Reviews of safaris to Etosha National Park
1310 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Etosha.
"Namibia Sep 08"
Suggestions for improvement:
Just one - the travel notes say that an adaptor for South Africa and Namibia is hard to find, and it may be better to take a UK power lead and re-wire it to a local plug. This isn't very helpful, because most power leads for battery chargers and shavers have sealed plugs, so you can't disconnect them without damaging them. However, I think the adaptors are becoming more widely available - I found them at Nomad Travel shops, at Selfridges, on Amazon, at Heathrow and at Johannesburg Airport, and if I'd kept looking no doubt I would have found them in lots of other places." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip
"Best holiday we have ever been on."
Suggestions for improvement:
I would suggest that the drive from Zebra River to Swokopmund was one of the most boring parts of the holiday. The main road could have been avoided if we had a permit to drive fhrough the national park. In reterospect we should have picked one of these up in Windhoek so we could do this.
An excellent geological fieldguide about Namibia is "The Roadside Geology of Namibia, 2nd Revised Edition" by Gabi Schneider (2008, ISBN 978-3-443-15084-6). It is far superior than "A fascination of geology" recommended by the Brant guide.
Detour to the Hobra meteroite was well worth it.
If going again we would spend less time in Swokopmund, and more time in the bush.
Purchased goods are entitled to a VAT refund at Windhoek airport if you have the invoice handy, although you have to give them your bank details.
Camera tripod was the best thing we took with us, for timer photos of us and night shots of the game," Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip
"Photo Safari to Etosha"
Suggestions for improvement:
Not really. I have booked about 7 trips with you and I have generally been very pleased.
Sabina was particulary helpful this year." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"We would love to return"
With hindsight it would perhaps be better not to try and cover such a large area but on the whole it was fantastic to do what we did, we felt we had had a real adventure and met some wonderful, charming people. All Sabina's arrangements for us went perfectly and we would like to thank her very much for her care and attention." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"Great trip overall"
Thank you Expert Africa!" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip
"The trip as a whole"
There were of course small snags, but no major problems. Among the snags:
- Waterberg seemed simply to ignore our presence; combined with the very Germanic tone of the place (and most of not all the other guests were German speaking), this made it the least friendly of the places we visited, and the only one we would not be willing to visit again.
- a pity we could not have the car we had booked (Nissan X-Trail) but th eventual substitute (Hyundai Tucson) was a goo, albeit slightly smaller, car.
- a pity that Europcar had n cool box for us - but we bought one without any difficulty
- we felt we could have been given more, and clearer, detail about exactly what was on offer at, particularly, Doro Nawas and Okonjima; the cost of staying at each of these is considerable, and that makes it more, not less, important to know what exactly are your options, and what you are (or are not) getting." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
""
Tracy was correct in that we took on more driving than recommended. We were fortunate that we had no car trouble, but it did cause concern in certain areas, particularly in the north." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia- awe inspiring ."
Suggestions for improvement:
No!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
""
Do not want to come back home!
Suggestions for improvement:
I can't think of any.
What I found the brochure is very informative and interesting. Useful way to broaden our horizons and to see on what to expect whilst planning our itinerary." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
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We particularly appreciated leaving Etosha to the end: on the way northwards we were fascinated by our sightings of lifestock, but these were as nothing to what we saw round some of the Etosha waterholes, and had we seen the latter first, the others would have been less exciting for us.
We were also pleased with all the accommodation arranged for us, which with only limited exceptions, was all delightful and comfortable, with exceedingly friendly welcomes..
Suggestions for improvement:
Keep doing as you are doing!" Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
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Inspire meWhere to stay in Etosha
Our suggestions for safari camps in Etosha National Park
Okaukuejo Camp
Set within Etosha National Park, Okaukuejo Resort is a large camp with a productive, floodlit waterhole.
Halali Camp
The smallest of Etosha's erstwhile restcamps, overlooking its own floodlit waterhole, Halali has a superb location near the centre of Etosha Pan.
Mushara Bush Camp
The family-friendly Mushara Bush Camp offers great value and is an excellent base from which to explore Etosha National Park.
Ongava Lodge
With fantastic views over a private reserve bordering Etosha, the smart Ongava Lodge offers driving and walking safaris on the reserve, and guided drives in Etosha.
Ongava Tented Camp
Set around a waterhole on a private reserve, the small Ongava Tented Camp combines understated comfort with activities that include walks and night drives.
Onguma Tented Camp
Onguma Tented Camp is a lovely, little tented camp which centres around an attractive waterhole a short drive from the Von Lindequist Gate to eastern Etosha.
Mushara Lodge
Close to the eastern entrance to Etosha, the comfortable Mushara Lodge is well-placed for exploring the park in your own vehicle or on a guided drive.
Dolomite Camp
Opened in 2011, Dolomite Camp allows visitors access to the far west side of Etosha National Park, which was previously off limits to most visitors.
Onguma Bush Camp
For great wildlife viewing without breaking the bank, the affordable and understated luxury of Onguma Bush Camp could be perfect.
Namutoni Camp
Centred on an old fort, the government run Namutoni Camp is located just inside Etosha National Park, close to Fisher's Pan.
Hobatere Lodge
To the west of Etosha National Park, on the edge of Damaraland, Hobatere Lodge offers good game-viewing on its own reserve.
Mushara Outpost
Intimate and luxurious, Mushara Outpost is well-placed on a private reserve to explore nearby Etosha National Park on your own or on a guided drive.
Safarihoek Lodge
At the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, Safarihoek Lodge offers comfortable accommodation and excellent game-viewing.
Onguma The Fort
The Fort is the jewel in the crown of the Onguma lodges, and arguably the whole of eastern Etosha.
Onguma Camp Kala
For a bird’s eye view across African bush, the stilted rooms at Onguma Camp Kala are truly special.
Onguma Forest Camp
From its woodland setting on the Onguma Reserve, Forest Camp is within easy striking distance of Namibia’s flagship national park.
Etosha Safari Lodge
A short drive from Etosha National Park's southern entrance, Etosha Safari Lodge is a convenient base from which to explore the park.
Little Ongava
The beautifully located and luxurious Little Ongava is a stunning place to stay in order to explore Etosha National Park and the private Ongava Reserve.
Taleni Etosha Village
Only 4km from Etosha's southern entrance, Taleni Etosha Village is an affordable base from which to explore the park.
Etosha Safari Camp
Funky, low-key and very original, Etosha Safari Camp is well placed for visiting Etosha National Park on a self-drive or guided safari.
Andersson's at Ongava
With game drives on both its private reserve and in Etosha, Andersson's at Ongava also offers access to the Ongava Research Centre.
Mountain Lodge
In the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, the family-friendly Mountain Lodge offers game drives and bush walks within an exclusive environment.
Mokuti Etosha Lodge
With 106 rooms, child-friendly Mokuti Etosha Lodge is more like a hotel than a lodge. Facilities to include a gym, spa, tennis courts and even a snake park.
Etosha Oberland Lodge
A short drive from Etosha National Park's southern entrance, Etosha Oberland Lodge is a very comfortable base from which to explore the park, with excellent food.
Vreugde Guest Farm
Vreugde Guest Farm is a delightful owner-run and working sheep farm where you can expect a warm welcome and charming hospitality.
Villa Mushara
Offering luxury on a peaceful private reserve close to Etosha, Villa Mushara is a great choice for honeymooners & those wishing to indulge themselves.
Etosha King Nehale
A short drive from the national park's northern entrance, Etosha King Nehale Lodge is an interesting and comfortable base from which to explore the park.
Safari House
The private Safari House on the Etosha Heights reserve is a great option families or friends travelling together.
Onkoshi Camp
Onkoshi Camp is owned and run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. Built on elevated wooden platforms it overlooks Etosha Pan.
