Reviews of Fish River Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
80 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Fish River Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in May-2018, 28 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Fish River Lodge.
Leopard
0% success
Zebra
46% success
Oryx
36% success
Brown Hyena
0% success
Mr J.
Makati
"Long, long way to get there"
2 nights Arrived 11 May 2022
"It was a long, long drive for basically a massively expansive view of a monochrome brown canyon.
A couple of short, dry day hikes along the canyon." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana
A couple of short, dry day hikes along the canyon." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 2n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Mr & Mrs M
Reading
"Fish River Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 24 Nov 2021
"Unbelievable location with the edge of your patio only three metres from the Fish River Canyon’s edge with a single wire barrier 50 cms high between you and the edge.
Well worth the 20 kms drive along a bumpy track to get there. Rooms very comfortable and food excellent.
Sundowner drive and Canyon rim walks enjoyable." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
Well worth the 20 kms drive along a bumpy track to get there. Rooms very comfortable and food excellent.
Sundowner drive and Canyon rim walks enjoyable." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs & Mr K
Geneva
"Impressive view from the lobby "
2 nights Arrived 17 Sep 2019
"excellent location on the edge of the canyon.
Truely special. Modern room and nice service.
The drive down to the canyon is a memorable experience." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Truely special. Modern room and nice service.
The drive down to the canyon is a memorable experience." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Mr & Mrs D
London
"Amazing location on the brink of the Canyon"
3 nights Arrived 27 Aug 2019
"A unique location with wonderful views over the canyon; their slogan “on the edge of eternity” is very apt!
The day trip into the canyon is a must; a scary road at times but excellent vehicle and guide. The rim walks are also great and imagine trekking down and staying overnight in the canyon would be fantastic, if you have the time. Beware we had some strong winds so warm clothing is essential outside the summer months. Ear plugs are provided in the rooms, due to the roaring wind!
There is a surprising amount of wildlife in the area." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
The day trip into the canyon is a must; a scary road at times but excellent vehicle and guide. The rim walks are also great and imagine trekking down and staying overnight in the canyon would be fantastic, if you have the time. Beware we had some strong winds so warm clothing is essential outside the summer months. Ear plugs are provided in the rooms, due to the roaring wind!
There is a surprising amount of wildlife in the area." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Mr & Mrs T
Twickenham
"Fish River Lodge review"
3 nights Arrived 16 Mar 2019
"Our view: 9/10. Amazing location and view over the canyon from our vantage point on the edge of the escarpment. Rooms are good size, functionality laid out with ‘basic’ luxury to them. No a/c due to Eco label. A tricky place to get to! Took us 2 hours to travel 100 klm over wide gravel road which became a single track challenge!
Good breakfast and food, nice staff, pool to cool off in. Poor WiFi and only at reception." See all these reviews: 20n in Namibia
Good breakfast and food, nice staff, pool to cool off in. Poor WiFi and only at reception." See all these reviews: 20n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mr C & Ms B
Macclesfi
"Stunning View"
2 nights Arrived 9 Nov 2018
"This lodge is all about the view, being perched on the canyon edge. Its very modern with large, comfortable contemporary rooms. The service was good and staff friendly.
We experienced the famous Fish River Canyon hot gale force wind one night, and now know why ear plugs were issued on check-in!
We did the sundowner drive and a self-guided sunrise walk, both of which were excellent.
Unless walking in the canyon (not an option at the time of year we were there), a full day is an appropriate stay." See all these reviews: 26n in Namibia
We experienced the famous Fish River Canyon hot gale force wind one night, and now know why ear plugs were issued on check-in!
We did the sundowner drive and a self-guided sunrise walk, both of which were excellent.
Unless walking in the canyon (not an option at the time of year we were there), a full day is an appropriate stay." See all these reviews: 26n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Pat
Robin Hoods Bay
"Another amazing plac"
2 nights Arrived 20 Oct 2018
"We enjoyed the swim in the canyon pool and survived the 'terror pass'"
See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 3n in Zimbabwe; 2n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
K+R, J+P
Stirling
"Amazing location"
2 nights Arrived 1 Oct 2018
"Fish Liver Lodge is an amazing location. The staff were particularly friendly and relaxed, and we thoroughly enjoyed the enthusiastic singing after dinner.
The drive to the bottom of the canyon was spectacular and swimming in the river at the bottom was a highlight of our trip. The guide, Bob, was clearly very interested in the geology, plants and animals and gave really clear informative talks along the way. All the guides were helpful especially with an older walker using sticks, ensuring she was able to join the group in the walk right to the bottom of the canyon. We also enjoyed the sightings of kudu and the klipspringers perched on the top of the mountains.
It was very windy and noisy in the rooms, so the earplugs provided were appreciated!" See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
The drive to the bottom of the canyon was spectacular and swimming in the river at the bottom was a highlight of our trip. The guide, Bob, was clearly very interested in the geology, plants and animals and gave really clear informative talks along the way. All the guides were helpful especially with an older walker using sticks, ensuring she was able to join the group in the walk right to the bottom of the canyon. We also enjoyed the sightings of kudu and the klipspringers perched on the top of the mountains.
It was very windy and noisy in the rooms, so the earplugs provided were appreciated!" See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mr & Mrs R
Northum
"Fantastic views"
2 nights Arrived 29 Sep 2018
"This was the third place we stayed on our trip and we stayed two nights. Of all the lodges this was the one I most wanted to stay in. We even rearrange the dates we went so we could get in here and I think it was well worth it. Make sure you stop off at Mariental Bakkery for savoury pies and pasties enroute. You can also fill up your petrol tank as there are a number of fuel stations there too.
The drive south of Mariental was a lot more challenging as we got our first taste of none paved roads. Even after reading about the difficult driveway to the lodge, I don’t think we were prepared for the length of time it would take us. Once there we received a friendly welcome and a drink. The panoramic view is spectacular from the main building as you enter from the car park. The lodge was bigger than our previous two lodges, so there were a lot more people around. However the individual cabins all feel private and everyone gets that same panoramic view of the canyon.
We did the walk to the lookout point to the right, which was not too far or difficult and got some good photos looking back at the lodge. The night sky was fantastic, we even saw the Milky Way! The sky was so clear.
The rooms are comfortable with single beds and an inside and outside shower, although we were unable to use the outside shower as the previous person had taken the key with them and there was no spare. There is even an outside yoga platform and you can borrow a mat from reception. Staff were all friendly and efficient and the manager was very knowledgeable about the surrounding area and road conditions.
We did the organised drive to the bottom of the canyon where I swam in the water pool. We thought this trip was really good and well worth the cost and effort. We saw mountain Zebra and Gemsbok on our travels and you are also able to do some walking if you want to. I had read that not that many people go to Fish River Canyon but I would say it is a must and stay on this side of the canyon as you feel you have an exclusive experience as there are no other lodges on this side. This lodge is well worth the effort of getting there. Highly recommended." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
The drive south of Mariental was a lot more challenging as we got our first taste of none paved roads. Even after reading about the difficult driveway to the lodge, I don’t think we were prepared for the length of time it would take us. Once there we received a friendly welcome and a drink. The panoramic view is spectacular from the main building as you enter from the car park. The lodge was bigger than our previous two lodges, so there were a lot more people around. However the individual cabins all feel private and everyone gets that same panoramic view of the canyon.
We did the walk to the lookout point to the right, which was not too far or difficult and got some good photos looking back at the lodge. The night sky was fantastic, we even saw the Milky Way! The sky was so clear.
The rooms are comfortable with single beds and an inside and outside shower, although we were unable to use the outside shower as the previous person had taken the key with them and there was no spare. There is even an outside yoga platform and you can borrow a mat from reception. Staff were all friendly and efficient and the manager was very knowledgeable about the surrounding area and road conditions.
We did the organised drive to the bottom of the canyon where I swam in the water pool. We thought this trip was really good and well worth the cost and effort. We saw mountain Zebra and Gemsbok on our travels and you are also able to do some walking if you want to. I had read that not that many people go to Fish River Canyon but I would say it is a must and stay on this side of the canyon as you feel you have an exclusive experience as there are no other lodges on this side. This lodge is well worth the effort of getting there. Highly recommended." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia; 5n in Botswana; 2n in Zimbabwe
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Sightings Report
Pete & Nancy
Stockton
"Luxury on the edge"
5 nights Arrived 25 Sep 2018
"Food, service and accommodation at the Fish River Lodge were impeccable.
Rooms are large and artfully decorated. Large porch overlooks the Fish River Canyon. The lodge itself has outstanding views of the canyon with a pool lots of room to sit outside. Be prepared for windy conditions, weather is variable, and we were provided with earplugs for nighttime use. We only needed them one night.
We also enjoyed the two day hiking package, which was outstanding. Our guide, Andy, was knowledgeable and tailored our daily hikes according to our preference for distance and difficulty. Camps were unique with roomy tents, comfortable cots with sheets and duvets. Bucket showers were welcome as was hot water in the morning to wash up.
Food was excellent, on a par with what we enjoyed at the Lodge. We were amazed that they were able to provide the same quality, but from a camp kitchen. Breakfast and dinner were prepared in camp and we carried our bag lunch and water with us each day." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia
Rooms are large and artfully decorated. Large porch overlooks the Fish River Canyon. The lodge itself has outstanding views of the canyon with a pool lots of room to sit outside. Be prepared for windy conditions, weather is variable, and we were provided with earplugs for nighttime use. We only needed them one night.
We also enjoyed the two day hiking package, which was outstanding. Our guide, Andy, was knowledgeable and tailored our daily hikes according to our preference for distance and difficulty. Camps were unique with roomy tents, comfortable cots with sheets and duvets. Bucket showers were welcome as was hot water in the morning to wash up.
Food was excellent, on a par with what we enjoyed at the Lodge. We were amazed that they were able to provide the same quality, but from a camp kitchen. Breakfast and dinner were prepared in camp and we carried our bag lunch and water with us each day." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
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