Ongava Lodge is the largest property in the Ongava family, a collection of three lodges managed by luxury safari operator Wilderness Safaris, and located in a private reserve bordering Etosha National Park. Most of the camps in the Wilderness Safaris portfolio are exceptionally luxurious, and the Ongava collection is no exception. Ongava Lodge, the oldest in the family, stands out for its beautifully appointed stone and thatch guest rooms and its lovely pool. It also boasts a fine location, on a rocky kopje, or outcrop, overlooking a busy watering hole and expansive plains.
As the largest property in the Ongava Reserve, Ongava Lodge is also the most affordable. It doesn't offer quite the same levels of exclusivity as sister lodges Ongava Tented Camp and Little Ongava, both of which are newer. For this reason, and for nearly the same price, we prefer the smaller scale and greater charm of Ongava Tented Camp. On the other hand, many will find a stay in Ongava Lodge's stone chalets more comfortable than a night under canvas, however luxurious the tents at Ongava Tented Camp may be.
All of the Ongava properties share the same advantage of being located in a private reserve. This opens up a range of activities not available in Etosha National Park, such as night drives and guided walks. With a rich variety of wildlife including both black and white rhino, and much lower visitor numbers than the main park, Ongava Reserve is a pleasure to explore. Of course, guests on long stays will likely want to spend at least a day exploring the National Park itself, which, thankfully, is easily accessible from Ongava Lodge via Andersson's Gate, on the southern boundary, near game-rich Okaukuejo.
Accommodation
Though the largest of the Ongava family, Ongava Lodge is still comfortably small compared to many of the lodges and restcamps in Etosha National Park. It has 14 rooms, all of them identical in design and layout except for one family unit. These are very large and comfortable guest rooms, equipped with a full range of amenities, including many creature comforts not on offer at nearby Ongava Tented Camp, such as air-conditioning. At the front, glass double doors open onto a wide verandah with dramatic views over the plains. The bathrooms feature both shower units and bathtubs.
Dining
Meals at Ongava Lodge are either served in the main dining area under thatch overlooking the camp's waterhole, or on the dining deck under the stars. Most meals are presented as buffets, with a good selection of cooked dishes and fresh salads, and both meat and vegetarian options.
Facilities
- Swimming pool
- Lounge and bar
- Dining room
- Reference library
- Spotting scope
- Hide
Activities
- Game drives on the reserve and in Etosha NP
- Guided walks on the reserve
- Rhino tracking on the reserve
- Hides on Ongava Reserve
Child Policy
Ongava Lodge accepts children over the age of eight. There's one family room at the lodge, able to accommodate families of four.
