Reviews of Waterberg Wilderness

"Oh the joy of driving most of the way to Waterberg along paved roads! Waterberg is wonderful and so different to the other lodges we had stayed in. It is set in a green, well watered valley running into the mountains - and the game drives, which we were not able to take, offered animals not seen in the desert - e.g rhinos, zebras and giraffes.

The lodge caters mainly for German visitors - and that was the language mostly spoken but it was friendly with good food and some excellent walks through green, dappled meadows full of Springbok. We could have stayed longer.

P.S During our stay they also cleaned out our car, inside and out without being asked. It sparkled!" See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia

"Despite its name, the lodge doesn't feel at all wilderness like. Although it is fairly remote, the way it is set out is like a holiday camp, so it feels more like a small built up area half way up the plateau rather than a lodge in the wilderness.

The staff were average and although they did their job they didn't seem to empathise with the guests or add to the trip. It felt more like a military operation than a lovely place to stay. They seemed very concerned with getting you to sign for towels, cups, books, room keys and keeping to schedule rather than providing a comfortable welcoming place to stay.

The food was provided but not described well leading me to eat something I am allergic to by accident, which is not very satisfactory especially in a remote place. The guides for the walk and game drive were good, but the rest of the staff were adequate rather than helpful. Not a good place to see animals, but the view from the plateau was lovely and it is worth the (fairly easy) walk. It might be worth investigating the plateau lodge instead, as it looked slightly more intimate with chalets and plunge pools.

The pool at the wilderness lodge didn't look too clean, so we didn't use it - too many dead leaves and other bits and bobs." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia

"We were disappointed with this clearly very expensive and rather complacent lodge. Our first introduction on arrival was to be given a sheet of paper recording ten items to be found in our room; we were to take this to the lodge where a supervisor would check if off before he and we were to sign for them. The list included a room key and a plastic folder containing information about meal times and so on.

Compare this with the iced tea, cool flannels and thirty minutes informative and informal induction at Lianshulu or Mowani and Okonjima; the management here should know that such courtesy costs nothing (cost is clearly a significant part of Waterberg's mind set) and the reverse, with the implcation that guests are likely to drive away with the swimming towels or a tacky torch, is at the best tactless and, at the worst, offensive.

This attitude continued; two vehicles left for a game drive in the evening. Our guide introduced himself as 'Helmut' (there is a pretty patronising habit - see 'Purple Hibiscus' - where black Africans are given European names by their employers); I don't know if Helmut had adopted his own Westernised name or not but he certainly behaved as though he did not undertsand or belong to the lodge culture which surrounded him. No more did he guide; his passengers asked him on a number of occasions to stop and identify a bird, usually a bird, and he was clearly floundering.

Rosemary spotted the problem; he had no binoculars and a book for bird indentification in German which he clearly did not understand. She felt very strongly that this man was being let down by his employer in that he was inadequately equipped and improperly briefed, so much so that she asked to see Joachim the morning we left; he was absent so a note asking for a response had to suffice; no reply, by e-mail, yet. Poor, non-existent, welcome; poor information; pretty poor food; owners/management never in evidence; the whole feel was of an outfit too big for its own good (a second lodge to run could have added to the remoteness of the direction.)

Lovely setting - a monopoly - spoiled by lack of concern for guests' welfare and expectations. Thoroughly disappointing." See all these reviews: 25n in Namibia

"What a wonderful location. Only regret not having extra night to go into the Kalahari and meet up with the "locals".

We stayed in one of six widely spaced bungalows set against the plateau cliff and beautifully accommodated with own plunge pool and most tremendous views east across the Kalahari. Out of this world and quite stunning in every way and worth the somewhat steep and bendy track from the farm and lodge level below.

Would really recommend stay here for everything it has to offer. Three hour drive into the Kalahari very interesting . Pretty with plenty of fauna and birdlife. tracked down the pair of "home" rhinos imported from South Africa at some great expense. to see them both in the wild so close was memorable. Good luck to them in their breeding plans. Be just perfect to see some little ones soon" See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia

"good first night stop. decided against organised activity and went for local walk instead, which was ideal after flight / drive.

freindly welcome. good room.

communal food was some of the best we had on trip.

after dinner drinks on terrace for another hour would have been nice and appreciated by others as bar in resturant not so good. good advice from staff on routes for next day." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia

"Delightful setting and obviously serious money being spent on stocking the farm with game. But room small, shortage of unpacking space, badly lit, as is dining area. Staff at lodge okay-ish but owners made no contact with us.

Guides in field poor - no bird knowledge even for eagles and on Waterberg a (fresh) black rhino territorial scrape was described as where buffalo had been fighting. Also limited English and German.

Depending on your attitude to H&S, the Waterberg on foot is risky without an informed guide both due to big game and the potential to fall of the edge when taking photos. Probably the lodge ought to get guests to sign chits accepting risk, but good guiding is paramount. Regrettably, we would not revisit or recommend." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia

"Although the staff were very obliging there was no ambience created by the owners as we had experienced at other privately run lodges.

It was difficult to acquire any local knowledge of the area. Briefing on activities was poor. The guide on the game drive was not very confident with the guests and had no assistant." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia; 4n in South Africa

"The wilderness lodge is very good with excellent rooms. The new plateau lodge [Ed: six new rondavels positioned on the edge of the escarpment] is even better and has superb views and isl being developed further. The staff were really good but guests need to be prepared for Joachim who is clearly very dedicated and committed to what he is doing but is a man of strong opinions and is willing to share them!!

The wildlife is being added to gradually and the drive here is of a different order to other bigger lodges focussing on quality not quantity. This was an opportunity to relax after the rigours of safari and from that point of view was great.

The colours at sunrise in the plateau have to be seen to be believed and a walk up the valley is delightful. The walk up to the plateau is another matter if you have difficulty in walking taking about 4 hours of quite stiff clambering." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia

"I loved it here - very beautiful place very worthwhle going on the guided walks which are free" See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia

"A little oasis amid the mountains. Stunning scenery" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia