Guest reviews Okaukuejo Camp, Etosha

by hers_07 Chichester, United Kingdom

Best camp in Etosha

This was our favourite stay in Etosha. The water hole was incredible. We sat around the hole all day and night on one occasion. We saw 60 elephants, gemsbok, giraffes, springbok, rhino, warthogs, jackals and even lions one night. We stayed 4 nights, 7 in total in Etosha. We stayed in camp 16 which was incredibly close to the water hole. The toilet blocks were clean, hot water in the showers. The communal bins were quite full when we arrived and the didn't get emptied whilst we were there. Staff did sort through them though and put things in the right bins which I thought showed a lot of dedication. The food shop was basic. Lots of meat, not alot else and it was pricey. The souvenir shop had hardly anything. The staff weren't overly friendly, maybe we just caught people on a bad day. Our post cards did arrived unfortunately, (it's been 6 weeks) we all know the dedication it takes to write postcards! I wrote 8 🙈. If I could change one thing, people who use flash photography, flash lights and those with loud children, especially after 9pm, should be thrown to the lions.

by Chiara A Arezzo, Italy

Disappointing experience

This lodge is only worth it for its waterhole visited by lots of animals and thanks to its location inside the park, while everything else seriously needs to be taken care of. The shop doesn’t have many goods and they are pretty overpriced. The restaurant only offers three dishes on the menu and the quality is quite poor. Breakfast time was very busy and the waitresses couldn’t cope with all the people. The double room we had clearly needed some maintenance and renovations. Wi-Fi is accessible by buying vouchers from the restaurant.

by SueAL5 Harpenden, United Kingdom

Worth it only for the waterhole and the park!

Having previously stayed at lodges or guesthouses where it had mostly been just us, it was a shock to arrive at Okaukuejo, which seemed like a busy holiday camp in comparison.   We had a waterhole chalet.  We had thought this would be directly overlooking the waterhole so were disappointed to find it was a short walk from the waterhole.   But those that weren't waterhole chalets were considerably further away.  The room was small and the toilet wasn't flushing when we arrived; however, they did get this fixed after we reported it.   The food was OK, nothing special.   The buffet at breakfast was a bit of a bun fight with long queues for eggs.   If you get a flat tyre or a puncture, watch out for Godfrey, he's not legit and will rip you off.   The waterhole and the etosha park made the stay worthwhile.   Within a few minutes of arriving and walking to the waterhole, a large herd of elephants arrived with calves.    There was a steady procession of various game all day and around 7 or 8 rhinos arrive every evening.  A small group of lions arrived early one morning but unfortunately it was too dark and they were too far away to see them properly.   Okaukuejo have a live webcam that you can watch before visiting.  However, it was a shame that so many people disregard the "Silence" signs and carry on like they are having a party and are visiting a zoo.  There were kids playing games and riding scooters and bikes and all sorts.  The busiest times were obviously when people arrive back late afternoon, or before leaving in the morning.   The best waterhole for us out in the park was Okondeka, where there was a huge amount of game.   We were encouraged to do the night drive - NAD 700 each - what a waste of money that was and not a nice experience at all.  They use a red light that they flash around the truck but, if you do see anything, it is illuminated red and you can't get any photos unless you have a special camera.   We only saw a couple of elephants and rhino and 2 owls in 3 hours.  And it was really uncomfortably cold in June.   The guides have to stick to the roads, they cannot go off roading, so save your money and do it all yourself during the day.

by thepeckster Cape Town Central, South Africa

Amazing waterhole and big pool. Otherwise avoid.

Telling people you're going to Etosha is certain to elicit jealousy. You yourself likely always imagine how wonderful it will be. Then you get there and reality strikes. We spent 6 nights camping at Okaukuejo. The campsite itself is a dusty hole and you will absolutely break your hand trying to put tent pegs into ground that is harder than your ex's heart. But there are plenty of stumps to tie things to. Too few ablution blocks, with broken toilets and failing showers, but they were clean, relatively speaking. The shop is massively under-stocked and *be warned* - you're allowed to take meat into Namibia, but not into Etosha. They will absolutely confiscate it, and according to the guy who took ours, will eat it themselves. This provides a problem, as the shop has hardly anything in it, and what is there has a price highly inflated over what you can buy outside the park. At one point we needed something looked at on our car and we asked at reception if they could point us to the workshop. "We don't have one". Yes, they do. We've been there before. But she was insistent and we gave up. On the last night we tried the restaurant. Honestly, the food wasn't absolutely terrible, but it was just a bit rubbish and the staff were grumpy. The waterhole is the only reason you would stay here. We got up at 1am to watch some lions wandering around it and roaring for hours. The roads in the park are quite beyond terrible. Didn't see a single maintenance vehicle in 6 days, and we ended up with a cracked windscreen and a broken hand-brake shoe. The corrugations are appalling. Is it worth driving the extra day over what you can find in South Africa? My wife and I discussed this at length, and while we would once have said yes (we have visited Etosha on a number of occasions), the answer now is a resounding no. If you must fuel your need to visit Etosha because someone's grandfather said it was great back in the day, do yourself a favour and stay outside the park and just do day trips in. Etosha Village at the Anderson Gate is superb, and there are many other options.

by lorcan76 Cape Town, South Africa

Best avoided

We stayed in a so called premium water chalet, full board. A big mistake! Granted it was great to have a view of the waterhole from the bedroom. But considering all its faults, better to camp or choose a cheaper chalet and walk a few extra metres for the view. The chalet is run down, the en suite toilet is open plan (i.e. just behind your bed!), and coupled with a strong sewer smell (blocked drain?), made for an unpleasant sleep. Staff were disinterested in my complaint. There was a mixup with booking which meant we needed a spare mattress for my 3 yr old. They suggested we use the sofa cushions to make a bed. Only reluctantly did they provide a spare mattress. Then as for the restaurant, avoid eating here! It is immensely overpriced! $200 (Namibian) for charred steak/chicken and long-frozen hake which was off (take your pick!). Service was grumpy and unprofessional. Such a pity as the camp has so much potential. Better value to stay outside the park and drive in.