Reviews of safaris to Skeleton Coast & Kaokoland
207 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Skeleton Coast.
R & B
London
"Our March 2016 trip to Namibia"
I visited Namibia between 18 Mar 2016 and 22 Mar 2016
"We were in Namibia for two weeks, and only the one night at Doro Nawas and three nights at Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp were booked through Expert Africa.
The trip overall was terrific, but Doro Nawas and Hoanib were particularly so. In addition, we travelled south to Fish River Canyon, Aus and Luderitz. We stayed at the Fish River Lodge, on the rim of the Canyon, and at the Eagle's Nest Chalets in Aus. Both properties were unique and nice, even if not to Doro Nawas and Hoanib standards. That being said, however, I can't imagine better places to stay in those areas, and I would recommend them to people traveling to those areas.
This was our second trip to Namibia. We loved the country so much the first time--its diverse natural beauty, climate, people and pace--that we wanted to return to see the main parts we didn't get to see on our first visit. We are constantly recommending it to people.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We had outstanding service the entire time, so thank you. And we will definitely be in touch when we plan our next trip to Africa. On a minor note, I wish we had known flying Wilderness Air from Windhoek to Doro Nawas/Hoanib was an option, but it never came up." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 4 on a Namibia trip
The trip overall was terrific, but Doro Nawas and Hoanib were particularly so. In addition, we travelled south to Fish River Canyon, Aus and Luderitz. We stayed at the Fish River Lodge, on the rim of the Canyon, and at the Eagle's Nest Chalets in Aus. Both properties were unique and nice, even if not to Doro Nawas and Hoanib standards. That being said, however, I can't imagine better places to stay in those areas, and I would recommend them to people traveling to those areas.
This was our second trip to Namibia. We loved the country so much the first time--its diverse natural beauty, climate, people and pace--that we wanted to return to see the main parts we didn't get to see on our first visit. We are constantly recommending it to people.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We had outstanding service the entire time, so thank you. And we will definitely be in touch when we plan our next trip to Africa. On a minor note, I wish we had known flying Wilderness Air from Windhoek to Doro Nawas/Hoanib was an option, but it never came up." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 4 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs F
Ealing
"Everything went to plan!"
I visited Namibia and 3 other countries between 4 Jan 2016 and 5 Feb 2016
"We had a complicated itinerary lasting just over a month and taking in everything from mountain gorillas in Rwanda to desert rhinos in Namibia.
Expert Africa lived up to their name and advised on the best itinerary, booked everything including most of the more important treks and tours, the guide in Rwanda and the self-drive 4x4 in Namibia and of course flights. We started with a thick book of vouchers with a lot of scope for things not to work. In the event every single booking worked perfectly, the itinerary was reasonably easy to keep to and we had an absolutely wonderful and memorable trip staying without exception at interesting and comfortable hotels and lodges.
Thanks again Tracy for organising it for us!.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just keep up the good work! We will be back!
It would be good to have more transparency on the costs of the trip - i.e. a breakdown of how the trip was costed so we knew the relative costs of different hotels and lodges. When reporting on the different places we stayed we were uncertain as to how their costs compared and clearly it is not reasonable to expect as much from low cost places as from the most expensive ones.
Lastly a small criticism of this feedback form is that there is no obvious way to navigate back to the beginning other than to click """"back to previous page"""" over and over again. The tabs on the left side bar don't seem to do anything. When two people are filling this in, as in our case, we needed to go backwards and forewords a few times. Otherwise it is a nice form to fill in." Read full review: 32 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
Expert Africa lived up to their name and advised on the best itinerary, booked everything including most of the more important treks and tours, the guide in Rwanda and the self-drive 4x4 in Namibia and of course flights. We started with a thick book of vouchers with a lot of scope for things not to work. In the event every single booking worked perfectly, the itinerary was reasonably easy to keep to and we had an absolutely wonderful and memorable trip staying without exception at interesting and comfortable hotels and lodges.
Thanks again Tracy for organising it for us!.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just keep up the good work! We will be back!
It would be good to have more transparency on the costs of the trip - i.e. a breakdown of how the trip was costed so we knew the relative costs of different hotels and lodges. When reporting on the different places we stayed we were uncertain as to how their costs compared and clearly it is not reasonable to expect as much from low cost places as from the most expensive ones.
