Reviews of Zebra River Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
94 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Zebra River Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"a very special place in the mountains"
The long awaited rains were starting so one day we got rained off from the mountains but overall it was a great experience and the landscape is stunning, fantastic birds but relatively limited wildlife, lots of baboons in the rocks above you as you walk and we did see a few zebra. It is off the beaten track but ideal if you want a few days of relative solitude.
The geology is interesting and provides another reason to walk." See all these reviews: 28n in Namibia
"A great place to get away from it all!"
Many fellow-travellers we met missed the Naukluft Mountains area but for us, it was a highlight of our trip." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
"Zebra River Lodge"
There was little in the way of organised activities which was ok for us we did 2 walks on the day we were there but there was no guiding as advertised as the guide was away. Our short sundowner drive was with the maintenance man.
Our very dirty car was cleaned for us for which we were very grateful" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
The owners and the guide were away at the time of these guests visit. We now understand that when this happens, there is no relief guide to take the activities. There are marked trails on the property for guests to do unguided walks. The owner has confirmed that the maintenance man is also one of their drivers and that he often takes the sundowner trips, which the owner feels “ do not need a qualified guide”. Their resident guide would usually do these trips too, but they promote up-skilling within their staff and consider his absence an opportunity for their maintenance man to gain experience. Their resident guide was trained up through the ranks in a similar way.
There was a group staying at the lodge at the time and they occupied the rest of the rooms. That group did leave early, at 5:00am, to go on a day trip to Sossusvlei.
The owner has apologized for the noise and disturbance caused by the groups early departure.
"Africa Specialist | Namibia"
"Zebra River Lodge review"
Lovely room in beautiful location. A fantastic introduction to Namibia. One of the best sundowners of the holiday. It was lovely when the staff came and sang beautifully to us at the end of the meal." See all these reviews: 21n in Namibia
"Stunning location"
We thought it could easily have more activities for families ie horse riding and bike paths . Food was superb . We would go back here easily if there was more to offer in this area and stay longer next time ." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia
"Zebra River Lodge review"
The lodge is in its own canyon, is very remote and a perfect base for walks and hikes, or just relaxing by the pool (with the tame springbok)" See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia; 3n in South Africa
"Zebra River Lodge review"
Our only activities were a short walk on our own and a sundown drive, which was pretty but didn't provide good value for the cost (short, no animals). The lodge owners were away; they may have been able to suggest other activities." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia; 6n in Botswana; 1n in South Africa
"Zebra River Lodge review"
The tours on foot and the sundowner drive were excellent. Louise was very informative and helped to identify any number of lovely birds.
The approach road is so improved, it is unrecognisable from the ordeal it once constituted many years ago. It is a great place to stay a few days." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Louis and Geraldine Fourie are very good hosts. Louis has his own small herd of horses on the property, which I think he may develop for horseback safaris in the future. They often come close to the farmhouse. There is also a tame springbok around the place! Game is not abundant but there is a fair bit, and much of it is now getting used to coming to the newish floodlit waterhole about 100 yards from the main farmhouse. I think tourists would get the most out of this place either on their way up to see much more numerous and impressive animals in Etosha or along the Caprivi, or else using the place as a very relaxing stopover on a longish journey between A and B, as was our case.
If you are a keen walker the place is wonderful and there are both guided and unguided tours. The sundowner drive goes to an impressive hill down the valley but overlooking the farmhouse and accommodation where metal tables and chairs in the middle of nowhere unexpectedly await the customers. Prices for drives, escorted walks, wine, etc, were very good indeed in my view.
In 1997 when I was there for the first time (you [Ed: Chris McIntyre, of Expert Africa] arranged that visit by the way), the then owner took people to Sossusvlei but I am unsure if Louis does this now. The old 5 kms approach road in 1997 was a nightmare but now it is a doddle. Louise knew of the Bushman paintings I had seen in 1997 but does not know where they are. Along with my description of the kind of terrain we traversed to get there, plus some photos I am sending to him, Louis is confident he can pin down the location. If he did, no doubt one escorted walk could end with a viewing of this small collection of paintings.
On the property are also rocks with one and half billion year old stramatolites (?) in them. Louis took my brother and myself there free of charge so we could see them in the dry river bed hes that kind of guy. He often sat with us and described how he made various adjustments to his gun so that he could accurately group shots, how he prepared his own ammunition, the need to let local baboons know who was in charge, the plans he has to grow his own vegetables there for the guests because he is blessed with so much spring water, etc, etc. And how the mountain chat has recently been officially renamed the mountain wheatear! Great stuff.
The accommodation has been extended since 1997 and is more spacious and upmarket than I remember the room in 1997. The ancilliary staff are on the ball too I set foot outside my room on the morning of departure with my case and intended to roll it gently down the path to the car but only took a few steps before a very kind man started to run up the hill to relieve me of such a burden!
Two other guests were speaking of how a lot of dust had inadvertently got into the kind of vehicle they were using and it getting into everything. Louis got one of his staff to clean it out for them in no time at all. Guests ate dinner under candlelights on the balcony of the large farmhouse and took breakfast there. Service was crisp and efficient and the food excellent. Theres a pool, lots of shady places by the farmhouse, and also other water features that attract many different kinds of birds an attraction I especially liked. If Louis didnt know the name of a particular bird hed get the big bird book and find out for you.
There are no spectacular animals there, though the scenery is stunning, but it was a highlight of our holiday in Namibia this time around. I hope this helps.
"Zebra River Lodge review"
It was very exciting to see animals (kudu and zebra) at the waterhole on our first night in the countryside. However, we weren't very keen on the food (too ambitious and overcomplicated) and the place is quite odd. There were very few visitors (us and one other couple) - and the place felt a bit abandoned. Our room was strange too - a stone house with a sort of baronial hall attached. It felt like a folly built for slightly inexplicable reasons - although the rooms were spacious and well appointed.
We booked a guided walk for the morning after our arrival - but there was some confusion and the guide announced over breakfast that he wouldn't take us. The owner then sorted this out - but the guide was monosyllabic on the walk and told us nothing. We loved the surroundings so were glad to have done a walk - and it later turned out the guide wasn't feeling well and hadn't eaten for three days - but no one mentioned this to us and the whole episode felt rather mismanaged." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
"Zebra River Lodge review"
We went on a guided walk , unfortunately the walk was too much and the guide was unaware of our capabilities. We think the guide had recently been trained and he did not tailor the pace to suit ( Matthew kept up with him but w were unable to do so). We feel he could do with more training." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
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