Reviews of safaris to Okonjima Nature Reserve

"The only real problem was the COLD. The early mornings and evenings (nights) were perishing. We did not have enough warm clothes, nor were any of the lodges (except Cornerstone) equipped for their quite short winter.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Don't think there's any way round the Okaukuejo catering problem.

The cold (July) needs more emphasis. Double fuel tank well worth specifying. The C14 road to Swakopmund from Sesriem is known as the worst road in Namibia (and that's saying something) - there's no other way to cover that ground but you should maybe warn customers. The country lived up to expectations." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"I think my experiences of this trip may be summed up as superb. I am 66 years of age and I have made it known that if I am fit and able when I turn 70 I want to bring my family (including grand children) on a similar trip." Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 5 on a Namibia trip

"What with Chris McIntyre's Bradt Guide, the Expert Africa website and traveller reviews, and Tracy Lederer's first hand knowledge and advice, we thought we knew what to expect on our first visit to Namibia. Certainly there were no unpleasant surprises, but nothing could prepare us for the direct experience of the wide clear blue skies, the open empty roads, the variety of spectacular scenery and wildlife, the consistently high standard of accommodation and cuisine, and the friendly welcome of the people.

Even the guys who hassled you at petrol stops to buy carved makalani palm nut key rings, or lumps of mineral, or a two-euro coin in exchange for Namibian dollars, did so with a smile. Incidentally, the cheapest makalani nuts we found on offer were 19N$ at Peter's Antiques in Swakopmund.

All the arrangements worked without a hitch, including the car hire. We have commented separately about how pleased we were with the choice of the Nissan X-Trail 2WD vehicle.

What to add ?

Namibia is in the same time zone as British Summer Time, but in June the sun rises at about 6:30 and sets at 5:30, so we certainly had to adjust our waking and sleeping times to make the most of the daylight.

We bought some souvenirs in Swakopmund and obtained a VAT receipt with the intention of reclaiming a modest amount in Windhoek, only to find that it would be paid by bank transfer and to make out the claim we needed our bank sort code and account number, which of course we didn't have with us.

We'll know about that next time, and we are determined there will be a next time. In fact, as we watched the sun sink below the horizon at Cape Cross we mused if we could ask Expert Africa for season tickets.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No, just keep doing what you do so well." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Namibia. It all worked very well although we did feel that perhaps for the chosen itinerary it would have benefited from an extra two days. For instance - in the Keetmanstoop area your website suggests visiting the Quiver Tree Forest & Giant's Playground - but there simply was not enough time to do this as we arrived late afternoon and had to leave early the following morning.

Despite this we both felt that the trip had been very well thought out and superbly organised., Most importantly we felt well protected under the umbrella of Expert Africa. It was good to hear at our first stay in Windhoek what a reliable firm you are!!!!

We would most certainly recommend Expert Africa to anyone wanting to visit Namibia.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Perhaps some written information about what is 'doable' in the time around the various camps/hotels.

I asked for approximate journey times between destinations which was invaluable.........maybe include those as part of your service. It is hard to work those out when you are used to travelling on paved roads!!!!

Maybe it would be worth offering two standards of accommodation in locations where that would be possible." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip

"fabulous. excellent. we had a brilliant time. everything that was booked worked out well with no hiccups. turnstone tours trip was brilliant. we had a memorable anniversary day complete with a picnic on top of a sand dune. our guide Ernst was very informative and made the day special. also thanks to kerr and downey at okuti for the champagne in our room on arrival.

thanks to maruska for all the help in organising the trip and sorting out the problems caused by the lack of flights between Windhoek and maun." Read full review: 29 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip

"It was a great experience. Drove almost 5,000km with no punctures in 2WD SUV.

The planning and booking were made an easy experience with excellent first hand knowledge which was so helpful.

The Namibia Guide book was the most useful we have ever had with so much useful detail.......perhaps it should be suggested to help planning as there is so much useful info.

10/10 to Expert Africa

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"There is no other word than Perfect to describe my holiday. From the initial contact with Expert Africa to arriving back home.
Travelling on my own worked beyond my expectations - people were friendly and inviting.
Two things will stand out in my memory forever - spending 20 minutes within 50 meters of a black rhino and walking the trails in Damaraland with that exhilirating feeling of complete silence and vast emptiness.

A warm thank you to the whole Expert Africa team and especially to Gwynneth.
/Charlotte" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"an excellent and very diverse trip across nearly the entire country - a true adventure to remember!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"This feedback is far too long and not what you want to receive on your return from holiday when you have a million other things to do!! This is why it has taken me so long to complete after the end of the holiday. Why bother to ask about S A Airways and B A?

I have travelled with your company on several occasions and remain a great fan of the effort you take to make a holiday, to what could be a difficult area, run as smoothly as possible. This time was no exception and the following comments are for your guidance / information and in no way a criticism.

As you suggested we collected our baggage in Jo'burg and checked in again. On both occasions that we passed through Jo'burg the airport was EXCEEDINGLY busy and it was a good job that we had a 3 hour wait (as you had intimated) otherwise we would have missed the connecting flight. Anyone who was nervous of crowds and queues and delays may have felt concerned especially as a dangerous situation occurred as there was no room for passengers to alight from an escalator to join a massive queue through passport control.

Please see comments on the car at Mundulea.

When we arrived to check in at the Taj Pamodzi they asked for credit card details (which is usual in a hotel) and then asked how we were paying for the accommodation. It took over 10 minutes to convince them that we had already paid our travel agent. They had the audacity to say 'has it cleared through your bank account'. Eventually someone agreed that Expert Africa would be paying for the accommodation BUT THEY HAVE NOT YET PAID. Who was correct? At one time they wanted us to contact you before they would let us stay.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Whilst I can appreciate that you want as many good comments as possible I feel that you may miss out on the odd nugget of criticism / feedback because some like me considered giving up and are put off by the length of this feedback form.

The availability of a paper form would have been appreciated." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"very good information from expert africa

very nice lodges

everything was organized in advance so we could enjoy our vacation and get the most out of our time in africa

very nice and helpful staff (Tracy Lederer)" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip