Onguma Tamboti Campsite

Originally part of the greater Etosha Game Reserve, Onguma Nature Reserve is one of Namibia's best kept secrets. Situated on the eastern side of Etosha, bordering Fisher's pan, it has so much to offer visitors. The Reserve covers an area of over 34 000ha and incorporates ecological substrata such as savannah, bushveld, omuramba and dry pan. Age-old and well-worn migration routes, once used by elephant and buffalo wander through Onguma's three dry riverbeds. The Reserve boasts over thirty different animal species. Plains game roam freely on the Reserve and predators although not easy to spot are nevertheless common residents of the area. Lions are frequently seen and often heard. There is a healthy black rhino and leopard population and hyenas are also often seen. More than 300 bird species can be viewed at Onguma. The reserve also has the biggest breeding colony of white-backed vultures in Namibia. During the summer months Onguma becomes a bird-watcher's paradise with thousands of species migrating to wetlands created by the seasonal rains and ephemeral river systems. This part of Namibia has been identified as one of the key bird watching sites in Southern Africa.

Camping at Etosha is as good as it gets! Right at the Von Lindequist Gate, on the Eastern side of Etosha National Park, lies Onguma Nature Reserve. Onguma has 34 000 hectares of wilderness, bordering the iconic Etosha Park. For discerning campers, 25 campsites are being created in the lush bush. Tamboti Campsite boasts a large reception area with small supply store and ala carte restaurant. The main areas are built with a view over a lovely waterhole, which will ensure there is always something to see. Camp sites are spread out around the main complex and there are ablution and cooking facilities allocated to each camp site. Most of the 25 stands have individual ablution and cooking facilities, and some are designed to share a facility between two sites for parties that are travelling together. You need to bring your own tent and camping equipment. During the day - explore Etosha Park, and at night, relax in the midst of a Reserve where elephant, rhino, lion and plains game roam freely. Nothing beats identifying animal calls while sitting around your roaring campfire. The Rhino Conservation Levy will be utilized exclusively to guard and protect the Rhino population on Onguma Nature Reserve. This levy is charged per person and will be applicable to all campsites. The 25 sites are all nestled in the trees of the Onguma Reserve and each camper is ensured privacy and space to enjoy the bush. Each campsite has its own private ablution facility with spacious shower room, separate toilet and covered washing-up areas with lots of space to unpack and organise your stay. Each unit also has ample plugs to ensure cooler boxes keep cool and cameras get charged. There is a stunning main area with restaurant where you can enjoy a hearty meal while looking out across the waterhole. The supply store stocks essentials and the deep verandas ensure there is shade to relax in.

Activities include Etosha game drives with trained guides, Sundowner Nature Drives, Guided Walking Safaris as well as a Photographic Hide on the Onguma Reserve. Superb game-viewing and bird-watching can be enjoyed in Onguma Nature Reserve as well as in Etosha National Park. Namibia's best-known tourist attraction, and one of the most interesting game reserves in the world because of its unusual terrain, Etosha is a combination of dried lake (salt pan) in the north and grasslands, dense brush and open plains in the south. Etosha National Park is one of the largest and most impressive game reserves in the whole of Africa. The Ovambo name Etosha, means "place of dry water" - and the reserve was named this because of the vast, shallow salt pan which shimmers a silvery bright-white, from salt across its entire surface. Almost all African animal species are represented in the nature reserve. Invariably visitors with patience and determination see four of the Big 5 (there are no Hippos in Etosha). Well maintained gravel roads lead to watering holes, where game viewing is best. The water-holes, scattered throughout this area, are the basis of life for countless wild animals. There is an estimated number of 300 lions in the park, 300 rhinos, 2000 giraffes and 1500 elephants. Particularly numerous are the dainty springbok, of which at least 30 000 specimens can be found here. Protected species such as the black-faced impala and black rhino can also be seen. After exceptionally rainy periods, the pan fills with water and enormous numbers of flamingoes and pelicans arrive to feed and breed. Etosha is home to more than 3,000 species of birds and large animals, among them the elephant, giraffe, zebra, leopard, cheetah, lion, kudu, black-faced impala, black rhino and hyena. Etosha National Park's Namutoni rest camp features an old German fortress as its main building with al fresco dining inside the fort in the evenings.