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
0% success
0% success
2% success
90% success
55% success
53% success
18% success
6% success
5% success
2% success
2% success
"Doro Nawas review"
The staff are friendly, helpful and can sing as well!
Desert elephants were found in abundance, rooms lovely and well cared for, food delicious, the Friday night BBQ. a treat." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 10n in South Africa
"A memorable stay in Damaraland"
The main lounge and the view from it are excellent. The accommodation is luxurious with excellent air conditioning. The wide patio windows can be opened and bed wheeled out to sleep under the Milky Way. An excellent experience: the hot water bottle and blankets are welcome as temperatures can drop considerably before dawn!
Our trip to see the Desert Adapted Elephants was a highlight of our whole trip. It largely took place along the dry riverbed of the Huab River with its sandy bed and magnificent mature trees. Our highly informative and humorous guide, Liberty, made the trip very worthwhile. His knowledge of the ecology was excellent.
The dinner at night is very atmospheric as the restaurant appears dark but for the superb use of solar lamps at each table, making the tables themselves brightly lit.
The braai night was amazing. It could have been an 'activity' in its own right. We were driven for 15-20 mins in the dark to arrive at a Chinatown type experience ... dozens of solar lights and candles complementing fire pits. A table for almost 30 was set out and each diner had a hot water bottle and blanket. The buffet service and the food itself was really good. The staff singing was very genuine and enjoyable.
Interestingly, the Lodge is something of a hub for the area. At one stage there were seven light aircraft present: some visitors were flying to Etosha.
A top class lodge with a great staff." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
"Doro Nawas review"
The food is great and the activities very satisfactory.
This is highly recommended for a visit to Damaraland." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
"fantastic chalets"
However, once we got over this the service was great and all the staff were friendly. The chalet was the best of the trip, the outside shower was an experience! and the overall décor was fantastic - not to be missed.
We didn't do any activities at Doro Nawas as we just wanted to relax and that we did. Afternoon tea was lovely with tasty homemade cakes.
The food was really good and the courtyard with the fire and candles was cosy.
Overall we enjoyed our stay." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
"Highlight of Bush Dinner"
Second was evening trip for desert elephants. Easily found and good viewing.
Pity about the guide, reasonable driver but hopeless on client relations and information.
Evening meal set out in bush.
Nicely done, staff entertainment of singing pleasant and well done." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
"Doro Nawas , brilliant elephants!"
Rooms were good.
Staff friendly, but real lack of information if you were travelling as a couple, the larger groups with a tour guide seemed to know what was going on!
The shop was never open" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
"Doro Nawas review"
We had a wildlife drive to see the desert elephants with Liberty, and saw the group in close proximity for the duration of the trip. Liberty was very informative and made sure we had excellent views of the animals. We self drove to Burnt Mountain and the Organ Pipes and were slightly disappointed by these features and the road was bad compared to other gravel roads.
We were very impressed with Twylfontein and the petrified forest that we visited on our journey north. Excellent guides at both sites.
The museum at Tsumeb is interesting and gives a lot of information on the German influences in the area, particularly the mining. It also gives the history of their involvement in WW1." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 1n in Zimbabwe
"Doro Nawas"
The room was excellent and the surroundings wonderful. The meals were very good. Pushing the beds out and sleeping under the stars one night was superb.
We did a short walk around the area (3/4 km or so) and enjoyed seeing various wildlife around us.
Staff were generally helpful and attentive, but attention to detail lacked on a number of occasions. Examples include:
- waiting at reception for nearly 10 minutes on arrival; perhaps the delay was to round up the singing chorus.
- we were not told that a glass of wine was included with each meal (and were not fully taken off our final bill which included a bottle of wine and a fair few beers);
- we were not told that on the second night dinner was a braai in the desert. We only just turned up at reception in time and were not really dressed for a meal outside;
- we were disappointed that there was no written information about the trips/activities, and no pricing. There was verbal information from the guides at dinner, but the content was inaccurate. We booked an activity, and our guide Liberty was very knowledgeable and informative, but the trip was not the one that we thought we had booked. Not Liberty's fault though, one of the other guides had given the trip details and taken the booking. (There may have been some hanky panky amongst the guides at play here). Fortunately, we did get to see the rock art and had an enjoyable trip but did not get to see the organ pipes.
Our comment are not intended as complaints, our intention is more to be helpful because Doro Nawas is so close to being excellent." See all these reviews: 21n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Brilliant in every respect"
Doro Nawas' location - perched on a hilltop above the surrounding plain, with views to the mountains around - is commanding. The decor is in tune with the country, so the building fits in very well.
The rooms ('tents') are located at the base of the hill - all with private aspects across the plain to the mountains. You are able to open the sliding doors wide enough to roll out your bed onto the verandah and sleep under the stars - which was a wonderful experience. I also really enjoyed the outdoor shower, also located on the verandah.
The small but perfectly formed pool was a welcome dip after a hot morning's walk at Twylfontain
The most enjoyable part of our stay at Doro Nawas was, without doubt, the staff. Not only their singing - but their entire welcoming, friendly and helpful attitude." See all these reviews: 7n in Namibia; 6n in Zambia; 3n in Botswana
"Great rough athmosfere at Doro Nawas"
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.
