Reviews of safaris to Waterberg Plateau National Park

"Absolutely first class, our best holiday ever. We particularly valued the itinerary you had prepared for us, which gave us all we wanted to see. The flowers in Namaqualand fully justified starting the trip from Cape Town, and Fish River, Namib/Naukluft, Damaraland and Etosha gave us some absolutely memorable experiences. Clearly there was much we have yet to see, but this holiday has been a start.

We particularly appreciated leaving Etosha to the end: on the way northwards we were fascinated by our sightings of lifestock, but these were as nothing to what we saw round some of the Etosha waterholes, and had we seen the latter first, the others would have been less exciting for us.

We were also pleased with all the accommodation arranged for us, which with only limited exceptions, was all delightful and comfortable, with exceedingly friendly welcomes..

Suggestions for improvement:

Keep doing as you are doing!" Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"A well planned itinerary ensured that we had an extremely enjoyable trip with many memorable experiences.

Fifteen days was not long enough to take it all in.

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We can't think of anything." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"There is a considerable upsurge in tourism in Namibia which appears to be be very good for the country . One comment we heard from a Namibian working in the industry was their concern about all the emphasis being put on conservation, which they supported , but less attention being paid to wages and conditions of staff. Hopefully welfatre of staff in this rapidly expanding industry is something of concern to Expert AFrica.

We thought the country was stunning and easy to to get around in . Clearly there is a 'tourist trail' as we met other guests on more than one occasion. Having 'hosts' avaliable gave us an opportuntiy to have a wider picture of the country through discussion with them. We found people helpful and friendly . Because of its size, small population and recent history it is a very unthreatening place.

I would like Lodges/ camps to offer visits to local projects in order to gain more information about the local conditions and give opportunties to to have more experience of local people . I appreciate this would very superficial because of the constraints of time , but interesting. I understand this is something Waterberg offer.but which we could not experience.

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I have mentioned one in overall comments. If some Lodges/camps could offer more activities it would be worth staying for a longer period . Two weeks we appreciate is very llittle time to see so much, and the organisation of our a trip proved very efficient." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"As a whole my trip was great. I particuarly enjoyed the contrasting nature of the physical environment.

I think you are doing a great job!

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I think you are doing a great job!" Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip

"A wonderful trip. We have excellent advice and service from Sabina at Expert Africa - thoroughly recommended. Namibia is a perfect place for an active holiday - dramatic landscapes, friendly people and a huge range of wildlife.

Thank you." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip

"We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday which in the vast majority of instances exceeded our expectations.

Suggestions for improvement:

It would be useful to know the starting time for afternoon excursions at lodges/camps prior to arrival." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"For the oldest member at least the trip of a lifetime! Long anticipated we probably did it just in time - in another 2 years it will probably be too demanding for the oldies, whereas the "youngsters" may well be off on the Fish River trail.

While the wild life was incredibly exciting, it was what we had expected - only even bigger and better.

I don't think we could have anticipated the fantastic beauty and variety of the landscapes and the speed with which they change - the drive from Solitaire to Walvis Bay is just one example. Nor is it possible easily to convey the space, the distances, the emptiness,and the enormous skies - particularly on a moonless night.

We followed your suggested itinerary with one variation - we kept to the coast road from Cape Cross to Torra Bay and then cut across to Dora !Nawas. We were glad to experience that much of Skeleton Coast and thought the rest of the run more than rewarding , would in fact RECOMMEND it.- we'll have to fit in the Brandberg next time.

Now our one beef. We followed all of your advice re clothing - Kate, thank goodness even packed her long johns! - but simply were not prepared for the intense cold we ran into at Bullsport. Nor, according to the locals, was this particularly unusual. This being the case we think more thought should be given to heating the rooms and beds, and more blankets carried on drives at Bullsport. The temperatures at Kulala were not so different, but both these matters had been more effectively addressed.

Finally on this point we think that your advice should be beefed up to read - "and just to be on the safe side tuck in a pair of gloves, a scarf and a woolly hat" !

PS - Sabina, I have submitted our "report" on the trip but have, inevitably, thought of 2 comments I have forgotten to include! Firstly, how impressed we were by all aspects of the Wiiderness Safari operation with which we came into contact - not just the high standard of training, friendliness and professionalism of all the staff, or the imaginative design and comfort of the Lodges, but also their policies of community development and, perhaps in particular, their approach to HIV - AIDS.

Secondly we were very aware of the the positive approach generally to the AIDS problem - young people in "leadership" and "meet the challenge" T-shirts etc. However, nowhere could we find any means of making any direct contribution in support - and we mean specifically support which would be directed to Namibia, rather than to one of the umbrella Africa charities. We discussed this situation with Beula at Erongo and she was going to take it up thro' her management but I wonder whether you can give us any guidance and, more generally, if it is something to which Expert Africa might like to give some thought as I am sure there must be many of your clients who would also like to give more focussed help.

Again many thanks for your personal contribution to a wonderful holiday, Kind regards, Michael" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"Should have stayed longer!" Read full review: 26 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip

"We all loved this trip, particularly my mother for whom it was her first time in Namibia, (it was our fifth visit)." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip

"Apart from the problem with Europcar, our trip was truly memorable. We have travelled extensively and Namibia currently holds the number one spot.

The overall level of service was excellent as was the organisation." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip