Reviews of Damaraland Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
124 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Damaraland Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Damaraland Camp review"
The staff at Damaraland Camp are simply the friendliest and most helpful staff I have ever met at any hotel or lodge. They sing to welcome you and say goodbye, they all remember your name and nothing is too much trouble.
The rooms (or bungalows) are large and very comfortable, there is a nice pool area with greta views and the food was excellent.
Nicky was our guide for our drives and was hugely enthusiastic and knowledgable telling us not just about the animals but the geology and the vegetation which was great.
The only word of caution is that it is a long drive to Damaraland from Swakop (about 6 hours in total including brief stops) on gravel roads so be prepared.
We were still glad we did it!" See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
Elephant
4 sightings
Giraffe
5 sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
"Damaraland Camp review"
The service was super attentive, perhaps because we were the only guests (it was early season in June). And the food was excellent. We really appreciated having options as to what we could eat.
Thanks too to our guide Nicky for finding desert elephants for us, taking us black rhino tracking. (we saw 2) and sharing his expert knowledge of this amazing area." See all these reviews: 25n in Namibia; 5n in South Africa
Black Rhino
2 sightings
Elephant
6 sightings
Giraffe
8 sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
"Damaraland Camp review"
Our main reason for going there was to track black rhinos on foot. We had a wonderful rhino encounter in a valley about an hour’s drive from the camp where we saw a mother and calf on the valley floor and three adult rhinos up on a ridge above. We approached the rhinos on foot. One of the adults came down from the ridge to the valley floor and came to within about 50 yards of us.
We were also lucky to see a herd of about 30 desert adapted elephants in a dry river bed on our last day. They had left the area for about two weeks so we were lucky to catch them. Apart from the rhinos and elephants, the only animals we saw over three days of game drives were three scrub hares and two black-backed jackals (and 11 ostriches on the drive back to Doro Nawas air strip). However, our visit was in April which we were told is not a peak game viewing month.
Many of the bush roads we travelled along were covered in rocks and were very bumpy. You need to be prepared for an “African massage”!
The camp was very comfortable and we enjoyed our room.. The food was outstanding. It was varied, imaginative and delicious. It was some of the best we had eaten over many years of safaris.
We were particularly impressed by the staff. They were cheerful, friendly and helpful and seemed to take delight in their work and in each others’ company.
Our guide, Joas, was very experienced, knowledgeable and personable. He was a pleasure to be with." See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia
Black Rhino
2 sightings
Elephant
1 sighting
"Damaraland Camp review"
We thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our stay here." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
"Damaraland Camp review"
We were accompanied in our 4wd from the road to the lodge to be welcomed with singing, refreshing towels and juice.
Our guide was knowledgeable and attentive. Whilst most go to see the desert adapted elephants (which we did on three occasions) he was equally keen for us to learn about other aspects of the environment and culture. He was keen for us to drive across the desert to the rock art and living museums and we were not disappointed!
We particularly enjoyed a short walk on our day of departure.
We only spent two nights at DWC but could easily have spent longer had time allowed." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
3 sightings
Oryx
1 sighting
"Damaraland Camp review"
Wonderful attention from staff - LLewellyn, Richard, and others. Special candlelit barbecue in hills behind camp unbelievable.
Game drive excellent. Room excellent.
Who knew that desert landscape could be so interesting?" See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Elephant
1 sighting
Giraffe
1 sighting
"Damaraland Camp review"
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
"Damaraland Camp review"
Manager/ Chef (who shared recipes ) staff were fantastic. Our guide was extremely knowledgable and helpful.
We had forgotten our water flask and had taken off on short flight to pick up another passenger from a neighbouring camp . We were surprised beyond belief when the guide drove up to that airstrip to hand us the water bottle. He deserves a medal." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
"Damaraland Camp review"
The chef was the best on our trip and did an amazing braai our first night under the stars. We came back late one day from a Rhino drive and decided to go straight back rather than stop and eat. The staff surprised us with a picnic lunch under a grove of trees near the camp. They didn't have to do that but it was a wonderful surprise and very welcome.
Little touches like a hot water bottle in the bed on a chilly evening were extra special." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Elephant
1 sighting
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"Damaraland Camp review"
The sight of a small family of desert-adapted elephants moving slowly across this vast, dry environment feels very lonely. Black rhino call this part of Namibia home as well. They are studied and kept safe through the efforts of Save the Rhino Trust whose trackers are in the field every day. These animals are magnificent, even when viewed from a great distance. Giraffe wander the vastness and watch safari vehicles bouncing along the rocky roads with curiosity. Springbok head for the hills when they hear us coming. Guinea fowl, aka ‘government chickens’ because no one owns them, wander in small flocks. We were fortunate to spot a family of double-banded sandgrouse with newly hatched chicks. It is amazing how many animals can exist is this difficult environment.
