Reviews of Grootberg Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
99 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Grootberg Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
0% success
0% success
0% success
85% success
62% success
58% success
50% success
18% success
13% success
0% success
0% success
"Anouther old favourite"
The whole team here made our stay memorable The Food ,The Staff ,The location All first class
The tracking team led by liberty got us very close to a female rhino and here calf" See all these reviews: 21n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
"Sustainable tourism at its best"
We went elephant tracking on the first afternoon and after a long search managed to locate one elephant. The second day we tracked rhinos and were fortunate to find a mother and baby as well as father lurking close by. The guide and trackers were very knowledgeable and explained how the local community has come together to work to increase the number of rhinos in the surrounding area.
The Lodge is run by the members of the local community under guidance at present but that will gradually reduce until 2015. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. Food was good and plentiful and much to our surprise we had Wi-Fi in the lounge areas.
On our last day we found our car had been cleaned for us. En route to our next destination and not more than 3 km from the entrance to the Lodge we to wait whilst 7 elephants (mothers and babies) crossed the road in front of us. Could have saved all that time tracking had we known!" See all these reviews: 20n in Namibia
"Grootberg Lodge review"
Considering that Grootberg is a community project and that many of the staff are new to the hospitality industry, the camp functioned very well. The staff were friendly and eager to please. We especially enjoyed the Grootberg choir during dinner one evening.
We were fortunate to see two bull elephants during our elephant safari with our guide, Gerson, as these wildlife sightings can of course not be guaranteed. The rest of the drive was enjoyable, although not as interesting as it could be, since the guide and tracker were talking to each other almost incessantly." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
"Grootberg Lodge Review"
"Location, Location, Location"
Accommodation is in stone and thatch chalets. All are detached with the exception of numbers 3 and 4 which are attached to each other. As we stayed for 3 nights (rather than the 1 or 2 which seems typical) we were annoyed to be allocated number 3 which was small, and although we have been married for an awfully long time, we would have preferred a door on the toilet! We were let down by Expert Africa on this occasion as they could and should have been aware enough to have requested one of the detached units (ask for number 13 or 14 which are new).
There is a pool which gives the term 'infinity' a whole new meaning, perched on the edge of the terrace before the sheer drop into the valley. I wouldn't think the lodge was suitable for young children at all. Staff were uniformly friendly and eager to please and the food at dinner was very good (and in the context of the location, excellent). Note that water is heated by solar panels and so in the colder months showers are best taken in the afternoon/evening.
There is 24 hour electricity but no sockets to re-charge batteries, though you can take them to a central point for that to be done. There are no room keys and so it is not possible to lock it at any time. There is a room safe with a returnable deposit for the key. Room cleaning was not as impressive as the restaurant service. Those with walking difficulties may find the rocky nature of the site and paths to rooms a bit of a challenge.
Activities are, frankly, expensive based on what we saw elsewhere. Elephant and rhino tracking are key attractions, though looking for the rhino may be considered arduous for mature guests. There is also a visit to a village of the Himba people and walks. Overall we had mixed feelings but the magnificent location probably conquers all and for that unique experience it is worth considering, probably for 2 nights." See all these reviews: 21n in Namibia
"What a view !"
Our chalet was conveniently close to the main lodge, and was simple, but clean and comfortable. Hot water is provided by individual solar panels on the roof of each chalet and we were advised to have our showers in the evening in case the hot water ran out, but in fact there was still planty left in the morning.
We had arrived in the early afternoon, hoping to take a short self-guided walk on the plateau, but two lions had been spotted the day before and walks were forbidden. Instead we spent a leisurely couple of hours sipping coffee on the terrace in the sunshine, writing postcards, photographing the pigeons as they flew in to drink the water from the swimming pool, and ourselves drinking in the views of the valley, the light and shadow constantly changing with the shifting of the sun.
The set dinner was excellent, served by smiling friendly staff who rounded off the evening with an exuberant sing-song.
We wished we had stayed another night and taken the opportunity to track rhino or visit a Himba village." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
"excellent rhino tracking"
the stafft appeared a little bit shy and not so well organized
the management was very generous to let us do the tracking free of charge because we didn't have a hot shower
the rhino trackers were extreemly skilled and we saw elephants, giraffe and rhino. you don't have a guarantee to see rhinos of course, but with three extremly skilled trackers you have a high chance of finding them and getting quite close if there are some.
great view." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
"On top of the world - at Grootberg Lodge"
The staff here were superb and we were again serenaded so melodically after dinner.
The menu was read out in the local Damaraland dialect, very similar to the bushmens "click click" language, one of the waitresses Marianna was such fun putting so much into her singing and dancing but they were all great and we enjoyed our stay here immensely. The lodge is on the Grootberg Pass and a trip out to Palmwag was thrilling to say the least, the views were fantastic but not for faint hearted drivers and the pass should not be attempted unless you have a 4x4.
Also very important, the very very steep track up to the lodge should only be attempted if an experienced 4x4 driver, but you have an option to leave your vehicle at the bottom (where security will look after it) and travel up in the lodge vehicle." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
"Grootberg Lodge review"
"Grootberg Lodge review"
Regret we did't stay there two nights." See all these reviews: 7n in Namibia
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.
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.
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.
