Being somewhat vertically challenged, I’ve always believed in the idea of small is beautiful. Happily, it’s a view supported by Little Ongava, one of Namibia’s most luxurious lodges.
With just three suites - houses might be a more appropriate description - spaced along a hillside, this place defines safari chic.
Overlooking a game-filled savannah stretching on for kilometres, the hill is a small bump in an otherwise flat landscape. A short drive away from its sister properties - the 12-room Ongava lodge and eight-suite Ongava Tented Camp - Little Ongava is the intimate, exclusive option for people who like their lodges small, posh and personal.
Located on a private game reserve around two-thirds the size of the Isle of Wight, Little Ongava raises the bar for game viewing. This is one of the largest private reserves in the country, and Ongava limits the number of visitors. Some reserves feel a little like being in a theme park; here you’re out in the wild.
Twice-daily game drives are taken into the park, which is home to white and black rhinos. Within the reserve, guests can go on game drives by night, bush walks, rhino tracking on foot and animal watching from hides. Ongava’s guests also have access to the neighbouring Etosha National Park, a sprawling land that’s nearly the size of Switzerland and home to zebra, giraffe, elephant, impala and lion.
Contemporary African with high beamed ceilings
After a day out in the wild, ended by the obligatory sundowner by a watering hole, the luxury hideaway beckons. The design is gorgeous: contemporary African with high beamed ceilings, dark wood floors, local textiles and huge floor-to-ceiling windows (all the better for watching game as you soak in the bath). All meals are eaten with other guests in the communal living area, which is a big, comfortable space with sofas for lounging on, a selection of South African wines, and views of a floodlit watering hole.
Location
Little Ongava, Okaukeujo, Namibia (www.ongava.com). On the southern edge of the sprawling Etosha National Park in the north of the country, Little Ongava is in the safari heart of Namibia. It is close to the Andersson entrance of Etosha National Park.
Time from international airport: It takes one and a half hours to fly from Windhoek to Little Ongava. Wilderness Safaris, which owns the lodge, can arrange transfers from around �200 (about R2 700) per person. It takes four and a half hours to drive from Windhoek.
Comfortable?
The three glass-fronted suites are incredibly luxurious. Spaced out along the hillside overlooking the game reserve, each is completely private and has its own living area, with fireplace, bedroom and bathroom, as well as an outside area with plunge pool, shower and day bed.
Freebies: Wilderness Safaris’ own-brand, environmentally friendly bath, body and shower products are stocked in the bathrooms. Fresh fruit, tea and coffee are provided in the bedroom suites.
Keeping in touch: None of the rooms have phone or Internet access, although you can get cellphone reception. There’s telephone and Internet access in the admin office.
The bottom line
A suite costs N$10 990 (about R10 500) full board per night, including activities and guided tours into Etosha and Ongava.
I’m not paying that: Villa Mushara (www.mushara-lodge.com) is just outside the eastern outskirts of Etosha National Park. Its colonial-style villas (sleeping two) start at N$4 646(about R4 400) per night, full board.
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