Touted as being ‘one of the most exclusive destinations in Namibia', the 30,000ha Ongava Game Reserve holds true to this statement and strives endlessly, through fierce conservation efforts, to do good by this beautiful wilderness it occupies. One of the largest private game reserves in Namibia, it offers guests the chance to have up-close wildlife encounters.

Ongava is one of the few reserves in southern Africa where visitors will have the chance to see both Black and White Rhino as well as the opportunity to track White Rhino on foot with an experienced guide. The reserve also offers bird watching, 4x4 guided game drives and guided game walks. With plenty of waterholes on site, the wildlife activity is endless, so be sure to have your camera equipment on standby!

On the south-western border of Etosha National Park, this private reserve has three accommodation options ranging from the intimate and private rock and thatch chalets of Little Ongava, the luxurious yet somewhat authentic Meru-style Tented Camp and the reserve’s flagship: Ongava Lodge. All offer comfort and luxury whilst blending seamlessly with the environment they are set in. 

Ongava Game Reserve Highlights

  • Close proximity to Etosha National Park for self-drive game viewing
  • Opportunity to see both Black and White Rhino and even get to track White Rhino with an armed guide on foot
  • 3 different accommodation options varying in style but with impeccable luxury and service
  • Strong conservation ethics with research projects in place 
  • Game drives are permitted off-road giving visitors up close encounters with wildlife

Best time to go
Ongava Game Reserve

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Frequently Asked Questions

We've taken the liberty to answer everything you may need to know about visiting Ongava Game Reserve

  • That depends on your travel style. A Rhino Africa travel specialist will usually recommend private conservancy lodges for a more exclusive safari, while rest camps inside the park can work well for more accessible itineraries.

  • We recommend three to four nights for a fuller Etosha tour experience. This allows time to explore different parts of the park and enjoy varied waterhole viewing. Five to seven nights works well if combining the national park with a neighbouring private conservancy.

  • Most guests arrive via a six-hour drive from Windhoek on good tarred roads. Charter flights to nearby airstrips are also available and work well for fly-in safari itineraries.

     

  • Etosha has a low to medium malaria risk, which is higher during the rainy season. It’s important to check-in with your doctor before travel.

  • Etosha is home to four of the Big 5, namely the lion, leopard, elephant, and rhino. The buffalo is not found here.

  • Etosha’s waterhole viewing strategy makes for frequent wildlife viewing, while the salt pan creates a landscape that feels like its own planet.

  • Yes. Etosha combines particularly well with the Ongava Reserve, Sossusvlei, the Skeleton Coast, South Africa and wider Southern African itineraries.