Families, photographers and big cat lovers.
A former ranch in Namibia’s rolling wilderness.
There are four options here. Main Lodge is on the site of the original family farmhouse, and is cosy and low key, with ten rooms and three tents set in the gardens. For a little more luxury, Bush Camp is close by, but slightly smaller, with eight beautiful chalets and a honeymoon suite. Groups of families and friends seeking privacy should look no further than the Bush suite, but for the ultimate in luxury: follow the well-heeled footsteps of Brad and Angelina to the Villa.
All four of the camps have a pool, which you might not use much during June, but is irresistible during the summer heat. There are indoor and outdoor fire places, and even in the chillier months we’d recommend spending just a few minutes outdoors admiring the starscape. Despite the luxury of your accommodation, you’re still on a Namibian homestead, and the food reflects this: hearty, wholesome home cooking, rather than haute cuisine.
The AfriCat Foundation (set up to protect Namibia’s vulnerable big cats) has its HQ at Okonjima, and guests are able to visit the centre to learn about the Foundation’s work. There’s also radio-tracking of rescued cheetahs and hyenas, nature trails and bird-watching, and children love the educational trail that gives guests the chance to learn about the life of the Bushmen. Guests at the Main Lodge and Bush Camp can also head out to the hide in the evening to see the nocturnal animals come to life (we were thrilled to see no less than eight honey badgers on our last visit!) If you’re staying at the Villa or the Bush Suite, you’ve no need to move for this activity – you’ll have your own floodlit waterhole.
Okonjima means “Place of the Baboons” in the local language, Herero.