Onguma Etosha Forest Camp is the perfect lodge in Etosha National Park to unwind after a full day of activities. Onguma Etosha Forest Camp was called Etosha Aoba Lodge before. It is surrounded by tall Tamboti trees on the Onguma Nature Reserve. A private concession next to Etosha National Park, in Namibia. The lodge offers accommodation for couples or 2 friends. It also has 3 x family units and even a Honeymoon Bungalow with a romantic outside bath. The waterhole ensures there is always some game activity to catch your eye. Even while you cool off in the pool.
The guest area includes a thatched bar, lounge, and dining area that overlooks a waterhole. There is free WiFi in all areas of the lodge. On most nights dinner is under the stars. No meal would be complete if it didn’t include a tour of the impressive wine cellar. Homegrown and local produce provide fresh ingredients for a delicious meal. At the end of the day, enjoy kudu terrines, zebra steaks, and roast beef. You can enjoy seasonal delicacies such as Omajova mushrooms and Kalahari truffles.
Etosha Forest Camp is part of the Onguma Safari Camps. The other camps are:
Onguma Bush Camp, Onguma Camp Kala, Onguma Tented Camp, and Onguma – The Fort. There are also two campsites for self-drive guests.
Skip to Onguma Etosha Forest Camp Rates or Packages and Offers (including Honeymoon)
Onguma Etosha Forest Camp Accommodation
The Lodge features 11 x comfortable thatched cottages with a ceiling fan and air conditioning and en suite bathrooms. The large twin beds have separate mattresses and a large mosquito net. All bungalows have a private terrace with seating, a mini-safe, “bush-minibar”, and tea / coffee facilities; of course.
The lodge consists of 4 x free-standing Heritage Bungalows with thatched roofs, and 3 x Explorer Bungalows boasting privacy and seclusion. And a Honeymoon Bungalow which is more secluded and offers a romantic outdoor bath and shower.
Family Safaris at Onguma Etosha Forest Camp
In addition, there are 3 x Bush Suites that are ideal for families; as they have two bedrooms. One with a sleeper couch and the second with two twin beds. The inter leading bathroom separates the two rooms.
Etosha Forest Camp is unfenced and therefore no children under the age of 7 years are allowed. Children between 7 to 11 years of age sharing with adults pay the children’s rate. Children 12 and above will be accommodated in a family room at the full rate. Game drives are on open safari vehicles. Therefore, for safety reasons, children under 10 years are not permitted on game drive vehicles.
Activities at Onguma Etosha Forest Camp
The activities offered at Onguma Forest Camp include watching game / wildlife from the Onkolo hideout at a nearby waterhole, sundowner, Nature Drives, and Game Drives. Guests who prefer something a little more laid back can opt for nature trails, bird watching, and stargazing. Onguma is home to numerous plains game, more than 300 bird species, and four of the big five.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Dream Cruiser – A Romantic Adventure Sleep-Out
The Dream Cruiser is Onguma’s newest and most unique under-the-stars sleep-out experience.
You arrive in time to enjoy sundowners and take a tour of your overnight accommodation. This sleep-out in the wilderness of the reserve is on a custom-built Land Cruiser. It features a full bathroom on the lower deck and a bedroom with a lounge area on the upper deck.
A night on the Dream Cruiser calls for al fresco picnic-style dining. 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 taken for breakfast at the lodge.
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. To bring the world’s black rhino populations back from the brink.
Since then, all Black rhinos 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 has 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 permanently. Of which 80% are women. Up to 100 additional people are also employed seasonally.
Getting to Onguma Etosha Forest Camp
Access by Air
We can arrange a private charter to Onguma Airfield. From where you will be transferred to the lodge. 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 Etosha Forest 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 Etosha Forest Camp on a dirt road.
Rates are valid from 1st November 2023 – 31st October 2024.
Single Supplement is N$ 920 in Heritage Bungalows. It is N$ 1,200 in all other room types.
The Bed & Breakfast rate includes:
Accommodation, and breakfast
The Dinner, Bed & Breakfast rate includes:
Accommodation, dinner, and breakfast.
Activities can be booked with the lodge on arrival. Or, do them yourself in your vehicle. Lunch packs can be arranged for you to take with you on your day’s adventure.
Both rates include transfer from and to the Onguma airstrip, VAT, Social Development Levy, and NTB tourism levy.
The above rates exclude the Rhino Conservation Levy. This levy is utilized exclusively to guard and protect the Rhino population in Onguma Nature Reserve.
Onguma Etosha Forest Camp Accommodation Package and Offers
Receive discounted rates on a 3-night dinner, bed, and breakfast package at Onguma Etosha Forest Camp.
3 Night Dinner, Bed & Breakfast at Onguma Etosha Forest Camp Accommodation Package | Per Person Sharing for 3 nights | Children 7-11 for 3 nights | |
Heritage Bungalows | N$ 6,945 | N$ 3,472.50 | |
Bush Suites | 2 people | N$ 7,866 | N$ 3,933 |
| 3 people | N$ 7,359 | ||
| 4 people | N$ 6,852 | ||
Explorer Bungalows | N$ 8,895 | N$ 4,447.50 | |
Honeymoon Bungalow | N$ 9,558 | N$ 4,779 | |
The Rhino Levy is payable for all three nights. Add on as many or as 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.
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