Namibia: reviews from our travellers

"A country of great scenic contrast, with the constant factor being the warm and friendly greeting of the people you meet." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"It was great and lived up to our/my hopes. The ONLY problem was at Okaukuelo which certainly worried my wife at the time." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"It was a fabulous holiday Namibia can offer such a variety of experiences and scenery that you can't help but be impressed. The people were lovely and the weather just right not too hot but sunny almost all of the time. I would have no hesitation in recommending Namibia or Expert Africa to anyone.

We would like to add here some comments about our activities in Swakomund as they were independant from Sam's Giardino and deserve a mention.

The Sandwich Harbour trip was great - run by Turnstone Tours - we paddled in the pools on the beach amongst the flamingoes, pelicans and damarland terns etc the birdlife was stunning, the drive through the dunes was exillerating and the lunch delicious - Namibians are very good at picnics.

The "Little 5" trip was equally good it was amazing to see so much wildlife in the desert - Chris our guide was very entertaining and probably mad! Namibia also seems to bred some eccentrics!

We had a lovely meal at The Tug three courses and wine for thirty pounds!!

However, there has to be a few buts !

We didn't feel that the Toyota Corolla was really man enough for Namibian roads, the exhaust sounded pretty dodgy on occasions and part of the bumper fell out - a vehicle that was higher would be better.

Although we survived to tell the tale, we felt on hindsight that we should have had a satellite phone, our mobiles didn't work every where. A german couple we came across with a damaged sump would have been in trouble if an Italian family with a satelite phone hadn't turned up and helped them - we think it may be something you should recommend.

Fish River Canyon was pleasant, but it could have been missed out of the trip and another day in Swakopmund would have meant we could have done the boat trip from Walvis Bay too - fellow travellers raved about it. We also suspect the flights too and from the canyon added quite a lot to the price of the trip. Despite these little grips it was still great." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"An amazing country, with friendly, helpful people.

The geography is phenominal and all the lodges we stayed in compimented it.

Thoroughly recommended." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"My goals were to show my grandaughter:

1. conservation efforts in southern Africa,
2.a glimpse of how average people live/work in rural and urban areas,
3. some of the geology and animals of Namibia and Botswana.

All goals met and we had a wonderful time!!!

The only thing that didn't work out was that I did not realize that virtually none of the shops/restaurants in either countrywould accept American Express credit cards. Even at the airports! I had allowed enough cash for gasoline, camp tips and misc but was relying on my AMEX card for the bulk of shopping and meals. This made for a very tight trip, especially at the end in Windhoek where we totally ran out of cash.

Please let people know which credit cards are accepted in these two countries!" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"We learnt so much about Africa on this trip but through our experiences we also learnt some new things about ourselves.

The time spent at Swakopmund was a welcome break from the rigours of travelling by jeep. Okinjima equally offered the perfect balance. If we had to change one thing it would be the trip to Linyanti which was probably one safari too much. However if we had then we would have missed the buffalo, lion kill ......" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 2 on a Namibia trip

"Maruska was absolutely excellent and came back to us very quickly with an answer to every question we asked. The itinerary was perfect and we wouldn't have changed anything.

All the details which make a difference had been sorted out - I can't tell you how much nicer it is to find hotels expecting you to be a vegetarian than having to explain it at each venue as if they don't know.

The information you gave us in the form of maps and directions was also amazingly thorough." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"The service form expert africa has been excellent and Sabina has been a mine of help and information to us. She has done everything we asked for and kept us in touch every step of the way. I have already recommended you to other friends and would use you again without hestitation.

Your brochure itself is worth having just to look at and gives an accurate and enticing description of what we have seen.

There is really only one thing I would have changed and that was the car. Technically you are right to say that it is manageable in a 2wd car. It would however have been so much more comfortable in a 4wd. We had no punctures and no breakdowns but the bumping and shaking on the rougher gravel roads was testing if only worying about shaking the car to bits.

As for Namibia it lived up to and exceeded all our expectations. Neither of us wanted to come bcak to England the holiday was that good. The scenery is so varied and the people so friendly that I would go back any time. Like many we have hundreds of photographs and hours of video so that I can make my own DVD to remind us of a fabulous time." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip

"This was a trip of a lifetime and we can't thank the staff who dealt with us enough - The childen loved it (9 and 13) I shall recommend Namibia to all our friends. It was a marvellous trip.

Maruska got the trip absolutely right for us and could not have been more helpful and efficient.

I shall certainly use expert Africa again." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"To experience Namibia to its full we drove alot of miles, nearly 2000. The people were friendly and very welcoming.

We were glad we arragned for an extra spare tyre even though it was not needed. We did however meet other tourists who did experience punctures & had to have tyres repaired.

Sabina was extremely heplful when planning the trip." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip