alt

Research
Listen to nature • Listen to nature • Listen to nature •

A safari of science and learning

The African bush is an ancient realm where wonder springs to life.

And the more we learn about the intricate web of connections that binds its fauna and flora to the land, the more it stirs our curiosity, our quest to wonder why.

At the Ongava Research Centre, an independent, privately funded institution adjacent to Anderssons at Ongava, scientists and researchers from around the world set out daily to explore, observe, analyse, and unravel the mysteries of the wild.

Gathering data to make a difference, researchers from around the world are advancing the cause of conservation at Ongava.
Gathering data to make a difference, researchers from around the world are advancing the cause of conservation at Ongava.

A restless quest to find out why

As vast and diverse as Ongava itself, the Ongava Research Centre’s field of study is guided by the way wildlife species inhabit, interact, and behave in their natural environments.

Why, for instance, do some animals turn back from roads, rivers, and boundaries they could easily walk across? How do tens of millions of wetland birds asses when to move to new breeding grounds?

Why do herds of zebra react so differently to lion and spotted hyena on the hunt? Why do certain animals slake their thirst at communal watering holes, while others drink from overflows in muddy pools?

Gathering vital data and sharing the answers, the Ongava Research Centre is making a wealth of difference to the world’s understanding of the wild.

1of3

For the dedicated scientists and researchers who make Ongava their base, the daily routine includes intense fieldwork and many hours of laboratory analysis. But the wealth of pioneering knowledge they gain is its own reward.

Unravelling the ways and wonders of the wild at the Ongava Research Centre

“Finding answers for what we should know, but don’t know.” That’s the challenge that drives and inspires the global team of researchers and scientists based at the Ongava Research Centre.

Conducted together with Namibian and international scientists and visiting students, the research focuses on understanding animal habits and habitats, the impact of climate change, and the connection between humans and the natural environment.

The more gaps of knowledge that the centre’s dedicated researchers can fill, the more we will be able to preserve and maintain the integrity of our precious wild spaces.

As the Ongava Research Centre’s mission statement puts it, “We know more about the fascinating workings and the fragility of the natural world than ever before, and we use that information as best we can to conserve the world for all its living constituents and their offspring.”

A hub of curiosity and cutting-edge research

Radiating from a central garden of mopane trees, the Ongava Visitor Centre is a carousel of fascinating knowledge and insight into the ways and wonders of the wild.

Take a wander around the centre, which is attached to Anderssons Lodge, and you’ll discover the amazing history of Ongava Private Game Reserve, the ancient geology of the land, and the secrets of its abundant fauna and flora.

It’s a must-visit that will open your eyes and mind to the beauty of nature, and the cutting-edge research that has earned the Ongava Research Centre its global reputation for excellence at the frontiers of scientific knowledge.

And when the sun sets, the roof of the centre doubles as an evocative setting for a night of gazing at the stars.

Learn about our projects to protect and preserve the land, in harmony with its people

Building partnerships in research and conservation

We have formed research and conservation partnerships with local and international organisations, to better understand the environment and help to meet its needs.

Supporting local communities

We are working on sustainable development projects that will help to support local communities, while ensuring the conservation and protection of the environment.

Conserving and protecting wildlife

As a private game reserve, we are implementing a range of measures to safeguard and protect our precious wildlife species.

Keeping a close watch on the land

Through our ecological monitoring and research activities, we aim to understand the impact of human activities on the environment, and learn how to best to protect and conserve the wildlife in the region.

Nature needs us, and we need nature

Conducted together with Namibian and international scientists and visiting students, the research focuses on understanding animal habits and habitats, the impact of climate change, and the connection between humans and the natural environment.

Indulge in a Life of Luxury in the Wild

At Ongava, you can spend your day in the wide-open spaces of the wild, and come home to the embrace of comfort and luxury.

Our four lodges, distinctive in style and character, have been carefully designed to harmonise with the landscape that surrounds and inspires them. Each is a special retreat that will advance your appreciation of nature.

A place to call your own, in the Realm of the Rhino.

Ongava Tented Camp

Recapture the roots of adventure in comfort and style

9 RoomsFrom N$ 15,300 / person / night FI in high season
Classic Meru-style tents
Dining area overlooking waterhole
Close proximity to wildlife
Evening campfire viewing deck
Pool overlooking waterhole

Anderssons at Ongava

A touch of Mediterranean flair in the heart of the bushveld

9 RoomsFrom N$ 20,300 / person / night FI in high season
Natural stone suites
Live waterhole feed in room
Viewing & photography hide
Infinity edge pool
180 Degree viewing deck