Reviews of Wolwedans Desert Lodge

These travellers received an apology that their booking wasn't processed correctly by the Wolwedans booking office, and the request for a private vehicle and guide not passed on to the lodge. They received a full refund for this service.

Wolwedans Dunes Lodge also responded with the following comments to the travellers:
Please accept our sincere apologies regarding the poor service delivered to the guests during their stay.
Punctuality and general care towards satisfying the needs of guests is considered to be a priority at Wolwedans. Our staff is trained to cater to, as well as anticipate the individual needs of each visitor. Hence, the Management was rather disappointed to learn of the guests negative experience as relates to service. The matter has been taken up and measures have been put into place to minimise the likelihood of a similar situation arising in the future.

With regard to the private guide and vehicle, my colleague Litungeni has been in communication with you, and although, the events of the past cannot be erased, we hope that our efforts to make amends were well received. Since that time, we have briefed the guides at Wolwedans on the special needs of photographers, media representatives and other interest groups. Without causing harm to the fragile desert ecosystems and while adhering to the rules of the Reserve, all guided drives since then have been modified to specifically satisfy the interests of the client. In the event that more than one party of guests happens to share a vehicle, the median preferences are considered so as to accommodate as many members of the group as is possible.

In terms of water consumption, our guests are encouraged to use water sparingly. Given our extremely arid surroundings and heavy dependence on ground water, I’m sure you can appreciate the need for prudent water use. That being said, there is no enforced water quota for guests at Wolwedans. Indeed, in the past, promotional material on site did hint towards a limit on the amount of water available to each guest. However, this limit has yet to be imposed and the actual “rule” itself no longer exists. To date, no other clients have complained of, nor have their ablution activities been hampered as a result of insufficient water. We trust that the same proved true in the case of these travellers.

As for water heating, each chalet is fitted with an individual photovoltaic panel for every geyser. Depending on the levels of sunlight and the time of day at which hot water is used, there is a possibility that the pipes heat up at varied rates. This process is beyond the control of Lodge employees and is largely dependent on both the climate and the technology that translates solar power into electrical energy. Should the guests have experienced prolonged lag periods between the time at which faucets were turned on and the time that adequately-heated water proceeded from the pipes, then please accept our apologies for the inconvenience caused.

On the point of late dinners, it has been our experience that guests returning form sundown drives look forward to a hearty meal upon their return. By definition, the drive requires that participants in the excursion return to the Lodge after sunset. Hence, any meals offered would often be presented after dark. Visitors are always welcome to request an earlier service to match their habitual routines. Unfortunately, the team at Wolwedans was unaware that the couple would have preferred to be served earlier. Had this wish been expressed, arrangements would have been made to cater to the couple’s preference. If team failed to communicate the time at which dinner would be served in advance, then we apologise for our lack of communication.

Once again, we cannot emphasise enough our sincere regret at the poor service delivered to these travellers. Given the Management’s efforts to mitigate the effects of those experiences, it is our hope that the couple’s stay at Wolwedans will be remembered for the helpful guide, delicious food, charming accommodation and beautiful surroundings.

We wish the couple numerous happy travels through Namibia in years to come.