Reviews of Kanaan Desert Retreat

"It was hard to imagine the logistics of building a place like this as well as the day to day running of it. We were blown away by the remoteness of it and yet the lodges were superb and the restaurant with “loo with a view” was above and beyond expectations.

We were one of only two couples there (a brief respite the staff assured me) so it felt like a private resort; the staff were great. I asked one what he did after working hours (6 weeks on/2 weeks off) and his reply was Netflix and when home in Windhoek he would be clubbing/socialising; I don’t know what I expected him to say…." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia; 3n in South Africa; 2n in Zimbabwe

"No welcome drink or flannel (which we were given everywhere we stayed except at the Central Lodge and the Cornerstone Guesthouse) despite being asked that it must have been a very long journey (it really was, with very bad roads!). There was also a fridge in the reception area that clearly had drinks in glasses in it but obviously for either the receptionist or other guests, not us.

No info on what there was to do.

No tea or coffee making facilities in the tent (a flask appeared that evening but we did not see it till the morning and had not been told about it) yet they expected us to pay for this in the restaurant. Anywhere else we stayed that did not have this available in the room had it free of charge in the central area. Also no afternoon tea, unlike the other proper safari Lodges.

Location of tents not suitable for those with disabilities as lots of steps to both them and the dining area.

Dinner was lovely, but at breakfast the next morning the lady stood over us like a guard while we ate, so not a very pleasant experience at all.

Nothing to do in the place except relax.

Lovely very friendly cat!" See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia

"Stunning location, but the lodge was not especially well run and the amenities weren't as good as at other lodges.

The rooms were a good size, beds comfortable and view outstanding, but without heat it was miserably cold in the evening and morning. Space heaters (not the air condition unit in the room) would have been very welcome.

The food was good at dinner with the chef making a delicious vegetarian meal for me, but breakfast was not of the best quality and very disorganized (we had to wait an hour for them to bring it out despite being told breakfast would be available from 8am, causing us to get on the road much later than desired).

We had booked a sundowner drive and it was interesting to drive through the beautiful landscape, but our guide was a bit inexperienced and at times not as professional in demeanor as other guides we'd had. For example, when we or the couple who joined us asked a question, the guide would usually pass a thick reference book back to us and ask us to look up and read about the plant, animal, bird, etc we had asked a question about. We expected him to tell us about it.

That said, he and all the staff were very friendly and kind. They also put on a lovely concert for us at dinner singing various songs typical of those their tribe would sing." See all these reviews: 20n in Namibia

"We had high hopes for this retreat as the photos were amazing. Accessing the rooms was along rough pathways so we were fortunate to be close to the main building and car park. When we got to the room we found that one of the windows had fallen out (the window frame had fallen off) so had to find someone to mend it. After about an hour we were able to get into our room and it was nice but nothing special. There were a couple of chairs and a small table on the veranda but they were very basic and not very comfortable.

The pool is near the reception which is at the bottom of the hill which you needed to drive to if you wanted to avoid a long walk. There are only 3 sunbeds and although there was a box for pool towels, it was empty and it was a long walk to reception to ask for them. Fortunately we had some in our car.

Dinner and breakfast are served in the main building and the food was good but there was no atmosphere not helped by there only being two other couples staying. Some of the furniture on the veranda of the main building needs replacing as the covers on the chairs are ripped and the sofas are grubby." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia

"Beautiful views from the tented chalet and the dining room/bar.
The tent was perfectly comfortable, with mosquito nets. In the morning oryx, springbok and large flocks of sand grouse descend on the small waterhole beneath the chalet verandas.
It is a steep descent from the car park and restaurant to the chalet, which would not suit the infirm.
The swimming pool was welcome and cold." See all these reviews: 30n in Namibia

"A bit far off the route for an overnight stop.

Poor briefing, no water in rooms, no hot water flasks as promised, access paths a bit too rough. Cabin views were fabulous.
Just felt overall like a new venture not quite settled down." See all these reviews: 10n in South Africa; 7n in Namibia

"The only slight disappointment on this trip. The tented chalets are OK, but quite small and with limited facilities due to electricity restrictions. I’m not saying it’s “basic” but it certainly isn’t “luxury in the desert”, as it is advertised. Again, nights were very cold (and obviously there’s no heating) so our thermals came in handy once more. The long paths down to our chalet (No. 5) were quite steep and gravely – OK to negotiate for us (with care), but for people who aren’t very sure on their feet (or have real mobility issues) this could be quite a problem indeed.

The main part with the dining room at the top of the site (another long climb) is too small for the lodge’s capacity, and the table layout was not made appropriate use of. So one group of travellers who arrived later for dinner the first night had to sit outside in the cold, while inside one table for four was occupied by a single traveller and three more by couples. This could have been organized better. The staff felt a bit overtaxed and stressed. Supplies were limited too: on arrival we were presented a long lunch menu – just to be informed that the only item actually available was cheese-and-ham sandwiches, so nothing for my non-meat-eating wife. That said, though, they accommodated her dietary restriction excellently at dinner.

I was less lucky; on the second evening my main course was oryx steak, which I ordered medium-well-done, but it arrived rare. I sent it back to be cooked more, but it returned medium-rare (so I only ate part of it, leaving the rare middle). Of the drinks menu, less than half of what was listed was actually available, and white wine had run out entirely on the second evening. After dinner there was some unexpected “entertainment”: three of the female kitchen staff singing a number of songs, mostly in Nama, which was intriguing to listen too. But it was basically a way of extracting extra tips. I’d like to except one staff member from all my criticism, however, namely Sharon, who was all-round lovely, with her sparkling enthusiasm making up for some of the shortcomings of the place.

We had one activity included, namely a sunset scenic drive. This was very nice though slightly marred by a couple of French kids (maybe four and six years old) constantly wittering away without a pause throughout the drive. We also booked an extra scenic drive the next morning, which was superb, this time included various animal sightings, and ended with a cool drive into the red dunes. On balance, though, I’d say a single night here would have been sufficient. Now that the two cheetahs they used to have in a large enclosure have passed away, a key attraction of Kaanan has disappeared. And since the morning drive can be done before departing, I’d advice on not staying more than one night here.

The scenery and the views are outstanding, but they’re not unique to this lodge’s location, so maybe there are better alternatives in the area." See all these reviews: 21n in Namibia

"Unbelievable location, built on the edge of a hillside overlooking miles and miles of savanah. Huts basic, with hot water only in the afternoon and evening as heated by the sun but when you're this remote, its part of the experience.

Watching the sunset and the sunrise from the hut balcony ...with animals and birds walking on the plains below. Only a few rooms which adds to the relaxed and intermitate feel. The restaurant has similar views, dinner and breakfast was excellent, staff very friendly.

Would love to go back and spend a couple of nights there." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia

"Must say the two staff - chef Claudia and hostess Sharon were exceptional - you drive to reception to collect your key and then drive up to the dining room/ lounge where you are ably looked after by the two charming individuals for drinks, dinner and breakfast.

The views and location are amazing and certainly worth the drive.

The tents are basic and would not have mentioned the word “luxury” anywhere in the description. We purposely did not have an evening shower - aware of desert location and solar tank capacity so when you only then have cold water in the morning it does not sit well !!

Silly things missed too by housekeeping - bring boiling water for morning drinks but rooms missing milk or creamer ! That said we still had a wonderful stay - all really down to the team mentioned. Food was amazing and the team even sang and danced for us after dinner!" See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia

"Beautiful remote location." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia