70 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Namaqualand.
"My Feb 2025 trip"
South Africa more relaxed but Babylostoren disappointing.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Your directions on the paperwork were inaccurate and confusing. We needed to use the GPS coordinates. These could be improved.
Drive times were underestimated, bearing in mind road conditions." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip
"Cape Town to Fish River and back"
Rather easy and comfortable to be done in three weeks." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 14 on a South Africa trip
"My Aug 2024 trip"
Disappointing not to see apex predators, should have gone on more guided drives." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
"Our Oct 2023 trip"
The people we met were all enthusiastic, friendly and knowledgeable. Several went out of their way to help us. We did not meet anyone who was antagonistic.
The accommodation was better than we were expecting. We found all the small lodges to be exceptional and very well appointed. The individual accommodation was always superb. As a retired geologist I found Mowani's great granite boulders to be inspiring.
There was a lot of travelling and some of the roads were a bit rough but our Toyota dealt with them easily and never let us down. On one occasion when we got stuck in deep soft sand it's four wheel drive got us out with aplomb!
We had gone to Namibia to see the scenery and animals and neither let us down. I will never forget the elephants of Etosha and Damaraland. The sand dunes of the Namib are unforgettable.
This was the best holiday we have ever had. Thankyou!" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"My Aug 2022 trip"
I’ll get the major disappointment out first, not that you can do anything about it - Simba don’t make tomato sauce flavour crisps any more! Disaster!
In general, we learnt a lot about how we personally need to plan travel in the future, both having gained various back/hip/knee problems since we last travelled any distance and, at times, feeling more than a mere three years older.
I don’t think we will consider ‘one night stands’ again, especially if it means an hour or more down a gravel road basically just to eat and sleep. Namtib and Ai Aibas are both beautiful places and we had no time to do them justice. We’re not early risers and we are slow drivers, who like to stop and look, which all combined to have us on the road 9.30-4.30 for several days, which was exhausting.
We did look at the hotels in several of the towns and wonder whether we won't be better off to stay somewhere like that as a transit stop.
We also need to carefully look at the lodges, to consider whether we can actually cope there. If there is a steep walk to the reception or lots of steps, it's difficult. Also, there's no point in going somewhere and finding that the walks involve hiking up a mountain!
Being experienced travellers to Namibia, we think we won't try one of your set itineraries again. We would prefer to custom-build, knowing that we will have sound advice from you. We have booked all our previous visits through you (or Sunvil, originally) and we wouldn't consider going anywhere else.
There are certain areas which we won't choose to visit again, because of the poor quality of the gravel roads. For instance, the roads around the entrance to Sossussvlei were appalling. The drive to Swakop, once past Solitaire, had nowhere to stop and seems endless. The one picnic area was infested with wasps - what a disappointment! Also, much as we love Etosha, we spent very little time driving to other waterholes because the roads are awful.
We found most other visitors were German, with far fewer from Britain than on our previous trips. Not a problem; just a comment.
We'd like to mention Wilderness Safaris, whose staff were excellent whilst we used their airport lounge and then in guiding us through the airport. Whilst we were there, we had an interesting conversation with a gentleman whose was a senior commercial officer for the airports authority. He was interested in our descriptions of how a trip to Namibia is viewed my many of our friends in the UK; namely, if they actually know where Namibia is, as bonkers and dangerous, particularly as we drive ourselves. He was considering what commercial measures could be taken to dispel any fears and misunderstandings amongst UK people.
However, we're quite happy if tourist numbers don't increase!
Altogether, an outstandingly brilliant time, no less than we expected!
Thank you." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"My Aug 2022 trip"
Only minor detail that went wrong was advice to shop in Keetmanhoop before entering South Africa through the Mata Mata gate only to have nearly all our food and firewood confiscated by SA Customs." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 10 on a South Africa trip
"ape own to Namibia trip : Aug - Sep 2022"
Overall driving distance was about 4,250km so it was a tough schedule, but everything we expected (and a quite a bit more).
Managed to see and pass through stunning scenery, stop at interesting places and observe a variety of wildlife from Southern Right whales in South Africa to the big cats in Namibia, not to mention the magnificent seasonal flora on display in the Namaqualand.
Everything was in place for us so minimising hassle." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"2022 Honeymoon - Deferred from 2020!"
We cannot thank Lucy (our Expert Africa advisor) enough. Lucy did a truly remarkable job in very trying circumstances - as we had to defer the trip three times due to Covid. She managed these deferrals in exemplary fashion with remarkable, patience, good humour, resilience and integrity .Her recommendations and guidance in choosing locations was perfect as she clearly listened to our views and we felt in safe hands throughout.
The attention to detail and communication was second to none.
Exemplary!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a South Africa trip
"An exciting trip to a variety of destinations"
"My Jan 2019 trip"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No!" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 17 on a South Africa 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 Namaqualand
Our suggestions for places to stay in Namaqualand