Onguma Camp Kala is in the Onguma Nature Reserve in Namibia. A 34,000-ha wilderness on the eastern border of Etosha National Park. Elevated on wooden decks, the camp is centered around a busy waterhole with game viewing from numerous vantage points. Be it the comfortable lounge, the cool and secluded hide, the intimate cocktail bar, or the beautiful deck. The deck is sunny by day and warmed by a fire pit at night. With its conical, mud-plastered central tower resembling a termite mound and the camp elevated on wooden stilts, it naturally blends in with its surroundings. The impeccable and discreet butler service is to pamper guests and make them feel welcome, appreciated, and at home.
The dining area has an open chef’s kitchen and an all-day pantry to ensure everyone feels right at home. A fully equipped gym and a yoga deck are available for guests who are more active. While those who want to relax can enjoy the comfort of the ground-level photographic hide. Or enjoy a therapeutic massage in the spa room.
Onguma Camp Kala is on Conde Nast Traveler’s 2023 Hot List.
Onguma Camp Kala is an exclusive, unfenced camp and therefore welcomes guests over the age of 12 years.
It doesn’t get much more exclusive than this. Camp Kala consists of only four guest Suites linked by raised walkways. This makes it perfect for a few friends traveling together to book on an exclusive-use basis. When booked for exclusive use the camp can accommodate up to 10 guests. Rather than the usual 8.
Spacious and private, the open-plan suites have sumptuous twin or king-sized beds with a normal air-conditioning unit. Or, if you decide to sleep with open doors, a state-of-the-art air-cooling system cooling only the bed area. The comfortable seating area has a fully stocked personal bar. The beautiful bathroom has full views over the busy water hole just meters away. It has bespoke double vanities, a full-size bathtub, and a generous shower.
Each suite has its own private deck with wood fired hot tub for those chilly romantic nights. And a private plunge pool to cool off on very hot days. Follow the walkway to your own private, shaded sala with a king-size outdoor day bed. Perfectly placed for an armchair safari or to ‘sleep out’ under the stars.
Luxury bedroom suite
Activities at Onguma Camp Kala
Activities at Onguma Camp Kala are all exclusively custom tailored. Most are based on the greater Onguma Reserve. This allows the opportunity to get off your vehicle and explore nature with your guide.
The Dream Cruiser – A Romantic Adventure Sleep-Out
The Dream Cruiser is a unique sleep-out experience (at an additional cost), under the Namibian night skies. This sleepout in the wilderness of the reserve is on a custom-built Land Cruiser. There is a full bathroom on the lower deck and a bedroom with a lounge area on the upper deck. Transfer to the Dream Cruiser in time to take a tour of your accommodation and enjoy sundowners.
A night on the Dream Cruiser calls for al fresco picnic-style dining. This is for you to enjoy as the stars dance in all their glory. A ranger is on call via a two-way radio. So make the most of this time and relax in the safety and complete comfort of this unique space.
Enjoy morning tea/coffee with homemade rusks before being collected for breakfast at the lodge.
Dream Cruiser – A Romantic Adventure Sleep-Out in Etosha
Onkolo Hide
The Namibian Bush takes on a new perspective when you sit quietly and observe wildlife without having an obvious presence.
Sunk into the ground, the Onkolo Hide is at water level. This affords guests one of the best ways to get exceptionally close to animals and enjoy nature unobserved. The hide has adjustable leather stools, drinks, and snacks. Amateur and professional photographers alike can take advantage of the unequaled photographic opportunities.
Hide in Etosha for excellent photography
Onguma Sundowner Drive
The Sundowner Drive takes place on Onguma Private Nature Reserve in the late afternoon. Just before sunset, stop at a beautiful stop to enjoy a drink and some snacks. The sunset displays a spectacular array of colors painting the sky in shades of orange, yellow, and pink tones.
Onguma is home to numerous plains game, more than 300 bird species, and four of the big five.
Sun downers
Etosha Morning & Afternoon Game Drives
Departing after breakfast or lunch, guests will journey into the Etosha National Park. Explore the eastern part of the 22 750 square kilometer wildlife sanctuary with a knowledgeable ranger. You have a good chance of meeting 4 of the ‘big 5’ at a waterhole or in the bush.
Etosha, meaning ‘place of dry waters’ refers to a flat calc depression (or pan) of about 5 000 km2. The Onguma Reserve overlooks the ‘pan’. 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 is enough to stimulate the growth of blue-green algae which lures thousands of flamingos. There are roughly 114 species of mammals in Etosha. However, there are no Hippos, Crocodiles, or Buffaloes, as it is too arid.
Giraffe in Etosha National Park
Interpretive Bush Walks
Africa takes on a new perspective when you experience it on foot as the first explorers did. A bush walk is a unique physical, mental and spiritual adventure through nature. Experience the sights, smells, and sounds of the Namibian bush on an interpretive bush walk with experienced armed rangers.
Guided bush walk
Conservation & Sustainability
At Camp Kala: They do not use single-use plastics, The Nespresso machine capsules are 100% biodegradable, and All glass is crushed and used as sand for building materials.
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. There has been an increase in the sophistication of the methods used by poachers. 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 Camp Kala
Access by Air
We can arrange a private charter to Onguma Airfield. 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 Camp Kala for approximately 20 minutes 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 Camp Kala for approximately 20 minutes on a dirt road.
Onguma Camp Kala Fully Inclusive Accommodation Rates
1st November 2023 – 31st October 2024: N$24 630 per person sharing (N$12 320 single supplement)
The Fully Inclusive Package Includes: Accommodation, Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Dinner (4-course), Bar and Mini Bar (beers, local spirits, soft drinks, water, and house wines) 2 x Activities per night stayed. Sundowner Drive and Etosha morning Game Drive. Other activities are available subject to time restrictions and availability. These include interpretive bush walks, Onkolo Hide and afternoon Etosha game drive. Transfer from and to the Onguma airstrip, VAT, Social Development Levy, and NTB tourism levy.
*This is compulsory and is utilized exclusively to guard and protect the rhino population on the reserve. This is currently N$150 per person per night.
Honeymoon Packages
With just four suites in total, this beautiful new camp, elevated on stilts to maximise the views, offers honeymooners the ultimate in privacy and exclusivity.
Each suite has its own sala with day bed, wood-fired hot tub, cool plunge pool and discreet butler service. There’s also a photographic hide, gym and spa room for relaxation and pampering between safaris and nature walks. Book a 4-night honeymoon at Camp Kala and get a 5th night free.
Couples with a spirit of adventure can also opt to spend any one of their 5 nights on the one-of-a-kind Dream Cruiser under the Namibian Night skies (subject to cruiser availability).
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
OR:
Onguma Camp Kala Honeymoon Offer
Stay 5 nights on your honeymoon at Camp Kala.
This offer includes: 5 nights accommodation at Onguma Camp Kala All meals Two activities per day Soft drinks, local wines and beers The opportunity to spend one of your 5 nights on The Dream Cruiser at no additional costs (subject to weather and availability) Special romantic turn downs Option dinner in your suite.
The Honeymoon Offers are valid for couples who have been married in the last 6 months and provide a marriage certificate.
2 and 3 night Fly In Safari Packages are also available. Ask us about these as rates are dependent on number of people.
