As a photographer, I love going on photo game safaris in Africa to capture images of wildlife in the bush. However, many places don’t really cater to photographers, but rather to well-heeled, leisurely tourists who want to be entertained rather than educated.

Namibia is definitely my favorite place in Africa for off-the-grid and unique wildlife experiences. There is no place on earth like Namibia. And when in Namibia, the Ongava is definitely in my top five favorites in the bushveld.

The lodging, the food, the watering hole with deckside dining, the underground blind, and expert guides added up to an unforgettable photography experience for our small group, headed up by Aaron of Aaron’s Photo Tours.

The Location

Ongava Private Game Reserve and Ongava Lodge are strategically located next to the Etosha National Park in Namibia. Both are located in the northwestern part of Namibia, in the Kunene region. It is interesting to note that Etosha National Park is known as Namibia’s foremost wildlife sanctuary and most famous safari park. Furthermore, the watering holes attract a diversity of animals from many miles around, including lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and many bird species.

The Lodge

Ongava Lodge offers luxury accommodations in rock-and-thatch chalets. It is seductive seclusion, but with strategic positioning for Etosha. The property features panoramic views over the camp’s waterhole. There is really nothing quite like dining deckside and watching rhinos and lions while enjoying your meal. Each of the suites at Ongava Lodge is equipped with air-conditioning and features a seating area and a balcony.

With 14 spacious en-suite chalets crafted from rock and thatch, the architecture is in keeping with natural surroundings. All units are located on the ground floor. Also, know that English is spoken.

Morning and afternoon game drives are available in the Etosha National Park, while afternoon game drives are available on the private Ongava Game Reserve.

Other activities include:

• Special underground viewing on the property that is excellent for photography
• An outdoor infinity swimming pool
• Free parking and free Wifi

The Cuisine

The Ongava Game Lodge Restaurant is where the action is. Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and high tea) are served in the main open-air dining area under a thatch roof. Dietary restrictions include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Just let them know in advance for proper provisioning.

But this is not just any dining as it is fronted by two viewing decks that overlook a waterhole frequented by rhinos, lions, and other game.

The cuisine is gourmet and includes options to order from a menu.  For example, my dinner at Ongava included bread (pumpkin seed bread knots, with roasted garlic butter) and a corn and coconut chowder. There were three choices for the main course, and I chose the grilled Kingslip set on lemon-infused quinoa and served with velouté and a salad of orange, fennel, and pickled radish.

There were three dessert choices, and I chose the orange creme caramel with passionfruit and Naartjie compote.

Be advised that children under 6 years old cannot be accommodated at Ongava Lodge.
However, children over 13 are welcome.

The Room

The room has a lot of atmosphere, and you can see the water hole from the terrace and even from the bathroom. 

Mosquito netting surrounds the plush bed. However, while I was there in May, I encountered no pesky mosquitoes.

Room with a view.

The private bathroom has a shower and a hairdryer. Each unit has two showers: an indoor and outdoor shower with privacy guards. Be sure to try the outdoor shower at least once.

The Rates

For the best rates online and special packages, book directly with Ongava Lodge for all-inclusive pricing. Or check Booking.com for competitive prices. However, be sure to read the fine print, as many of these sites only include dinner in the price. Depending on day of the week, season, and room type, rates run from around $975 USD per night and include meals and guided tours.

The Bottom Line

Ongava Lodge is extremely spacious, with views that maximize wildlife sightings from your room.

You have a choice between a private outdoor shower and an indoor shower.

The underground viewing room and blind are absolutely great for photographers.

The food is top-notch and offers menu selections to guests.

Save time to visit the shopping boutique. The Lodge is a well-stocked gift store with many uniquely branded shirts and locally made products. I came home with safari shirts, locally made jewelry, and a safari hat.

The lodge is located in front of the entrance to Etosha National Park.  In the evening, we could watch wildlife at the waterhole from the terrace while dining on gourmet cuisine.

This is African bush at its best.

For other reviews of places to stay while in South Africa, Namibia, or Botswana, check out these Hotel Scoop reviews:

Airport Convenience – City Lodge at Johannesburg International Airport in South Africa

Pangolin Chobe Hotel – Safari Paradise for Every Type of Photographer

Karin Leperi Pezo is a writer and photographer living part-time in Peru and part-time in Nevada. She paid full fare for three nights as part of a luxury safari photo tour package with Aaron’s Photo Tours. All photos are by Karin Pezo, unless otherwise noted. As always, all opinions are those of the author and are based on actual overnight stays at the property. This is in contrast to AI-generated reviews, which are computer-generated summaries of what other people wrote about the place.