Those willing to splurge on their Etosha National Park journey will find themselves in a NWR game-drive vehicle winding through the 28-mile private jungle driveway to Onkoshi Camp. The camp is NWR’s (Namibian Wildlife Resorts) most recent venture in Etosha, catering to high-end travelers seeking to have an exclusive experience in the country’s most frequented park.  We were well warned by Pauline Lindeque, NWR’s senior manager for strategic marketing and communications, that Onkoshi would be unlike their other accommodation in the park. Onkoshi’s exceptional all-inclusive service coupled with its environmentally conscious design puts it in a league of its own.

Onkoshi’s guest rooms have a spacious balcony overlooking the Etosha pan, so vast that it can be seen from outer space.

The camp is situated on a peninsula on the eastern edge of the Etosha Pan, the 1,775 square mile (larger than the state of Rhode Island) geographical formation that gives the park it’s namesake. The name Etosha means ‘great white place of dry water’ referring to the immense salt plain during the dry season. When flooded the pan becomes a vast lake offering plentiful drinking water for the park’s wildlife.

Gemsbok, among the park’s 114 mammal species that drink from the Etosha pan, can frequently be seen from Onkoshi’s guest room balcony.

The design and architecture of Onkoshi considers both the guest experience and the surrounding environment. The semi-permanent camp is built on elevated wooden decks using mostly sustainably harvested wood, thatch and canvas. Collin Netope, manager of Onkoshi Camp, notes “it is built this way so small animals can continue to roam freely under the decks. Also, if we have to, we can remove the camp entirely and leave the location as it was originally”. Collin proudly showed us other initiatives that the camp takes to reduce its impact on the environment, including solar energy and grey-water treatment.

Onkoshi’s professional staff offer exceptional service. However, it does not come without a price; a night at the exclusive camp will cost 4,500 Nam dollars (roughly $600 USD) per person.

Taking a good break from our self-catered dinners supplied by Nandi’s drawer of stock food, we were delighted to be spoiled with a delicious 3-course dinner. As we dine with first-class restaurant service, Collin explains that the camp counts on 32 dedicated staff members representing around ten ethnic groups, speaking 8 different dialects from all around Namibia. He says it was a pleasant coincidence that resulted from a rigorous selection process. We noted that most staff members are not new to their field, and have previously worked in respectable establishments such as Wilderness Safaris. This type of hospitality is clearly growing a career worthy industry.

It is clear that Namibian Wildlife Resorts, albeit own by the government, has stepped up its game to offer an exception experience, comparable to the private sector establishment that have dominated this market outside the National Parks. While Onkoshi could be another luxurious camp that disregards its environmental impacts in a protected area, NWR merits recognition for its efforts in making the camp an exemplary ecotourism destination.

As we enjoy delightful dinner overlooking the Etosha pan we are dazzled with a spectacular lightening show.

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