This lovely stone and canvas lodge in private Onguma Reserve embraces a floodlit waterhole that can be seen from both the main areas and the suites. The camp (one of five lodges in the reserve – the others are Onguma Bush Camp, Onguma Tree Top, Onguma the Fort and Onguma Plains Camp) lies on the eastern edge of Etosha National Park, so there are great opportunities to see wildlife in both sanctuaries. Expect fresh decor, solicitous staff, varied animal and bird sightings and extraordinary views.
Three hand-carved giraffes guard the entrance to the open-fronted main areas. Inside are a bar, a dining room with a large table for informal dining, and lounge areas furnished with plush charcoal sofas, armchairs and large bean bags for chilling in with a cup of coffee and a book or a browse through the lodge's photo album. Outside, overlooking the waterhole, is a deck, a small pool and a fire pit encircled by directors' chairs – a perfect place to chat.
Paths lead to seven tented rooms (tent number five is closest to the main area), each on a raised wooden platform with sliding glass doors that open on to a private deck overlooking the waterhole. The rooms are large, with comfortable beds and a spacious en-suite bathroom with twin basins, a walk-in shower (nicely powerful) and a free-standing silver bath with great views of the bush. There's also an outdoor shower and wood-fired hot tub.
Activities include half- and full-day game drives in open 4x4 vehicles into Etosha National Park, sundowner drives on the reserve, guided walks, birding (look out for Namaqua sandgrouse, short-toed rock thrush, acacia pied barbet, double-banded courser and yellow-bellied eremomela) and spending time in hides.
You couldn't feel closer to the wilderness at this intimate tented camp with wildlife experiences coming out of its ears.
Sometimes armchair safaris are as good as the real thing and that's certainly the case at Onguma Tented Camp. Get comfortable on your private deck and prepare to stare at the well-visited waterhole for hours.
If you have plans of tracking white rhino on foot, be sure to visit during the dry season.
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Onguma Tented Camp can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made Namibia trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended Namibia trips featuring Onguma Tented Camp or get advice and suggestions from one of our Namibia specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at Onguma Tented Camp start from around $920, or US$920, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
A safari wonderland, where plentiful waterholes amid the salt pans attract even more plentiful game.
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