Reviews of trips to Swakopmund & Walvis Bay

"We had been planning a comprehensive self drive tour of Namibia for a couple years and were completely frustrated by our own inability to make key reservations with the national parks. We reluctantly called in the help of Expert Africa and were pleasantly surprised at how competley helpful and indispenable Maruska was in making all our arrangements while keeping the costs lower then we had expected. Everything over the course of our month log visit, encompassing over 18 lodgings, worked out smoothly.

We had a very helpful assist from Wilderness Safaris staff who met us at the airport and helped us get a burner phone and deal with a slightly troublesome initial car rental interaction. We are ow sure that we could not have done the arrangements on our own with out significant hassles and problems and our very happy that we put our trust in Expert Africa.

We saw numerous independent travellers at the national park Lodgings who thought they had successfully made reservations to find that the parks had no record of them or places for them to stay. Not clear how these were ever resolved but it never impacted us! Maruska's printed material that she sent us had incredibly useful advice on everything form what to look for in car rentals to how to greet people in shops and restaurants. We saw many abrupt tourists getting a cold shoulder from staff that turned around and treated us very warmly because we had been told to do a full on relaxed greeting, asking about how they are and wording the questions in a more polite manner then most European and US travellers would normally use.

Namibia itself was a dream come true visit to Africa. We knew we would see all the major animals (rhinos, elephants, giraffes, ostrich, wildebeest,kudu, oryx,lions, eland, hartebeest, springbok) but we had no idea we would see as many as we did in such high concentrations. Unfortunately the drought is probably responsible for this, pushing all the animals to the waterholes just to survive. We saw 33 species of mammals and over 200 species of birds and most of them from the rental car.

Maruska's advice on several places was spot on. She had gently warned of some dropping standards at a couple places which turned out to be true, while encouraging us to do the kayaking with the seals trip and the 4X4 sand dunes drive to Sandwich Harbor. The latter was a true highlight, and it might not be as fabulous with a guide other then Bruno Nebar, but I am sure it still would be enjoyable. We were quite lucky to spend that day with two of Expert Africa's people, a complete coincidence, but they were both very interesting and helped in drawing out so much information form Bruno while having interesting stories of their own. We usually do not like travelling in guided tours but this was a fabulous day with great company.

Namibia is barely dealing with the tourist influx from Germany and the rest of Europe, and are not prepared to deal with the kind of influx Americans will contribute once Americans realize what a fabulous destination Namibia is. i am telling our friends and family to go now and to use Expert Africa to make their arrangements! We met only 2 Americans and had many more meaningful encounters with local Damara people including valiant efforts to teach us some click language words! But this will not last long." Read full review: 31 nights in Africa; 27 on a Namibia trip

"Expert Africa did a fantastic job.

Everything was flawless and I couldn't be more pleased." Read full review: 31 nights in Africa; 27 on a Namibia trip

"This was our first trip to Africa. We chose Namibia on the basis of its reputation for wildlife, fantastic terrain and 'emptiness' but also because it gave us the 'self drive experience' in a safe environment. It met or exceeded all our expectations, particularly the wildlife in Etosha.

Truly the trip of a lifetime that we will never forget - it has definitely made us want to visit Afica again in the future. We never felt uncomfortable in any way whist we were travelling and luckily did not experience any problems with the car - I wasn't looking forward to having to change a wheel by the side of the road in those temperatures!

Expert Africa arranged a great itinerary for us which we wouldn't have changed at all in retrospect, Also many thanks for the detailed replies to all our questions and queries before we left." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"Expert Africa and their team made this a hugely successful adventure. Their response when we had a significant problem with our car was timely and effective and they certainly saved our bacon.

Expert Africa pride themselves on knowing their territory and so it would be without hesitation that we would recommend them to anyone as the company to advise you on a similar trip.

Wilderness Safaris were excellent partners in Namibia and the reception team in Windhoek air worthy of special praise. IN this respect Nandula Malango was a star.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Driving in Namibia is not straightforward as we discovered.

Although the metaled roads are excellent, and similarly many of the dirt roads, a high wheel-base, 2WD is adequate,

But where it is known that the dirt roads are very difficult, varying from smooth to lengthy distances where the surfaces are dangerously rugged , a 4WD should be recommended.

This is especially so in some of the central areas (Sesfontein, Dora Nawas to Palmwag, to Swakpmond) where the roads have been graded directly onto the underlying rock and not built up with gravel or limestone.

In these domains a four wheel drive vehicle is really essential and an extra spare necessary too. Punctures are normal experiences here and the thin tyres for urban use are pathetically inadequate." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip

"The self-drive trip was very successful.

From Expert Africa's staff to those in the various lodges ... and to those in petrol stations, cafes and restaurants, thanks for your friendly, helpful approach." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip

"We had a great holiday and are happy with how Expert Africa arranged things.

Desert Rhino Camp, Okonjima, Okaukuejo and the Olifantsrus viewing hide in Etosha were the highlights." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"This was a fantastic trip- thanks to Meghan and Tom who put it together for us. We are really glad we stayed 2 nights in Okonjima and would recommend this to others. Okuakuejo didn't fit with the feel of the rest of the trip. The draft trip had 2 nights in Okuakuejo and we only stated in Hobatere as there weren't 2 nights available in Okaukuejo - Hobatere was much nicer. It also had the advantage which we didn't appreciate until we got there of allowing us to drive through Etosha from west to east- this was an amazing experience.

Chish McIntyre's book was really useful for advice on tips etc but his best advice was to just drive from waterhole to waterhole through Etosha. We did this and the experience was almost indescribable.

I was worried about the roads and getting petrol along the way. The roads were scary to begin with but once we drove at a reasonable speed and were sensible they were fine. I really got into driving on them and was almost disappointed when we hit tar around Etosha!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"Excellent support prior to and during the trip -- Elizabeth quickly reponded to queries we had while we were travelling and we felt well supported; we were able to do everything we wanted and more; Wilderness Safari camps were highlights of the trip; we recommend 3 nights at Desert Rhino Camp." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"We had a great trip.

The roads were very variable, but we stuck to the route planned for us and felt we'd had the best option.

The yellow sheet provided with restaurants and cafes, was useful. please note the Camelthorn Beer garden no longer exists! The couple have divorced.

WE had lunch in Otijwrongo at Kari's ,Hindenburg street which was excellent and a good replacement, same directions would find it! The Farmhouse deli inThe Strand Hotel in Swakopmund was a real find too." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip

"Fabulous trip. Enjoyed by us all so much and we have vowed to repeat somewhere else in Southern Africa.

See our other feedback on Zimbabwe.

Thank you to all Expert Africa staff who put it together ." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip