Reviews of Damaraland Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
126 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
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Jul-2018, 31 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Damaraland Camp.
Lion
0% success
Leopard
0% success
Cheetah
0% success
Elephant
93% success
Giraffe
68% success
Mr & Mrs R
Chertsey
"A great lodge in a stunning situation"
3 nights Arrived 22 Apr 2009
"Having been here twice before in 200 and 2002, I had fogotten just how awe-inspiring the scenery in Damaraland is. Since then the camp has been re-built to good effect. We are not the greatest fans of Wilderness's lodge management, having had poor experiences, but no complaints here. Everything was good, especially the food.
Everest was great as a guide and took us to a remote area for desert rhino, the Springbok river. A fantastic, if unsuccessful trip, it did throw up some problems. Only a single spare tyre was taken on the landrover. It was needed very soon and clearly had not been checked; it was very soft. Our 2nd puncture rendered us immobile and Everest had to climb the nearest mountain to get a phone signal to enable him to summon help. This came, complete with 3 spare wheels (!), 2 hours later. Had 2 properly checked spares been taken in the first place, the 2 hours saved could well have resulted in our 1st desert rhino sighting. Fantastic desert elephant, though and a bonus cheetah." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
Everest was great as a guide and took us to a remote area for desert rhino, the Springbok river. A fantastic, if unsuccessful trip, it did throw up some problems. Only a single spare tyre was taken on the landrover. It was needed very soon and clearly had not been checked; it was very soft. Our 2nd puncture rendered us immobile and Everest had to climb the nearest mountain to get a phone signal to enable him to summon help. This came, complete with 3 spare wheels (!), 2 hours later. Had 2 properly checked spares been taken in the first place, the 2 hours saved could well have resulted in our 1st desert rhino sighting. Fantastic desert elephant, though and a bonus cheetah." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs I & Family
Keston
"Damaraland Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 24 Oct 2008
"Wonderful, amazing location. Lovely staff who were very welcoming and infomative.
Excellent game drive trekking desert adapted elephant with very informative guide. A wonderful morning - found the elephants - a very enjoyable experience. The guide was very pleasant and informative.
Meal times were amazing with singing waiters and 2 giggly waitresses telling us the menus in their click language - such fun. A highlight of the stay." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
Excellent game drive trekking desert adapted elephant with very informative guide. A wonderful morning - found the elephants - a very enjoyable experience. The guide was very pleasant and informative.
Meal times were amazing with singing waiters and 2 giggly waitresses telling us the menus in their click language - such fun. A highlight of the stay." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs & Mr C
Chelmsford
"Damaraland Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 24 Oct 2008
"A well run camp, but not our cup of tea, with the basic (although new) rooms, very very hot, since facing the afternoon sun, and room 8, ours, was the hottest of all, being hemmed in by mountains and shale, so no air circulated.
Also did not like the communal table for all meals. However, the manager Paul, was the best manager we encountered, and ran a very tight ship." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Also did not like the communal table for all meals. However, the manager Paul, was the best manager we encountered, and ran a very tight ship." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Average
Service:
Good
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Good
Mr & Mrs S
Southsea
"Wonderful location and staff"
2 nights Arrived 11 Oct 2008
"Our experience at Damaraland was just amazing. The views from the rooms and the general area are wonderful. The staff very friendly, helpful and happy. the activities well organised and guide excellent.
saw so many desert adapted elephants in the dried river bed and enjoyed the evening walk which offered spectacular views stretching for miles.
The evening meal spent out in the Boma, hidden from view of the camp was magical. Loved the staff sniging us into supper." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
saw so many desert adapted elephants in the dried river bed and enjoyed the evening walk which offered spectacular views stretching for miles.
The evening meal spent out in the Boma, hidden from view of the camp was magical. Loved the staff sniging us into supper." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Red Bishops
Pevensey
"Great location"
3 nights Arrived 24 Aug 2008
"This was unanimously our favourite place to stay, the staff were great fun and the location was beautiful. The refurbishments done in February were a pleasant surprise, the rooms were very plush.
Staying three nights meant we managed to see desert elephants on our first day and rhino on our second day (amongst many other animals and birds) without feeling rushed. Meals were great fun, especially the bbq, and star gazing and meteors were a nighttime highlight. We would happily have stayed far longer." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
Staying three nights meant we managed to see desert elephants on our first day and rhino on our second day (amongst many other animals and birds) without feeling rushed. Meals were great fun, especially the bbq, and star gazing and meteors were a nighttime highlight. We would happily have stayed far longer." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Jacana family
Bristol
"Too short a stay"
1 night Arrived 28 Jul 2008
"Sadly only one night at this camp owing to booking requirements. Drove up from coast at Cape Cross, stopping off at Twyfelfontein en route. Access to camp was much further eastward towards Bergsig from Twyfelfontein road junction than we had expected (about 30km). Sketch map could be improved and signs not very visible. Access road takes 30-40min to drive in 4WD. Lodge gloriously sited in valley looking south towards mountains.
