Reviews of trips to Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
939 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Swakop' & Walvis Bay.
"UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE"
"Great trip to Africa"
I would have driven from Onguma straight to Ndhovu now that I know how long it is and I was happy with the car but it did struggle in a few places so I might up to a Corolla next time.
We did buy a better map than the one provided and the one place where we ran into trouble a south African couple with a Tracks 4 Africa map really helped us out, but that was our fault for being where we were. I have zero other complaints though and think Sabina did a good job helping us out." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"My May 2015 trip"
It was also a very nice itinerary, suited to our particular interests and preferences. We would have liked to be more active since we aren't used to spending so much time in vehicles, but recognize that the nature of the trip made this very difficult. Game drives made it possible to see much more, from a closer distance, with less hazard.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Overall, the trip was very well organized. We stayed in some spectacular places.
Having the customized map and letter really helped in terms of self-drive navigation. (Two small points: The location for Okonjima was too far north for the actual turn off. Also, there were a couple of inconsistencies between the letter and the actual itinerary that looked like they were 'left overs' from a previous version of the letter.)
In terms of the overall itinerary, the trip was very well organized. If we were to do it again, we would make very few changes. We might skip BullsPort (but then wouldn't have walked at all!). We could also have skipped Mushara Bush Camp, except that we did need somewhere to overnight in about that location. Maybe we could have stayed inside the park? We loved having a waterhole chalet in Etosha and that was really a highlight. Footsteps was an interesting experience and might have been more important to us if we hadn't spent the previous 4 days kayaking and walking in the delta with a different outfitter." Read full review: 31 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
"My May 2015 trip"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Some comments sent already [Ed: in lodge review pages - linked to below], no major suggestions, all went really well. Many thanks!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"Brilliant: a stunning holiday experience"
"Great experience in Namibia"
We loved visiting Terrace Bay and the drive up the Skeleton Coast - although a bit awed by the remoteness. Swakupmund was fun, with a great day out travelling to Sandwich harbour and back. Etendeka was another great experience as was the time we spent in Etosha. Erongo was great place to finish the trip.
Sabina's suggestions (don't spend two nights at Terrace Bay, try Mushara Bush Camp) were excellent. We really appreciate her phoning us when we had broken down to check we were OK and being looked after and confirming that the replacement vehicle was on its way. Also impressed by Wilderness Safaris who co-ordinated the replacement vehicle with Bidvest and the transfer from Okaukuejo while we were waiting for it to be delivered from Windhoek.
We were enormously impressed by the back up when we had a problem with the vehicle. It was very reassuring that were not coping with it alone. THANK YOU!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
After our experience with the original car we would be inclined to book a 4x4 next time to ensure we had a more robust vehicle.
Driving on the roads we travelled wasn't a problem but the original car we had an ineffective handbrake (not spotted on delivery and not actually much of a problem parking on the flat) and a very soggy passenger seat. It seems that it had been subjected to hard treatment which may be why it broke down." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"A wonderful 5-week adventure"
I expected it to be all desert, but I never knew how many different kinds of desert there are and what amazing landscapes and geology Namibia has. Nor did I realise what a fantastic variety of wildlife and birds there are.
We chose to have a driver/guide and it was well worth every penny - he not only took all the strain of the long drives, he was also an astonishing fund of knowledge and expertise. WIthout him, we would not have seen half the things we did, nor appreciated what we did see half as much.
Then we had 9 days in the Okavango Delta, a truly amazing place where the concentration and variety of wildlife is quite extraordinary. Very good guides provided by the lodges to find all the animals. The days were filled with great experiences.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We had a fanatastic time and no complaints at all. However, we did find that quite a few of the lodges etc were really rather over the top in their attempts to emulate 4- or 5-star hotels. It's a matter of personal preference, but we actually felt more comfortable in the places that didn't try quite so hard and were perhaps a little more authentic in their atmosphere - like Etendeka and Kwara.
If I had known better what the range of options was, I could probably have explained this to Tracy at the beginning. So my suggestion would be that your agents could maybe spend a little more time getting to know what the client's expectations are and what kind of experiences they are looking for, and discuss the options, to enable them to make better-informed choices.
