- Location: Deep inside the 34,000-hectare Ongava Game Reserve, on Etosha’s southern boundary — the reserve entrance lies across from the park’s southern (Andersson’s Gate / Ombika) entrance
- Property size: 9 classic walk-in safari tents in an unfenced mopane valley at the foot of a dolomite hill
- From: NAD 17,300 per person sharing, fully inclusive (2026), plus NAD 1,200 per person per day conservation fee
- Children: under-12s only when the whole camp is booked for exclusive use; viewing hide from 11, walks from 16
- Best for: Travellers who want unfenced private-reserve immersion on the Okaukuejo side of Etosha
Encounter by Ongava — reopened in February 2026 as the reimagined camp formerly known as Ongava Tented Camp — is the immersion camp of the Ongava Game Reserve: nine walk-in safari tents in a secluded, unfenced valley of mopane woodland at the foot of a dolomite hill, arranged around a thatched dining area and a waterhole where eland, waterbuck, rhino, elephant and occasionally lion come to drink while you eat.
Ongava itself is one of Namibia’s great conservation stories: 34,000 hectares of former farmland on Etosha’s southern boundary, restored since 1991 into a sanctuary for both white and black rhino — the name means “rhino” in Herero — with its own scientific institution, the Ongava Research Centre, part-funded by 2% of every accommodation bill.
Why stay at Encounter by Ongava
- The waterhole runs the camp. The tents and thatched dining area face water that draws rhino, elephant and plains game through the day — unfenced, at ground level.
- Two reserves for one stay. Twice-daily scheduled activities cover both the private reserve (night drives, on-foot approaches) and Etosha excursions through the southern gate toward Okaukuejo.
- Genuinely fully inclusive. All meals, local drinks, laundry, twice-daily activities, park fees, VAT and levies are in the rate — only the conservation fee is billed separately.
- Rhino, seriously. A reserve founded for white rhino, now protecting both species, with guided on-foot approaches for the steady-nerved.
Accommodation at Encounter by Ongava
Nine spacious walk-in tents — “comfort without separation from nature,” as the camp puts it: canvas between you and an unfenced reserve. The camp is deliberately not a family property: children under 12 can only stay when the entire camp is taken on an exclusive-use basis, guests up to 16 share with an adult, and guided walks start at 16.
A reserve with its own research centre
Ongava is the rare private reserve with a working scientific institution on the property. The Ongava Research Centre hosts scientists from around the world, and its curated Discovery Centre (at Anderssons at Ongava) is open to all reserve guests — worth an hour between drives. Game-drive vehicles carry a maximum of six guests, so every seat is a window seat; parties of six automatically receive their own guide and vehicle.
Activities from Encounter by Ongava
- Twice-daily scheduled activities, included: reserve game drives, night safaris on the private reserve, and Etosha excursions through the southern gate.
- Approach big game on foot with the camp’s guides — including the chance of approaching elephant and rhino (minimum age 16 for walks).
- Bird watching, the viewing hide (from age 11), spa and the Discovery Centre.
Encounter by Ongava rates (2026)
| Basis | Valid 11 Jan 2026 – 10 Jan 2027 |
|---|---|
| Fully inclusive, per person sharing | NAD 17,300 |
| Fully inclusive, single | NAD 21,900 |
| Child sharing (with exclusive-use booking) | NAD 14,000 |
| Conservation fee, per person per day | NAD 1,200 (billed separately) |
Fully inclusive covers all meals, twice-daily scheduled activities, park fees, local drinks, laundry, VAT and tourism levy; premium imports and champagne are excluded. For 2027 (from 11 Jan 2027) Ongava has published a flat NAD 19,100 per adult with no single supplement, plus a NAD 1,300 conservation fee. A 25% non-
Published rates from Ongava’s official 2026 and 2027 rate sheets. We confirm live availability and any specials when you enquire.
Who Encounter by Ongava suits
Couples and photographers who want the unfenced private-reserve experience on the southern side, with Okaukuejo’s circuit reachable on the included Etosha excursions. For a villa-and-private-guide tier on the same reserve, see Horizon by Ongava; for the reserve’s classic lodge, Ongava Lodge; for research-flavoured luxury, Anderssons at Ongava.
Getting to Encounter by Ongava
The reserve entrance is about 430 km north of Windhoek, directly across from the Ombika entrance road at Etosha’s southern gate (Andersson’s Gate) — the Okaukuejo side of the park. Fly-in guests use Ongava’s own 1,200 m airstrip, about 15 minutes from the camps. Reserve GPS: 19.3212°S 15.8055°E.
Frequently asked questions about Encounter by Ongava
What happened to Ongava Tented Camp?
It was rebuilt and renamed: Encounter by Ongava reopened in February 2026 as a reimagined version of the camp formerly known as Ongava Tented Camp — same reserve, same valley setting, new tents and a new name. If you are searching for Ongava Tented Camp, this is that camp today; sites still selling the old name are out of date.
Are children allowed?
Children aged 0–11 can stay only when the entire nine-tent camp is booked for exclusive use. Guests up to 16 share with an adult, the viewing hide is available from age 11, and guided walks from 16. For a genuinely child-friendly camp near Etosha, see Mushara Bush Camp on the eastern side.
What does the rate include?
Nearly everything: all meals, local drinks, laundry, twice-daily scheduled activities (reserve drives, night safaris, Etosha excursions), park fees, VAT and levies. The NAD 1,200 per-person-per-day conservation fee is billed separately, and premium imported drinks are extra.
Encounter or Ongava Lodge?
Encounter is canvas, unfenced and waterhole-centred — the immersive choice. Ongava Lodge is the reserve’s established brick-and-thatch lodge with its own hilltop position. Rates are similar in class; the choice is atmosphere: tent walls or solid ones.
How far in advance should I book?
Nine tents on a famous reserve: for July–October, 9–12 months ahead is realistic, and the 25% non-Green-season dates are more available and the reserve’s own game viewing stays strong.
Check availability at Encounter by Ongava
We are an independent Namibian booking agent and confirm Ongava reservations directly with the reserve, at no extra cost to you. Send your dates below and we reply within one business day (Mon–Fri 8:00–17:00 CAT) with live availability and one clear recommendation.
Explore more
- The Ongava reserve: all four properties compared
- Horizon by Ongava — three villas with a private guide
- Okaukuejo Camp, inside the park
- Staying inside vs outside Etosha
- Etosha gate times & entry fees
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