With pressing environmental issues threatening our future, Ongava is once again responding to the needs of the planet and its guests with the creation of Anderssons at Ongava and the Ongava Research Centre (ORC), the next generation in eco-tourism. Taking a lesson from the wild in the power of symbiotic relationships, Anderssons at Ongava provides an interactive hub for guests to be a part of conservation science, where cutting edge technology meets hands on, field-based research. Guests at Anderssons at Ongava have the option of being immersed in and can contribute to developing creative, knowledge driven solutions with resident scientists, visiting researchers, conservationists and rhino security personnel, or simply relaxing and enjoying the luxurious guest suites, waterhole, viewing hide, and pool where they will find their own personal place for reflection. Ensuring a light footprint and an exceptional experience, Anderssons at Ongava has seven
contemporary designed luxury guest units and one family unit, accommodating a maximum of 18 Guests.
Andersson's at Ongava, Etosha, Namibia
The lodge is located on the Ongava Reserve on the southern boundary of Etosha National Park, near the Andersson’s Gate into the park. There is an airstrip on the Ongava Reserve, and from here Andersson’s is just a short drive. The property is accessible by both private airstrip or by private car and each guests is welcomed personally by the manager and staff.
AIR STRIP DETAILS
- Ongava Air strip co-ordinates: S 19.19.7, E 015 54.9
- Altitude 3774ft
BY ROAD
From Windhoek take the B1 to Otjiwarongo, then the C38 via Outjo towards Okaukuejo. Turn left off the tarmac road at the signpost to Ongava, directly opposite the Ombika Gate entrance to Etosha.
- The lodge is located on the Ongava Reserve on the southern boundary of Etosha National Park
- The property offers services such as daily housekeeping, a laundry service and a shared lounge/ TV area
- Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the property as is an outdoor fireplace, outdoor furniture and a terrace
- Each of the rooms has amenities such as air conditioning, a hair dryer, a safe, tea/ coffee facilities and an En-Suite
- Activities at the property include game viewing, game walks, game drives, night drives and bird watching
There is one family unit at the property, consisting of two identical suites each with one king-size bed (alternatively 2 x three-quarter beds). Each suite has its own entrance and En-suite and each room is linked by a short walkway. Designed as a direct extension of the landscape itself, the rock and other natural elements are used to reflect the environment as well as the drama of Etosha. The suites are climate-controlled due to the natural stone and innovative roof structure and the design even includes a private viewing deck with 180-degree panoramic views to admire.
There are seven standard suites at the property; six twin-bedded suites with 2 x three-quarter beds and one double suite with 1 queen size bed. Designed as a direct extension of the landscape itself, the rock and other natural elements are used to reflect the environment as well as the drama of Etosha. The suites are climate-controlled due to the natural stone and innovative roof structure and the design even includes a private viewing deck with 180-degree panoramic views to admire.
Meals are taken at the thatched dining area overlooking the popular waterhole and the lodge will be able to cater for most dietary requirements so long as sufficient notice is given. Breakfast comes in the usual Namibian style in the form of a buffet. This includes cereals, bread, cold meats, fresh fruits, yoghurt, tea, and coffee and fruit juice, along with hot dishes cooked to order.
Lunch offers guests food such as a light and refreshing tomato and mozzarella salad, followed by a choice of vegetable pasta or a kudu kebab with roast vegetables. This can then be rounded off with a desert such as chocolate brownies and/or vanilla ice cream. Dinner is a three-course affair offering options such as leek and potato soup with a fresh bread roll. The main course, of either chicken stuffed with feta and spinach, or pork, can be served with potato wedges, green beans and steamed vegetables. A desert is also available after dinner to round everything off.
Full- or half-day guided morning game drives in the Etosha National Park, Namibia’s prime savannah wilderness area, allows guests to see the massive salt-pan and perennial springs that provide the water required by the Park’s high-density big game population. This is a full day activity on request and comes with packed lunch.
Offered seasonally and subject to an available walking guide, the guided nature walks through the reserve will proudly showcase the abundant array of life, from the unusual plants to the arid-adapted animals with a chance of potentially approaching white rhino.
Andersson’s hide allows for unobtrusive game viewing of the camp’s waterhole. Often frequented by plains game including warthog, zebra, giraffe and an array of antelope, the waterhole also attracts larger game such as rhino and sometimes even lions.
Guided afternoon/evening game drives take place on the private Ongava Game Reserve. The reserve is famed for its population of rhino and lion, as well as other game such as the endemic black-faced impala.
Guests can interface with science and research across Anderssons and part of this experience is an immersion into the world of natural history and science at the new Ongava Visitor Centre. With dozens of in-depth displays that feature information on the geology, animals, plants and ecological functioning of this fascinating region, guests are encouraged to meander through the self-guided exhibition area.
Ongava Game Reserve in Namibia is home to some of the rarest and most endangered species of wild animals on the planet. The mission at Ongava Research Centre is to help protect them through cutting edge research. Research into the genetics of Ongava’s rhino population at Ongava Research Centre, for example, is making a difference to conservation not only in Namibia but also throughout Africa. This researching is allowing the species itself to slowly recover. Together with habitat management and research the ain is to manage Ongava Game Reserve’s precious natural resources for the benefit of all the wild creatures that share such a fragile environment, protecting them now and for future generations.
Anderssons at Ongave is committed to ‘Nature First’, striving to restore biodiversity in the area. Sharing a common boundary with Etosha National Park, Ongava is considered one of the finest private game reserves in the region, enjoying global recognition for exciting safari experiences and exceptional conservation simultaneously. To have achieved this in a sustainable manner is an incredible feat. By contributing to sustainable conservation and ground breaking wildlife research, Anderssons at Ongava is able to be one of the few private game reserves in Africa where there is a chance of seeing both black and white rhino.
Ongava is one of the largest private game reserves in Namibia and has over 125 square miles to explore.Guests are invited to climb into an open vehicle for game drives on Ongava and into neighbouring Etosha National Park to view the astonishing variety of life found in this spectacular environment. Lions, black and white rhinos, elephants, giraffe and several species of antelope, including rare black-faced impala call the reserve their home. Experienced guides are on hand at the property to share their knowledge with guests, sharing information about the landscape and natural heritage.
An easy source of accurate GPS data for the location of endangered rhinos can be sourced from pictures taken with increasingly sophisticated cameras that contain GPS tracking technology. To avoid inadvertently providing criminals with this rhino location information wildlife photographer Olwen Evans has kindly assembled a hot-to-guide on the removal of such images from Metadata. This will allow these rare and stunning creatures to roam safely without fear of hunters.
All ages are welcome at the property and the lodge is completely fenced. However, it is advised that children are supervised at all times as the fence is electric. The pool is also both unfenced and unguarded. Due to the whole lodge being fenced, walking between rooms is relatively safe so this arrangement works well, even for families with young children.