Ongava Lodge

Ongava Lodge is located on the private Ongava Reserve, which borders the southern edge of Etosha National Park, near Andersson’s Gate.

• By air – The most convenient way to reach the lodge is by light aircraft from Windhoek or other safari regions. Flights land at Ongava’s private airstrip, just a 15-minute drive from the lodge.
• By road – Ongava is approximately a 5 to 6-hour drive from Windhoek on good tar roads, followed by a short gravel section into the reserve. Self-drive or private transfer options are available, often as part of a wider Namibia itinerary.

Yes – children are welcome at Ongava Lodge.

The lodge is well suited to families with older children who have a genuine interest in wildlife and the outdoors. While there is no formal kids’ programme, game drives and activities can be adapted to suit different ages, and the lodge’s waterhole offers exciting wildlife viewing without leaving camp.

For younger families, private vehicles can be arranged for added flexibility. Due to the lodge’s elevated, open setting and presence of dangerous game, children must be supervised at all times.

Ongava Lodge is part of the Ongava Game Reserve, one of Namibia’s leading private conservation success stories. The lodge operates with a strong focus on sustainability, both in its environmental footprint and its long-term support of wildlife and community initiatives.

• Rhino conservation – Ongava is a vital sanctuary for both black and white rhino. By staying at Ongava, guests directly contribute to the funding of anti-poaching patrols, monitoring and research efforts.
• Low-impact design – The lodge was built to blend discreetly into its rocky surroundings, using natural materials and elevated walkways to reduce disturbance to the landscape.
• Responsible water and energy use – Solar energy is used where possible, and water usage is carefully managed – a necessity in this arid region.
• Scientific research – Ongava houses a dedicated research centre focused on the long-term study of the reserve’s ecosystems, including predator-prey dynamics and habitat restoration.
• Community support – The reserve offers training and employment to people from neighbouring communities, creating jobs and building skills in guiding, hospitality and conservation.

Ongava Lodge offers outstanding wildlife viewing, both on its private reserve and inside neighbouring Etosha National Park. The diversity is exceptional, and sightings are often intimate due to limited vehicle numbers and expert guiding.

• White and black rhino – Ongava is one of the best places in Namibia to see both species, often at close range and sometimes even from the lodge.
• Lion and leopard – Both big cats are present on the reserve, with lions regularly spotted and leopards occasionally seen in quieter areas.
• Elephant and giraffe – Herds of elephant move through the reserve, especially during the dry season, and giraffe are commonly seen browsing in open woodland.
• Plains game – Expect healthy numbers of zebra, wildebeest, springbok, kudu and oryx – all of which attract predators.
• Birdlife – Over 300 bird species have been recorded in the area, including raptors, hornbills, bustards and colourful bee-eaters.
• Nocturnal species – On night drives, you may encounter bat-eared foxes, aardvark, genets and other elusive desert-adapted creatures.