Onguma Bush Camp is in the Onguma Nature Reserve, on the Eastern side of Etosha National Park. It borders Fisher’s Pan and is one of Namibia’s best-kept secrets. Here you experience Africa in all its beauty and diversity.
Etosha is a 22 750km² wildlife sanctuary in Namibia; one of Africa’s most stable and accessible countries. Etosha, meaning ‘place of dry water’, refers to a flat calcrete depression (or pan) of about 5 000km². The ‘Pan’ is overlooked by the Onguma Reserve. It provides a great, parched, silver-white backdrop of shimmering mirages to an area of semi-arid savannah grassland and thorn scrub. The pan itself contains water; only after very good rains. And sometimes for only a few days each year. But it is enough to stimulate the growth of blue-green algae which lures thousands of flamingos.
The lounge and dining areas overlook a stunning waterhole. That affords great opportunities to see nature at play around the clock. You don’t even have to leave the camp to see the game; it comes to you! There is also a swimming pool and a thatched bar, a lounge, and a dining area. All overlooking the extensive waterhole.
Onguma Bush Camp offers 18 x rooms and family suites in total and is ideal for families with children.
Rondavel Rooms
The three rondavels are part of the original lodge buildings. They are in the traditional circular style with thatched roofs. They offer en suite bathrooms, twin beds, and a small patio overlooking the gardens.
Rondavel Room
Loft Rooms
The Standard Loft rooms offer en suite bathrooms, twin beds, and a small patio overlooking the gardens. With extra loft beds for children. These Family loft rooms ensure the kids will have a great safari.
Onguma Bush Camp Loft Room
Family Rooms
The Family Units have two inter leading bedrooms with 4 beds; each with its own en-suite bathroom.
Family Room
Deluxe Rooms
The 8 x twin-bed Waterhole or Poolside rooms have stunning views over the surrounding bush. Each room has a large en suite bathroom and a small patio. From which to admire the view of the newly enlarged waterhole or views across the pool.
Deluxe Room Accommodation
Settler’s Room
Formerly known as the honeymoon suite, this room is larger than the other rooms. It also has a small sitting area.
Settlers Room
The Dream Cruiser – A Romantic Adventure Sleep-Out
The Dream Cruiser is Onguma’s newest and most unique under the stars sleep-out experience. This sleep-out in the wilderness of the reserve is on a custom built Land Cruiser. Featuring a full bathroom on the lower deck and a bedroom with a lounge area on the upper deck.
You will arrive in time to enjoy sundowners and take a tour of your overnight accommodation. A night on the Dream Cruiser calls for al fresco picnic style dining. For you to enjoy as the evening turns to night and the stars dance in all their glory. A ranger is on call via two-way radio. So, make the most of this time and relax in the safety and complete comfort of this unique space.
After a good night’s rest, you can enjoy morning tea/coffee with homemade rusks. Before being collected for breakfast at the lodge.
Romantic sleep out in Etosha
Activities from Onguma Nature Reserve
Morning and afternoon game drives in the Etosha National Park are a highlight when staying at Onguma Bush Camp.
Sunset drives are offered on the Onguma Nature Reserve. Onguma Nature Reserve consists of 34 000 hectares of Namibian wilderness. It is home to numerous plains game, more than 300 bird species. And even 4 of the Big 5. The Reserve boasts over thirty different animal species. Plains game roam freely on the Reserve. And predators although not always easy to spot; are nevertheless common residents of the area. There is a healthy black rhino and leopard population. Lions, hyenas and Cheetahs are frequently seen and often heard.
Onguma Bush Camp Waterhole
Onguma’s fabulous new water level hide; Onkolo Hide; affords guests a great opportunity to calmly sit and enjoy nature unobserved. Amateur and professional photographers alike love the angles and light from this equipped hide. Ideal to view the surroundings with lots of windows and vantage points for creative camera angles.
Onkolo Photographic Hide
Africa takes on a new perspective when you experience it on foot as the first explorers did. An interpretive bush walk is a unique physical, mental and spiritual adventure through nature. Experience the sights, smells, and sounds of the bush on an early morning leisurely walk accompanied by experienced armed rangers.
Children on Safari
Namibia can offer a truly memorable and interactive experience in the wilderness for families traveling with children. Onguma Bush Camp offers good children’s accommodation, specially designed game drives for children, activities, and meals.
Onguma Nature Reserve welcomes children to explore and experience the uniqueness of the untamed African bush. With its many wild animals both big and small!
At Onguma Bush Camp there has always been an emphasis on family. The staff goes out of their way to make sure the young ones have the time of their lives. While the parents get their own satisfying safari experience. The bushveld of Onguma is a wild wonderland, a child’s dream come true. This Lodge delights in being able to share her secrets with the next generation.
Etosha family safari
Children under the age of 3 years stay free of charge. Children from 3 to 11 years old pay 50% of the adult sharing rate. Game Drives are on open safari vehicles. Therefore; kids under 7 years are not permitted on the scheduled game drives. A private game drive can be booked at an extra cost. Subject to availability, consequently, they should be booked in advance.
