Reviews of trips to Windhoek
1100 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Windhoek.
Mr C & Mrs K
UK
"Namibia - Botswana trip summary"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 23 Jan 2011 and 10 Feb 2011
"As a whole the trip was excellent. We had the most wonderful and at times exciting trip. The trip was in many ways better than we had expected.
Our main intent for taking the trip at that time was for birds with any animal sightings (which we had been advised could be difficult due to high grass and many water holes away from the lodges) being regarded as bonus. In the event we saw most of the possible animals and in close proximity. We missed cats and rhino. Getting around in our not 4X4 was mostly possible though not without some mud and water problems. These could mostly be overcome with a litle thought and careful manoevering of the car.
The lodgings were all great and all very different. People in the lodges and outside were all very friendly and helpful. Grateful too when we gave them lifts.
As is indicated below we were very pleased with the way Sabina dealt with all aspect of setting up the trip for us and especially the way the problem of the delayed outward flight was overcome.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I'm mostly using this box to feed back other findings from the trip for information which may be useful to others. In our information we were told that we needed documentation and to take the car into Botswana that this would be taken from us at the border and that we'd have to purchase another to take the car back into Namibia. None of this happened. Other than the driver filling in details of the car in a book at each of the four posts (out and into Namibia, into and out of Botswana) they weren't particularly interested in the car as such. However, we did have to purchase documents to enter Botswana. These were - 1 year's road tax and 1 month entry permission (for the car) costing together 160 Rand (we had no Pula). I think our information only mentioned the entry permission. The tax thing may be new.
We were able to use debit and credit cards in petrol (Shell) stations in Bowsana though one insisted (at the junction onto the Trans-Kalahari Highway) in taking an amount from the card before pumping gas.
Information on the difficulties relation to the electrical sockets and lack of adapters may be useful." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
Our main intent for taking the trip at that time was for birds with any animal sightings (which we had been advised could be difficult due to high grass and many water holes away from the lodges) being regarded as bonus. In the event we saw most of the possible animals and in close proximity. We missed cats and rhino. Getting around in our not 4X4 was mostly possible though not without some mud and water problems. These could mostly be overcome with a litle thought and careful manoevering of the car.
The lodgings were all great and all very different. People in the lodges and outside were all very friendly and helpful. Grateful too when we gave them lifts.
As is indicated below we were very pleased with the way Sabina dealt with all aspect of setting up the trip for us and especially the way the problem of the delayed outward flight was overcome.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I'm mostly using this box to feed back other findings from the trip for information which may be useful to others. In our information we were told that we needed documentation and to take the car into Botswana that this would be taken from us at the border and that we'd have to purchase another to take the car back into Namibia. None of this happened. Other than the driver filling in details of the car in a book at each of the four posts (out and into Namibia, into and out of Botswana) they weren't particularly interested in the car as such. However, we did have to purchase documents to enter Botswana. These were - 1 year's road tax and 1 month entry permission (for the car) costing together 160 Rand (we had no Pula). I think our information only mentioned the entry permission. The tax thing may be new.
We were able to use debit and credit cards in petrol (Shell) stations in Bowsana though one insisted (at the junction onto the Trans-Kalahari Highway) in taking an amount from the card before pumping gas.
Information on the difficulties relation to the electrical sockets and lack of adapters may be useful." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs M
Portugal
""
I visited Namibia between 18 Jan 2011 and 4 Mar 2011
"Wonderful a great adventure and a beautiful country.
Sorry about the comments on some of the stopovers, but you did ask for opinions!!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just to say if you gave the kms or miles from each camp and Guest houses and very approx. time is should take.
Try to insist to the client a second spare wheel is part of the hire deal, to get a punture and know you still have 200Kms to cover on gravel roads is a little daunting." Read full review: 45 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
Sorry about the comments on some of the stopovers, but you did ask for opinions!!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just to say if you gave the kms or miles from each camp and Guest houses and very approx. time is should take.
