Okonjima Plains Camp is within the secluded wilderness area of Okonjima Nature Reserve and has majestic sunset views. Its design honors the Hanssen’s family cattle-farming history with its accommodation facility of 11 large View Rooms and 14 spacious Classic Rooms. The Plains Camp Barn includes a dining and lounge area, a curio shop and a terrace with views over a waterhole and the Okonjima plains. Game drives in search of elusive leopards and guided bush walks offer visitors an intimate, up-close perspective of Namibia’s wildlife and, especially, its most protected species. Whether you hike or are an avid bird watcher, there are endless ways to spend your time at Okonjima.
Okonjima Nature Reserve is recognized as one of the premier places to stay to witness carnivores and other endangered species like the aardvark, 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.
Okonjima Nature Reserve is equally famed for frequent leopard, brown hyaena and pangolin sightings on its safaris, as well as the AfriCat Foundation. Since being founded in 1991, AfriCat’s mission has been to make significant contributions to conservation, while trying to ensure the survival of Namibia’s predators in their natural habitat. AfriCat runs extensive research projects on rare and endangered species, big and small.
Plains Camp Classic Rooms
(14 ROOMS)
The Plains Camp lies within the secluded wilderness area of the Reserve and has majestic sunset views. Game drives in search of elusive leopards and guided bush walks offer visitors an intimate, up-close perspective of Namibia’s wildlife with special emphasis on its most endangered species.
Its design honors the founding family, the Hanssen’s family cattle-farming history with its accommodation facility of 11 large View Rooms and 14 spacious Classic Rooms. The Plains Camp Barn includes a warm dining and lounge area with views over a spectacular waterhole and the Okonjima plains. The 14 Classic, standard Rooms also offer views of the Okonjima grass plains, but they are slightly smaller compared to the View Rooms.
Among them, four rooms combine to create two spacious family units. The family unit comprising rooms 1 and 2 is located nearest to the barn, while the second family unit with rooms 13 and 14 is situated about 600 meters away. The rooms are thoughtfully spaced 10 to 15 meters apart, ensuring a degree of privacy from the entertainment area at the barn - Classic Rooms Size: 77m2
Plains Camp View Rooms
(11 ROOMS)
The Plains Camp lies within the secluded wilderness area of the Reserve and has majestic sunset views. Game drives in search of elusive leopards and guided bush walks offer visitors an intimate, up-close perspective of Namibia’s wildlife with special emphasis on its most endangered species. Its design honors the founding family, the Hanssen’s family cattle-farming history with its accommodation facility of 11 large View Rooms and 14 spacious Classic Rooms. The Plains Camp Barn includes a warm dining and lounge area with views over a spectacular waterhole and the Okonjima plains.
The 11 expansive View Rooms derive their name from the stunning vistas they offer across the Okonjima grass plains. Positioned at distances ranging from 20 to 70 meters apart, these rooms provide a serene haven removed from the entertainment hub at the Plains Camp Barn. Unit number one and the generously-sized family unit (consisting of rooms three and four) are located nearest to the Barn.
Each View Room features:
- A spacious veranda, complete with a day-bed and two loungers
- Wheelchair ramp for accessibility
- Two double beds
- WiFi connectivity; mobile-phone reception,
- Air Conditioning suitable for cooling down in Summer months & heating the room in Winter months.
- A functional desk with a telephone for reaching out to reception; and a comfortable reading chair
- A tea and a coffee station equipped with freshly ground coffee and a
- French press (plunger) for your early morning ‘cup of java’.
- A small fridge or minibar (Kindly inform your host during check-in about your preferred soft drink and beverage choices for minibar servicing).
- Dual roof fans
- Twin basins and an expansive twin shower
- A secure safety deposit box
- Private, undercover parking
- View Rooms Size: 88m2
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 and newly introduced brown hyaena program. Some of our adult leopards 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 and experience the fascinating behavior and interactions between these two species while they compete for food. Although this significantly increases the chance of an excellent sighting, it cannot ever be guaranteed as they are wild free-roaming predators.
Morning activities (seasonal times): Departure 06:00 / 06:30 AM; Return 09:30 / 10:00 AM.
Afternoon activities (seasonal times): Departure: 15:30 / 16:00 PM; Return 19:00 / 19:30 PM.
RHINO TRACKING
RHINO TRACKING on foot: (Specialized Activity) - subject to weather and availability.
On this trail, no telemetry device is used to track the rhino, the guide and guests are joined by the 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
PANGOLIN TRACKING on foot: (Specialized Activity) – exclusive for guests staying 2 nights
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 DRIVE & 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.
Morning activities (seasonal times): Departure 06:00 / 06:30 AM; Return 09:30 / 10:00 AM.
Afternoon activities (seasonal times): Departure: 15:30 / 16:00 PM; Return 19:00 / 19:30 PM.
INTO AFRICAT – BEHIND THE SCIENCE - from 01. July 2026
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.
NATURE TRAILS
Self-guided walking trails for those guests who want to spend some time alone in the solitude of the Okonjima 2000ha wilderness area. Maps available at reception desk.
For more info on Plains Camp, click HERE