Reviews of safaris to Damaraland
1114 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Damaraland.
"My Jan 2023 trip"
All the arrangements went so well, from our arrival at Windhoek airport to the return two weeks later. We absolutely loved the Namibian people, who couldn't be nicer, at everywhere we went.
The land, the landscapes, the variety of animals, the food, the accommodation - we've never had better.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Can't think of anything. It all went so well." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"My Jan 2023 trip"
I would try to combine trip to Okavango into one day if possible. I understand concerns with border crossing (as I had them) but very fast even though we lost power and were held up. I also would have spent another day at Okonjiwa although it would have broken my budget.
As Welwitschia Drive took so long and the map was so bad we ended up climbing Dune 7 at 6:30 pm which was a blessing. The sand was cool and climb was easy. In general I highly recommend the trip.
I will say we were rather unique travelers in that we were not looking for the massive herds and numerous predators. We had seen that before. Our interest was in the smaller things, nocturnal animals, unique environments and sustainable responses to those environments. So this might not be for everyone but worked perfectly for us." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
"My Dec 2022 trip"
It was always a bit of a risk going back to a country that we had previously visited and loved, but this trip was even better." Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 21 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia, Botswana and Vic Falls Trip"
Having used Expert Africa before, we once again found the quality of the service exceptional, coupled with benefiting from the teams in depth knowledge of the countries we were visiting. We once again found Namibia to be a wonderful country, and very easy to self drive around. We absolutely loved exploring the areas of Botswana on our itinerary, and meeting the friendly people of Zimbabwe around the amazing Victoria Falls. Every petrol station we stopped at had fuel available, and all accepted payments by card or in cash.
All lodges have Wifi, usually available in the main lodge area, but we found quite often our room would be close enough to this to be able to use it there. The was a noticeable difference between the quality of the roads in Namibia (good) when compared to those we used in Botswana (not so good)." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"My Nov 2022 Namibia trip"
Expert Africa did a wonderful job in every way. After this experience I would not go to Palmwag and have more time near Etosha. I would prefer to stay out of the National Park and travel in daily. The area around Vingerklip was great and the drive through the Caprivi strip was captivating.
We saw many other animals other than those listed for each lodge including hare, springbok, kudu ostrich, mongoose, black face impala, red hartebeest, jackel, duiker, warthog, waterbuck, monkey, bushbuck, red lechwe, baboon, crocodiles, and reedbuck." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
"Scenic Namibia"
"My Oct 2022 trip"
We have 3 problems we would like to highlight.
1: Bullsport, we are not sure why we were booked into low cost accommodation for one night when we could have gone straight to Hoodia for 3 nights.
2: Mushara lodge was less that 15 minutes drive from Onguma, and this should have been pointed out to us by Sabina. It was a waste of time and money staying for one night.
3. The greeting at the airport by Mclinda, she had a nice smile but that was about it! We asked for directions to Galton House which she said she didn't know how to get there. The Hertz rental man who showed us the car was far more helpful!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"Our 5th time in Namibia; we love the place"
For now four of the trips, we have used Expert Afrika, which we have great confidence in. This time was no exception, we had a wonderful trip to Namibia.
However, there was one - not insignificant - moment of irritation this time. We ended up with a hopeless 2WD Kia for the round trip in the beginning. This was very far from our request of a solid 4WD car (as also important during previous trips). When booking, we had an OK 4WD car on hand and then accepted the trip. Later however, we got ""upgraded"" to a larger 2WD car. This was not OK. Fortunately, we got the right category of car (Toyota Forester) after approx. 10 days - otherwise it would have been a disaster.
We look forward to use Expert Africa again for the fifth time, but next time, at first, we will make sure we have the right category of car before proceeding with the planning." Read full review: 36 nights in Africa; 35 on a Namibia trip
"Hodge Namibia road trip October 2022"
Namibia is vast and beautiful and the people so welcoming. For us, everything went smoothly, our drives between destinations were problem free and the variety of activities worked for us. Despite distances travelled, it was very relaxed and arriving at lodges was always a delight with a welcome drink and a song. The small "touches" that the lodges offer really do make a difference.
Thank you Expert Africa for the itinerary recommendation, your expertise and organisation at relatively short notice." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"Oct 2022 Africa trip"
Having Tracy assist us in planning the Namibia portion of the trip for 6 of us (3 couples), and then making all of the detailed arrangements was simply wonderful. Her knowledge and expertise gave us the confidence to do a 2-week self driving trip in Namibia. She thought of every detail, including having people meet us at airports to help with the car rental process or to simply guide us through JoBurg Airport to make a tight connection. All of the lodges or camps she selected for us were top-notch, and the activities perfectly suited to our interests.
Following Namibia, we did a 2-week birding and wildlife trip in South Africa with another company--Rockjumper--that we arranged on our own. Even then, Tracy helped us to coordinate with Rockjumper tour dates and arranged our flight to from Windhoek to Durban for the start of the tour. At the end of that tour, she arranged our flight to Capetown, our stay at the lovely Vineyard Hotel for 5 nights, and the delivery of a van for the 6 of us to use while there.
Everything that Tracy could control went smoothly, and even things that she had no control over she helped us fix! Specifically, we had a disasterous flight from the US, with several missed connections due to weather that caused an extra day of travelling. As soon as we contacted her, she rearranged our rental car and notified our first lodge in Windhoek of our late arrival.
Overall, a wonderful and certainly memorable trip!" Read full review: 38 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
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Inspire meWhere to stay in Damaraland
Our suggestions for safari camps in Damaraland
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.
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.
Onduli Ridge
Onduli Ridge is a luxurious, low-impact luxury camp offering top-notch guiding in a remote wilderness area of Damaraland.
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.
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.
