Okutala Etosha Lodge — Hotel in Kunene Region

There are a lot of choices for accommodation at Etosha National Park.... this has to be the best if you want to get a feel for what it's all about. We absolutely loved it with the highlight the view from our room and the restaurant over the water hole where Rhinos Giraffes antelope are numerous and we also saw Zebras. All there in full view. One of the giraffes comes into the lodge area on a regular basis and can stand outside your room or next to reception.... amazing. You get to watch the Rhinos fed behind a low fence.. Safe and only 10 feet away from you..... Won't get this in the main park...||We have read some criticism.... If you want a 5 star lodge with bells and whistles go to Motuki ( we did both)... they are very different. The beauty of Okatala is it's very African, comfortable, clean and the staff are lovely. The food is good.... well cooked.. the rooms have everything needed. The showers are luke warm but who needs hot showers when it's 36 degrees||Finally do a tour of Okatala wider park. It's a private reserve and you realise the tourism and Lodge isn't the main purpose. You are on an animal sanctuary where the animals are helped to survive.... a real challenge with climate change and we noticed some of the animals in the main park were very thin compared to those at Okatala where they have a resident vet.||You can do trips into the main park and Coby the guide was superb.||Give this lodge serious consideration.... we were blown away and learnt so much.... the animals were a joy but they are under threat...... this park is doing its best and experiencing it has been one if the best experiences in our many travels and destinations...

What a place. Very quiet in November. There was only a few other people staying there. A long drive from the road to the lodge, but interesting if you keep your eyes open. The lodge we had at the top of the hill was beautifully decorated with a great view. The lodges at the top had their own pool. Bar area had a balcony looking over the water hole below, often frequented by Rhino, Oryx, Wildebeest, Springbok and many more animals while you enjoy your afternoon beer! ||The restaurant serve fantastic food for the two night we were there, the chef coming out and telling us what she was going to prepare for us. We have Oryx steak the first night and Kudu steak the second. Both were lovely. We were assured they were not at the waterhole earlier in the day! But breed especially for their meat. ||The staff were all fantastic. Could not do enough for you. ||Mongoose was friendly too who would come and see you in the bar if you were lucky.||We organised a drive into Etosha through the hotel which was excellent. It helped that we were the only ones on it! But being in contact to others in the park, they could find out where to go to find the animals which are...

Okutala isn't just about the beautiful setting and stunning rooms. Situated 11km from the lodge gate, you get the feeling of something special as you drive up to reception. Everything was clean and well organised and the view from the room's terrace was stunning and unimpeded. During meal times there are plenty of animals at the easily visible water hole (Elephants, Giraffes, Rhinos, Kudu, Springbok, Wildebeest) and the food served was delicious and well presented.

But what sets Okutala apart is the owner and his staff. It's a genuine feeling of being welcomed into the family for your stay without being false or imposing. They will help in any way to make your stay more enjoyable. This was more than evident when I found a flat tyre on my Hilux and the owner simply asked for the keys and had it taken care of, at no cost to me, while I relaxed on the terrace. An incredible show of generosity which left me to enjoy my time there.

If you are lucky enough to stay at Okutala, say hello to Abigail the Mongoose. Just don't let the vet catch you...