Travel reviews by Mr and Mrs M from Scotland
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
13
Excursions taken
2
My Nov 2023 trip
Namibia between 12 Nov 2023 and 7 Dec 2023
"Amazing trip and very well organised by Tom Morris of Expert Africa.
Having been to Namibia before, and knowing roughly what we wanted to do, we set out to book the trip directly ourselves, but after discussion with Tom he came up with quite a number of options / lodges that we hadn't considered or been aware of.
After putting together a suggested itinerary it was clear that it was easier, and just as economic, to let Expert Africa organise all the accommodation. With map, guidebook and detailed intinerary and directions everything was made easy for travelling almost 4000km round Namibia over 3 1/2 weeks.
Overall a fantastic trip with great places to stay and visit.
Keep up the good knowledge of the country and its ever changing accommodation."
Having been to Namibia before, and knowing roughly what we wanted to do, we set out to book the trip directly ourselves, but after discussion with Tom he came up with quite a number of options / lodges that we hadn't considered or been aware of.
After putting together a suggested itinerary it was clear that it was easier, and just as economic, to let Expert Africa organise all the accommodation. With map, guidebook and detailed intinerary and directions everything was made easy for travelling almost 4000km round Namibia over 3 1/2 weeks.
Overall a fantastic trip with great places to stay and visit.
Keep up the good knowledge of the country and its ever changing accommodation."
Arranged By Tom Morris
Immanuel Wilderness Lodge
"Immanuel Wilderness Lodge review"
1 night
Arrived
13 Nov 2023
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Cheetah View Lodge
"Cheetah View Lodge review"
1 night
Arrived
14 Nov 2023
"Very nice modern accommodation with, not surprisingly, a cheetah themed decor!
Food, both dinner and breakfast were very good.
Arrived in time for (free) 2pm feeding session which turned out to be very interesting and informative. Particularly enjoyed the (pay for) 8am morning cheetah run where there was great close up views of running and resting cheetahs.
Would highly recommend a stay here when going to or coming from Etosha.
( Would also recommend the Crocodile Farm Cafe in Otjiworongo for a lunch stop before heading up the CCF road)"
Food, both dinner and breakfast were very good.
Arrived in time for (free) 2pm feeding session which turned out to be very interesting and informative. Particularly enjoyed the (pay for) 8am morning cheetah run where there was great close up views of running and resting cheetahs.
Would highly recommend a stay here when going to or coming from Etosha.
( Would also recommend the Crocodile Farm Cafe in Otjiworongo for a lunch stop before heading up the CCF road)"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Cheetah
Many sightings
Okaukuejo Camp
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
15 Nov 2023
"Having stayed here 18 years ago I had low expectations on both accommodation and food.
However the accommodation (waterhole chalet) was fine (only a few seconds from the waterhole) and the food was actually okay.
What hadn't changed was that some, but not all, of the staff appear disinterested in providing any sort of normal guest interaction. Particularly noticeable at check-in.
However the reason for coming back here didn't disappoint. The waterhole, particularly at night is amazing with sightings of 8 giraffes at once, multiple black rhinos including babies and loads of elephants, springboks etc. A stay of at least one night here is a MUST if visiting Etosha"
However the accommodation (waterhole chalet) was fine (only a few seconds from the waterhole) and the food was actually okay.
What hadn't changed was that some, but not all, of the staff appear disinterested in providing any sort of normal guest interaction. Particularly noticeable at check-in.
However the reason for coming back here didn't disappoint. The waterhole, particularly at night is amazing with sightings of 8 giraffes at once, multiple black rhinos including babies and loads of elephants, springboks etc. A stay of at least one night here is a MUST if visiting Etosha"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Sightings report
Black Rhino
Many sightings
Brown Hyena
Many sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Lion
Many sightings
Oryx
Many sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Mountain Lodge
"Mountain Lodge review"
3 nights
Arrived
17 Nov 2023
"Had an amazing stay at this elevated lodge. All the staff were great, friendly and welcoming.
The food was wonderful and the outer deck dining area was amazing. Our lodge was very good and even included a plunge pool. For the first night we were the only guests which provided an "exclusive" experience.
Game here is significantly less prolific than in Etosha NP. However, on the included game drives we have several amazing and very memorable close encounters with lions, elephants, rhinos and giraffes. We just had to be patient! Giraffe feeding on tree right beside bedroom window was a highlight.
Sundowner spots were both great.
Absolutely superb place to stay."
The food was wonderful and the outer deck dining area was amazing. Our lodge was very good and even included a plunge pool. For the first night we were the only guests which provided an "exclusive" experience.
Game here is significantly less prolific than in Etosha NP. However, on the included game drives we have several amazing and very memorable close encounters with lions, elephants, rhinos and giraffes. We just had to be patient! Giraffe feeding on tree right beside bedroom window was a highlight.
Sundowner spots were both great.
Absolutely superb place to stay."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Black Rhino
Many sightings
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Elephant
Many sightings
Giraffe
Many sightings
Lion
Many sightings
Oryx
Many sightings
Sable antelope
Many sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Khowarib Lodge
"Khowarib Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
20 Nov 2023
"Very quirky and rustic lodge in a remote area. Accommodation was a tented room overlooking the (barely flowing) river, and with an attached walled fully outside bathroom.
The food was good here and the pool was very welcome in the significant heat.
Staff were very helpful with charging our electronics when we lost our adaptor.
We made our own plans to visit a Himba village just south of Sesfontein and also visited Sesfontein Fort (now converted to a hotel) for lunch.
