Ongava Lodge

Ongava lodge has a lovely setting on a hillside deep inside in the Ongava Private Game Reserve. Ongava covers 30,000 hectares adjacent to the Etosha National Park which, bigger than Wales, is one of Africa’s largest wildlife reserves. Children from six years old are welcome.

Accommodation & Facilities
Ongava Lodge has 14 large brick and thatch en-suite chalets, including one family chalet. The comfortable main lounge, bar and dining area is under thatch and provides wonderful views across the plains below. The lodge has a swimming pool, curio shop, a viewing platform overlooking the floodlit waterhole nearby, and a photographic hide.  The family chalet is conveniently located near the pool and main area and consists of two en-suite bedrooms (one double bedroom and one twin bedroom) connected via the entrance lobby. An extra child’s bed is available on request so maximum occupancy is for the family chalet is five. Both bedrooms have private verandahs and the bathrooms have indoor and outdoor showers.

Eating & Sleeping
All family bookings with children of six to 12 years old (inclusive) must be booked with a private vehicle and guide which allows for maximum flexibility in terms of timings. Children can have separate meal times at times to suit and the chefs are very used to catering to children of all ages.  Specific dietary requests can be accommodated with prior notice. Babysitting is not available so parents need to be responsible for their children at all times.

Wildlife & Activities
Mornings are generally spent on guided game drives in Etosha while afternoons involve looking for endangered species on the private reserve. Night drives and walks can be arranged in the Ongava Reserve and the lodge has an excellent hide for wildlife viewing at the waterhole. Guests can see a wide variety of wildlife including lion, leopard, white and black rhino, springbok, gemsbok and hartebeest. Birdlife around waterholes is also good with 340 recorded species including ostrich, pygmy falcon and all the raptors in abundance. Tracking rhino on foot is also a highlight here (minimum age 16 years).

Specifically for children …
Although Ongava Lodge warmly welcomes children from six years, the lodge does not offer specific activities for children. That said, the guides are dedicated to giving young guests the best experience possible by providing variety and adjusting activities to suit attention spans.