Sensitive tourism, environmentally compatible travel, and a source of income for
the country and its people: This is the philosophy behind Wilderness Safaris. The
Safaris use camps and lodges in areas that are truly untouched. The further away
from civilisation, the better, in fact. Lloyd Camp, of Wilderness Safaris, says
he wants his guests to experience these little glimpses of paradise, but without
their presence in any way spoiling or harming the safari areas: "We do not want
to own the places. Quite frequently we lease the projects from the local populace,
from private individuals or even the administrating national park agencies. We
behave as a temporary operator, who, when we leave the area, will leave just the
way we found it, or, hopefully, in an even better natural state." Wilderness
Safaris have a number of lodges in Namibia, three of which are in Etosha National
Park.
Ongava Lodge
Within the Ongava Private Game Reserve, the Ongava Lodge likewise borders the
south of Etosha National Park.
Rooms/Accommodation:
It comprises 12 attractive chalets, which have been built using traditional skills
and materials so that they better harmonise with the natural landscape. Great care
has been taken to make sure guests are comfortable and well looked after. Each
chalet has its own bathroom with bathtub and shower. The main lodge building houses
the lounge, bar and restaurant beneath a roof thatched with straw, and, as well as
a swimming pool, offers a stunning all-round view of the plains below.
Activities:
There are wildlife tours in open all-terrain vehicles that explore the Etosha's
Okaukuejo territory from the camp. The many watering holes in the park attract
a variety of lions, elephants, cheetahs, chamois bucks, springbocks and kama.
There are also special concealed lookouts at the watering holes so that visitors
can get an even closer view of the wildlife.
Late-sleepers, though, beware. The wake-up call for the Early Morning Game Drive
comes before dawn, and departure from the camps is at first light since that is
when the animals are most active. In bush country, everything tends to hide
during the main part of the day to escape the heat.
