Reviews of safaris to Damaraland
1115 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Damaraland.
"Third time with Expert Africa, still happy"
We look forward to use Expert Africa again (our travel agent for the Southern parts of Africa)." Read full review: 29 nights in Africa; 21 on a Namibia trip
"Our best family holiday to date! "
Tom at Africa Expert was brilliant at helping me put together our itinerary - and making suggesting on things to do and see and at finding the best lodges for our budget - and they were all great.
There is such a variety of things to do and see in Namibia - and self driving gives you so much flexibility. (Tom had even given us a map which had the route highlighted in felt pen so we couldn't get lost!)
Our highlights were: the sand dunes at Sossusvlei, the rock engravings at Twyfelfontein, Ongava Lodge and Etosha National Park.
If you are going at peak season it is worth thinking of booking certain activities in advance. We wanted to go kayaking with seals in Swakopmund but we tried 5 different companies and all were fully booked.
We will definitely return to Namibia!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"Trip to Namibia and Vic Falls"
A couple of comments that hopefully help future guests:
- The distances are far and we felt that 2 nights max at any particular spot was not really enough. We wish we had stayed 3 nights at Hoodia and Onguma, both of which were fantastic.
- Bullsport was awful - see my review. We should have gone straight to Hoodia.
- Didn't like Etosha Safari Camp. I had really wanted to stay at Okakeujo but was told it was full. Was all accomodation really full there? Could more have been done to get a spot there?" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"Fantastic Family holiday to Namibia"
"This was one of our best holidays ever"
Everywhere we went the people were really kind and helpful. We are particularly pleased that we made the time to visit the Caprivi Strip - it is so different to the rest of Namibia with people living a communal life in traditional African villages." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
"Memorable trip, great people, and itinerary "
Hospitality was wonderful, many warm people, animals and landscapes amazing.
Roads may be tough to take for some people. We have travelled to over 50 countries and our glad we did not miss Namibia!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Incredibly accommodating in helping us schedule this last minute trip within our parameters. Would definitely recommend Maruska and the company in the future.
We have been traveling nearly full time the past four years and this process was one of our top experiences!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip
"Northern Namibia July 2019"
"June 2019"
At times we found the impact of the drought challenging - particularly in Etosha. Namibia is a stunning place and a wonderful place to travel in. The standards of accommodation, food and service were far higher than we expected. At times we felt a little uncomfortable with the luxury ( in some places we had wonderful days with out with our guides but at dinner it was the white members of staff we had not really met who sat down and ate with us, for example ).
The driving was perhaps more time consuming that we had imagined and it would have helped to have an idea of the lengths of the drives at the outset with the itinerary. However, the roads were good and we had no problems. We would recommend people take lots of music and podcasts to pass the time." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"Mixed bag"
The vehicle was great. I enjoyed the freedom of this self-drive vacation. Saw lots of wildlife and had some good interaction with Namibians apart from in the places we stayed.
We put 2323 km on our vehicle--probably 80% on gravel roads of varying condition. The highlights of the trip were the Cape Cross Seal Colony, the Skeleton Coast, Twyfelfontein pictographs, the Ongava hide, Etosha, and pangolin tracking at Okonjima.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I am a satisfied EA customer. You do an excellent job of educating your clients.
The attention to detail from first contact through follow up is exceptional.
You can be proud of your organization." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia road trip 2019"
All the locations were great but each had their own distinctive feel and character. The landscapes were more impressive than we had expected and it was a real thrill to get to see so many animals and birds up close.
The people throughout Namibia were very friendly and the staff in the lodges were all very welcoming and made us feel at home. Even things like car hire went very smoothly, with great service from the Bidvest staff.
We highly recommend Namibia as a fantastic destination and will definitely be using Expert Africa for any other African adventures which we may have.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The only thing I would change would be to hire a Toyota 4x4 or double cab next time.
The Nissan X Trail wasn't really robust enough for some of the rougher gravel roads." Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 21 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.
