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 A & Mrs K
Wilts
"Fantastic view"
2 nights Arrived 23 Sep 2018
"Very welcoming. Food good. Chalet very comfortable. Gecko on ceiling.
The drive into the canyon was well worth doing." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia
The drive into the canyon was well worth doing." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Mr D.
Chelmsford
"Fish River Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 14 Sep 2018
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Mr & Mrs R
Aberdeen
"Fish River Lodge right on edge of canyon"
2 nights Arrived 11 Sep 2018
"An amazing location on edge of canyon. Great room with exceptional view.
The welcome and service were very good. Food was outstanding. We had a sunset trip to east side of camp on arrival day with Bob who was very informative and gave us an understanding of geology and our bearings. Day trip to bottom of canyon again with Bob was like a white knuckle ride at times but great fun.
Lunch by rock pool was relaxing if a little too cold to swim." See all these reviews: 24n in Namibia
The welcome and service were very good. Food was outstanding. We had a sunset trip to east side of camp on arrival day with Bob who was very informative and gave us an understanding of geology and our bearings. Day trip to bottom of canyon again with Bob was like a white knuckle ride at times but great fun.
Lunch by rock pool was relaxing if a little too cold to swim." See all these reviews: 24n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Wendy
Melbourne
"Fish River Lodge"
2 nights Arrived 10 Sep 2018
"Felt impersonal after the other places we had stayed in."
See all these reviews: 26n in Namibia; 7n in Botswana
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report
Dr J.
London
"Fish River Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 3 Sep 2018
"The walk into and out of the canyon is quite strenuous.
Not for the unfit." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Not for the unfit." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Sightings Report
A and A
Cossington
"It's a long drive but worth it!!"
2 nights Arrived 1 Sep 2018
"A long drive south, but the canyon is amazing. Stunning views of the canyon from the lodge and all rooms.
The lodge do a drive into the canyon which was excellent, and there are two well marked walking trails along the rim east and west to get the best views of the canyon.
Visiting in early September we needed plenty of clothes to keep warm in the evening, both in our room and in the lodge itself!" See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
The lodge do a drive into the canyon which was excellent, and there are two well marked walking trails along the rim east and west to get the best views of the canyon.
Visiting in early September we needed plenty of clothes to keep warm in the evening, both in our room and in the lodge itself!" See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Mr M
Wakefield
"Amazing location"
2 nights Arrived 18 May 2018
"Fabulous location on the rim of the Canyon and well worth the long and challenging drive.
The day trip down in to the Canyon with Engelbrecht was one of the outstanding highlights of the trip." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
The day trip down in to the Canyon with Engelbrecht was one of the outstanding highlights of the trip." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Good
TansySue
UK
"Awesome views"
2 nights Arrived 18 May 2018
"Situated right on the edge of the canyon, the chalets and main building had the most incredible views of the canyon stretching out in front of us. Our chalet had a small terrace with chairs which enabled us to watch the light changing. In fact we did witness a tremendous thunderstorm which produced the most magnificent skies. Heavy rain overnight quickly soaked away into the sandy soil and didn't pose a problem when walking into breakfast next morning.
Facing the canyon did mean the wind came straight in at our chalet door which was not that close fitting (and was difficult to lock) - fortunately the heavy curtains did help. We had been given ear plugs to wear as the noise was certainly noticeable but we didn't feel the need to use them and did manage to get to sleep well in the very comfortable beds.
Our chalet had tea and coffee making facilities but no kettle, a thermos jug needed to be filled with hot water from the kitchen if one wanted refreshments. It would have been better to have a kettle so we could have enjoyed early morning cuppas.
The bathroom area was very large with an enormous mirror and great lighting, a safe and a small hanging space for clothes. Twin wash basins and separate WC but strangely no door on the WC. There was an outdoor shower but in May it was not warm enough to want to try it. The indoor shower worked well but one had to remember the hot water was solar heated and would cool off overnight. There was no running water between 11pm and 5am as the pumps were switched off for some reason. This could have been a big issue if one had needed to use the WC overnight with an upset stomach! We noticed on entering the bathroom the unpleasant smell of sewage - this seemed to disappear overnight - maybe because we had used the sinks and shower and flushed the system through or maybe because we had a lot of rain overnight.
In the evenings there was an open fire in the lounge/bar area and also in the restaurant - but we needed to wear jumpers to dinner as it was cold in the evenings. It was also cold in our chalet; there was no heating that we could see so this would not be an ideal place to stay in the middle of their winter. In our opinion the door and window fittings need to be replaced in both the chalet and main building. They looked like metal crittall windows and had not worn well - in fact a door handle broke off in Mr L's hand
It was not warm enough to use the pool which was beautifully located with views to the canyon.