Lastly a small criticism of this feedback form is that there is no obvious way to navigate back to the beginning other than to click """"back to previous page"""" over and over again. The tabs on the left side bar don't seem to do anything. When two people are filling this in, as in our case, we needed to go backwards and forewords a few times. Otherwise it is a nice form to fill in." Read full review: 32 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs W
Belgium
"Exceptional trip"
I visited Namibia between 26 Dec 2015 and 16 Jan 2016
"We had a truly amazing 3 week trip through Namibia. We were really happy to have chosen a self drive and felt perfectly safe and in control at all times. The views and vastness are indescribable and the places we stayed at were amazing and different each time. Our highlights were Hoanib in the Skeleton Coast, Fish River Lodge and watching the sun rise over Sossusvlei.
The weather in January was perfectly fine and we only had rain 1-2 at night. However as the rains had come, the animals in Etosha were less visible. Driving was also fairly straightforward.
Overall, very well organized by Tracy and we definitely hope to go back again!" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip
The weather in January was perfectly fine and we only had rain 1-2 at night. However as the rains had come, the animals in Etosha were less visible. Driving was also fairly straightforward.
Overall, very well organized by Tracy and we definitely hope to go back again!" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
PG Wales
UK
"My Nov 2015 trip"
I visited Namibia between 2 Nov 2015 and 17 Nov 2015
"An outstanding trip that exceeded all our expectations of scenery, animals, accomodation and welcome.
All the guides were good, but Francois at Hoanib and Suama at Kulala were outstanding - perhaps the best guides we ever have had. Francois in particular was keen to go the extra mile to make our trip special." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
All the guides were good, but Francois at Hoanib and Suama at Kulala were outstanding - perhaps the best guides we ever have had. Francois in particular was keen to go the extra mile to make our trip special." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr S & Mrs J
Surrey
"My Oct 2015 trip"
I visited Namibia between 18 Oct 2015 and 26 Oct 2015
"The trip was great and all the arrangements went very smoothly.
The only thing that could have been improved would have been for a room request to have been made for Ongava. Clearly, the best rooms are no 1 & no 2 which look over the waterhole. We did have a front row room (no 5) which had a nice outlook and much better than the upper level rooms, but it would have been even better to look over the waterhole." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
The only thing that could have been improved would have been for a room request to have been made for Ongava. Clearly, the best rooms are no 1 & no 2 which look over the waterhole. We did have a front row room (no 5) which had a nice outlook and much better than the upper level rooms, but it would have been even better to look over the waterhole." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs B
Hampshire
"6th trip, and best ever!"
I visited Namibia between 16 Oct 2015 and 3 Nov 2015
"Thanks Tracy for organising such a fabulous trip, it all went like clockwork, and was so well thought out, thanks to EA we seemed to get the best rooms, in several places, in fact another guest asked how we managed it!
All the stays suited us perfectly, we really felt that it was all tailored perfectly for us.
The trip guide was really helpful, and the guide book well used." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
All the stays suited us perfectly, we really felt that it was all tailored perfectly for us.
The trip guide was really helpful, and the guide book well used." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
W Party
Chorleywood
"My Oct 2015 trip"
I visited Namibia between 13 Oct 2015 and 28 Oct 2015
"Marvellous!
Our comments derive from our considerable experience of travel in many parts of Africa and we rate this trip as one of the best we have ever done. The Schoeman safari, in particular, was awe-inspiring." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
Our comments derive from our considerable experience of travel in many parts of Africa and we rate this trip as one of the best we have ever done. The Schoeman safari, in particular, was awe-inspiring." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs V
UK
"A month in 2015"
I visited Namibia between 15 Sep 2015 and 15 Oct 2015
"If we went back I would go or 3 weeks not 4 and skip the part south of Swakopmond.
Wolwedans not worth the premium. Sossusvlei over-hyped.
Country excellent and the locals very helpful. Stunning scenery.
Africat / Okonjima, Etendeka and Skeleton Coast were highlights
Martha was a star. Shame she's not there any longer." Read full review: 30 nights in Africa; 27 on a Namibia trip
Wolwedans not worth the premium. Sossusvlei over-hyped.
