Bordering Fischer's Pan, near Etosha National Park's Namutoni Gate, Onguma Bush Camp is the perfect base from which to explore both the private Onguma Game Reserve and the eastern side of the national park. One of five camps in Onguma, this is the only one that is fully fenced, except for three of its newest rooms. At the heart of the camp is a floodlit waterhole that can be seen from both the main areas and the rooms. The decor is fresh and modern, the food is good, the welcome is authentic and nature is all around.




As you approach Onguma Bush Camp, its lovely stilted main area seems to float above the waterhole. Inside, from the reception/curio shop area, you walk along shaded paved pathways to the open-sided and thatched lapa with dining room, bar and lounge areas, all overlooking the waterhole. There's a games room for children, a swimming pool with loungers and a platform overlooking the waterhole.
Recently refurbished and enlarged, Onguma Bush Camp is fresh and modern. It has 18 rooms, including three new rooms that, unlike the others, have no fences separating them from the waterhole. Each room has aircon, mosquito-netted beds, good lighting, a ceiling fan and a well-designed en-suite bathroom. The decor combines natural materials with crisp white linen and soft furnishings that echo the colours of the outdoors. Outside is a veranda, shared or private (check when booking), with great views.
Game drives are the main drawcard at Onguma, where you can venture into the Etosha National Park to spy big cats, wildebeest and elephant, or explore their 20,000-hectare reserve. If you're hoping to see something different, enjoy one of Onguma's sunset drives or get your camera ready at the Onkolo Hide. If you're an avid twitcher, thousands of birds migrate to the wetlands between November and February.
A winning location beside a popular wildlife hangout, Fischer's Pan, and the chance to explore private and national reserves.
Visit Onguma's black rhino conservation programme for insight into everything they do including data-gathering from camera traps - it's sensational!
Certain rooms have a shared veranda and three are unfenced, so it's best to check before booking depending on your preference.

A safari wonderland, where plentiful waterholes amid the salt pans attract even more plentiful game.