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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55% success
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2% success
"Vastly overpriced"
The game drives were twice the price of any where else and they certainly weren't twice as good. In fact the 2nd drive was more or less a repeat of the first such was the limited knowledge of the guide. We were fortunate in the fact that the guide trainer from WS happened to be there so we were able to gleen some wildlife and environmental information from him.
We also had to pay for lunch if we were doing the morning drive, yet this was just back at the lodge and was nothing to do with the drive and we didn't need or want it yet we had no option but to pay for it.
The whole experence was very food orietated and not wildlife orientated so they have their priorities all wrong.
The staff however were very friendly and helpful.
Note the reason I have indicated that the location was poor is due to the state of the road to it." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
"Scary castle - warm welcome"
The rooms were large and lovely, though we didn't quite have the courage to sleep in the open - apart from anything else it was cold at night. The early morning drive to look for elephants which we'd pre-booked was good although Action the guide was not as knowledgeable as others we came across.
In the late afternoon we went for a walk with Michael who was very informative. Impromptu star gazing after dinner one night and the singing of the staff after dinner were both highlights too." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
"Great for star gazing!"
Guide book says they offer free walking tours which they don't! They were quite surprised about when I pointed it out. Instead we had to pay $110 pp.
The lodge offers morning and afternoon game drives to see the local elephant herds. The morning drive is longer and much more expensive, so we did the afternoon drive and saw plenty of elephants.
Although we enjoyed our stay there and were well looked after, We are not sure it was the best choice for us. We think a visit to the lion or cheetah conservancies would have been more interesting. The D2612 road was the other road we rate the worst. Not only appalling surface but lots of dips as well. At the end of a long day's drive it feels particularly uncomfortable especially in a 2 x 4 car.
We also changed the route from the one marked on the map. We were advised not to take the route marked C43 - on the hotel map we were sent it shows it to be suitable for 4 x 4 only. It would have taken so long to reach Hobatere that it would not have been worth going there for one night. We took the most direct route C39 via Khorixas, arrrived at 1.30pm and enjoyed some excellent game viewing that afternoon.
Nice bit of evening singing after dinner." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
"Doro Nawas review"
Same comment about the expense of add-on activities!" See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
"Good stop off break"
Typical Wilderness Safari camp which are in need of improvement. However, better than Kuala Lodge
Interesting trip to Living Museum of Damara people" See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana; 3n in Zambia; 3n in South Africa
"Southern Africa Manager"
"Below Par Doro Nawas"
It was too large and did not have the personal touch. At times, it felt like a Butlin's holiday camp with the Activities Manager coming round to ask about what we wanted to do the next day.
We had to complain about lack of hot water, which although they tried to sort out, and did offer to move us, we declined as was told it was fixed, only to find no hot water again the next day... We were shocked at the cost of the activities from the camp. Luckily, we did not do full board and had already done all the local activities.
We had pre-paid for the desert elephant safari which was lucky as the cost from the camp was again totally excessive. To make matters worse, they put 9 people in the game truck, which is far too many for comfort or being able to take photos, especially in light of what they were charging.
The food was also not good at this camp.
Normally, we don't enjoy the singing from the staff, but at Doro Nawas they obviously really enjoyed themselves and the singing was very good." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
"Desert Elephants"
However the management was the least helpful, friendly or efficient of any we encountered. When we arrived they thought the booking was for two people rather than three and had difficulty in remembering which cabins we were booked into. They seemed to have no idea how long anyone was staying - at dinner on our first evening the gentleman arranging activities announced that as we were leaving the next day we would not be interested. We had to disillusion him and explain we were staying for two nights." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
"Doro Nawas review"
We had a wonerdul morning trip out to see the desert elephants - the guide was so knowledgeable and helpful - you could see that he really loved the elephants also and the countryside.
We had a wonderful treat one evening when the staff entertained all the guests with singing and dancing - some very talented people!
We visited the rock paintings ourselves and enjoyed this immensely." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
"Doro Nawas review"
The rooms are huge, and the building style is very interesting. The hill top location of the main part of the development offers outstanding views across the plains to the distant mountains.
One big plus for them - while they were not the only place to ask about dietary needs, they were the only place who actually seemed to take any notice about the reply by cooking my wife a special onion free dish for the evening meal. Top marks indeed for this.
A troop of elephants visited early on the morning of our stay, and pulled up the water supply pipes for the lodge, so there was no chance for a good wash or shower. However a staff member callled by the room, unprompted, to provide bottled water" See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 2n in Zambia
"Doro Nawas review"
The main building feels quite soulless. The organisation doesn't seem up to the standard of other similarly priced lodges.
Star gazing from the roof is advertised, but actually you can see little, due to the lights. Star viewing is much better from one's own hut.
Would be nice to have coffee in the room and for an early morning flask of hot water to be provided. It's a bit of a climb to get a pre-breakfast cuppa otherwise. Activities are ludicrously overpriced.
On the plus side the rooms are very nice, the food fine and the staff friendly." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia
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