The Okonjima African Villa is situated in a secluded wilderness area overlooking a natural waterhole that’s ideal for wildlife photography and bird watching. This safari-chic, thatched villa has two en-suite, luxury bedrooms in the main house and two separate private, luxury mini suites, which together can accommodate up to eight adults and four children. A unique African safari experience in a private, boutique lodge, situated in a 200km² private nature reserve.
Okonjima Nature Reserve is recognized as one of the premier places to stay to witness carnivores and other endangered species like the rhino, pangolin and brown hyaena in the wild and to be educated about conservation. The AfriCat Foundation was born in the early 1990’s, a Namibia registered non-profit organization which started out primarily as a welfare organization, and has since become focused on research projects which are essential in accomplishing its mission of the long term conservation of Namibia’s wildlife.
The African Villa 'Main House'
The main house consists of: Two en-suite luxury bedrooms.
The 4th room at the Villa (court yard view – family unit) can only be booked, if guest are related to the guests in the main room, for both suites are situated in the main building.
A modern, chef-designed kitchen with wine and soft drink coolers, gas and electric cooking facilities and a double-door refrigerator with a built-in ice maker.
A wood-burning fireplace that brings together the spacious lounge and dining areas.
Each of the two en-suite, luxury bedrooms have an inside and outside shower as well as a bath with views of the Namibian bush.
The infinity pool, which is necklaced by an African red teak deck, looks out onto the waterhole that’s frequented by an abundance of wildlife.
The open-air, shaded sala is the ideal setting for a meal or afternoon nap.
The African Villa 'South Suite'
The two private, luxury mini suites are situated 35-50 meters on either side of the main house and each boast:
Double volume thatched roofs with air-con, fans and heating facilities.
Glass-panelled sliding doors with panoramic views across Okonjima Nature Reserve.
Should guests choose, these open doorways may be replaced with roll-down, zip-fastened canvas partitioning with heavy-duty gauze screens – to give you a true sense of staying in the untamed African bush.
A well-stocked mini bar, as well as tea and coffee making facilities.
The choice of an inside or outside shower, as well as bathrooms with bush views.
Wi-Fi and ample work space and private, undercover parking.
The African Villa 'North Suite'
The two private, luxury mini suites are situated 35-50 meters on either side of the main house and each boast:
Double volume thatched roofs with air-con, fans and heating facilities.
Glass-panelled sliding doors with panoramic views across Okonjima Nature Reserve.
Should guests choose, these open doorways may be replaced with roll-down, zip-fastened canvas partitioning with heavy-duty gauze screens – to give you a true sense of staying in the untamed African bush.
A well-stocked mini bar, as well as tea and coffee making facilities.
The choice of an inside or outside shower, as well as bathrooms with bush views.
Wi-Fi and ample work space and private, undercover parking.
LEOPARD TRACKING
The Leopard ‘experience’ will take you out into the Okonjima Nature Reserve and will allow you to spend more time with our experienced guides and participate in the research data collection for our long-standing leopard project. Some of our adult Leopard are radio collared which enables the guides to track them with a specialized telemetry device contributing to frequent viewing, giving visitors an opportunity to observe these magnificent predators in their natural habitat.
RHINO TRACKING on foot
On this trail, no telemetry device is used to track the rhino, the guide and guests are joined by our dedicated Okonjima anti-poaching team who have spent many hours, getting to know each individual, dedicating their time towards the fight for the conservation of the rhino in the Okonjima Nature Reserve. This activity can only be booked directly at the Lodge.
BROWN HYAENA TRACKING
This Hyaena ‘experience’ offers more time to appreciate and understand the Okonjima Nature Reserve as a balanced ecosystem, with a focus on the ‘secretly social’ and rare brown hyaena. Since the private nature reserve was primarily established for the conservation of some of our more vulnerable mammal species, it offers an improved opportunity to encounter these relatively rare animals.
Pangolin Tracking on foot
The choice of going with the researcher or guide, will be determined by circumstances, weather and operations. Sightings are not guaranteed, as this complex, vulnerable species needs a gentle and respectful approach. Tracking on foot will be done in silence and maintaining a discreet distance. The Pangolin tracking is a specialized night/day (seasonal) activity. During the summer months this activity tends to take place between 10pm and 6am and during the winter months from 5pm to 11pm. As this would be the most active period of the day for these mostly nocturnal animals. You will join a guide and tracker on a walking trail in the dark within the 20 000ha Okonjima Nature Reserve. We limit participation to a max of 6 people per pangolin tracking. This gives the client insight into this secret life of the very endangered Ground Pangolin. A flashlight and walking shoes are compulsory. This activity is reserved for guests that are staying for a minimum of 2 nights with us.
GAME & NATURE DRIVE
Experienced guides will entertain you with their knowledge, sharing interesting and enlightening information about the history of the Okonjima Nature Reserve and the research gathered over the past 30 years of conservation on Okonjima. On this trail, no telemetry device is used to track any of the carnivores researched by the AfriCat Foundation. Wildlife is the focus of the drive. Visitors are offered insight as our guides attempt to foster a general appreciation of the natural habitat of the Nature Reserve.
NIGHT DRIVE: - subject to weather and availability
Guests are invited on a nocturnal game drive, led by our knowledgeable guides. This evening drive in the Okonjima Nature Reserve allows guests a chance to spot the many nocturnal game species they wouldn’t normally see during the day. After the sun has set and the temperatures have dropped, the African bush comes to life once again:bat-eared foxes roam about, aardwolf on the hunt for insects, owls observe their surroundings from a height. All Okonjima guests are welcome to join a nocturnal drive. The Nocturnal Game can only be booked directly at the Lodge.
NATURE TRAILS
Self-guided walking trails for those guests who want to spend some time alone in the solitude of the Okonjima vast wilderness area.
INTO AFRICAT – BEHIND THE SCIENCE
Into AfriCat – behind the Science will present the current research and conservation work of the AfriCat Foundation. This experience will complement all existing Okonjima activities, offering guests a deeper understanding of the purpose, methods, and importance of AfriCat’s conservation research within the Okonjima Nature Reserve.
For more info on African Villa, click HERE