Reviews of safaris to NamibRand Nature Reserve

"Tracy Lederer did an amazing job advising and facilitating our wonderful safari trip to Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. We rave about Expert Africa to everyone - this is our second time travelling with you and you have been superb on every aspect of our trip both times.

From the subtle differences between lodges regarding cost, solitude (which we love) and what we could expect to see, to the painful rearranging of flights when airlines change schedules, every element has been handled by Tracy with true expertise, professionalism, insight and smart advice. Thank you so much!

We travelled with 4 American friends and sorting out bill payments was very easy for all of us. Two of them had not been on safari before, one of them celebrating their 60th birthday while we were away, and it could not have been a better experience. The magical surprise birthday braai at Motswiri was a highlight, along with all the animal and bird sightings under the expert guiding of Andrew Harkness on our mobile safari (thanks for the spot-on recommendation, Tracy!)

Altogether a trip of lifetime - thank you everyone involved.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Happy with everything thanks." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari

"Very good indeed - Pretty much as I had planned though the food was much better than expected.

Luderitz was definitely worth a visit.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

One point to note. Contrary to your notes, there is a petrol station at the airport." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"Namibia was wonderful - so much more colourful than we expected.

The typical Namibian lodge we stayed in was in a good location (a bit of a drive from the main road), had well appointed rooms with a view, a warm welcome, a sundowner spot or drive, a 'signature' activity, and a nice dinner and breakfast. Service in general was good everywhere. 2 night stops in most locations worked well - we generally needed a full day to do whatever the 'signature' activity was.

Our highlights were Fish River canyon - it's a long, long drive south, but really worth it, Tok Tokkie Trails - sleeping under the stars, and Etosha - Okaukuejo camp facilities weren't great, but the water hole made it so much better than staying outside the park.

4WD car essential, together with an ipod for the long drives and in September in the south the nights were very cold - need jacket and a hat!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Can't fault anything about the trip.

We had a couple of problems - delayed bag, forgotten Kindle, on both of which we were helped by the local team - thank you!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"Our trip was absolutely outstanding in every way. We didn't want to leave and we are already planning our next visit. From picking up our hire car at Windhoek airport to our last stop in Okonjima the whole trip ran smoothly and without a single hitch. Self-driving was a dream - much more relaxing than driving in the UK/Europe. The landscape and wildlife are stunning.

The advice we received at Expert Africa was second to none and Tom always allowed us as much time as we wanted to ask numerous questions; we never felt rushed into making a decision. We'd have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Expert Africa to friends and family.

The highlights of our trip were, without question: (i) our stay at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge - we can't wait to go back there; (ii) the rich and diverse wildlife we saw from our base in Namutoni, Etosha; (iii) our stay at Okonjima Bush Camp. On reflection we wouldn't return to Okaukuejo Camp - sadly the accommodation is in need of an upgrade.

In short, 'out of this world'." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip

"A great 70th birthday trip.

Perhaps erred a bit on the luxurious side, but we didn't really complain." Read full review: 33 nights in Africa; 26 on a Namibia trip

"Fantastic!

Highly recommend." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip

"Our trip was excellent and our expectations were not only met but exceeded. We enjoyed the varying landscapes, the animals and the people.

The trip, which we requested at the very last minute, was superbly organised. From the time of my initial contact, all requests/queries were handled in a timely helpful manner. All the components (fly, drive, transfers) fitted together well and all connections/transfers went smoothly.

The only changes we would have made are those that could only have been made with hindsight!

So again, thank you very much Maruska and Expert Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service: These are very minor suggestions and comments and are made purely to try and be helpful.

(1) An explanation off what one can expect in relation to meals when your accommodation is on a full board basis and you arrive around lunchtime. Our first full board accommodation was at Canyon Lodge and we arrived at lunch time. We were greeted with some information about the facilities and times for dinner and breakfast, but no indication of whether there was any lunch available or whether we were entitled to lunch. Subsequent enquires resulted in us being directed to the dining room.

At a later lodge, we realised that we could have had lunch even though we arrived early in the afternoon but had already had lunch just in case.

(2) If people are doing an overnighter at Cheetah View Lodge it would be good to know that the cheetah feeding is at 2 o'clock, which is the only time that this is held, is also included in the cost of the accommodation i.e. so that if possible you would make sure you got there in time for that. The other paid activities did not seem to be good value. I did note that on EA's notes of this lodge, that it EA thought that there needed to be a better integration of activities with the overnight experience, and we agree.

(3) I think that Hyena Pan did include laundry facilities.

I apologise if I should have known some of these things. I did look up all the accommodations on your website (which I thought was most extensive and the reason I choose the company initially), and make notes before our trip, but possibly I missed bits.

We wish that the tipping thing could be made easier. Australia does not have a tipping culture and so it always comes as a surprise and what seems like a lot of extra money on top of what are not insubstantial costs, at least in some places. While were tried to follow the guidelines, sometimes we were caught out when guides changed or we had an extra guide.

It is impossible to single out 'other' people, other than guides and polers for example, as there are always people behind the that contribute to your enjoyment and comfort on a trip." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"Provided a very well researched and considered experience for the four of us. Good variety of activities and accommodation. All transport and connections worked well. Maruska went to a lot of trouble to design a good trip for us at short notice. Would certainly recommend Expert Africa." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"This was such a wonderful trip. Namibia is beautiful, the people are so friendly, and so much wildlife!

We rented an SUV and drove in a big loop around the country alternating driving days and exploring days, staying in nice lodges. Expert Africa did an awesome job organizing the trip for us. I had been worried about driving so much on gravel roads in isolated places, but everything worked out great. Being well prepared helped -- and Expert Africa helped a lot in that respect.

We enjoyed meeting the other guests at the lodges. The landscape is so incredibly beautiful. And we saw more wildlife than we could have imagined.

One of our best trips ever!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"This trip exceeded our expectations and indeed blew them out of that water. This was high bar to set as we had travelled to the Galapagos Islands last year and had the the most amazing adventure.

It is horses for courses but for someone who adores remote raw landscape and tries to get to places relatively untouched by human interference Namibia delivered. We felt so welcomed by all the people we did meet who in most circumstances were going above and beyond their job descriptions and genuinely cared about showing us their country in the best possible light. I hope it remains a difficult country to travel in and the creeping influx of tick box tourists is held at bay.

Were appalled by some of the behaviour we witnessed of folk who clearly didn't appreciate the country for what it is. How difficult it is and how hard people work to provide what we thought were amazing facilities under challenging circumstances." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip