Reviews of Twyfelfontein C'try Lod.
Wildlife sightings and reviews
54 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Twyfelfontein C'try Lod. and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Between a rock and a hard place"
The rock carvings were well worth all the effort, although our guide was having a "bad hair day" and was very sulky. A French couple asked to see some other carvings but were ignored. The other attractions were d-I-y: organ pipes, burnt mountain and my favourite, the big hole in the ground named (I believe) wondergat. Some other tourists had got there first and we were able to find the way down by following the sound of their conversations (!!)
Back at the camp we enjoyed the swimming pool with natural waterfall/shower and ended up at the upstairs bar where we discovered a very good menu of snacks with a good selection of sensibly-priced wines.
After another good breakfast and the assembling of lunchtime bacon sandwiches we hit the road for Etosha via Xhorixas, where two of the camp's staff lived and who begged a lift. One was actually a guide who could have led us to some elephants had we the inclination.
Stopped at Outje for groceries. Numerous intrusive police checks were worrying. Petrol/Deisel was tricky with some places wanting only cash and some with no toilets. The OK bazaar was the best place we could find for supplies." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
"Desert elephants & rock art at Twyfelfontein "
Lovely comfortable chalets with private patios and great views across the desert.
However, the restaurant is a shambles and lacks any management whatsoever - we had to lay our own tables for all the breakfasts and dinners that we had there. Also the buffet food was often not replenished until asked...There were piles of dirty plates and cutlery left at various points around the restaurant, there just didn't appear to be enough staff - the few that were available spent all their time taking drinks orders and bringing them from the bar. And the lighting was so poor at dinner that it was almost impossible to identify what we were eating...." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia; 8n in Botswana; 1n in Zimbabwe
"A very unwelcoming lodge"
It was a place that lacked generosity. Nothing was included and it felt really unfriendly. We asked for ice but apparently it was too hot for ice. The staff seemed miserable and some of the other guests, rude.
i would not recommend it and would never stay there again.
The food was absolutely disgusting." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
"Twyfelfontein Country Lodge review"
"Twfelfontein"
The only stressor was having the tours fill up and not everyone in our party getting a chance to participate. Front desk folks were not very helpful in that regard." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 2n in Rwanda; 1n in South Africa
"Pretty lodge in need of refurbishment"
Food plentiful but quality very mixed. E.g. Omelettes at breakfast very good but vegetables at dinner overlooked.
Staff not super friendly and did not make as much of an effort as at other hotels. The exception was Leonardo who welcomed us and took us on the safari game drive. Sunset game drive quite expensive but was a good way to see the desert wilderness. Took a while to find the desert adapted elephants but was a fantastic experience!! Sundowner snacks and drinks were great." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana
"On the doorstep to see rock art"
The scoring is rated only as Good because at the time of our visit there was an ongoing refurbishment of some of the chalets around us so it felt as though we were in the middle of a building site.
The food was adequate to good but rather lack lustre compared to other places at which we stayed." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Less personal but comfortable accommodation."
The safari to see the desert elephants was excellent but did involve a very long drive back to the Lodge in the dark. Having said that seeing the elephants was definitely worthwhile and the search up the dry river and back past the local village fascinating. We note the elephants now share the new community water supply and no longer have to dig for their water.
All in all happy with the accommodation and activities." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 4n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Twyfelfontein Country Lodge review"
"Comfortable and basic"
The lodge is in a lovely setting with it's own bushmen engravings and the staff all speak in a click dialect, which is amazing to listen to. The manager who welcomed us was very friendly and enthusiastic as was our guide that took us to see the bushmen engravings and desert adapted elephants.
The rooms are very basic but clean and we had to put a chair against the door at night to stop it blowing in the wind. The staff were fine if not a little less friendly than some of the other places we had been. On our last night, they all sang a few tribal songs for us, and even one in click, which was a highlight. The chef was very friendly and the food was good - we ate ostrich, crocodile, oryx, beef, salmon and kudu all in one evening!
The excursions made this a good place to stay however the trucks they use could do with replacing - they are old army trucks that although have a lot of character are extremely old and unreliable as one of them wouldn't start the morning we were to go see the bushmen engravings. They do have a fuel stop nearby though so we picked up a different one and when we needed fuel upon departure, the fuel guys were very helpful.
The bushmen engravings were amazing to see and the guide that took us was informative however some tourists ahead of us decided it was a good idea to touch the engravings, which we think should be discouraged by the guides (which it wasn't), if they want to preserve them for generations to come. The desert adapted elephants were quite easy to find and we were the only ones on the trip, which was nice.
The pool at the lodge was great but too cold and there were sun loungers which we made full use of!
The temperature drops at night here more severely than anywhere else we went so definitely worth ensuring plenty of warm clothes are with you at dinner and during the morning and evening excursions.
A classic case of 'you get what you pay for' but ideal for those on a budget." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
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