Damaraland camp is less fancy than any of the other camps we stayed in during this trip to Africa, but that doesn’t matter at all. The individual rooms are more than comfortable, and on a chilly evening we were thrilled to find hot water bottles in our bed when we returned from dinner. Camp manager Helen (of Troy), who called us Nancy (Drew) and Peter (Pan), has created a fun and musical camp atmosphere. The camp staff are the best and the food was outstanding.
Damaraland Camp put an exclamation point at the end of our best visit to Africa yet. You won’t want to miss it when you visit Namibia.
Note: The roads are very rough in this area if you have a sensitive back but that did not bother us." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 7n in Namibia; 3n in Zimbabwe
Black Rhino
3 sightings
Elephant
5 sightings
Giraffe
5 sightings
Oryx
3 sightings
Zebra
3 sightings
Holiday styles & special interests in Namibia
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Namibia.
Other lodges in Damaraland
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Doro Nawas
Comfortable rooms and a convenient location make the community run Doro Nawas a great base for exploring Damaraland.
Mowani Mountain Camp
Mowani is a beautiful and stylish mountain retreat in southern Damaraland; it makes a great base for visits toTwyfelfontein.
Camp Kipwe
With unusual, igloo-like rooms, open-air bathrooms and beautiful scenery, Camp Kipwe is well placed for nature and cultural excursions.
Desert Rhino Camp
Desert Rhino Camp offers a rare opportunity to track black rhino on foot in one of the last true wilderness areas – an amazing experience.
Etendeka Camp
Etendeka is an owner-run camp in the remote and less visited north of Damaraland. The camp is renowned for it's spectacular guided walking trails.
Grootberg Lodge
On the edge of an ancient plateau Grootberg Lodge has a stunning location and arguably the best views of any lodge in Namibia.
Twyfelfontein C'try Lod.
A large lodge set among the rocks, Twyfelfontein Country Lodge is a convenient base for visiting the rock engravings, which are only 4km away.
Spitzkoppen Lodge
Spitzkoppen Lodge provides stylish accommodation in an area of scenic grandeur with guided access to sites of ancient Bushman rock art.
Palmwag Lodge
Palmwag Lodge has a great location by a spring in the Uniab River and offers access to an area where you can see a variety of desert-dwelling animals.
Huab Lodge
Huab is a classic little Namibian Lodge which is slightly off the beaten track in a lesser visited part of Damaraland.
Brandberg White Lady
Brandberg White Lady Lodge, nestled at the foot of its namesake, makes a good base from which to visit bushman rock paintings including the 'White Lady'.
Vingerklip Lodge
Vingerklip Lodge occupies a lovely location, but is a little too far east for guests to visit Damaraland's main attractions.
Khowarib Lodge
Khowarib Lodge has a great location overlooking the Hoanib River. This is one of the few places to offer authentic Himba village visits.
Etendeka Walking Trail
The Etendeka Walking Trail promises to offer a back-to-basics walking and camping experience in one of Namibia's most remote and untouched wilderness areas.
Malansrus Camp
Within easy reach of Twyfelfontein, Malansrus offers a simple but comfortable base for visits to the rock engravings or seek out desert-adapted elephants.
Onduli Ridge
Onduli Ridge is a luxurious, low-impact luxury camp offering top-notch guiding in a remote wilderness area of Damaraland.
Ugab Terrace Lodge
Ugab Terrace Lodge is a comfortable stopover between Damaraland and Etosha National Park or Namibia’s Central Highlands.
Ozondjou Trails
The simple Ozondjou Trails gives a unique perspective on living with Damaraland’s desert-adapted elephants and how tourism is key to protecting them and the livelihood of the people.
Palmwag Sleep-out
Palmwag Sleep-out is a simple camping experience and a great way to enjoy the remote beauty of the vast Palmwag Concession
Damara Mopane Lodge
Damara Mopane Lodge is a large 60 room lodge surrounded by beautiful gardens. It can be used as a comfortable stopover between Etosha and the Skeleton Coast
Camp Doros
Small, intimate and with excellent eco-credentials, Camp Doros is set above an ephemeral river within a remote community concession of Damaraland.
Sorris Sorris Lodge
Overlooking the Brandberg Massif, Sorris Sorris is probably the most luxurious lodge in southern Damaraland.
