Reviews of Doro Nawas
Wildlife sightings and reviews
493 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Doro Nawas and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Doro Nawas review"
No good for anyone with poor mobility" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
"Doro Nawas review"
There was a lot of food - not just three main meals but extras thrown in - too much for us. We arranged to go looking for desert elephants on the first evening and found some, including a mother with a nursing baby asleep. The following day we arranged to visit the rock engravings, organ pipes, burnt mountain and the Damaraland cultural centre. The guides were good on both trips." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Elephant
5 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
"Doro Nawas review"
Their singing and joyfulness and pride in their place and their work was a true delight. The lodging was incredible, and they rolled our bed out on our deck for two wonderful nights sleeping out under the stars.
The desert elephant trip was impressive.
The click language was a sound to behold and remember." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
Elephant
Multiple sightings
"Doro Nawas review"
We did a walking tour and an afternoon wildlife drive with a guide named Mamie. She was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and good at explaining information. We learned a lot from her about the desert environment which makes this place so unique. We saw elephants, giraffes, quite a variety of birds, and the tracks of other animals. Among the plants we saw was the famous welwetschia mirabilis.
When we arrived at Doro !Nawas, the staff gathered to sing us a welcome song, which felt a little embarrassing. They sang to people as they checked out as well, although we were lucky enough to avoid this. In general, we found the staff a little too helpful, too subservient, too attentive. They would come in our room multiple times each day, to make up the beds with different blankets or something? We really weren't quite clear about why they'd come change the bed coverings more than once a day, when not at all would have been sufficient. One could not even fill a water bottle without someone hovering, wanting to take that task off your hands. It made us uncomfortable. When there was an issue that I might have wanted to mention, such as when I was served undercooked chicken, I didn't mention it because it seemed that it would have been such a big deal, when really it was just a small thing, and could have been easily remedied.
One other thing that seemed strange about Doro !Nawas was the presence of feral cats around the buildings. For a place where one comes to see wildlife this was surprising, and almost certainly reduced the variety of birds in the immediate vicinity of the lodge.
While in the area of Doro !Nawas we went to Twyfelfontein, the Damara Living Museum, the Organ Pipe Rocks and the petrified forest. All of these were interesting excursions and we'd recommend them. If I had to miss any of them I'd probably skip either the petrified forest of the Organ Pipe Rocks.
Mammals we saw at Doro !Nawas included:
Springboks, desert elephants, desert giraffe, red hartebeest and baboons." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
1 sighting
"Doro Nawas review"
Elephant
1 sighting
"Doro Nawas review"
The staff were invariably friendly and accommodating; the activities were varied and led by expert guides.
The landscape of Damaraland is breathtaking in itself, and from the lodge you may enjoy the views across the countryside. -" See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
"Doro Nawas review"
The food was very good with the chef happy to talk about it.
The platform for stargazing was a highlight as was seeing the rare desert elephants." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Elephant
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Oryx
Multiple sightings
"Doro Nawas review"
If less mobile it would be very difficult to get to the tents or dining area.
We did the Desert Elephant afternoon excursion (which was brilliant, as was the sundowner drink it included) and we got back very late in the dark and just in time for dinner as we saw lots of elephants inc a mother and baby." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia
Elephant
10 sightings
"Doro Nawas review"
Did take a tour to see dessert adapted elephants. Exciting!" See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia; 4n in South Africa
Elephant
2 sightings
"Doro Nawas review"
This would have competed for my favourite hotel of the trip if they hadn't messed up breakfast on the last morning. The location is stunning, set on a hill with views of mountains all around and with a lovely cool breeze. The activities weren't as inspiring as some places and my early morning walking tour was with a new guide who was obviously still getting to grips with what to do, show.
The rooms are great, with their own private balconies and big doors which you can wheel the beds out off to lie and watch the stars or even sleep under them if you fancy. The staff are great, plenty of singing and they really look as though they enjoy themselves.
The food was good and they take pride in not wasting anything but they ran out of meat during the buffet for the second night and then breakfast on the last morning she completely messed up the order and I ended up with a sausage that hadn't been cooked. When I mentioned it the server didn't seem to care and I got no follow up.
However, that apart, definately another place we'd like to return to" See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana
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.
Mowani Mountain Camp
Mowani is a beautiful and stylish mountain retreat in southern Damaraland; it makes a great base for visits toTwyfelfontein.
Damaraland Camp
Setting the standard for community partnerships, Damaraland Camp offers a beautiful location, a range of activities – and a genuine welcome.
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.
