Reviews of trips to Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
931 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Swakop' & Walvis Bay.
"My May 2024 trip"
Terrific camps, wonderful sights & scenery, welcoming people everywhere.
The game was sporadic until we got to Ongava, but it hardly mattered as we were in the thrall of this amazing country.
Big shout out to Sabina who organised what was a great trip that included all that we wanted & at the right price too." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"My May 2024 trip"
Our Toyota Fortuna was fantastic and perfect for the journey.
The advice we received that it would be cold at night, turned out not to be accurate for our visit during the first 2 weeks of May. We packed too many thick clothes for the expected cold evenings which actually we only require d in Swakopmund.
Nearly all accommodation supplied Peaceful Sleep in the rooms which was appreciated.
The information given on all of the accommodations was completely accurate and well described.
The map supplied was good and detailed. We did use Google maps on occasions to lead us to the actual accommodation." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana Adventure"
Overall, this trip was amazing and the experience and knowledge of Expert Africa (and Maruska) to arrange this made it so! We would recommend Expert Africa to to everyone we know that want a genuine trip to Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Some of the times were a bit tight and travelling over lunchtime was a bit awkward to coordinate eating and newly arriving at a lodge with their planned itinerary." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"My Apr 2024 trip"
Its had to think what we would have done even slightly different.
We came back full plans for next time." Read full review: 30 nights in Africa; 24 on a Namibia trip
"My Apr 2024 trip"
Sometimes it's tempting to do it all your own way, but I think what we learned was that if you let a guide share his local knowledge with you, you gain a huge amount which you then take with you to the next place. Learning as you go, you can't help but look at everything differently and you gain so much enjoyment from it.
I would say do as many activities as you can.
All aspects of the trip were seamless and all arrangements made by Expert Africa worked perfectly. We travelled a huge number of kilometres, saw some stunning landscapes, and enjoyed lots of wildlife particularly in the north.
We are already dreaming about our next trip to the areas we didn't manage to cover and I'm sure we will go back." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip
"My Feb 2024 trip"
We loved the country, people were extremely friendly and would definitely consider a return visit." Read full review: 29 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
"My Jan 2024 trip"
Sabina made good suggestions and we enjoyed staying in a variety of places, and the mixture of self-guided and organised activities. Helpful to have the airport lounge when we arrived after an overnight flight - cold drinks and somewhere comfortable to sit and watch the safety video, but also useful info and they helped us to get a SIM card sorted out etc.
I've never done a trip which was organised by a company before, and I'm a convert!
We have recommended Expert Africa to others already, and are thinking/ dreaming about the next trip...
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Would be good to strongly encourage people to know how to change a wheel before they travel (the Europcar rep told us 50-60% of travellers have tyre trouble). Also to make sure before people leave the airport that they have some idea of how to change a wheel on that specific vehicle - we came across a young family who were struggling, in 38C heat, to find the notch to put the jack into.
Also to make people aware that, while they may be able to check-in for their return flight online, Windhoek Airport doesn't have QR code readers for digital boarding passes. If the attendant in the Wilderness lounge hadn't made us aware of this when we arrived for our return flight we would have got a bit stuck, but if people are short on time or don't go into the lounge they may not discover this until too late.
In hindsight, we would probably have fewer one-night stops - it was wonderful, but I think we were trying to cover too much ground, really. Not Sabina's fault - we were over-ambitious!
A note for some of the lodges - often we were given a lot of verbal info upon arrival, including the different activities available. Sometimes we were and sometimes we weren't told prices. It's a lot to take in, and would be very helpful to have the activities written down and definitely with info on prices (some lodges did provide this either in the room or at reception)." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"My Dec 2023 trip"
On this note, the service and help from the local agents was also exemplary in getting us reunited with our luggage. We had great experiences everywhere we went. Driving was a breeze. A few rough roads, mostly Solitaire to Walvis Bay but otherwise the roads are fine.
On a personal note for me I would have rather spent an extra day driving the coast and one less day at Camp Kipwe but that is not meant as knock on Camp Kipwe. I am just quite fascinated by the coastal area.
All in all, we are very happy with the trip Maruska provided for us and the great service we received! We would do it all again in a heartbeat!
Keep doing what you're doing!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"My Nov 2023 trip"
Sabina was excellent and we were able to organise our perfect trip with minimal hassle. The whole trip ran smoothly.
The highlight of our trip has to be Wolwedans Dunes Camp, which was simply breathtaking.
At Etosha National Park we were able to view some brilliant wildlife including lions, rhinos, elephants amongst others. Overall a brilliant trip and we would thoroughly recommend both Namibia and Expert Africa." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"My Nov 2023 trip"
Having been to Namibia before, and knowing roughly what we wanted to do, we set out to book the trip directly ourselves, but after discussion with Tom he came up with quite a number of options / lodges that we hadn't considered or been aware of.
After putting together a suggested itinerary it was clear that it was easier, and just as economic, to let Expert Africa organise all the accommodation. With map, guidebook and detailed intinerary and directions everything was made easy for travelling almost 4000km round Namibia over 3 1/2 weeks.
Overall a fantastic trip with great places to stay and visit.
Keep up the good knowledge of the country and its ever changing accommodation." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 23 on a Namibia trip
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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.
Organic Square
Organic Square is a modern guesthouse across two properties in the centre of Swakopmund.
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.
