundation also has research projects focused on lion and desert lynx (caracal), as well as other endangered species including pangolin, brown hyena and aardvark. (As of 2019, Okonjima no longer serves as a release site for former captive cheetahs, and therefore cheetah tracking is not offered as an activity, though a small population of cheetah still reside within the reserve.) In addition to the big cats, there are over 300 indigenous species of birds. In short, the wildlife viewing at Okonjima is excellent!
Separate to the main farmhouse, there are a number of other places to stay at Okonjima, including a luxury bush camp situated on the edge of a wilderness area; Omboroko, a 4-tent bush camp that is booked on an exclusive basis; a private bush suite; and finally, a bush villa.
Okonjima is a 2 hour drive from Windhoek.
Accommodation
The main camp (Okonjima Plains) is home to thirty comfortable, en-suite double rooms, divided into three categories (view, garden, and standard). The bush camp, located a few kilometres from Okonjima Plains, offers eight thatched chalets, while Omboroko is a very exclusive camp site.
The private bush suite is home to a large swimming pool, private kitchen and two en-suite bedrooms, each with 2 queen-size beds, safe, air-conditioning (with heating) and bath and shower.
In addition there is a larger bush villa, which can accommodate up to 8 adults in its 4 en-suite double rooms, all with king-size beds (which can be rolled out onto the terrace with ease if you wish to sleep out under the stars). All of the rooms have an additional 3/4 beds to accommodate guests or children. A private kitchen, swimming pool, as well as host, guide and vehicle, complete the picture.
While it sounds like a big resort on paper, the different camp and lodges within the Okonjima collection are spread out enough to ensure that they don't feel overly crowded. Okonjima Plains Camp, it should be said, has expanded a great deal in recent years and is now much bigger than it used to be, leading to an altogether less intimate mood, but the rooms here are lovely and the atmosphere relaxed.
Dining
Okonjima is booked on a full or half-board basis. Special dietary requirements can be catered for but prior notice is necessary.
A generous brunch is typically served after a morning walk. Fresh fruit, cake, as well as hot and cold refreshments, are available throughout the day.
A three-course meal is served in the evenings.
Facilities (dependent on choice of accommodation)
- Swimming pool
- Lounge and bar
- Dining room
- Spa
Activities
- 4x4 game drives
- Leopard tracking
- Birding
- The Bushman trail
Child Policy
Children under the age of 12 cannot be accommodated at Okonjima, except in the bush suite and villa where the age limit is 8.
Environmental Policy
The AfriCat Foundation is a non-profit that supports the conservation of Namibia's big cats, particularly leopard and cheetah.
