Reviews of Shipwreck Lodge

"What an experience - incredible lodges perched on the side of the Atlantic. Great accommodation, food was excellent, lodge itself very friendly and comfortable. Staff were excellent. Bravo our guide was so helpful and friendly. We went quad biking - which was incredible- drove for about 2 hours over untouched, massive sand dunes. Also went on a scenic drive/ walk and then were met for a BBQ lunch in one of the many Wadis.
However it does take a day to get there - long drive but really did feel like an adventure." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia

"We really wanted spend time near the wild Skeleton Coast and Shipwreck Lodge fit the bill for us. We were surprised at the luxury of the quirky rooms, very comfortable, spacious, great shower, comfy bed, warm wood heater and view to the Atlantic in the distance. Enjoyed our walk to the beach as well as our drive up the dry river valley. Mostly we wanted to spend time roaming the rocky beaches which we were able to do as we had a private guide. The food was OK to good but the hake and chips we special ordered for each of our 3 lunches was exceptional.

Shipwreck Lodge is in such a remote and isolated location it was just a joy to be there." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia

"Dominique and Christian run a tight ship here !! It is a long way but truly worth it for this once in a lifetime experience.

Rooms have glorious day beds to enjoy the views, fires and all the mod cons in this well thought out lodge in the wilderness - a very special place! Food was fabulous and some lovely extra touches.

Our guide for the three days Bravo was a very humble but charming Namibian who went out of his way to make sure our photographic needs were met !

A wonderful place with some exceptional staff that make sure you’re needs are met!" See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia

"Quite a difficult experience to review. Whilst it was surreal to stay right on the coast and the lodge was very comfortable, overall it felt a bit contrived and a little out of place. The few guests during our stay were outnumbered by regular staff and a sizeable work force patching up and renovating the very recently built lodge: evidence of the truly harsh and challenging environment here. All these staff traipsed up and back from their tented “village” discreetly out of site of the main lodge but we were forced to reflect on what must be an extremely challenging location to be employed with nothing else around. That they gave excellent, friendly service with a smile was all the more appreciated.

The dune boarding and quad biking were fun activities but probably not worth the effort and very high cost of getting to and staying at Shipwreck. The drive around the river bed and the subsequent drive to Hoanib Camp were good experiences. The undeniable plus is simply the experience of isolation and the sense of mastering nature one gets from staying in this remote and beautiful spot.

I wonder how long Shipwreck in this form will survive?" See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia

"Great location - the remoteness of the location and the coast are amazing

The staff was good, but not great.

My guide was missing the lushness and green of his previous camp and was not happy at this camp.

The facilities were nice - but it felt that the initial vision of the architect and the interior designer was not aligned" See all these reviews: 8n in Namibia

"Just amazing both with respect to design & landscape.

Very friendly and highly committed staff.

Recommend to stay 2 nights at minimum to benefit from all activities offered." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia

"Amazing location and lodge. The manager who was there during our visit was not very welcoming - probably just lack of experience. That was true for some of the employees as well. Overall an amazing lodge, but sub-par service for the high price they charge." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia

"2 nights were enough ...not a lot to see but really amazing...a place to go because so different ..." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia

"Quad biking was brilliant.

Feels like a ski lodge - nice.

Other activities involved very long drives so we didn't partake.

Rooms a bit cold and Hot water is an issue due to carbon neutral solar heating and lack of sun." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia

"What can I say? I had very high expectations given the cost, and they were exceeded. I will try to separate my comments categorically.

First the drive. There are a few ways to get to the Shipwreck Lodge, and we chose to drive. This worked well for us, but I would only recommend it for people experienced and comfortable with off-road driving, and competent in changing tires. While we were fortunate not to have a flat, this seemed to be an exception, and we stopped to help some people change a tire. It was approximately a 5 1/2 hour drive from Cape Cross to Mowe Bay on roads that got increasingly difficult as we went (smooth gravel to bumpy gravel to sandy gravel). During our entire drive we saw almost no other vehicles. The landscape was incredibly desolate but oddly beautiful. Dunes, hills, shifting colors with regular views of the ocean to our left. Bring cash to pay for the park permit at the park entrance. It was about 3 1/2 hours to Terrace Bay. Here we were able to top off the gas tank (the petrol "housing" is not obvious -- but if you don't see it just ask someone). They currently do take credit cards, but we advise bringing cash for petrol just in case. There was also a little kiosk where we could buy a coke. We ate our box lunch here before continuing on. There was a cell signal, so I emailed the lodge to say we were leaving Terrace Bay and on our way for the 3:00pm meetup. Perhaps overkill but I knew the next 2 hours would be a remote drive. Indeed, we saw no cars between Terrace and Mowe Bay. Upon arrival in Mowe Bay we weren't sure where to go -- we learned that we should park next to the little building with the Museum sign out front. Happily there was also a rest room in the building up the hill. We were met promptly at 3:00 -- with snacks and drinks -- by the super friendly guides driving 2 safari vehicles for our 1-1/2 hour drive to the actual lodge.