Try to insist to the client a second spare wheel is part of the hire deal, to get a punture and know you still have 200Kms to cover on gravel roads is a little daunting." Read full review: 45 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr M & Mrs J
UK
"Christmas in Africa"
I visited Namibia between 15 Dec 2010 and 31 Dec 2010
"As seasoned Africa travellers our remit was "to have christmas where it didn't feel like Christmas". On that score the trip was first class. We enjoyed a mix of game watching and education and were fortunate that the rains only arrived 1 or 2 days before we came back.
On the negative side, it would have been useful to have a rough idea of the time journeys migt take rather than the distance - which means very little in Africa. We did find the trip and Namibia quite expensive, perhaps a reflection both on the weak pound but also how Africa is increasing in popularity." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
On the negative side, it would have been useful to have a rough idea of the time journeys migt take rather than the distance - which means very little in Africa. We did find the trip and Namibia quite expensive, perhaps a reflection both on the weak pound but also how Africa is increasing in popularity." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr T.
United Kingdom
"Absolutely Memorable"
I visited Namibia between 10 Nov 2010 and 29 Nov 2010
"Namibia exceeded all expectations. We keep coming back to words like 'spectacular' and 'epic' in an attempt to describe the landscapes and feeling of space.
We always felt comfortable, people are friendly and it must be the safest country in Africa. Driving is an absolute pleasure.
Accommodation and overall general standards are high. When you think how remote many of the locations were, the logistics of the lodge operations in providing those standards is very impressive.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I can think of nothing I'm afraid. We have been very impressed and will certainly consider you and other companies in your group for future holidays." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
We always felt comfortable, people are friendly and it must be the safest country in Africa. Driving is an absolute pleasure.
Accommodation and overall general standards are high. When you think how remote many of the locations were, the logistics of the lodge operations in providing those standards is very impressive.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I can think of nothing I'm afraid. We have been very impressed and will certainly consider you and other companies in your group for future holidays." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr S & Ms H
Surrey
"A superb trip from start to finish"
I visited Namibia between 2 Nov 2010 and 20 Nov 2010
"A stunning and memorable holiday. We had high expectations from friends who had visited Namibia and we were not disappointed. We have every intention of returning to the country to see new places and revisit others we enjoyed on this trip - notably Mundulea.
A real bonus was the pleasure of Sabina's company during our stay in Mundulea. Great fun and a good ambassador for Namibia and Expert Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
There were a couple of occasions where we would have felt safer in 4wd - for example, we experienced pretty unseasonal rain at Little Kulala and on the journey back to Windhoek.
Most other travellers seemed to be in large, clumsy looking Toyotas, which seemed like overkill. There must be something in between - in fact, we saw a 4wd version of our Nissan X-trail. Could you track down a smallish 4wd?" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
A real bonus was the pleasure of Sabina's company during our stay in Mundulea. Great fun and a good ambassador for Namibia and Expert Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
There were a couple of occasions where we would have felt safer in 4wd - for example, we experienced pretty unseasonal rain at Little Kulala and on the journey back to Windhoek.
Most other travellers seemed to be in large, clumsy looking Toyotas, which seemed like overkill. There must be something in between - in fact, we saw a 4wd version of our Nissan X-trail. Could you track down a smallish 4wd?" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr G M
Madrid
"A good travel experience in Namibia"
I visited Namibia between 1 Nov 2010 and 14 Nov 2010
"Very good. practically everything worked well, lodges, transport and activities were satisfactory."
Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs W
Nottingham
""
I visited Namibia between 31 Oct 2010 and 16 Nov 2010
"The whole trip went like clockwork - thanks for your superb organisation. Combining the flights in the south with driving in the north was just the right combination for us (we would always recommend the flight over the Skeleton Coast to people in particular - since it gives such a good perspective of the vastness of the dunes).
This has been such a memorable trip.
Thank you!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None that come to mind." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
This has been such a memorable trip.
Thank you!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None that come to mind." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs & Dr B
Richmond
"Trip to Namibia"
I visited Namibia between 30 Oct 2010 and 23 Nov 2010
"A wonderful trip - we loved Namibia.
Some anxieties about the car hire - our delayed flight to Windhoek put us under pressure and the clerk on the Budget desk when we collected the car was not particularly helpful. The second spare tyre which we had ordered was not in the car and had to be sent for, delaying us further, and at that stage we were worried about getting to our first hotel before nightfall. The various instructions you had given us about car hire were slightly confusing.
However, when we had to purchase a new tyre after a puncture, Budget were helpful on the phone, the staff when we returned the car were excellent and our credit card has now been refunded with the cost of the tyre.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I would very much have preferred to have had a printed feedback form which we could have filled in during our flight home.
I know that this web version is helpful to you in that it is quicker for you to process, but you would have had more immediate (and possibly therefore more accurate) feedback had you enclosed a printed form with our tickets. On the flight we would have discussed our responses together under circumstances in which there was nothing else of particular importance for us to do." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
Some anxieties about the car hire - our delayed flight to Windhoek put us under pressure and the clerk on the Budget desk when we collected the car was not particularly helpful. The second spare tyre which we had ordered was not in the car and had to be sent for, delaying us further, and at that stage we were worried about getting to our first hotel before nightfall. The various instructions you had given us about car hire were slightly confusing.
However, when we had to purchase a new tyre after a puncture, Budget were helpful on the phone, the staff when we returned the car were excellent and our credit card has now been refunded with the cost of the tyre.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I would very much have preferred to have had a printed feedback form which we could have filled in during our flight home.
I know that this web version is helpful to you in that it is quicker for you to process, but you would have had more immediate (and possibly therefore more accurate) feedback had you enclosed a printed form with our tickets. On the flight we would have discussed our responses together under circumstances in which there was nothing else of particular importance for us to do." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs AS
Colorado
"A Wonderful Holiday in Namibia"
I visited Namibia between 25 Oct 2010 and 13 Nov 2010
"Had we to do this trip over, there is very little we would change. Our biggest miscalculation was the amount of time spent in Etosha. We thought that Etosha would be similar to the National Parks in the USA, that is bumper to bumper traffic, some folks racing through the park, and sometimes no place to park to see the sights. This, of course, is not true in Etosha and we would have spent much more time there.
We realize that everyone as different tastes and desires. Some prefer "resort" lodges, which are fine in many instances providing there are activities there to justify the cost. However, there are times that a nice B & B like Termite Hills or a hotel like the Makalani in Tusemb are quite satisfactory (if available of course).
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We would not hesitate to have Expert Africa help us plan and arrange our next Africa adventure." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
We realize that everyone as different tastes and desires. Some prefer "resort" lodges, which are fine in many instances providing there are activities there to justify the cost. However, there are times that a nice B & B like Termite Hills or a hotel like the Makalani in Tusemb are quite satisfactory (if available of course).
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We would not hesitate to have Expert Africa help us plan and arrange our next Africa adventure." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms S & Mr D
London
""
I visited Namibia between 18 Oct 2010 and 28 Oct 2010
"We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday and both feel that it is one of the best holidays that we have taken in years.
The trip was very well organised and Sabina and Gwynneth were both helpful in providing information and responding to my questions.
The written information that we received prior to departure seemed a little over the top. However, we read through it diligently and followed Expert Africa's advice on most things. We felt well prepared and our trip was trouble free.
We'd been planning to go to Namibia for many years, after a previous trip was cancelled at the last minute. We thought that this trip would cross Namibia off our "list". The trip was so fantastic that Namibia remains firmly on the "list" and we are keen to return to explore other parts of the country.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I feel that it would be useful if Expert Africa could give some more guidance as to the petrol costs (or number of litres) associated with each trip. We knew that we would have to pay for petrol in cash and may not have access to ATMs for much of the trip. I made my own estimate that our petrol costs should be somewhere betwen NAD 1,100-1,400. We came in at just under NAD 1,000, so I wasn't too far off.
