69 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Namaqualand.
Mr&Mrs S
Arni CH
"Cape Town to Fish River and back"
I visited South Africa and 1 other country between 3 Nov 2024 and 23 Nov 2024
"Very "diverse" trip from wine tastings, excellent food to hiking in the Namibian deserts and beachwalks in Paternoster.
Rather easy and comfortable to be done in three weeks." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 14 on a South Africa trip
Rather easy and comfortable to be done in three weeks." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 14 on a South Africa trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Victoria
"My Aug 2024 trip"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 28 Aug 2024 and 22 Sep 2024
"This was an amazing holiday, we enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks to Sabina for all her expertise, organisation and suggestions.
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
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
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs C
Bristol
"Our Oct 2023 trip"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 9 Oct 2023 and 31 Oct 2023
"Overall the trip had many surprises, and thankfully they were almost all positive!
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
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
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs R
Syderstone
"My Aug 2022 trip"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 30 Aug 2022 and 23 Sep 2022
"We have had a wonderful few weeks, discovering new places and enjoying the return to old favourites. Namibia has changed in some ways since we first visited in 2000, but the rugged beauty and the solitude remains.
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
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
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms L.
Monmouth
"My Aug 2022 trip"
I visited South Africa and 1 other country between 25 Aug 2022 and 18 Sep 2022
"All well planned, helpful preparation discussions with Sabina.
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
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
Overall trip
Excellent
Richard & Caroline
GB
"ape own to Namibia trip : Aug - Sep 2022"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 17 Aug 2022 and 11 Sep 2022
"Definitely one of the top holidays of our lifetime (so far!!), expertly put together and managed by Sabina at Expert Africa. We were recommended by friends who have used Expert Africa and would unreservedly recommend them ourselves. Sabina listened to what we wanted from the start and built the itinerary, timings and accommodation around that perfectly.
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
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
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs C
Nottingham
"2022 Honeymoon - Deferred from 2020!"
I visited South Africa between 29 Apr 2022 and 13 May 2022
"A truly outstanding trip - one of a lifetime.
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
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
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr A.
Hertford
"An exciting trip to a variety of destinations"
I visited South Africa and 1 other country between 5 Apr 2019 and 22 Apr 2019
"A great trip."
Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 7 on a South Africa trip
Overall trip
Good
Mr & Mrs M
France
"My Jan 2019 trip"
I visited South Africa between 28 Jan 2019 and 19 Feb 2019
"A great trip, well organised by Expert Africa. We would use them again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No!" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 17 on a South Africa 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
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs G
Cottenham
"Honeymoon Trip"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 16 Nov 2018 and 8 Dec 2018
"We both absolutely loved our trip, and have recommended Namibia to our friends, family and work colleagues.
Personally for us, once we had left Cape Town we were very eager to cross into Namibia. As such we would have been prepared to have driven longer distances to gain an extra day or two in Namibia (e.g. a one night stop half way between Cape Town and Canyon Lodge).
Overall, it was a brilliant itinerary. Tracy was in continuous contact and accommodated our request to be able to explore Kolmanskop. The Expert Africa team are clearly very knowledgeable and well connected, and went out of their way to ensure we could have an incredible honeymoon within the confines of our budget. The pack they sent to us was also very comprehensive (including a detailed road map), and we would recommend them to anyone wishing to explore Namibia (safe in the knowledge their team would be on hand if there were any issues).
Thank you to Tracy and all at Expert Africa - we had the trip of a lifetime and hope to return in the future!" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
Personally for us, once we had left Cape Town we were very eager to cross into Namibia. As such we would have been prepared to have driven longer distances to gain an extra day or two in Namibia (e.g. a one night stop half way between Cape Town and Canyon Lodge).
Overall, it was a brilliant itinerary. Tracy was in continuous contact and accommodated our request to be able to explore Kolmanskop. The Expert Africa team are clearly very knowledgeable and well connected, and went out of their way to ensure we could have an incredible honeymoon within the confines of our budget. The pack they sent to us was also very comprehensive (including a detailed road map), and we would recommend them to anyone wishing to explore Namibia (safe in the knowledge their team would be on hand if there were any issues).
Thank you to Tracy and all at Expert Africa - we had the trip of a lifetime and hope to return in the future!" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
69
reviews of Namaqualand by travellers since August 2007
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