- Location: Onguma Nature Reserve, eastern Etosha boundary; 10–20 minutes inside the reserve gate, which sits 500 m from Von Lindequist Gate
- Property size: 18 rooms (3 rondavels, 3 loft rooms, 3 family rooms, 8 deluxe rooms, 1 Settler’s Room)
- From: NAD 2,810 per person sharing, dinner-bed-&-breakfast (Rondavel)
- Mandatory levy: Rhino Conservation Levy NAD 275 per person per night, billed separately
- Best for: families who want a fenced camp with a proper waterhole near Etosha’s eastern gate
Onguma Bush Camp is the family anchor of the Onguma Nature Reserve, a 35,970-hectare private reserve on Etosha’s eastern boundary. Eighteen thatched rooms sit around a large waterhole, 10 to 20 minutes’ drive from the reserve entrance at Von Lindequist Gate.
Its defining feature is simple: this is the one Onguma lodge that is mostly fenced. Children can move between the pool, the waterhole deck and their room without an armed escort of anxious parents, while lion and rhino go about their business on the wider reserve.
Why stay at Onguma Bush Camp
- The most family-friendly camp on the reserve. Fenced grounds, family rooms with loft sleeping areas, four-bed family units, and children under 3 stay free.
- A genuine waterhole camp at a mid-range price. The thatched bar, lounge and dining area all face the water, so game viewing continues over dinner.
- Etosha on your doorstep. Namutoni and Fischer’s Pan lie just inside the park; you can self-drive Etosha by day and still be back for a sundowner drive on the private reserve.
- Honest, flat pricing. One rack rate for the whole 2026 season, with three-night dinner-bed-&-breakfast packages if you want to settle in.
Accommodation at Onguma Bush Camp
The 18 rooms come in five types. Three twin-bedded Rondavels are the entry point, round, thatched and compact. Three Loft rooms are twin-bedded family rooms with a children’s sleeping area upstairs, and three Family rooms take four beds apiece.
Eight twin Deluxe rooms add more space; note that three of them stand in an unfenced section of camp and are not recommended for children. The single Settler’s Room tops the ladder. Every room has an en-suite shower, air-conditioning with heat and cool settings, a mini-fridge, document safe, tea and coffee station and large mosquito nets.
Shared facilities include the swimming pool, two massage rooms, a small safari shop and free Wi-Fi.
The waterhole
The camp is arranged so that the main thatched area, bar, lounge and dining room together, overlooks the extensive waterhole. Elephant, eland and plains game drink here through the dry months, and because the viewing happens from camp, small children get their game viewing without a minimum age or an early alarm. It is the cheapest waterhole seat on the reserve, and one of the busiest.
Activities from Onguma Bush Camp
Activities are booked per person on top of DBB rates, and all include beverages. The four-hour guided Etosha game drive costs NAD 1,750 per person. On the reserve itself, the sunrise drive and sundowner drive (three hours each) cost NAD 890 per person, and the mid-morning Onkolo Hide session is NAD 650 per person, minimum age 7 and minimum two guests.
Guided nature walks (NAD 890, ages 16 up) and a Young Explorers walk for children (NAD 420) round out the list. Children under 7 may not join scheduled game drives on the open vehicles, though private drives can be arranged at extra cost. Self-drivers can simply take their own vehicle through Von Lindequist Gate.
Onguma Bush Camp rates (2026)
| Room type | Season (1 Nov 2025 – 31 Oct 2026) | Rate per person sharing, DBB |
|---|---|---|
| Rondavel (3 rooms) | All year | NAD 2,810 (child 3–11: NAD 1,405; single supplement NAD 1,060) |
| Loft room / Family room (3 + 3) | All year | NAD 3,250 (child 3–11: NAD 1,625; single supplement NAD 1,380) |
| Deluxe room (8 rooms) | All year | NAD 4,100 (child 3–11: NAD 2,050; single supplement NAD 1,380) |
| Settler’s Room (1 room) | All year | NAD 4,290 (child 3–11: NAD 2,145; single supplement NAD 1,380) |
Rates are per person sharing on a dinner-bed-&-breakfast basis and include VAT, the social development levy and the NTB tourism levy. The mandatory Rhino Conservation Levy of NAD 275 per person per night is billed separately, including for children. Three-night DBB packages are also published, from NAD 6,660 per person in a Rondavel.
Published 2026 rack rates from the lodge’s official rate sheet. We confirm live availability and any specials when you enquire.
Who Onguma Bush Camp suits
Families first. The fencing, the loft and four-bed rooms, free stays for under-3s and half-price child rates for ages 3 to 11 make this the obvious Onguma choice with children, and one of the better family lodges anywhere on Etosha’s eastern side. Just avoid the three unfenced Deluxe rooms if you are travelling with small ones.
It also works well for self-drivers who want lodge comfort without Fort-level prices, and for mixed groups splitting between camping neighbours at Tamboti and rooms here. Honeymooners and photographers with a bigger budget should look at The Fort or the tented camps.
Getting to Onguma Bush Camp
From Windhoek, drive north on tarred roads via Otjiwarongo and Tsumeb towards Etosha’s eastern entrance. The Onguma reserve gate is 500 m from Von Lindequist Gate, and the camp is a further 10 to 20 minutes on reserve roads, manageable in any car driven sensibly. Fly-in guests land at the Onguma or Mokuti airstrips; transfers to camp are included in the rate.
Frequently asked questions about Onguma Bush Camp
Is Onguma Bush Camp fully fenced?
Mostly. The main camp, rooms and guest areas are fenced, but three of the eight Deluxe rooms stand in an unfenced section and are not recommended for children. Adult supervision is still required throughout, as this is working big-game country.
How far is the camp from Etosha?
The reserve entrance is 500 m from Von Lindequist Gate, and the camp is 10 to 20 minutes inside the reserve. Namutoni, the nearest Etosha National Park camp, is just beyond the gate.
What do child rates look like?
Children under 3 stay free. Children 3 to 11 sharing with adults pay half the adult DBB rate, for example NAD 1,405 in a Rondavel. Children under 7 cannot join scheduled game drives unless you book a private vehicle.
What does dinner-bed-&-breakfast include?
Accommodation, breakfast and dinner, plus airstrip transfers, VAT and tourism levies. Lunch, drinks and activities are extra, and the NAD 275 nightly conservation levy is always billed separately.
Can I combine Bush Camp with a stay inside Etosha?
Yes, and it is a combination we often recommend: two or three nights at Namutoni or Halali inside the park, then Bush Camp for the fenced comfort, waterhole and guided reserve activities. We can hold both legs on one enquiry.
Check availability at Onguma Bush Camp
We are an independent Namibian booking agent and confirm Onguma stays directly with the lodge, on its published rates. Send the form below and we reply within 24 hours (Mon–Fri 8:00–17:00 CAT) with live availability and one clear recommendation for your dates.