Country excellent and the locals very helpful. Stunning scenery.
Africat / Okonjima, Etendeka and Skeleton Coast were highlights
Martha was a star. Shame she's not there any longer." Read full review: 30 nights in Africa; 27 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr A
Berkshire
"Namibia is a must see."
I visited Namibia between 11 Sep 2015 and 21 Sep 2015
"An amazing trip to an amazing country. All of the air and road transfers on my complex itinerary worked without a hitch.
Best place was Hoanib Skeleton Camp, location, quality of accommodation, food and service were all excellent, closely followed by Desert Rhino Camp for the experience and amazing scenery on the safari drives. I wouldn't rush back to visit Windhoek and I certainly wouldn't bother staying at River Crossing which although set in lovely location was pretty average.
Namibia deserves great recognition for its landscapes and its wildlife; fabulous place to visit." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
Best place was Hoanib Skeleton Camp, location, quality of accommodation, food and service were all excellent, closely followed by Desert Rhino Camp for the experience and amazing scenery on the safari drives. I wouldn't rush back to visit Windhoek and I certainly wouldn't bother staying at River Crossing which although set in lovely location was pretty average.
Namibia deserves great recognition for its landscapes and its wildlife; fabulous place to visit." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs P
W Midlands
"Trip of a lifetime (so far!)"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 7 Sep 2015 and 13 Oct 2015
"It was a long holiday, covering huge distances and including 3 countries.
We first contacted you with a rough itinerary, which was much improved by Tracy's many suggestions and her acceptance that I was trying to keep costs down for the bulk of the trip. You booked us into 15 different places to stay and all were very acceptable, with most good/excellent." Read full review: 36 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
We first contacted you with a rough itinerary, which was much improved by Tracy's many suggestions and her acceptance that I was trying to keep costs down for the bulk of the trip. You booked us into 15 different places to stay and all were very acceptable, with most good/excellent." Read full review: 36 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
207
reviews of Skeleton Coast by travellers since August 2007
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Where to stay in Skeleton Coast
Our suggestions for safari camps in Skeleton Coast & Kaokoland
Cape Cross Lodge
Right on the Skeleton Coast, between Swakopmund and Damaraland, Cape Cross Lodge has easy access to Cape Cross Seal Reserve.
Hoanib Skeleton Camp
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is actually situated 42km inland in Kaokoland, this said they offer a superb guided day trip to the coast.
Terrace Bay
Terrace Bay is bleak. However, those that stay here come to experience the remote and inhospitable nature of the Skeleton Coast.
Serra Cafema
The luxurious Serra Cafema is in the most remote corner of Namibia - at the north end of Hartmann's Valley, across the Kunene River from Angola.
Skeleton Coast Safaris
Skeleton Coast Safaris is a small, family-run operation that has organised inspirational trips to this remote area of Namibia for nearly 50 years.
Hoanib Valley Camp
The intimate and remote Hoanib Valley Camp offers a rare chance to explore this dramatic corner of Namibia and to search for its sparse desert-adapted wildlife.
Shipwreck Lodge
The only property on this desolate stretch of coastline, the extraordinary Shipwreck Lodge opens up a new section of the Skeleton Coast National Park
Opuwo Country Lodge
Opuwo Country Hotel provides comfortable accommodation is well situated for a night's stop before travelling into remote parts of Kaokoland.
Epupa Camp
Epupa Camp is a welcoming oasis set on the palm-fringed banks of the Kunene River in north-west Namibia and close to Epupa Falls.
Leylandsdrift Camp
Used exclusively on the second night of a Skeleton Coast Safari, Leylandsdrift is in a beautiful location and is a good place to track desert-adapted elephants.
Kunene River Camp
Used exclusively on the final night of a Skeleton Coast Safari, the simple Kunene River Camp occupies a dramatic riverside location with some excellent birding.
Okahirongo Ele. Lodge
Tucked away in Namibia's far northwest Okahirongo Elephant Lodge offers luxurious chalets, with stunning views and plenty of activities.
Kuidas Camp
Usually the first-night stop on a Schoeman Skeleton Coast safari, Kuidas is a very simple camp with stunning views of the Huab River valley.
