Okonjima – Leopard Tracking in Namibia’s Nature Reserve
Updated: 5 days ago
Just two hours away from Windhoek lies a true paradise for nature lovers. It’s also a perfect stopover if you’re heading towards Etosha National Park. Nestled within a 200-square-kilometer private wildlife reserve is the Okonjima Nature Reserve – one of the absolute highlights of our Namibia road trip.
In this article, we’ll share what you can look forward to and the adventures you can experience during your stay!
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1. Mission of the Okonjima Nature Reserve
The Okonjima Nature Reserve, together with its Africat Foundation, is dedicated to protecting endangered species, particularly big cats. The goal is to allow these animals to live a protected yet natural life within the private reserve.
Besides leopards, the reserve is home to many other animals, such as hyenas, zebras, springboks, and antelopes.
However, you won’t find cheetahs here, as (according to our guide) they don’t stand a chance against the numerous leopards and hyenas already living in Okonjima.
2. Getting There: How to Reach Okonjima Nature Reserve
For us, Okonjima was the first stop on our Namibia trip. Coming from Windhoek, it’s about a 2.5-hour drive (220 km) to the reserve. Most of the journey (around 200 km) is on a paved road (B1) heading north. The entrance to the reserve is another 20 km along a well-maintained gravel road.
The final stretch is an adventure in itself: you pass several gates and already start spotting animals like zebras, giraffes, springboks, or antelopes – the perfect way to get excited for what awaits you during your stay.
Eventually, you’ll arrive at the reserve’s main building. Park your car in the large parking lot and head to the check-in area, where you’ll be greeted warmly.
After a welcome drink, you’ll be escorted to your accommodation.
3. Accommodation Options at Okonjima Nature Reserve
The Okonjima Nature Reserve offers a variety of accommodation options, ranging from campsites to luxury chalets. There’s something for everyone, but don’t wait too long to book – availability is limited, and places fill up quickly.
Campsite: Okonjima Campsites
The Okonjima campsite provides several amenities, including showers (with hot water), toilets, a dining area, firewood, a swimming pool, and electricity. We didn’t stay at the campsite but opted for a View Room to kick off our road trip.
Okonjima Plains Camp
The Okonjima Plains Camp features a spacious “Barn,” which serves as the central hub for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and the starting point for safaris. There’s also a waterhole nearby where you can already spot plenty of animals.
Close to the Barn, you’ll find different “hotel rooms,” which are more like small, comfortable huts. You can choose between View Rooms (with large windows overlooking the park) and Standard Rooms.
Okonjima Bush Camp
The luxurious Bush Camp consists of eight individual bungalows located further from the reception (the Barn). Here, you have an even higher chance of spotting wildlife directly from your accommodation.
For an even more luxurious stay, there’s the African Villa and the Private Bush Suite.
All Bush Camp accommodations are booked well in advance and were already unavailable when we planned our trip. If this interests you, you’ll likely need to book at least six months ahead.
4. Safari and Wildlife Tracking
At Okonjima, you can choose from various safari tours (game drives), which take place in the morning or afternoon when wildlife sightings are most likely. We opted for leopard tracking twice because these animals absolutely fascinate us.
You’ll ride in an open Jeep with your guide and a small group of other guests, exploring the vast reserve while keeping an eye out for animals.
If you choose a leopard tracking tour, your guide will focus specifically on finding these predators. Some leopards are equipped with trackers for research purposes, making sightings much easier. The chances of spotting one of these wild cats are incredibly high.
Our Verdict: Okonjima Lodge in Namibia
Okonjima is truly a unique place and an absolute must-visit on your Namibia road trip. We spent two days at Okonjima and booked three safari tours during our stay. However, we easily could have stayed at least one more night to fully enjoy all the amenities of this stunning lodge.
Do you still need the perfect outfit for your safari adventure? Check out our detailed packing list for Namibia:
Would you like more travel insights? Take a look at our Instagram accounts tom_rbg_ and anna_rbg_. Feel free to message us if you have any questions about the routes!
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