Reviews of safaris to Okonjima Nature Reserve

"We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Namibia and have been recommending it to friends. It is great that the country lends itself to being able to drive yourself around on your own schedule and taking in the sights you want to see on your own terms.

I was most impressed with Expert Africa. Their professionalism and detailed knowledge was self evident. I would say that they have been the best agents I have dealt with for suggestions and putting a schedule in place very efficiently. I normally spend much time researching options, but I was comfortable in trusting EA which proved to be right decision.

I was very late in approaching EA to organise our trip. However, it was put together efficiently and we pretty much got what we wanted. Only when we were there did we fully appreciate how lucky we were to get what we wanted. Others had spent months organising their trip and EA put it together in a matter of days really.

The brochure and book was very good in laying out the options available and what could be achieved in the time available. The book is well written. Others we met who had read other guide books rated it the best.

I think you are doing a great job. Many thanks for your wonderful help." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"The whole trip was a terrific experience only marred by minor things which could so easily have been avoided.

We only saw Etosha and Damaraland but this wet our appetites to see more of a marvellous country." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"The trip went almost without a hitch ( Roys restcamp was a bit of a hitch!) and every day brought a new small adventure." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"Despite the series of reservations expressed above [Ed: see individual camp reviews - follow the links below!], our experience as a whole was entirely positive. This is a wonderful country with resources of considerable potential. Our aspiration was to see and do - animal life, bird life in abundance; the beauty and power of the desert, the rich scale of the Okavango, the variety and suprise of Etosha, the charm and challenge of the San people.

We were privileged to have been and seen, and, for the most part, in exceptional settings and charming cirumstances.

To avoid your feeling too complacent ... flight instructions for the return journey showed two times of departure - 1940 and 2040.

But, if that's all I can find to complain about - and it's hardly that - then I think you have every reason to feel pretty pleased with your organisation. Expert Africa is so much more apt and expressive than Sunvil; 'Expert' you deserve." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 25 on a Namibia trip

"Thank you for all your help and advice in advance of the holday and for booking us into such lovely places (apart from kulala lodge where i hope the level of service improves). I thought the the time we spent in Etosha was fabulous and i cant believe the amount of game we saw there, seeing cheetah and a leopard at okinjuima was fantastic too and we really enjoyed all the driving as it gave us a chance to see the changing landscape.

I was impressed with the state of the roads and would thoroughly recommend driving to anyone who asked about this. The main reason I wanted to go to Namibia was to see the dunes, which did not dissapoint, and we went on a light aircraft flight over them to see the extent, stunning.

It was a fantastic holiday and i plan to return - and will spend more time at Erongo and go back to wolwedans dune lodge for definite." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"would repeat trip with some small changes" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"This was the wrong holiday at the wrong time. Christine and I had just sold our business, a manufacturing company employing 70 staff. In April, approx 6 months after booking this trip, we were contacted by our American competitors who made us a good offer for the business. Knowing we were going away in September we stipultaed that we wanted to complete by the end of August to give us sufficient time to arrange things and wind down from the stress of the sale. We eventually completed 2 days before leaving for Namibia and were in no fit state for this type of trip. As a result all sorts of things went wrong, which taken in isolation were insignificant, but added together spoilt the entire trip. Some have already been mentioned.

If we hadn't been so stressed and tired the driving may not have been such an issue, though I have already stated that I underestimated the distances. What I thought would be 2-hour drives were in fact 4 or 5 hour drives. The road conditions were also poor. Even the tarred roads are now in need of repair.

One other point we would like to mention concerns the fax Tracy sent to Pelican Bay. She stated that Ai Aiba is not the sort of lodge to fuss over clients. We're not sure where she gets that impression from. Neither Christine nor I expect people to fuss over us. In fact the opposite is true. All we really want is to be left alone, which is why we organised our own self drive rather than go with a group. As photographers we want the flexibility to wait around for the right moment to take stunning photographs rather than take snap shots.

Finally both Christine and I would like to thank Expert Africa and Tracy for all their help and assistance, especially when things went wrong during our stay." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"We loved the country and landscape and would like to go back to do more camping and discover new areas." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"Very, very good. I still cannot believe how smoothly it all went. Apart from Epacha Lodge ( a night necessitated by lack of accommodation elsewhere) it was all at exactly the level that we wanted - miraculously Tracey somehow managed to discern this from my ramblings!

Only during the last couple of days of the holiday did I notice that mobile and home numbers are provided for Expert Africa staff - amazing!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much." Read full review: 29 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"We found the trip to be very interesting with lots to learn and find.

Namibian peoplewe met are a delight to talk to and be with. They are proud of their country and are very knowledgeable. They are keen to learn and are most welcoming and helpful. There is a lot to see and the accommodations are excellent. We have now seen all the big five game and were thrilled to see game at close quarters.

Distances are long and tiring, as are the gravel roads. Careful consideration of vehicle to use is important and we feel 4x4's are essential for peace of mind. Organisation of the trip was generally very good and we enjoyed the experience." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 22 on a Namibia trip