We thoroughly enjoyed the drive into the Canyon which had been included in our holiday itinerary. The best off road driving we have ever experienced." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
Facing the canyon did mean the wind came straight in at our chalet door which was not that close fitting (and was difficult to lock) - fortunately the heavy curtains did help. We had been given ear plugs to wear as the noise was certainly noticeable but we didn't feel the need to use them and did manage to get to sleep well in the very comfortable beds.
Our chalet had tea and coffee making facilities but no kettle, a thermos jug needed to be filled with hot water from the kitchen if one wanted refreshments. It would have been better to have a kettle so we could have enjoyed early morning cuppas.
The bathroom area was very large with an enormous mirror and great lighting, a safe and a small hanging space for clothes. Twin wash basins and separate WC but strangely no door on the WC. There was an outdoor shower but in May it was not warm enough to want to try it. The indoor shower worked well but one had to remember the hot water was solar heated and would cool off overnight. There was no running water between 11pm and 5am as the pumps were switched off for some reason. This could have been a big issue if one had needed to use the WC overnight with an upset stomach! We noticed on entering the bathroom the unpleasant smell of sewage - this seemed to disappear overnight - maybe because we had used the sinks and shower and flushed the system through or maybe because we had a lot of rain overnight.
In the evenings there was an open fire in the lounge/bar area and also in the restaurant - but we needed to wear jumpers to dinner as it was cold in the evenings. It was also cold in our chalet; there was no heating that we could see so this would not be an ideal place to stay in the middle of their winter. In our opinion the door and window fittings need to be replaced in both the chalet and main building. They looked like metal crittall windows and had not worn well - in fact a door handle broke off in Mr L's hand
It was not warm enough to use the pool which was beautifully located with views to the canyon.
We thoroughly enjoyed the drive into the Canyon which had been included in our holiday itinerary. The best off road driving we have ever experienced." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Sightings Report
Peter & Helenka
UK
"Fish River Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 30 Oct 2017
"Probably we had been spoilt at all the other excellent places but overall this was a little disappointing
It was the only place where ther was no water or facilities for making a drink in the rooms. The staff in the bar and restaurant were friendly but the management on arrival and on leaving were not as friendly as in other places. The rooms are odd design and functional rather than comfortable
The trip to the canyon was a great experience and the guide was entertaining and informative as well as being a very good driver" See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
It was the only place where ther was no water or facilities for making a drink in the rooms. The staff in the bar and restaurant were friendly but the management on arrival and on leaving were not as friendly as in other places. The rooms are odd design and functional rather than comfortable
The trip to the canyon was a great experience and the guide was entertaining and informative as well as being a very good driver" See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Average
Feedback Response
When we shared these comments with the lodge, the lodge’s managers were very concerned that these travellers had had a disappointing stay, and assure us that they have taken on board their comments.
They wanted us to let our travellers know that they appreciate their helpful suggestion about having drinking water available in all of the rooms. We understand that they plan to implement this plan as soon as possible.
However, they explained that unfortunately their power supply does not allow for kettles in the rooms. The management did say that hot water flasks are available in the restaurant area on request, to take back to the rooms – so guests can make use of the small tea / coffee station in their rooms.
They wanted us to let our travellers know that they appreciate their helpful suggestion about having drinking water available in all of the rooms. We understand that they plan to implement this plan as soon as possible.
However, they explained that unfortunately their power supply does not allow for kettles in the rooms. The management did say that hot water flasks are available in the restaurant area on request, to take back to the rooms – so guests can make use of the small tea / coffee station in their rooms.
D & P
Lavenham
"Dramatic "
3 nights Arrived 30 Sep 2017
"Just a wonderful place!
Amazing scenery. Great trip into the canyon. What we weren’t told though, was that walks into the canyon had stopped the previous week - it was too hot, Amazing swim in what remains of Fish River.
No sun beds, limited activities.
Good birdwatching (and Dessie watching) from deck - they provided a small pool.
Only criticism - no sunbeds!" See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia
Amazing scenery. Great trip into the canyon. What we weren’t told though, was that walks into the canyon had stopped the previous week - it was too hot, Amazing swim in what remains of Fish River.
No sun beds, limited activities.
Good birdwatching (and Dessie watching) from deck - they provided a small pool.
Only criticism - no sunbeds!" See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
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