Onguma Bush Lodge is an alternative to staying inside Etosha National Park where your options are limited to three basic state-owned camps.
This comfortable lodge is located on the edge of the park near Fisher's Pan and the eastern entrance to Etosha. The rates are reasonable and the lodge is neat, small and an excellent base for families.
The en suite, air-conditioned rooms are built from local stone and have thatched roofs. The pool, open-air lapa and dining area provide the venues for some pleasant banter, spectacular sunsets and hearty meals. The lounge and dining area overlooks a waterhole for around-the-clock game viewing. The campsite has six sites with private ablutions and firewood; campers are welcome to make use of the bar, pool and restaurant.
Children of all ages welcome as the camp is fenced. Note however, that children under 7 years old are not allowed on game drives due to use of open safari vehicles and a private vehicle will be required.
Sunrise and sunset game drives on the private nature reserve and game drives into Etosha; excellent birdwatching especially during the summer migrations; visit the Onkolo Hide; massage therapy and bush dining.
For the kids, there's the Young Explorer's walk done in the morning and afternoons.
Onguma Private Nature Reserve is a chunk of wilderness that covers 20,000 hectares. Game viewing and birdwatching are excellent and the reserve has over 30 species of plains game as well as lion, cheetah and leopard. A family of black rhino have been introduced and there are more than 300 bird species on record. With Etosha and its populous waterholes just around the corner, you've got a spectacular wildlife safari in the making.
Onguma aims to create meaningful and productive opportunities for the local community by integrating them into its operations. The primary goal is to provide jobs and income, not merely charity. To this end, Jan and Lizette Cronje launched the Oshivelo Farming project in August 2012. This 500-hectare vegetable farm, located near Etosha and Onguma, has grown from overgrown bush to become one of Namibia’s top vegetable producers, supplying major supermarkets and informal traders. Oshivelo Farming employs 180 permanent staff, with 80% being women, and up to 100 seasonal workers. Beyond creating jobs, the project supports the community by subsidizing vegetables, aiding local schools, and contributing to community infrastructure like a soccer field.
Onguma is deeply committed to conservation, evident in their operation of the Onguma Anti-Poaching Unit. This initiative plays a crucial role in safeguarding the endangered rhino population on the reserve. Since its launch, there has been a significant drop in rhino poaching, which is fantastic news!
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