Otjimbondona Kalahari

“Absolutely loved it!”

We really loved our stay at Otjimbondona in late April/early May 2025. The property is stunning, and the villa was in impeccable condition. Everything was personalized, from the welcome to the departure and everything in between. Our guide, Lazarus, was with us for the entire time of our stay and m… more

We really loved our stay at Otjimbondona in late April/early May 2025. The property is stunning, and the villa was in impeccable condition. Everything was personalized, from the welcome to the departure and everything in between. Our guide, Lazarus, was with us for the entire time of our stay and made sure we had everything we could possibly wish for. He was also extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife and the large variety of birds on property. We got to meet the owners, and it is clear that they love their property and are continuing to invest in it and in developing their staff, which is wonderful to see (our guide Lazarus being an example of that). If the Kalahari is on your wishlist or itinerary, strongly consider Otjimbondona.

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“A Desert Experience.”

A delightful villa based short break on the edge of the Kalahari. The villa's have everything you need , including a plunge pool, quite delightful in this heat. The manor house is wonderful, with a lovely swimming pool. Designed by the owners Wilfred & Anita, who it was lovely to meet. The food was… more

A delightful villa based short break on the edge of the Kalahari. The villa's have everything you need , including a plunge pool, quite delightful in this heat. The manor house is wonderful, with a lovely swimming pool. Designed by the owners Wilfred & Anita, who it was lovely to meet. The food was delightful, looked after by the excellant Lazarus. Lovely to see they promoted local suppliers, including gins Stillwater & Desolate. We visited especially to see the Meerkats that are on the property, and we're not disappointed. Also plenty of plains game.

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“Ein phantastischer Aufenthalt in der Kalahari!”

Dear Anita and Wilfried, thank you very much for the two wonderful days in your wonderful house. After two weeks and more than 2,000 kilometers driven, we wanted to enjoy some days of relaxation. We managed to do this very well in your house. The Villa Oryx and the main house are architecturally a … more

Dear Anita and Wilfried, thank you very much for the two wonderful days in your wonderful house. After two weeks and more than 2,000 kilometers driven, we wanted to enjoy some days of relaxation. We managed to do this very well in your house. The Villa Oryx and the main house are architecturally a feast for the eyes and a place to feel good. It is so wonderfully quiet at your lodge. Privacy has been so wonderfully preserved there. The sundowner we had with you was combined with very pleasant conversation. The game drive with Lazerus and especially the trip to the meerkats was a successful event. We will happily look at the pictures again and again. We enjoyed the food and the atmosphere in the main house is very pleasant. Thank you for all the friendliness of the staff. We would be happy to stay longer, like next time. Sabine and Roland

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“A Stay with Highlights, but Room for Improvement”

I spent a weekend at Ojimbonoda Kalahari with my girls. Although the property is marketed as a luxury experience, it unfortunately did not fully meet that expectation. The villas are spacious and beautifully designed, and the private plunge pool was a definite highlight; perfect for cooling down w… more

I spent a weekend at Ojimbonoda Kalahari with my girls. Although the property is marketed as a luxury experience, it unfortunately did not fully meet that expectation. The villas are spacious and beautifully designed, and the private plunge pool was a definite highlight; perfect for cooling down without going to the main area. The food experience was mixed. Our first-night steak was tough and barely eaten, but the rest of the meals were excellent. A special shout-out to Petrus for his exceptional care and culinary skills, which truly elevated our dining experience. For a luxury lodge, several basics were missing or fell short. Although a hair dryer was available, it was difficult to find. There were no coasters, one villa had a sink that did not drain properly, and we found used face cream and sunscreen with visible finger marks, which felt unhygienic. Communication was a challenge. There was no easy way to reach the front desk for emergencies or room service. We were promised a phone, but this never materialised. Housekeeping was inconsistent, with no daily towel or linen refresh, and used dishes were not collected after meals. Check-in and check-out communication was also unclear, making us feel like an inconvenience. While the cookies were delicious, in-room Wi-Fi, umbrellas, a speaker, and a wide selection of drinks and snacks would have been appreciated. It is important to note that while we shared feedback during our stay, we felt it should not be directed at the staff, who were visibly doing their best to deliver the best experience possible and were ultimately the reason we still had a decent and enjoyable time. A special shoutout to Lazarus. Overall, Ojimbonoda Kalahari has great potential, but improvements in attention to detail, housekeeping, communication, and in-room amenities are needed to deliver on its luxury promise truly.

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