I realise that this may difficult as it will depend upon the type of car hired and to what extend people extend their mileage by deviating from the primary route." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
The trip was very well organised and Sabina and Gwynneth were both helpful in providing information and responding to my questions.
The written information that we received prior to departure seemed a little over the top. However, we read through it diligently and followed Expert Africa's advice on most things. We felt well prepared and our trip was trouble free.
We'd been planning to go to Namibia for many years, after a previous trip was cancelled at the last minute. We thought that this trip would cross Namibia off our "list". The trip was so fantastic that Namibia remains firmly on the "list" and we are keen to return to explore other parts of the country.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I feel that it would be useful if Expert Africa could give some more guidance as to the petrol costs (or number of litres) associated with each trip. We knew that we would have to pay for petrol in cash and may not have access to ATMs for much of the trip. I made my own estimate that our petrol costs should be somewhere betwen NAD 1,100-1,400. We came in at just under NAD 1,000, so I wasn't too far off.
I realise that this may difficult as it will depend upon the type of car hired and to what extend people extend their mileage by deviating from the primary route." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
1100
reviews of Windhoek by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
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Where to stay in Windhoek
Our suggestions for places to stay in Windhoek
Olive Grove
In a quiet Windhoek suburb, Olive Grove is one of our favourite guesthouses: stylish, with a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and excellent food.
Galton House
A cool stylish sanctuary in a quiet suburb of Windhoek, Galton House boasts a pool and a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Elegant Guesthouse
The Elegant Guesthouse is a friendly, comfortable establishment with a lovely, tranquil garden, and is a good choice for an overnight stay in Windhoek.
River Crossing
Secluded on a private game reserve between Windhoek and the international airport, River Crossing is a tranquil place to start or end a trip.
Villa Violet
Villa Violet is a friendly, owner-run guesthouse in a residential area of Windhoek, just a few minutes' drive from the city centre and numerous restaurants.
Haus Sonneneck
Haus Sonneneck was one of Windhoek's best pensions just a few minutes' drive away from the city centre, however it has now closed.
Weinberg Hotel
In a quiet upmarket suburb of Klein Windhoek, the stylish Weinberg has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and luxury facilities.
Olive Exclusive
The Olive Exclusive is perhaps Windhoek's most luxurious boutique hotel but remains a friendly and unpretentious place to stay.
Heinitzburg Hotel
One of the oldest hotels in Windhoek, the Heinitzberg occupies a great hill-top location but can feel like a relic of a bygone era.
GocheGanas
For somewhere to really pamper yourself, Gocheganas Lodge & Spa offers wildlife combined with extensive wellness treatments.
Etango Ranch G. Farm
Etango offers simple, clean, comfortable accommodation and it’s the closest accommodation to Windhoek International Airport.
Immanuel Wilderness
Within easy reach of Windhoek, Immanuel Wilderness Lodge is a good overnight option for those who don't wish to stay in the city.
Sun Karros Daan Viljoen
Situated within the Daan Viljoen Nature reserve Sun Karros is a simple lodge with gentle game viewing and bird watching opportunities.
Omaanda
Omaanda offers luxury accommodation and wildlife viewing within easy reach of the international airport and Windhoek City.
Avani Windhoek Hotel
The Avani Windhoek Hotel and Casino lack the personal touch of Windhoeks smaller guesthouses but is well located in the heart of the city.
Hotel Thule
Windhoek’s Hotel Pension Thule offers stunning views across the city and a reputable in-house restaurant, within easy reach of the international airport.
Ti Melen
Overlooking Avis Dam, Ti Melen is on the outskirts of Windhoek, yet only 10-minutes from the city's amenities.
Desert Express
The Desert Express runs from Windhoek to Swakopmund on set departures. Recently this schedule has been somewhat erratic.