Were looked after tremendously well. Supper was under the stars in the camp's hidden kraal on a night when shooting stars were expected and falling. Next morning went on trip to look for desert elephants: mission successful (viewed from 10-20m away) and plenty of other wildlife seen. Lodge arranged lunch for us before we moved on.
Felt very personal and friendly place to stay and would have liked to have been there longer to find out more about the local community (camp offers cultural trips to the nearby village). Some walking in area, but we didn't have time to follow trails." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Were looked after tremendously well. Supper was under the stars in the camp's hidden kraal on a night when shooting stars were expected and falling. Next morning went on trip to look for desert elephants: mission successful (viewed from 10-20m away) and plenty of other wildlife seen. Lodge arranged lunch for us before we moved on.
Felt very personal and friendly place to stay and would have liked to have been there longer to find out more about the local community (camp offers cultural trips to the nearby village). Some walking in area, but we didn't have time to follow trails." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Crowned plovers
NL
"Damaraland Camp review"
3 nights Arrived 15 Jul 2008
"An excellent experience. We were fascinated about the history of the camp and by the two senior ladies in charge (Lena and Corry) with whom we had interesting conversations. Felt well informed by the time we left and very impressed by the Conservancy model they described to us.
Coincidentally our guide in the next camp (Boni) had for 9 years been chairman of the conservancy council for Torra conservancy and it was interesting hearing more from him about how it was negotiated within the community. I wish he would come over and work his magic on our Parish Council!
Everest the guide was not very communicative but brilliant at locating wildlife and has superb eyesight." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 8n in Namibia; 2n in Zambia
Coincidentally our guide in the next camp (Boni) had for 9 years been chairman of the conservancy council for Torra conservancy and it was interesting hearing more from him about how it was negotiated within the community. I wish he would come over and work his magic on our Parish Council!
Everest the guide was not very communicative but brilliant at locating wildlife and has superb eyesight." See all these reviews: 12n in Botswana; 8n in Namibia; 2n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Harriers
Switzerland
"Damaraland Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 13 Jul 2008
"Warm welcome and enjoyed our stay very much. Excellent rooms and made to feel very welcome by staff who sang beautifully. Special evening meal in bush was a treat! Beware of horrendous roads at times.
Dune elephant safari was well coordinated and leisurely. Not many animals present in this area and glad we did not do full day safari, as distances and road conditions to try and find them are unwarranted.
Recommend reading about training and development of local staff from reading material in room." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
Dune elephant safari was well coordinated and leisurely. Not many animals present in this area and glad we did not do full day safari, as distances and road conditions to try and find them are unwarranted.
Recommend reading about training and development of local staff from reading material in room." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sitatungas
Sterling
"Damaraland Camp review"
2 nights Arrived 29 Jun 2008
"First find this tucked-away 'camp'. The Bradt guide was not helpful and after a long haul from Cape Cross we arrived quite late, having turned back to ask directions at a local village, because the turning was far from being 'just after' crossing the river - more like 7km to the north. They were getting worried by the time we arrived!
The community camp was not what I expected but the concept was explained. The welcome was warm and professional and the manager was knowledgeable. I was curious as to why so many non-African staff were employed, at all levels, but maybe the local pool of employable labour is too small - it is pretty isolated. The morning nature drive with a local guide, to see the desert elephants, was outstanding and a demonstration of off-road driving technique! The local area is very scenic and this is a great plus for a stay here." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
The community camp was not what I expected but the concept was explained. The welcome was warm and professional and the manager was knowledgeable. I was curious as to why so many non-African staff were employed, at all levels, but maybe the local pool of employable labour is too small - it is pretty isolated. The morning nature drive with a local guide, to see the desert elephants, was outstanding and a demonstration of off-road driving technique! The local area is very scenic and this is a great plus for a stay here." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Mr U & Mr G
Germany
"Damaraland Camp review"
3 nights Arrived 3 Jun 2008
"Beautiful landscapes combined with sightings of oryx, ostriches, impala, desert elephant and mountain zebra. Black rhinos, however, come at an extra bonus, and while our guide went out of his way to find them - he sprinted up several hills to see if he could find them on the other side of the mountain range - the effort unfortunately remained fruitless. On this drive, we saw some fresh lion tracks, which certainly added to the excitement, but the lion did not show either! Game is quite skittish, not surprising considering hunting is taking place some time of the year. Some dinners are served BBQ style in an open area some 200 yards from camp, beautifully lit by a large number of small lanterns."
See all these reviews: 28n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
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.