My impression is that, because I didn't have a limited budget, the assumption was that we would automatically prefer the most up-market places; that doesn't apply to us and maybe others are the same." Read full review: 35 nights in Africa; 25 on a Namibia trip
"One of our Best Trips Ever"
Of course a lot of that is because the country of Namibia has so much to offer. It is probably the safest and easiest country on the continent for independent travel. It also helps that it has a lot of very dramatic scenery and fascinating people and wildlife. But Expert Africa also played a large role in making this trip memorable. They know Namibia very well and booked us into the best lodges in the best regions of the country.
Because of Expert Africa everything went very smoothly on our trip. I recommend them without any reservation.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Keep up the great job!" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip
"Wonderful trip to Namibia"
It's a great destination for a family holiday, can't fault it." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"Southern Namibia in March 2015"
Namibia is an amazing country. The people are friendly, the roads are ideal for self-drive with a little bit of adventure thrown in, and the lodges are consistently of good quality.
There is something for everyone here - deserts, wildlife, tranquility and excitement. Highly recommended." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
Looking for inspiration on where to travel next?
Visit our trip chooser to explore your options and find inspiration for your perfect African adventure
Inspire meWhere to stay in Swakop' & Walvis Bay
Our suggestions for places to stay in Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
Cornerstone Guesthouse
Cornerstone Guesthouse is a small friendly B&B in a peaceful residential area. It's just a short walk from Swkopmund's waterfront & amenities.
Sam's Giardino
Welcoming, professionally run, and mildly eccentric, Sam’s Giardino lifts the level of hospitality in Swakopmund to unusual heights.
Strand Hotel
One of the larger hotels in Swakopmund, the Strand is well-placed on the seafront with good access to restaurants and the centre of town.
The Stiltz
Not your typical guesthouse, The Stiltz occupies a glorious location over the Swakop River on the edge of Swakopmund.
Villa Margherita
Villa Margherita is a beautifully renovated B&B in the heart of Swakopmund, with comfortable, well-appointed rooms, and friendly and attentive staff.
Beach Lodge
Right on the sea front, Beach Lodge offers good standard accommodation and its own restaurant, 15 minutes’ drive from Swakopmund.
Lagoon Lodge
Lagoon Lodge is a quirky little guesthouse located right on the edge of Walvis Bay Lagoon, a good spot for watching the flamingoes that frequent the area.
The Delight
Colourful and contemporary in style, The Delight is a relatively large hotel within a short walk of Swakopmund's waterfront, restaurants and main attractions.
Swakopmund Guesthouse
Swakopmund Guesthouse is a family-run B&B, boasting comfortable and high-quality rooms with a maritime touch.
Brigadoon
In a quiet residential location, Brigadoon is conveniently located for the Swakopmund waterfront and amenities.
Hansa Hotel
With a very central location in Swakopmund, the traditional Hansa Hotel is reliably good, though it is quite formal.
Secret Garden
Secret Garden Guesthouse is well located in the centre of Swakopmund not far from the sea. With a seaside feel, it has its own small restaurant and bar.
Sea Breeze
Just north of Swakopmund, the delightful Sea Breeze Guesthouse is bright and well-looked after with welcoming and helpful owners.
Cornerstone Apartments
Cornerstone Guesthouse’s three self-catering apartments, each in its own unique location, work well for families or groups of travellers seeking space & privacy within a comfortable, contemporary setting.
Desert Breeze
Not your typical Swakopmund guesthouse, Desert Breeze occupies a glorious location overlooking the Swakop River and the desert beyond.
Pelican Point Lodge
Pelican Point Lodge sits on a remote peninsula offering panoramic views of the ocean and is only accessible by 4WD or boat.
Namib Guesthouse
The Namib Guesthouse is a small, modern B&B, set in Swakopmund's peaceful Kramersdorf area. It's just a short walk from the coast and many amenities.
Oyster Box Guesthouse
Oyster Box Guesthouse is a small, modern and comfortable B&B, overlooking Walvis Bay Lagoon.
Pearls Beach Pods
With a beachfront location, superb sea views and easy access to the amenities of Swakopmund, The Pearls Beach Pods combine privacy with a high standard of luxury.
Swakopmund Sands
The relatively substantial Swakopmund Sands Hotel lies in a quiet area of the town, close to the beach yet within walking distance of tourist amenities.
