Reviews of safaris to Southern Namibia

"We had a superb trip to Namibia seeing nearly all that we missed on a previous visit. Our eyes were opened to the diversity of the country and we feel privileged to have travelled through the places and met the people that we did.

All the accomodation was good, some moreso than others but in general the level of service was high in all instances.

Value for money could not be bettered.

Distances to be covered were well within our capacity and presented no problems. We found several interesting side roads to take especially the D707 from Sinclair Guest Farm to Aus (recommended by Peter and very picturesque} and the road from Bagatelle to Kalkrand {through the dunes}. Amazingly empty roads made driving a pleasure.

The friendliness of the local people and their helpfulness was evident to see and reassuring when you are travelling in a foreign country.

Only one incident with a female police officer jarred. We were stopped outside Otjirawongo for speeding and were told that a fine would have to be paid of N$100 but that she did not have any receipts so we would have to return to Otavi, an hours drive back.As I was not keen to drive back I elected to pay her without a receipt but only had N$70 in small notes. This she accepted without turning a hair. There was no ticket produced so I can only assume she made a profit! We were later told that the police only tend to operate speed traps within 20 km of towns so why go back to Otavi?

That aside we would like to thank Sabina for all her help and hard work in making our trip the success it was.

The company would certainly get a glowing recommendation from us if we were to be asked" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"Overall, the trip was excellent. Camps are all different in style but up to a point that is fun and interesting. Inevitably, some aspects don't meet one's personal ideal but only at Waterberg did I hear another guest volunteer any criticism (of the dim religious lighting!). Guides and availability of game also varied but every site produced enough new species and sights to keep our interest up. Total 30 mammals and 152 bird species.

As our first trip had been with a small group from the UK travelling with CCAfrica, we had not realised that Brits are only 7% of the tourists, the great majority being German, tho we also met Italians and French. Everyone was excellent company and this was itself a significant part of the pleasure and success of the trip.

Driving entalied some long hot days but was not tiring compared with the M25, say. We helped one Damara family whose old car had died by taking them to the Uis township to find a man with a functioning battery and gave a lift to another lady going to visit her man in Reheboth hospital and, when I had to change a wheel, sure enough the next person along stopped to help. Again, nice parts of the experience.

One policeman at a roadblock tried to extort a small fine but waved us on when I produced pen and paper!

We would happily go back soon but the world is a big place, life is short and money is never enough. However, perhaps in a year or two....." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"Despite the series of reservations expressed above [Ed: see individual camp reviews - follow the links below!], our experience as a whole was entirely positive. This is a wonderful country with resources of considerable potential. Our aspiration was to see and do - animal life, bird life in abundance; the beauty and power of the desert, the rich scale of the Okavango, the variety and suprise of Etosha, the charm and challenge of the San people.

We were privileged to have been and seen, and, for the most part, in exceptional settings and charming cirumstances.

To avoid your feeling too complacent ... flight instructions for the return journey showed two times of departure - 1940 and 2040.

But, if that's all I can find to complain about - and it's hardly that - then I think you have every reason to feel pretty pleased with your organisation. Expert Africa is so much more apt and expressive than Sunvil; 'Expert' you deserve." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 25 on a Namibia trip

"Thank you for all your help and advice in advance of the holday and for booking us into such lovely places (apart from kulala lodge where i hope the level of service improves). I thought the the time we spent in Etosha was fabulous and i cant believe the amount of game we saw there, seeing cheetah and a leopard at okinjuima was fantastic too and we really enjoyed all the driving as it gave us a chance to see the changing landscape.

I was impressed with the state of the roads and would thoroughly recommend driving to anyone who asked about this. The main reason I wanted to go to Namibia was to see the dunes, which did not dissapoint, and we went on a light aircraft flight over them to see the extent, stunning.

It was a fantastic holiday and i plan to return - and will spend more time at Erongo and go back to wolwedans dune lodge for definite." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"Thanks for a great holiday." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"excellent holiday, journey well planned by you lovely varied accommodation.

thank you tracey" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip

"would repeat trip with some small changes" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"This was the wrong holiday at the wrong time. Christine and I had just sold our business, a manufacturing company employing 70 staff. In April, approx 6 months after booking this trip, we were contacted by our American competitors who made us a good offer for the business. Knowing we were going away in September we stipultaed that we wanted to complete by the end of August to give us sufficient time to arrange things and wind down from the stress of the sale. We eventually completed 2 days before leaving for Namibia and were in no fit state for this type of trip. As a result all sorts of things went wrong, which taken in isolation were insignificant, but added together spoilt the entire trip. Some have already been mentioned.

If we hadn't been so stressed and tired the driving may not have been such an issue, though I have already stated that I underestimated the distances. What I thought would be 2-hour drives were in fact 4 or 5 hour drives. The road conditions were also poor. Even the tarred roads are now in need of repair.

One other point we would like to mention concerns the fax Tracy sent to Pelican Bay. She stated that Ai Aiba is not the sort of lodge to fuss over clients. We're not sure where she gets that impression from. Neither Christine nor I expect people to fuss over us. In fact the opposite is true. All we really want is to be left alone, which is why we organised our own self drive rather than go with a group. As photographers we want the flexibility to wait around for the right moment to take stunning photographs rather than take snap shots.

Finally both Christine and I would like to thank Expert Africa and Tracy for all their help and assistance, especially when things went wrong during our stay." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"We found the trip to be very interesting with lots to learn and find.

Namibian peoplewe met are a delight to talk to and be with. They are proud of their country and are very knowledgeable. They are keen to learn and are most welcoming and helpful. There is a lot to see and the accommodations are excellent. We have now seen all the big five game and were thrilled to see game at close quarters.

Distances are long and tiring, as are the gravel roads. Careful consideration of vehicle to use is important and we feel 4x4's are essential for peace of mind. Organisation of the trip was generally very good and we enjoyed the experience." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 22 on a Namibia trip

"Having spoken to friends who had previously visited Namibia (with Sunvil), our expectations were high. They were exceeded!

Everything worked out perfectly and we enjoyed our trip immensely. All suggestions made by Tracy were excellent e.g staying at Eagle's Nest.

THANK YOU EXPERT AFRICA !" Read full review: 26 nights in Africa; 22 on a Namibia trip