Reviews: Ballooning in the Namib Desert
Below are independent comments from 78 of our travellers who have done this activity and have kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
Miss S
Cambridgeshire
"Balloon Trip"
Based at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge on 24 Nov 2012
"Sadly they failed to fly on 3 successive mornings and they were not able to make the decision not to fly until we had arrived at the launch site on each morning. So that was 3 successive mornings that we rose at 4.45 am to leave the SML at 05.15 to get to the launch site.
We understand the pilot cannot fly if the conditions are not right but surely they could decide earlier and ring the hotel to save us all the journey ( there were around 20 people there on day 3 and some had travelled for 2 hrs just to get to the site)
All very disappointed" Read more about this whole safari
We understand the pilot cannot fly if the conditions are not right but surely they could decide earlier and ring the hotel to save us all the journey ( there were around 20 people there on day 3 and some had travelled for 2 hrs just to get to the site)
All very disappointed" Read more about this whole safari
Overall
Excellent
Mr & Mrs L
Staffs
"Ballooning cancelled!"
Based at Hoodia Desert Lodge on 31 Oct 2012
"Sadly our balloon ride was cancelled due to very high winds, but we still had to get up at 4:15 am to drive to the park entrance to confirm cancellation at the hotel. If we had been given a contact telephone number we could have avoided this.
Because of the unusually high temperatures and lack of things to do we decided to leave a day earlier and go to Swakopmund hence losing a night's accommodation." Read more about this whole safari
Because of the unusually high temperatures and lack of things to do we decided to leave a day earlier and go to Swakopmund hence losing a night's accommodation." Read more about this whole safari
Overall
Terrible
Honeymooners
Brussels
"A big reason why I went to Namibia..."
Based at Wolwedans Desert Lodge on 1 Aug 2012
"Amazing. We REALLY wanted to do this. The view of the red dunes from the sky is really amazing.
Be carefull with your planning to give yourselves some flexibility when scheduling this as you may not be able to take off on occassion due to wind and weather conditions. We were lucky enough to be able to reschedule it because our originally scheduled flight had to be cancelled.
Other than that, just incredibly relaxing and breathtaking. Watching the oryxs stare back at you from below is just fantastic.
And the champagne breakfast is very good!" Read more about this whole safari
Be carefull with your planning to give yourselves some flexibility when scheduling this as you may not be able to take off on occassion due to wind and weather conditions. We were lucky enough to be able to reschedule it because our originally scheduled flight had to be cancelled.
Other than that, just incredibly relaxing and breathtaking. Watching the oryxs stare back at you from below is just fantastic.
And the champagne breakfast is very good!" Read more about this whole safari
Overall
Excellent
Miss T & Mr B
London
"lovely experience"
Based at Sossusvlei Lodge on 11 Oct 2010
"This was a lovely experience though disappointing in the sense that there was heavy fog so we could not reach the dunes..no one's fault of course, just luck on the day.
However becuase of this we took an early morning cesna flight over the dunes which was fabulous, highly recommneded for future guests." Read more about this whole safari
However becuase of this we took an early morning cesna flight over the dunes which was fabulous, highly recommneded for future guests." Read more about this whole safari
Overall
Good
Mr C & Mrs A
UK
"1 hour balloon flight"
Based at Kulala Desert Lodge on 25 Sep 2010
"Good experience but most disappointing part of trip, Lack of sights on trip and no sooner in air than pilot concerned about the landing point. Think this is not a good venue for a balloom trip as you do not see the dunes or any wild life on it. Breakfast was a most enjoyable experience."
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Overall
Poor
Mr & Mrs E
Stockport
"Balloon over the desert"
Based at Central Lodge on 20 Sep 2010
"A wonderful experience on a beautiful morning.
Eric who owns the balloon business took us up and he was fantastic. He was so enthusiastic and a great character.
Wish I'd brought a hat and gloves - I didn't realise it would be so cold." Read more about this whole safari
Eric who owns the balloon business took us up and he was fantastic. He was so enthusiastic and a great character.
Wish I'd brought a hat and gloves - I didn't realise it would be so cold." Read more about this whole safari
Overall
Excellent
Dr M.
Loughborough
"Bballon ride"
Based at Kulala Desert Lodge on 17 Sep 2010
"Dennis was the pilot who, it turned out, was the son of Eric who first took me up from this spot in 1997. We met Eric later, and the whole experience was one of first-class treatment. NIce touch to give everyone a certificate after the flight."
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Overall
Excellent
Mr & Mrs DR
N London
"WOW"
Based at Little Kulala on 21 Jul 2010
"Our first ballooning adventure and what a location! Very professionally run."
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Overall
Excellent
Ms F
Essex
"Balloon trip"
Based at Kulala Desert Lodge on 14 May 2010
"This was well worth the money. Safety was paramount and the company ensured that they had no effect on the environment to the extent of brushing the area to remove tracks in the spot where we had landed for a very lavish breakfast."
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Overall
Excellent
Mr I & Mrs A
France
"Balloon Trip over Sossusvlei"
Based at Kulala Desert Lodge on 20 Apr 2010
"I would recommend this trip to everybody. It was worth every penny. It was the most peaceful, wonderful way to view the dunes, wildlife and geology of the area and very professionally run. We felt safe and well looked after throughout the flight.
The champagne breakfast was far more exotic than I expected with everything from smoked salmon, to home made pancakes and jams. Excellent." Read more about this whole safari
The champagne breakfast was far more exotic than I expected with everything from smoked salmon, to home made pancakes and jams. Excellent." Read more about this whole safari
Overall
Excellent
78
reviews of this excursion by travellers since Aug-2007.
Overall rating by our travellers
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