Onguma Tented Camp

Location

Onguma Tented Camp sits within the 35,970-hectare Onguma Nature Reserve, which shares its eastern boundary with Etosha National Park. The reserve gate lies just 500 metres from Etosha’s Von Lindequist entrance at Namutoni—closer than any competitor and eliminating the long transfer drives that eat into game-viewing time elsewhere.

The reserve occupies former farmland reclaimed for conservation, now supporting four of the Big Five (buffalo are absent throughout this region). The landscape transitions between savannah, bushveld, and dry pans, with three seasonal riverbeds threading through ancient elephant and buffalo migration routes. Fisher’s Pan, visible from several viewpoints on the reserve, creates the silver-white backdrop that defines this corner of northern Namibia.
Onguma operates as an official Black Rhino Custodian in partnership with Namibia’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism. The reserve maintains a dedicated anti-poaching unit that patrols 365 days per year—a practical reality that shapes what you might encounter on afternoon drives. Both black and white rhino now breed successfully here.

Rooms

The seven tents share a unified design language drawn from a photograph of an oryx against Fisher’s Pan—grey, charcoal, black, white, and cream layered with unexpected accents of bright green. Stone, suede, linen, and steel create what Onguma calls “a study in contrasts.” The effect is sleek and contemporary rather than ethnically traditional, appealing to travellers who find the standard safari aesthetic overly predictable.

Each tent occupies a raised wooden platform with views directly over the camp’s waterhole. The configuration centres on a generous bed with quality linens and mosquito netting, positioned to allow wildlife viewing without leaving the covers. Sliding glass doors with roll-down canvas flaps open the front wall entirely when desired.

The bathroom arrangement includes both indoor and outdoor showers, an oversized soaking tub, twin stone basins, and separate toilet. A wood-fired hot tub on the private deck allows evening soaks under Namibian stars. Tea lights appear on headboards at turndown—a signature touch that guests consistently mention.
Each tent includes air conditioning, ceiling fan, minibar, personal safe, hairdryer, and complimentary WiFi. The private veranda provides two armchairs positioned for optimal waterhole viewing. Pool towels and a straw shopping bag complete the thoughtful details. All seven tents accommodate two adults; the camp does not accept children under twelve years due to its unfenced location.

Communal Areas

The main building operates under three tented roofs supported by substantial wooden poles, creating an open-fronted space that maintains sight lines to the waterhole approximately 60 metres away. Three handcrafted giraffe sculptures greet arrivals at the entrance—a playful introduction that sets the camp’s personality.
The lounge provides deep sofas and armchairs for watching the waterhole action during mid-day heat. The dining area serves meals at communal or individual tables depending on occupancy, with an open-air boma available for bush dinners under the stars. The kitchen produces what multiple reviewers describe as “surprisingly excellent” fusion of European and traditional African cuisine, with dietary requirements accommodated when notified in advance.

A rim-flow swimming pool offers relief from afternoon temperatures while maintaining waterhole views. A small wine cellar and safari shop complete the public spaces. Free WiFi extends throughout the main area and reaches most tents.

The waterhole itself functions as the camp’s true communal space—floodlit at night and visible from every vantage point. Expect giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, various antelope, and regular predator visits. Black rhino appearances, while not guaranteed, occur frequently enough that multiple guests report sightings during their stays.

Activities

Onguma Tented Camp operates two distinct activity spheres: Etosha National Park for comprehensive Big Five viewing, and the private reserve for exclusive experiences unavailable within the national park boundaries.

Etosha National Park Game Drives (included) depart early for the park, entering through the nearby Von Lindequist Gate as it opens. Professional guides navigate to productive waterholes across Etosha’s eastern sector, where elephant, lion, giraffe, zebra, and multiple antelope species congregate—particularly during the dry season when water becomes scarce. Full-day excursions with picnic lunches allow deeper penetration into the park’s 22,750 square kilometres.

Reserve Sundowner and Sunrise Drives (included) permit activities prohibited within Etosha: night drives with spotlights and off-road tracking. Afternoon drives focus on the reserve’s resident populations—lion, cheetah, leopard, both rhino species, and more than thirty mammal species—before stopping for drinks as the sun sets over Fisher’s Pan. Night drives reveal nocturnal hunters and the elusive smaller creatures invisible during daylight.

Walking Safaris (included) are interpretive bush walks that depart after thorough safety briefings, offering perspectives impossible from vehicles: tracking spoor, identifying medicinal plants, and approaching birds and smaller mammals. The reserve’s varied terrain—savannah, bushveld, dry riverbeds—provides diverse walking environments.

The Onkolo Photographic Hide is a water-level structure placing photographers eye-to-eye with drinking wildlife. Eight windows provide multiple angles as animals approach within metres of your lens. Sessions require advance booking. Award-winning wildlife photographers regularly credit Onkolo Hide images in international competitions.

Additional Experiences (extra cost) include bush dinners under the stars, which can be arranged for groups of two to six . The Dream Cruiser offers Onguma’s most distinctive experience: a custom-built Land Cruiser with full bathroom below and bedroom above, parked in a remote location for overnight sleep-outs with picnic dinner and ranger radio contact. Spa treatments are available on request.