Description
Located on the eastern side of Etosha, Onguma Private Nature Reserve has over 20,000 hectares of protected land and wildlife and boasts over thirty different animal species, including a family of black rhino.
In a landscape dotted with only animals and camel thorn trees, Onguma The Fort has a classic African feel with strong Indian and Moroccan flavours characterised by beautifully crafted window and doorframes. The inner courtyard with its large water feature calms the senses and guests can enjoy magnificent views from the tower.
A large deck off the lounge area overlooks a waterhole where a variety of game come for refreshment every day.
Each suite has a bedroom, dressing area and air cooling system and the spacious bathrooms have both indoor and outdoor showers. The private deck includes sun loungers on which to relax and drink in the view. The Fort Suite is located in the Main Tower and offers similar facilities on a larger scale.
Activities revolve around game drives in and around the reserve and also into Etosha National Park. he Etosha Pan is parched and dry most of the time, but occasionally a few rivers and the unpredictable heavy summer rains can fill it. After particularly good rains, Etosha Pan can attract over a million flamingos to its salty waters. While the Pan itself is extremely salty and as a result does not support much vegetation, its edges give way to a surprising variety of vegetation types: from the broad swathe of mopane that encircles the broader area; to the tall tree canopies of the tamboti and terminalia woodland in the east; and to the open acacia-strewn plains, grasslands and dwarf shrub savannah in the west. Here mopane woodland dominates, whilst a low row of dolomite hills, evocatively called the Ondundozonanandana Range, provide relief to the otherwise flat surroundings and harbour populations of the endemic Anchieta's dwarf python and the local subspecies of rock hyrax.
Accommodation
The Fort consists of 12 mini suites, each one is completely private and about 50 metres apart from one another. All are equipped with a bar fridge, telephone and an air cooling system for those warmer days. The spacious bathroom has both an inside shower as well as an outside shower area. All rooms have lovely wooden decks which extend to the outside seating are with loungers for relaxing and enjoying the extraordinary view.
There is also the Fort Suite situated inside the Main Tower. It has a large beautifully designed bedroom that leads into a lounge area and out onto a private viewing deck. The lounge is equipped with a satellite television system, a bar fridge and telephone facilities. The large bathroom has a wonderful open shower area, as well as a bath.
Childcare
There are no specific child care facilities and it should be noted that there is a minimum age of 12 years in camp.
Facilities
The Fort has a cooling swimming pool for guests to enjoy between safaris.
Activities
Activities from the Fort all revolve around game viewing in specially adapted 4 x 4 safari vehicles which take guests on morning and afternoon game drives.
When to travel
The best time to visit Etosha is from April to September as the temperature is tolerably cool, especially at night. From May to September the increasingly thirsty animals gather at waterholes, making it the best time to go to Etosha for game viewing. Summer is best time to travel to Etosha for bird watching as migratory birds (both intra-African and Palaearctic) flock into the park's many habitats after the summer rains.
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Location and directions
Etosha, Namibia
Onguma Fort is situated directly next to the eastern side of Etosha National Park in the Onguma Reserve of northern Namibia. Etosha is one of the world's largest national parks, stretching more than 350 kms from east to west and covering an area of 22,275 square kms.
How to get there
Windhoek Airport (530km) is the closest international airport. From here you can take a light aircraft flight (one and a half hours) to Onguma's private airstrip near the camp where a member of staff will meet you and transfer you to the camp. Alternatively, if you wish to self-drive from Windhoek it takes approx five and a half hours.
