Reviews of safaris to Okonjima Nature Reserve

"Planned very well indeed.

Went extremely smoothly, got no unpleasant surprises with any of the properties. Number of nights in each place was spot on.

Suggestions for improvement:

None whatsover, very pleased." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Namibia. Expert Africa were excellent in organising things, and the information pack we received prior to departure was comprehensive and well presented.

We would advise anyone planning / booking such a trip to use Expert Africa, although do start planning your trip early as it takes a surprisingly long time backwards and forwards getting all accommodation choices confirmed." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"Thank you Marushka for finalisng everything - I really thought the whole trip was off, until we were passed to you and you did a spread sheet of availability of all the places we wanted to stay - I was able to put the trip together in an hour - and wow - it was great, and we loved experiencing loads of different places - thank you so much for all your quick work securing accommodation.

Everything in the guide book and the additional notes were really accurate and a great help - we held on to our luggage (just - got lost in Jo'burg but eventually turned up in time for me to put it on the next flight).

My problem now is the next holiday - how can it get any better - it was everything we wanted and more - Marushka I'm relying on you to suggest something!!!!! If it hadn't been for |Marushka taking up my case then we wouldn't have made the trip this September, and maybe wouldn't have done it at all - we had made out commitment to Expert Africa by sending a cheque for £900 deposit before we had anything booked - hope Marushka gets some reward for her efforts.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service

Offer customers spread sheets of accommodation availabilty if it is difficult to put a trip together, otherwise you could lose them. I realise it changes all the time but it worked for us eventually." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"A very satisfactory trip including both holiday and some preliminary evaluation of a comparative anatomy project. Apart from the problems with the air travel,which could hardly have been foreseen, the planning of this trip was very straight foreward and the negotiations with CCF went extremely well. We were always kept informed and the final cost of the trip was very close to our original budget.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

This is the most difficult question you have asked and we cannot think of anything so far. Very sad to hear that Maruska has left, who will organise our next trip?

Expert Africa responds

Maruska has sadly left the UK office to set up an Expert Africa satelite office in her home country - New Zealand. She is still reachable by email and will remain very much part of Expert Africa. However, for ease of contact, she recommends that all our UK travellers contact one of her very able colleagues at Expert Africa by phone or email - whilst she will be concentrating more on our travellers who live in Australasia and North America." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"After 12 years since my last visit, there is a danger that perhaps I was seeing Namibia through rose-tinted lenses, but no. It came up to all my expectations and did not disappoint me at all.

One point, I gave a few hitchhikers a lift, but I was unsure if this invalidated my car insurance policy. Perhaps, you mention this in the materials you send but it might be made clearer, even if this may mean that some people will choose not to give lifts in the future, which would be a pity.

Suggestions for improvements:

Yes just one and it is not said in anger. At Okahandja at the largest of the two sets of stalls at either end of the town that sell carvings, trinkets, etc, the level from which one had to bargain was ridiculous. I wanted 4 items of moderate size and value, and the opening price from the young stall holder was $1,200. I eventually left with the goods having paid 450 Namibian dollars, and I'm sure the stall holder wasn't losing money even at that price.

I met two touring couples at a cafe right opposite the site shortly afterwards who asked me about the place. After I told them, they refused to go there! Setting such very high initial prices for items that are frankly not worth the equivalent of £100 not only is far too greedy but not even in the interests of the stall holders since I think their attitudes may deter some tourists. In any event, your customers should be warned about what they can expect if they 'go shopping' there." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip

"We on the whole enjoyed our holiday apart from the stay of Sossus Dune Lodge.

We would suggest Expert Africa check out the service before sending any guest to them. Or at least a word of warning to them if they insist of staying there." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"We have travelled to Botswana and South Africa with Expert Africa 6 times now and are already planning our 2010 edition. This was another example of how to tailor a holiday for clients ensuring that they have the holiday that suits them.

More used to Botswana there were differences but while we could not see all of Namibia in the time available Sabina ensured what we did see was the best available. We had numerous experiences in our short stay in this amazing country - mountains, desert, classic mopane bush and high veldt. We saw so many wonderful animals and birds and were looked after quite royally. Another terrific holiday.

Thank you and we look forward to you looking after us many more times in the future.

Suggestions for improvements:

We think the Expert Africa product is second to none and we never fail to sell you to people interested in Africa. We have already mailed you about the outstanding co-ordination you set up to re-arrange our flights home when we were fogged in in Damaraland. Just what we have come to expect of a great company. As to Namibia just a few general observations:

Can you ask Wilderness Safaris to see if they can dissuade their camp managers from always feeling they have to talk to us if we are alone. Sometimes it is nice just to sit and enjoy the place in peace and quiet.

Wilderness and Okonjima in Namibia seem to overlook the added value to a game drive of stopping for morning coffee. Works in the Okavango why not in Namibia?

Finally, it might be worth reminding travellers to Namibia that much of the north of the country is several thousand feet above sea level with very low humidity. Plays havoc with sensitive sinuses but makes one very fit!!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"We loved Namibia. The people, animals, landscape etc. After our tour fell through with Jules Verne we were a bit apprehensive but you were so helpful and reassuring and we felt that we could manage the Self Drive. [Ed: these travellers booked a trip to Africa with a tour operator, which fell through. Then they came to us, to help them swiftly create a trip!]

We found some of the gravel roads in the Namib/Naukluft area poor - particularly the D854 where we had a puncture. Hot and heavy work changing the wheel but we managed it. Puncture No 2 outside Walvis Bay was changed rapidly by a farmer and his son. We should have liked longer but our main holiday was in the Cape. We liked the feeling of frienliness and confidence in the people which must come with their independence. Enjoyed doing our own thing particularly in Etosha - 3 nights wqs just right." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip

"After the trip, we think that we spend 1 or 2 days to much in Caprivi strip ( where it is not a lot to see) . These 1 or 2 days would be very useful in Etosha park, I mean in a lodge situated in the park (Halali for instance) in order to see game at dusk (we had to leave the park before 6 pm). Or in the waterberg region. Or in the Namib desert. Or in the south of Namibia (Lüderitz).

Despite of that point it was an extraordinary trip. The advices, the services and and the effectiveness of expert africa were excellent too.

I would like also to say that we appreciate the "Olive grove" in Windhoek : excellent on all points (location, food, room ...)." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip

"Wonderful trip. Namibia is a great place for a holiday. It has amazing scenery and wildlife, excellent accomodation and a good road network. We found traveling around by car easy and safe.

There is very little traffic, even on the major roads. Any problems we did have, mainly punctures, were quickly solved. Even though we were there in the main tourist season none of the places we visited seemed crowded.

Suggestions for improvements:

No. Tracey gave us excellent advice when we were planning our trip and very helpfully answered our numerous questions." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 25 on a Namibia trip