Reviews of safaris to Etosha National Park
1314 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Etosha.
"Our trip to Namibia"
Of course the wildlife is the big feature of Africa in general, and we certainly. weren’t disappointed on that score.
The people we met, both locals and visitors were friendly and interesting and so informative. We learned about the country and it’s issues since independence, and we learned about other places that some of the visitors we met had been to. Definitely whetted my appetite for Africat.
We realised that we were on a particular circuit so often met the same people who were a day or two ahead of behind us. I think with just about 11 full days, the tour was perfect. We might possibly, in retrospect, with what we know now, have chosen to drive through Etosha and stay a night in one of the other lodges.
Having said that, on our third day at Ongava we spent several hours in the hide and realised just how many animals come to the waterhole. It was non stop in the morning, and breath taking. Then in the evening the rhinos came! It’s interesting that the guides are very cagey about the number of rhinos they have, and it great that they are so protective." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2018 trip"
Starting the trip at Galton House and ending it there was excellent - it gave us time to recover from the flights etc and at the end of the holiday we could relax, have a shower, a nice meal and get out of our safari clothes, put our normal clothes on ready for the return home and generally chill out!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Flying between camps was ideal as having spoken to people who were driving the distances involved were long and this meant they couldn't cover as much ground as we did. When the Brandt guide is next updated you may want to note that the restaurant 22 Degrees South is closed.
We recommended Expert Africa to several people who were thinking of future African adventures so hopefully more business will come your way in the future." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
"A fabulous trip of a lifetime. "
"Great trip - stunning country"
Our accommodation was consistently very good. It seems almost invidious to come up with highlights - everything was good, but my personal favourites were Desert Rhino Camp ( outstanding ), desert elephants at Doro Nawas, the dunes of Sossusvlei, lions in Etosha - I could go on.
Our first visit to Namibia ( but not Africa ) - I should say that I found the people very welcoming and friendly, and we felt perfectly safe everywhere." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"Amazing Southern Africa experience "
We needed triple accommodation which was not easy to source but in hindsight if available would have gone to Safarihoek last in Namibia, it seemed later accommodation though very good was not quite as special.
Guiding was exceptional and we were able to enjoy not only wildlife but a sense of Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
2 general comments: you may be a bit over generous , in common with other writers , about Namibia's gravel roads and those within Etosha. While much better than sand roads in Botswana, some of those we had to use to reach accommodation were badly corrugated or pot holed and we felt descriptions were a touch over positive.
Other review sites mention airports: we found immigration delays at Windhoek and VFA to be a bad as anywhere in the world and check in at VFA was also a challenge. We may have had bad luck but if not you may want to think about alerting customers. However we didn't follow your advice on checking luggage to JNB then rechecking: in our experience there were no problems at all in checking through to Windhoek from LHR and from VFA to LHR.
But these niggles aside_ it was amazing and your choice of providers very well considered.
And we saw 5 black rhinos....." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip
"All we could have wished for, and more!"
We would not recommend the detour via the Skeleton Coast, and 2 other groups had in fact been advised against it.
Also, distances on directions were not always accurate, and at Onguma, which we approached from the west, the gate was only 100 metres (not 500) from the park and was not signposted in that direction! We, as well as 2 other groups, ended up going past it for varying distances before turning back. Not good at the end of a day! We understand, however that a new sign is under construction.
We can recommend the one and a half hour Tour of Swakopmund Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, run by Charly'sTours. Really excellent, knowledgeable and intelligent guide with a good understanding of the wider African context.
Windhoek Airport is absolutely terrible and simply cannot cope with the increasing tourist load. It will only get worse, but is a terrible introduction and farewell to a beautiful country. Do pressurise the authorities on this. One working x-ray machine for baggage is ludicrous, and an hour and a half in a non-air-conditioned immigration hall on arrival rendered us dehydrated, dizzy and shaky!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2018 trip"
Having undertaken a 17 night stay that involved 2600km of driving I think we would not do such an extensive trip again but it was a really good way to see the contrasting parts of the country and we know where we would spend more time in any future visit.
Every location we stayed at was good and even where we have comments regarding improvements this didn't really detract from our enjoyment. Generally service was very good and people very friendly.
As others have reported, driving is very easy and as a disabled driver using hand controls, I can confirm it still remains easy.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Very little to add as the overall experience was very good. We were very grateful for the time and effort Josh put in to help us arrange the hand controls on our vehicle.
Only one minor point is that the folder the trip material arrives in is a nice design, but unfortunately not that practical and it began to disintegrate early in the tour!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2018 trip"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
NO
I WAS DELIGHTED BY EVERYTHING EXPERT AFRICA DID FOR US AND WOULD CERTAINLY RECOMMEND YOU TO OTHERS - INFACT I ALREADY HAVE THREE TIMES!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2018 trip"
Only adverse comment about the trip as a whole is that it was hard work driving on the gravel, even though the use of self drive was a very good way of seeing the country.." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia Sept 2018"
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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.
Toshari Lodge
Smart and professionally run, the hotel-style Toshari Lodge is well-placed for self-driving in Etosha National Park.
Onkoshi Camp
Onkoshi Camp is owned and run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. Built on elevated wooden platforms it overlooks Etosha Pan.