THE LODGE ITSELF. The creative design and decor of the lodge (both the individual "shipwreck" rooms and the main lodge) really enhanced the experience. We were in Room 10 -- the farthest from the main lodge - which meant a rather long slog along a sand path. I quite enjoyed it, but I gave up on wearing shoes in camp. Each room has a small wood deck at the entrance door with Adirondack style chairs -- perfect for sunset viewing. The main room was very spacious, with a large, comfortable bed, and a day bed that I took to using for my afternoon journal writing as I gazed out the large picture windows toward the sea. The bathroom was lovely -- a wood (teak?) shower -- completely open -- and a neat porthole window design was very pleasing. In between the two rooms was a small cubicle area with space for suitcases/gear and a small desk with coffee/tea/cookies. There was also a wood-burning stove, though we had no need to use it. The main lodge was equally appealing -- a large room split between the dining tables and a comfortable area with chairs and sofas -- books, games etc. This room also has a large stove that probably gets a lot of use. There is also a wide deck with chairs looking out to the sea.

THE STAFF. I adored the staff here. Every last person appeared genuinely friendly and happy to be there and went out of his/her way to accommodate us (although we didn't really have any special requests!) We got to know a few folks more than others who I will mention by name, but they were all wonderful. Our guide, Chris, was phenomenal -- easy-going and very knowledgeable about the whole coastline -- the flora, fauna, dunes etc. one young man, Kate (not sure of spelling), was so kind and friendly. He was often the person assigned to serve us dinner, so we enjoyed talking with him. He is Himba, and like many others, comes from a nearby town (relatively near!) to work at the lodge. Also Margaret -- who literally rushed out to greet us when we first arrived with a smile so wide it took up her entire face. The chefs are wonderful -- we enjoyed all our meals. Each meal had a choice of 2 starters, 2 entrees and 2 desserts. The staff is very well trained in their jobs. I don't think there was a single activity that we returned from -- even if it was on our own and un-guided -- when there wasn't someone waiting for us with a refreshing non-alcoholic "shot" and a cool towel.

THE LANDSCAPE AND ACTIVITIES. I fell in love with the landscape, There was great beauty in its desolation and roughness. We stayed 3 nights, so had 2 full days to explore. Our first day was my favorite because we chose for it to be relatively unstructured. In the morning we chose to walk to the ocean -- a deceivingly long journey of about 3 km each way. We went at a slow, steady but leisurely pace and it took us about an hour each way. There are sticks with buoys on top as markers to guide the way through the little hillocks and dunes (it is a rather larger dry riverbed that forms the mouth of the Hoarusib River). We saw lots of tracks -- and in the distance saw 3 oryx making their way along the sands. The ocean is rough and forlorn and beautiful with lots of ghost crabs. Because the seal population has made such a big comeback there were also a lot of dead seals -- just a heads up! As an alternative to walking there, the staff is happy to drive guests to the shore so they can take a longer walk along the beach, and then pick them up later. In the afternoon Chris took us out on the quad bikes -- for us a 45 minute tour was plenty. I highly recommend this because it really gave us a whole other feeling to be high up in the sand dunes. That evening we joined the 6pm sundowner drive which was spectacular. The next day we did the drive up the Hoarusib River Valley, which was well worth it to see the varied landscape -- lots of oryx and springbok and birds. Chris educated us on the ecology of the area, and how the sand gets there, and many other aspects of the environment. The only downside was that this journey was combined to take another family all the way to the park border so they could transfer out to the sister camp. The family was lovely and we enjoyed their company -- but it made for a much longer day in the vehicle than we would have liked.

A WORD OF WARNING. We experienced very unusual weather -- mild evenings and mornings, rather hot afternoons, clear skies and only a light breeze. In other words -- we lucked out. My understanding is that the weather can often be very cool, foggy and windy -- hence the need for woodstoves! I'm sure we would have found a way to enjoy our time there in those conditions -- but since you will have no control over that it is important to approach your visit with the expectation that the weather may be foul, and enjoy that for what it is." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia