Inspiring, soulful, essential. This is the magic of the African bush.
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Experience Ongava – eco-tourism for the next generation
Bordering Etosha National Park in northern Namibia, Ongava Game Reserve encompasses 34,000 hectares of protected wilderness. Established in 1991, the reserve transformed former farmland into one of Namibia’s leading conservation areas and is recognised for its successful reintroduction and protection of both black and white rhino.
Alongside rhino, visitors may encounter lion, elephant, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, plains game, and the rare black-faced impala. Ongava is also home to the Ongava Research Centre, one of southern Africa’s leading private conservation research facilities, supporting long-term ecological monitoring and wildlife science.
Ongava Game Reserve offers four distinctive accommodation options: Ongava Lodge, Horizon by Ongava, Encounter by Ongava, and Anderssons at Ongava. Combining exceptional wildlife viewing, conservation, and direct access to Etosha National Park, Ongava is one of Namibia’s premier safari destinations and forms part of the Naturally Namibia collection.
Ongava Lodge
Ongava Lodge is one of Namibia’s premier lodges on one of the country’s most important private game reserves.
The Lodge
Ongava Lodge offers luxury accommodation in 14 rock-and-thatch en-suite chalets. There are impressive views over the camp’s waterhole from the main lounge and dining areas and there is also an inviting pool to cool off in the heat of the day. All rooms are en-suite with double basins, plus indoor and outdoor showers.
Amenities
Private viewing deck, air conditioning and overhead fans, mosquito nets, tea/coffee, hairdryers & 220V power. Thatched dining area and bar plus waterhole views, wi-fi service in the lounge, swimming pool, curio shop, a dedicated guide and shared game drive vehicle.
Location
Horizon by Ongava
Designed for privacy, luxury and an intimacy with the land, Horizon by Ongava is set on a high hill with pristine views across the plains.
The Luxury Suites
This intimate camp has only three spacious suites each with its own plunge pool, en-suite bathroom, “sala”, and outdoor shower. The lounge and dining areas have wonderful views of a productive waterhole below the camp, the open deck allowing for relaxed, stylish dining under the African sky.
Amenities
Private plunge pool & sala, air conditioning, wi-fi service in rooms, sitting room & viewing deck, veranda, fireplace, bar-fridge, safe, tea/coffee, hairdryers & 220V power. Thatched/outdoor dining area with waterhole views, a dedicated guide and shared game drive vehicle.
Location
Encounter by Ongava
Immersed in the African Mopani bush, Encounter by Ongava is a natural extension of this wild, wonderful landscape.
Encounter by Ongava
Amenities
Location
Anderssons at Ongava
Anderssons at Ongava, named for Charles Andersson, the Swedish explorer who first described the Etosha Pan, takes the past and moves it decidedly forward.
The Lodge
Ensuring a light footprint and an exceptional experience, Anderssons at Ongava offers seven contemporary designed luxury guest suites and one family suite, accommodating a maximum of 18 Guests. En-suite facilities with separate toilet, indoor shower and outdoor shower, double vanity basin. Enjoy our lounge area with 24-hour live views of the waterhole.
Amenities
Private viewing deck with 180 degree panorama, climate control, mosquito net, tea & coffee making facilities, hairdryer, electronic safe and 220V power. Undercover and open-air dining area, a spacious lounge with waterhole to views of the surrounding nature, curio shop, library, infinity edge pool, water level photographic hide, wi-fi service in the lounge, and a dedicated guide and shared game drive vehicle.
Location
While your visit helps protect some of the most endangered wildlife in Africa, we thrive off welcoming guests with genuine smiles and a fun sense of adventure.
What to do at Ongava
Ongava Research Centre (ORC) Visitor Centre
Ongava is committed to ‘Nature First’, striving to restore biodiversity, provide a safe haven for rare and endangered species and, through understanding, protect natural resources for the future of the planet. www.orc.eco
Latest Ongava News & Stories
A New Horizon, A Deeper Encounter at Ongava
Ongava Research Centre: Multidimensional Research in a Changing World
Little Ongava continues to impress
Nature Comes First
Naturally Namibia Roadtrip – Part 1
Listen to Nature
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ongava Game Reserve and how do I get there?
What wildlife can I see at Ongava Game Reserve?
Ongava is one of Namibia’s premier wildlife destinations and is particularly famous for its healthy populations of both black and white rhino. Other regularly seen species include lion, elephant, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, springbok, gemsbok and the endemic black-faced impala. The reserve’s network of waterholes provides exceptional wildlife viewing throughout the year, particularly during the dry season.
What is the difference between the four lodges at Ongava Game Reserve?
- Horizon by Ongava is the reserve’s most exclusive accommodation option, offering just three luxurious private villas, exceptional privacy and highly personalised safari experiences.
- Ongava Lodge is the classic safari lodge of the reserve, combining traditional safari charm with spectacular views over a productive waterhole and easy access to both Ongava and Etosha.
- Encounter by Ongava is an intimate, unfenced tented camp designed for travellers seeking a more immersive and authentic bush experience, where the sounds and rhythms of the wilderness remain ever-present.
- Anderssons at Ongava combines elegant contemporary design with exceptional wildlife viewing and direct access to the Ongava Research Centre, making it ideal for guests who appreciate a sophisticated safari experience enriched by conservation and scientific discovery.
Where does Ongava Game Reserve fit into a Namibia itinerary?
Ongava forms one of the highlights of northern Namibia and is commonly combined with visits to Etosha National Park. Many travellers include Ongava as part of a classic Namibia itinerary alongside destinations such as the Namib Desert, Damaraland and the Erongo Mountains. Guests often continue south to Okonjima Nature Reserve for leopard tracking and conservation experiences before returning to Windhoek.
What can I do at Ongava Game Reserve that I cannot do inside Etosha National Park?
Ongava offers a range of activities that are not permitted within Etosha National Park itself. These include guided nature walks, night drives and the opportunity to approach big game on foot with a qualified guide. Guests can also visit the Ongava Research Centre and Discovery Centre to gain insight into ongoing conservation and wildlife research programmes. These experiences provide a deeper understanding of Namibia’s wildlife and ecosystems while complementing game viewing excursions into Etosha National Park.