Okonjima

Nestled among the Omboroko Mountains lies Okonjima Lodge – a Herero name meaning ‘place of the baboons’. It’s much more than simply a luxury lodge. Okonjima is also home to The AfriCat Foundation, a non-profit organisation, committed to long-term conservation of Namibia’s large carnivores. Their work particularly focusses on leopards and cheetahs. Okonjima is a popular stop over for our guests travelling north from Windhoek to Etosha National Park for a safari holiday. It is about 2 hours drive from the city to the main gates.

Apart from the accommodation, there is also an education and research centre on the property, as well as rehabilitation camps for the various animals. Guests at Okonjima have the opportunity to experience the cats firsthand, and learn about the work being done by the AfriCat foundation to ensure their survival.

There are different accommodation options on the property;

Bush Lodge has ten en-suite double rooms and a secluded swimming pool surrounded by beautiful gardens where a variety of birds and animals may be encountered. The rooms are modern rondavels with some walls made of canvas and glass so that guests can have a 180 degree view from the bed.

Plains Camp is larger with 20 plus rooms and is more suited to families. The theme of Plains Camp is to recreate a bye-gone era when this land was a cattle farm. The main public areas reflect this with a reconstructed barn as the main dining area which is decorated with old style farming implements. The rooms are modern, each with a private deck overlooking the bushveld.

There is also a Bush Suite which caters for 4 people or perhaps a honeymoon couple. It has a private deck, pool and 2 double bedrooms with an extensive kitchen and private chef, butler and guide.

For larger parties there is the Villa which can cater for 8 people and comes with its own staff. The Villa has a large outdoor deck with sun loungers and a pool overlooking a waterhole.

Okonjima is the best place in Namibia (and probably the world) to view and learn about the conservation of cheetah and leopard and is a must on any Namibian itinerary.

Activities include cheetah radio tracking on foot in the rehabilitation area and a chance to observe the orphaned cheetah in close proximity. Leopards are also monitored daily, and radio-tracked from game-viewing vehicles. Guests have a chance to watch these magnificent predators hunting for themselves from the safety of a hide or from a vehicle.

There is a night hide where guests can watch porcupines and honey badgers that dine on the kitchen scraps in the evening. This is a real treat to watch the charismatic and comical creatures fighting over the food.

For anyone wanting to visit the AfriCat Foundation Headquarter, this can be done as one of your chosen activities, but must be pre-booked.

Rooms at Okonjima
Okonjima Plains Camp offers 20 comfortable double en suite rooms each with en suite bathroom, fridge and a large private deck area.

There are 10 African-style chalets at the Okonjima Bush Camp. Each unique African-style chalet is completely secluded and private, and are between 80m – 100m apart. The chalets are a combination of earthy orange clay walls, khaki-green canvas and thatched roofs, complete with stone birdbath in front. The front 180 degrees is comprised of glass and canvas panels which may be rolled up inviting you to enjoy your private ‘bushveld’ vista. There is a low wall at the bottom, and the canvas sections also have gauzed windows if guests prefer them rolled down.

Dining
All meals are included at Okonjima, including lunch on the first day for arriving guests. A gourmet three-course meal is served in the evening.

The cuisine at Bush Camp has a definite African flavour and breakfast is served out in the bush, weather permitting. Much of the cooking is done outside on an open fire.

Great care is taken to take cater for people with special food requirements, in terms of allergies, preferences and health diets (please inform us of any special diets prior to arrival).

For more information about safari holidays in Namibia, or staying at one of the Okonjima properties, contact us here or call +44 208 249 5919 (UK) to speak to our Africa holidays and honeymoon team.