Namibia: reviews from our travellers

"A wonderful trip. We have excellent advice and service from Sabina at Expert Africa - thoroughly recommended. Namibia is a perfect place for an active holiday - dramatic landscapes, friendly people and a huge range of wildlife.

Thank you." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip

"Expert Africa were the Experts for us. We had a vague idea it would be good to go to Namibia - had read the guidebooks but needed Gwynneth to really sort us out and she provided us with a tour of Namibia which encompassed many fantastic experiences of a wonderful country with great people.

When we tell people about the holiday they are surprised, intrigued, interested. It was one of the safest and most relaxing holidays of our experience and we have been a few places.

If you are interested in going to Africa - Namibia has it all - go!" Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip

"The trip exceeded our expectations in every way. The tourist infrastructure in Namibia is outstanding, with the quality of the hotels, courtesy of the people and maintenance of the roads putting much of the UK and Europe to shame.

This was not a cheap holiday, but we felt that it was money well spent and would love to return. We saw and photographed far more than we had expected and this will provide us with many wonderful memories for the future.

We found that we used much more cash on the trip than expected. Fuel is now N$8 to N$9 per litre meaning that refilling tank was around N$400 at each petrol station (6 fills for 3000km). No petrol station we visited accepted cards. Needed more cash for tips, park entry fees etc than anticipated. Had informed our UK bank that we were travelling to Namibia, but they still blocked debit card as soon as it was used in ATM. They left message on UK phone to ring them back -not a lot of help in Namibia!

Fortunately credit card remained functional (had phoned their security dept before leaving rather than relying on website link). Initially took GDP£400 in SA rand, but took out further N$6000 to cover expenses en route. Had to draw this over three days in Swakopmund as ATMs seemed reluctant to give too much in one go. Banks close at 3.30 in afternoon, so not easy to access them if out on trips." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"We can only laud praise on Expert Africa for the superb service which you have provided. Sabina was most patient and helpful in assisting us plan, and then in meeting our changing demands and requests. The advice she gave us, and the itinerary and accommodation she recommended were all absolutely faultless. We were particularly impressed that she continued to monitor waiting lists and was willing to change our accommodation long after our final confirmation and payment of the holiday.

We met many people along the way, and we think we had, withot doubt, the best operator!! We will unreservedly recommend Expert Africa to others and doubtless use you again when we next want to visit Africa. Our whole holiday has been a wonderful experience, and as well travelled people, we have found Expert Africa, second to none.

Thank you very very much!!! When our car broke down we were impressed with the way in which you telephoned us at the earliest opportunity, at Fish River Canyon to check we were OK and then sorted out an appropriate compensation from Europcar, which was waiting for us on our return.

Suggestions for improvement:

You are doing an axcellent job - I can add nothing as there was nothing in which you did not impress us!!" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"This really was a super trip - not cheap, but your recommendations were all good and the accommodation and services surpassed expectations.

We though it was a great experince and just wish we had a bit more time. Howevr, I'm sure we'll be back before long to explore other parts of the country and Botswana as well.

We enjoyed the Sefofane flights (and could not have done the trip in the time without them), but it was also nice to do some driving ourselves which allowed us to stop in real towns and interact with real people - just flying between luxury lodges for a whole trip would give a rather limited experience of the country.

Suggestions for improvement:

Not really - we were overall very pleased and impressed with the trip you had arranged for us, based on my initial rather vague thoughts." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"A wonderful country of huge interest and contrasts we had the holiday of a lifetime and a lifetime of a holiday! Thank you Expert Africa." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"We (2 adults, children 11 and 10) had a great time. We had been to Namibia in 1995 and found it really quite unchanged for the most part. Highlights were Etendeka, the dunes at Sossussvlei, the kayaking trip with the seals at Walvis Bay with Jeanne Meintjes and some of our sightings in Etosha, including 8 lions and a cheetah. By the end of the holiday we were already making lists of places we would go to next time (Northern Damaraland, Caprivi Strip etc)

We would rate Namibia as a great first time destination in Africa for those who are allergic to package tourism and want to be independent, and don't mind a bit of driving (we did just less than 2000 miles in 15 days, which I would guess is not unrepresentative)" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"Hate questionnaires and my t is overcooked!
always glad to help" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 12 on a South Africa trip

"Our best holiday for a very long time, exceeding our expectations in almost every area.

The advice provided was extremely helpful and the descriptions provided on the website and in the Brandt guide were almost universally accurate.

The marked-up route maps were particularly appreciated.

Suggestions for improvement:

Put the bit about plastic bags to protect the luggage from dust in block capitals! We did but some others were less well informed.

Where can you get adaptors which fit the 3 round pin plugs - not everywhere has a European standard alternative?" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"As a whole,this trip was a holiday of a lifetime. With the help of Expert Africa, we enjoyed our exploration of this beautiful country. Our total journey was 3400 km, but we did not unduly feel we were tied to the vehicle. We were happy that our planned route was in a clockwise direction, as it left the high points towards the end of the holiday (including hotter temperatures!). Unfortunately, we missed a key activity (ballooning over the dunes) due to high winds and we also hit an extremely cold winter snap. We enjoyed seeing the towns/villages and spending some time in them.

One point I would like to stress is that these lodges are mostly built to provide cool accommodation in summer, and therefore can be bitterly cold and draughty in winter. Visitors could perhaps be given more warning to pack winter clothing. Restaurant staff are wearing anoraks - ours were at home!

We did not appreciate open plan toilets or sharing a dinner table with people we had little in common with.

We found the guide book by Chris extremely helpful and appreciated all other documents." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip