Reviews of safaris to Damaraland

"The trip was excellent. We thoroughly enjoyed it. We couldn't believe how much variety there was - the Namib desert, the Skeleton Coast, Damaraland, Etosha, Waterberg, Erongo. The lodges were all great, with personal service and a chance to chat to local people working in the lodges. We were very happy with the itinerary, although we wished we could have had more days in several places - but that is always the way - never enough time!

I wouldn't hesitate to go back and would definitely recommend your services. In fact Lloyd is thinking we should go back next year, so I may be in touch again next year!." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"namibia is a great country , lots to see and with lovely people. standards are pretty high and services are reliable. as a place to go in africa it has to be one of the best overall in terms of sights ( and animals ) coupled with being very safe and easy .
highlights were of course etosha damaraland and the desert , but we were happy to visit swakopmund along the way , despite watching the rugby world cup final with 200 springbok fans !!

we had only limited time available , and 10 days was possibly a bit short for the travelling involved , and also because much of the accomodation is so good that the odd day of doing nothing would work well in the midst of taking in the sights.
we enjoyed it and would definitely go again - and recommend it to friends.

we do think you need to look at the car hire advice . accepting that the car chosen did the job without any problems as such ( and we saw a lot of people using similar cars ) , it would improve the trip to be in a bigger car or possibly a 4x4- as long as it is driven no quicker or differently. there is clearly a cost implication , but relative to the overall cost , this would be good value. on reflection , should have spent more time discussing this issue with Tracy beforehand .

the issue is really one of comfort and relaxation. we are experienced travellers who have driven in south america for example , and where you are so far from the next garage / farm / person , there is a sense of vulnerability - even if this is a little misplaced in reality. a more substantial vehicle would reduce this. also , the roads are variable - mostly good , but then very rutted for say 10 / 20 km. this makes the ride uncomfortable and also makes timings a little difficult. we found C roads were better than D , but not consistently so.

your experience is of course greater than mine , but my advice to friends will be to go down the suv or 4x4 route where driving more than 3 hours per day.

not to end on a negative note , however , we loved namibia and received excellent service from everyone - including of course Tracy." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"Overall, the trip was excellent. Camps are all different in style but up to a point that is fun and interesting. Inevitably, some aspects don't meet one's personal ideal but only at Waterberg did I hear another guest volunteer any criticism (of the dim religious lighting!). Guides and availability of game also varied but every site produced enough new species and sights to keep our interest up. Total 30 mammals and 152 bird species.

As our first trip had been with a small group from the UK travelling with CCAfrica, we had not realised that Brits are only 7% of the tourists, the great majority being German, tho we also met Italians and French. Everyone was excellent company and this was itself a significant part of the pleasure and success of the trip.

Driving entalied some long hot days but was not tiring compared with the M25, say. We helped one Damara family whose old car had died by taking them to the Uis township to find a man with a functioning battery and gave a lift to another lady going to visit her man in Reheboth hospital and, when I had to change a wheel, sure enough the next person along stopped to help. Again, nice parts of the experience.

One policeman at a roadblock tried to extort a small fine but waved us on when I produced pen and paper!

We would happily go back soon but the world is a big place, life is short and money is never enough. However, perhaps in a year or two....." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"Despite the series of reservations expressed above [Ed: see individual camp reviews - follow the links below!], our experience as a whole was entirely positive. This is a wonderful country with resources of considerable potential. Our aspiration was to see and do - animal life, bird life in abundance; the beauty and power of the desert, the rich scale of the Okavango, the variety and suprise of Etosha, the charm and challenge of the San people.

We were privileged to have been and seen, and, for the most part, in exceptional settings and charming cirumstances.

To avoid your feeling too complacent ... flight instructions for the return journey showed two times of departure - 1940 and 2040.

But, if that's all I can find to complain about - and it's hardly that - then I think you have every reason to feel pretty pleased with your organisation. Expert Africa is so much more apt and expressive than Sunvil; 'Expert' you deserve." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 25 on a Namibia trip

"Thank you for all your help and advice in advance of the holday and for booking us into such lovely places (apart from kulala lodge where i hope the level of service improves). I thought the the time we spent in Etosha was fabulous and i cant believe the amount of game we saw there, seeing cheetah and a leopard at okinjuima was fantastic too and we really enjoyed all the driving as it gave us a chance to see the changing landscape.

I was impressed with the state of the roads and would thoroughly recommend driving to anyone who asked about this. The main reason I wanted to go to Namibia was to see the dunes, which did not dissapoint, and we went on a light aircraft flight over them to see the extent, stunning.

It was a fantastic holiday and i plan to return - and will spend more time at Erongo and go back to wolwedans dune lodge for definite." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"Excellent! In addition to the highlights mentioned under each camp, one of the highlights of the whole trip was the day we transferred from Sossusvlei to Damaraland. Firstly, an absolutely unforgettable flight at low altitude over the red sand dunes, and then along the coastline to Walvis Bay. Aquanaut Tours took us on the boat ride out to Pelican Point - over 20,000 Cape Fur Seals. On the way, Pelicans and other seabirds followed us; a pair of Dolphins leaped and played around the boat, and several times, a seal jumped right up onto the deck. The captain assured us they were not aggressive, though they do bark loudly asking for a attention. He threw a fish overboard each time, too encourage the seal to jump off.

An amazing sight was the wreck of an old Russian cargo vessell which is now colonized by hundreds of Cormorants. They sit lined up in rows all along the spars and masts and every other available surface.

After the boat trip we drove towards Swakopmund, with sand dunes on the right and the sea on the left. We saw flocks of Flamingoes in the lagoons, as well as people dune-boarding and ballooning. When we stopped, it was to enjoy a seafood picnic on the beach, under canvas - fresh-shucked oysters (very sweet tasting), calamari, hake, salads, wine.

Mid-afternoon, after a short visit in town, we took off for Damaraland, now flying over entirely different scenery - wild and mountainous, the airstrip looking like a thin white line in the middle of utter wilderness.

This was a truly memorable day.

I should also like to mention Etango Guest Ranch. We booked a day room here, with transfers, as it is just a few minutes from the airport. Units are very comfortable and well-equipped, and are air-conditioned, so we were well rested for the long trek home. Just before we left in the evening, Carmen thoughtfully sent over a complimentary snack of cold cuts and cheese. There was already a coffee/tea tray in the room.

This is a fine place to start or end a safari, and we would not hesitate to do so again. However, in terms of longer stays it should be noted that the majority of guests at this Ranch are Afrikaans-speaking, or German/Dutch tourists, and that it also serves as a base for Hunting Safaris.

Final comments: Our luggage, including hand luggage was well within the 12kg. restriction. This was no problem as laundry service at all 3 camps was excellent, being picked up during breakfast and delivered back during dinner the same day. We had, as you advised, sweaters and windproof jackets for the chilly mornings and nights. Unfortunately, we had a freak cold front with bitter winds while at Sossusvlei, and these garments were not nearly enough. I surely regretted not packing my warm longjohns and vest. It should be stressed that normal weather patterns can no longer be relied on, anywhere in the world, including Africa - leave out something else if you have to, but pack plenty of layers. I ended up buying a fleece vest at the Camp. I don't suppose I'll ever wear it again, but It makes a nice souvenir of the trip.

I think I've said it all! I feel the information you give, both in your brochure and on the webiste, is the most honest and most balanced of any of the Tour Operators we have dealt with. Wish we could plan another trip with you, but Namibia - alas- is our last safari. All best wishes for your continued success." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 5 on a Namibia trip

"excellent holiday, journey well planned by you lovely varied accommodation.

thank you tracey" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip

"Our expectations of this trip were understandably high but the reality was far higher. We had spent time deciding which places we considered were special to us and Sabina [Ed: at Expert Africa] had incorporated them into our itinerary. She gave us several alternative accommodations for each location and we chose places as different from one another as possible. This meant that every stopover had it's own character and there was never any danger of us becoming complacent with our surroundings!

Looking back it is still amazing to contemplate where we've been. what we saw and what we did. We are still on a real high and it really was a trip of a lifetime. We will be back. Many thanks for all the help and advice." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"Our trip to Namibia exceeded all our expectations. We knew it would be good but were bowled over by the scenery, the people, the animals and the whole experience. Although the country is wild and barren in parts - it's beautiful and rich in so many ways. The people are friendly and we felt safe and comfortable - we even picked up hitchhikers!

If you can, take the Skeleton Coast tour - it's an amazing, beautiful and remote part of the country.

We hope to return one day to explore the bits we missed and return to some parts in more detail. Naturally we'll be asking Expert Africa to make the arrangements, they were great and when we were in Namibia it was clear they had taken everything into consideration to ensure our trip went smoothly and was as easy as possible." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"The company is a joy to deal with, feels very personal and makes things special even before the trip has begun. Wouldn't dream of booking through anyone else and although tempted at times to make own arrangements feel in such safe hands we wouldn't risk it.

Trip as a whole was as fantastic and rewarding as always and we are planning the 9th (and even the 10th!) already." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip