Reviews of Hoodia Desert Lodge

"We were greeted by a very welcome cold drink and chat with Thomas who told us all about the excursions on offer.

The location of the lodge is quite stunning with wonderful views all around it. A good location from which to visit Sossussvlei. We opted not to join the organised excursion, preferring to spend part of one day relaxing at the lodge and walking around the site.

On our second day we went to Sossussvlei where we were so impressed by the different dunes and the amazing variety of colours." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia

"We drove straight to Hoodia after arriving in Windhoek as we had already lost time through our flight delay.. Roads are in the main good and it took us about 3 hours.
We loved staying here. The staff are brilliant and the chef is a magician. We stayed in Chalet No1 which has an uninterrupted view towards the West so you get fantastic sunsets. The room was really good and the lodge facilities were excellent.

It is easy to visit Sossusvlei under your own steam so we did not need a guide even so the guide told us exactly where to go and what to do.Take their advice and do dot be tempted to drive past the first car park even if you have a 4x4. The sand is very deep and even the professionals get stuck. The dunes are stunning, a photographers dream but they are a tough climb. The walk through to Dead Vlei is spectacular.
One tip. As the buses to the dunes from the first car park get busy walk to Sossusvlei to catch the bus back" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia

"We all loved Hoodia Desert Lodge, people were so nice, trying their best to make the guests happy, food was excellent, rooms were very clean and nicely decorated, the excursion was so enjoyable with great guiding.

This lodge is highly recommendable, it is a gem and affordable!" See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia

"Its fair to say that having driven from the superbly located Wolwedans the location of Hoodia Lodge was spectacular in its own way, but without the dramatic red dunes which so enhanced the Wolwedans experience, however that aside we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Hoodia.

We did not meet or be introduced to the owners who from other reviews would appear to be very pro-active (which is evident) so perhaps they were absent?

Our arrival coincided with other guests and rather than be asked to wait a young unfortunately rather disinterested and vague employee was summoned to give our introductions and accompany us to our room. He informed us that he had been on duty since early morning and was very tired and about to go home as evidenced by his frequent yawning. This was unfortunate as the rest of the staff encountered during our stay could not have been more different - kind, friendly, efficient and personable.

Our rondavel type room was extremely well equipped. Not huge but with everything needed and practically arranged. Both indoor and outdoor showers, a refrigerator, air conditioning, ample tea, coffee and biscuits and plenty of plug sockets.
There was a small table with two chairs and also a covered outdoor seating area.

The communal areas, lounge and bar were exceptionally well decorated, warm and welcoming, and the dining room and outside patio were also sympathetically designed and located for maximum comfort and relaxing. We did not use the pool due to insufficient time but also nicely located with ample seating. Wi-fi was reasonable in the communal areas.

We thought the food for dinner and breakfast was very good and my dietary requirements were accommodated although the request had apparently not filtered to the kitchen on the first night even though the staff member noted it upon check in, however a perfectly appetizing plate was quickly arranged for me. The permanent tea and coffee station was appreciated and breakfast was also a good selection. We did not eat lunch on the day of arrival but were given a very good and welcome packed lunch on our day of departure.

We had privately pre booked a ballon excursion prior to arrival however this was cancelled due to wind. A shame but unavoidable.

Our stay included a day excursion to Sousselviei. We were six people in total, the two of us and two German couples. We all had a thoroughly enjoyable, but extremely windy day enhanced by our guide whose name I apologize that I cannot recall, but he had a good attitude, interesting conversation and was happy to share his knowledge. Lunch was excellent and he prepared a beautiful table for us in a great spot. Despite returning completely dusty and seemingly with half a desert in our hair, the day was well worth it and we were a group of happy people! It was busy but our guide managed to plan our time so that we did not feel overly crowded in the various spots we visited.

Hoodia Lodge manages to create a very informal, laid back and comfortable atmosphere with no feeling of superiority or aloofness and it was a wonderful place to stay, so many thanks to all the staff and to the owners for their attention to detail, care and hospitality." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia

"Excellent lodge in a perfectly isolated location but close enough to visit the park.

We loved their dinners, their oryx kebab was something to remember !!

We highly reccommend the sundowner and the full day excursion to Sesriem." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia

"Welcome place to recuperate at the end of a long day of seemingly endless bumpy roads. Very comfortable. We did the whole day excursion to Soussevlei and can thoroughly recommend it :)" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia

"Hoodia exceeded our expectations. The welcome was so lovely…to be greeted with those iced flannels and chilled tea! The owner and all the staff were so friendly throughout our stay there. It was wonderfully deserted and all the facilities and the food were first class. My husband & I stayed in one lodge and our 3 (adult) sons shared another. The lodges were beautiful and we particularly enjoyed the outdoor showers. The main lodge building was luxurious and welcoming and the suppers and breakfasts were excellent.

We opted to do a fabulous, private day trip to Sossusvlei and the sand dunes, with a very knowledgeable and interesting guide. We left early in the morning and our guide showed us some of the wildlife in the desert…the spiders and the tracks of animals. We climbed 'Big Daddy' and our guide then served a lovely lunch in the shade with a linen tablecloth & fine wine. the day was a high spot of the holiday! We then walked in the canyon at Sesriem." See all these reviews: 7n in Namibia

"Hoodia - nice, slow WiFi - but managed this. Very friendly service, rooms nice. Staff tried to "sell" us their own tour to Sossusvlei....but it was over £100pp. we did it much cheaper - maybe missed some key points, but was not concerned!

Nice to see the baboons and ostriches.

Great view of the milky way from this place!

could sit in main lodge with a couple of beers and enjoy the silence......enjoyed it." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia

"A beautiful lodge in the dessert. Fantastic food, fantastic wine, and john was a super manager. Extremely helpful, professional and went out of his way to do his best. The trip to the dunes was super. An unforgettable experience." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia; 2n in Zimbabwe

"I have already passed our comments on, but this was the one dud part of our fantastic holiday.
The staff were surly, rude and unwelcoming from the start. We told the guide that I had a bad back and couldn't do much walking on the excursion to the Dunes, but we were placed with a (very nice) Swiss couple clearly wanted to go hiking up the Dunes. The guide, who was disinterested from the start, told us to wait by the Landrover whilst they went for a short walk. However, we were left alone for nearly two hours without water or anywhere to sit and did not receive any apology from the guide on his return or from the manager at the Lodge.
The room was nice - if a bit too small and the food was okay.
The location was amongst the least photogenic of the places we stayed on our trip." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia