Nestled at the base of the Omboroko Mountains, the family-operated Okonjima Lodge is surrounded by acacia thornveld, in an area free from Malaria.
Located between Windhoek, Namibia’s capital, and the Etosha National Park, the lodge offers convenient access. It’s reachable with a mere two-and-a-half-hour drive or a swift one-hour flight from Windhoek to the private airstrip within the expansive 22,000-hectare (55,000-acre or 220 km²) nature reserve. Famed for the regular sightings of leopard, brown hyaena and pangolin during safaris, the Okonjima Nature Reserve is also the dwelling place of The AfriCat Foundation – founded in 1991 and officially registered as a private, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization (N.G.O.) in 1992.
AfriCat stands out for conducting one of Namibia’s longest-running Leopard Monitoring Projects. Additionally, the AfriCat Pangolin Research Project is among the few initiatives worldwide dedicated to studying free-roaming pangolins.
Committed to substantial conservation endeavours, AfriCat’s dedication to safeguarding wildlife in their native habitat is profound. This commitment extends across the expansive 200km² Okonjima Nature Reserve.
Okonjima Lodge offers a diverse range of accommodation, spanning from well-appointed, private camp sites to awe-inspiring safari lodges. The acclaimed Okonjima African Villa and Private Bush Suite provide a luxury safari experience, pampering guests with their own private chef, guide, and safari vehicle.
Our activities captivate and enlighten even the most seasoned travellers. Early mornings commence with guided explorations of the Okonjima Nature Reserve. As the day winds down, game drives traverse the acacia thicket in search of the leopard, ending in a sundowner experience true to African tradition.
The partnership between the Okonjima Lodges, the Okonjima Nature Reserve and the AfriCat Foundation is a demonstration of the symbiosis between conservation and tourism. Research by the AfriCat Foundation has confirmed that the Okonjima Nature Reserve is an ideal ecosystem for leopard, brown hyaena and pangolin. The Reserve is thus one of the best places in the country to see these normally shy and elusive animals.
AfriCat research has also demonstrated however that the ecology of species within an enclosed, protected reserve is altered – densities are higher, home ranges smaller, and there are behaviour changes to adapt to reduced opportunities for migration.
Whether you’re inclined towards hiking or a passionate bird enthusiast, the possibilities to immerse yourself in Okonjima are boundless.
Craft your ultimate Namibian safari as you journey along the Naturally Namibia Circuit.