Conservation & Sustainability
Onguma Anti-poaching Unit (APU)
The biggest threat that wildlife currently faces is poaching. This is due to the high value of rhino horn, ivory and many other animal products. As a result, Onguma has a well-trained, fully equipped Anti-Poaching Unit.
In 1993 Black Rhino numbers dropped by a staggering 96%. Namibia’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism decided to take matters into their own hands. And set up the ambitious Black Rhino Custodianship Program. With the aim to bring the world’s black rhino populations back from the brink.
Since then, all Black Rhino in Namibia are state owned. The concept of Namibia’s Black Rhino Custodianship Program is that breeding populations of Black Rhino are relocated to a suitable habitat. Where the landholders are willing and able to undertake the responsibility of providing care and security to them. Onguma Game Reserve have been chosen to be one of these custodians. And they take their duty to the rhino and other wildlife very seriously. The Reserve is also home to White Rhino’s. Ensuring both species survival for future generations.
Visiting Onguma is not only about experiencing wildlife in a natural environment. But more importantly, it is about helping to protect it.
Social Responsibility
Strategic plans were made to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the Onguma Nature Reserve to benefit the local community. Along with several other important factors, the founder of Onguma foresaw that the major threat to sustainability would be hunger.
Therefore; Oshivelo Farming was founded in August 2012. This creates jobs on a large scale for the Oshivelo community. Oshivelo Farming currently employs 180 previously unemployed local people on a permanent basis. Of which 80% are women. Up to 100 additional people are also employed seasonally.
Getting to Onguma Bush Camp
Access by Air
A private charter to Onguma Airfield where you will be collected. Or to Mokuti Airstrip. A transfer fee is payable for this transfer.
Access by Road
Coming from southern Namibia, follow the B1 direction North/Etosha. Turn left onto the C38. After 25km you will reach Onguma Nature Reserve’s entrance on the right-hand side. Just before Etosha’s Namutoni entrance gate. Follow the signs to Onguma Bush Camp on a dirt road.
Coming from western Namibia, you will leave Etosha at the von Lindequist Gate, Namutoni. Turn left almost immediately at the entrance to Onguma Nature Reserve. Follow the signs to Onguma Bush Camp on a dirt road.
Onguma Bush Camp Accommodation Rates
1st November 2023 – 31st October 2024 Onguma Bush Camp Rates
Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast
Per Person Sharing
Single Supplement
Per Child Sharing (3 – 11)
Rondavels
N$ 2,440
N$ 920
N$1,220
Standard Loft & Family Rooms
N$2,820
N$1,200
N$1,410
Deluxe Rooms
N$3,560
N$1,780
Settler’s Room
N$3,730
N$1,865
1st November 2024 – 31st October 2025 Onguma Bush Camp Rates
Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast
Per Person Sharing
Single Supplement
Per Child Sharing (3 – 11)
Rondavels
N$ 2,810
N$ 1,060
N$ 1,405
Standard Loft & Family Rooms
N$ 3,250
N$ 1,380
N$ 1,625
Deluxe Rooms
N$ 4,100
N$ 2,050
Settler’s Room
N$ 4,290
N$ 2,145
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast rate includes: Accommodation, and breakfast Transfer from and to the Onguma airstrip, VAT, Social Development Levy, and NTB tourism levy.
A lot of self drive clients prefer a Dinner, Bed, and Breakfast rate as they will be using their vehicle for game drives, etc. Lunch packs can be arranged for you to take with you on your day’s adventure. Alternatively, arrange activities with the lodge on arrival.
The above rates exclude the Rhino / Conservation Levy per person per night. This levy is utilized exclusively to guard and protect the Rhino population in Onguma Nature Reserve.
Onguma Bush Camp Specials / Packages
Receive discounted rates on a 3 night dinner, bed, and breakfast package at Onguma Bush Camp.
1st November 2023 – 31st October 2024 3 Night Onguma Bush Camp Package
Per Person Sharing for 3 nights
Per Child from 3 – 11
Rondavels
N$ 5,787
N$2,893.50
Standard Loft & Family Rooms
N$ 6,768
N$3,384
Deluxe Rooms
N$ 8,463
N$4,231.50
Settler’s Room
N$8,955
N$4,477.50
1st November 2024 – 31st October 2025 3 Night Onguma Bush Camp Package
Per Person Sharing for 3 nights
Per Child from 3 – 11
Rondavels
N$ 6,660
N$ 3,330
Standard Loft & Family Rooms
N$ 7,788
N$ 3,894
Deluxe Rooms
N$ 9,738
N$ 4,869
Settler’s Room
N$ 10,299
N$ 5,149.50
The 3 night package has the same inclusions as the nightly rate. The Conservation / Rhino Levy is payable for all three nights. Add on as many or few activities as you like.
Honeymoon Package
If booking 3 or more nights at Onguma we will include a Bush Dinner free of charge. Also, if a couple books a full body massage, you get an extra free scalp or foot massage to the value of N$525
Valid for couples who have been married in the last 6 months and provide a marriage certificate.
