Onguma Leadwood is a six-unit campsite, each with private ablution facilities, shaded by - you guessed it - leadwood trees in the 34,000ha private game reserve. It doesn’t get much more exclusive than that.
Unless of course you book all six campsites and have the run of the place, which, given the ludicrously low price of camping, is well within the realms of possibility. Not that you have to book out every unit to ensure peace and quiet: the sites are far apart and you have your own shower, toilet, washing area and power socket.
And, taking further pity on the once-a-year camper, you have access to adjacent Onguma Bush Camp facilities including the pool, bar and restaurant (pre-booking essential) all overlooking a small watering hole frequented by Etosha’s wildlife and birdlife.
Onguma Private Game Reserve shares a fenceless boundary along Etosha National Park’s eastern edge giving you the best of both worlds: Etosha-level game viewing with luxury safari lodge exclusivity.
All of the big game lives in this huge reserve with the exception of buffalo and the waterhole culture of this park increases your chances tenfold of seeing elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, hyena and many species of antelope.
All for the price of a pizza, and a rather ordinary one at that.
Access to lodge facilities at Onguma Bush Camp:
Activities can be arranged (pre-booking essential) through the Bush Camp including: guided game drive in Etosha; sunrise or sundowner game drive in Onguma; sunrise bush walk; you can also self-drive through Etosha and park up at any of the waterholes on the edge of Etosha Pan.
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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