Would definitely recommend a visit to this remote area, staying at Khowarib."
The food was good here and the pool was very welcome in the significant heat.
Staff were very helpful with charging our electronics when we lost our adaptor.
We made our own plans to visit a Himba village just south of Sesfontein and also visited Sesfontein Fort (now converted to a hotel) for lunch.
Would definitely recommend a visit to this remote area, staying at Khowarib."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Doro Nawas
"Doro Nawas review"
1 night
Arrived
22 Nov 2023
"Reception/restaurant in fabulous hilltop setting with thatched lodges laid out below. Two pilots were the only other guests so we got personal service! Staff were very welcoming and food was excellent. Views from the terrace were amazing.
Highlight was getting the bed pushed out on the terrace and sleeping under the starry sky. Amazing experience seeing the dark sky, Milky Way, shooting stars and even the international space station passed over!
Nearby Twyfelfontein petroglyphs (Rock paintings and engravings) is well worth a visit.
Doro Nawis is great place to stay - wish we had had more than one night there."
Highlight was getting the bed pushed out on the terrace and sleeping under the starry sky. Amazing experience seeing the dark sky, Milky Way, shooting stars and even the international space station passed over!
Nearby Twyfelfontein petroglyphs (Rock paintings and engravings) is well worth a visit.
Doro Nawis is great place to stay - wish we had had more than one night there."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Cape Cross Lodge
"Cape Cross Lodge review"
1 night
Arrived
23 Nov 2023
"More like a standard hotel than anywhere else we stayed but the rooms were very comfortable with good sea views as hotel is directly on the beach.
Food was good both for dinner and breakfast and staff were friendly and helpful.
The hotel had some interesting exhibits in its small museum. Highlight was its proximity to the huge Cape Cross seal colony.
When we were there thousands of adult and baby seals had spilled on to the car park making an incredible noisy (and very smelly!) sight.
Overall good one night stop to visit the seal colony."
Food was good both for dinner and breakfast and staff were friendly and helpful.
The hotel had some interesting exhibits in its small museum. Highlight was its proximity to the huge Cape Cross seal colony.
When we were there thousands of adult and baby seals had spilled on to the car park making an incredible noisy (and very smelly!) sight.
Overall good one night stop to visit the seal colony."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Cornerstone Guesthouse
"Cornerstone Guesthouse review"
3 nights
Arrived
24 Nov 2023
"Cornerstone Guesthouse is a very welcoming and comfortable B&B within walking distance of all Swakopmund attractions.
Staff, including the owner, were all very friendly and helpful. Breakfast was 1st class.
The B&B helped organise a brilliant trip to Sandwich harbour south of Walvis Bay.
Would definitely recommend a stay here when visiting Swakopmund.
For dinner, "The Tug" down by the jetty is a great option, as is the little Doughnut Bar on the jetty for a fun coffee stop."
Staff, including the owner, were all very friendly and helpful. Breakfast was 1st class.
The B&B helped organise a brilliant trip to Sandwich harbour south of Walvis Bay.
Would definitely recommend a stay here when visiting Swakopmund.
For dinner, "The Tug" down by the jetty is a great option, as is the little Doughnut Bar on the jetty for a fun coffee stop."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Hoodia Desert Lodge
"Hoodia Desert Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
27 Nov 2023
"Hoodia was a very welcoming and comfortable lodge fairly close to Seisreim for Sossusvlei access.
It has great food and friendly staff and a nice little pool to cool off in.
The individual lodge was good with inside and outside showers and nice sitting area.
Would highly recommend Hoodia"
It has great food and friendly staff and a nice little pool to cool off in.
The individual lodge was good with inside and outside showers and nice sitting area.
Would highly recommend Hoodia"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Oryx
Many sightings
Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion
"Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion review"
28 Nov 2023 • All-day excursion
The included trip to Sossusvlei was excellent, including time to climb dune 45 and extended time to take in the splendour of Deadvlei.
The great lunch laid out under a shady tree before we returned to Hoodia was particularly memorable as we were the only guests and it was our wedding anniversary!
Our guide was very good.
The great lunch laid out under a shady tree before we returned to Hoodia was particularly memorable as we were the only guests and it was our wedding anniversary!
Our guide was very good.
Excellent
Eagle's Nest
"Eagle's Nest review"
2 nights
Arrived
29 Nov 2023
"Very atmospheric accommodation with huge rocks protruding into the room.
Amazingly peaceful spot with great views out into the Namib. (Apart from the resident mouse!)
We stayed in the last lodge (Eagles View right at the end of the track.)
Had the breakfast pack for both mornings which was excellent. It would have been crazy to go to the 7km to the hotel for breakfast!
Had the dinner pack which we cooked on the braai one night which was fun.
Wonderful place to stay for at least a couple of nights."
Amazingly peaceful spot with great views out into the Namib. (Apart from the resident mouse!)
We stayed in the last lodge (Eagles View right at the end of the track.)
Had the breakfast pack for both mornings which was excellent. It would have been crazy to go to the 7km to the hotel for breakfast!
Had the dinner pack which we cooked on the braai one night which was fun.
Wonderful place to stay for at least a couple of nights."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Halifax Island boat trip
"Halifax Island boat trip review"
30 Nov 2023 • Morning excursion
Excellent trip.
Arrived at the jetty to find two catamarans ready to go. One was a new looking boat which was jammed with people, the other an older boat (Zeepaard) which has us as the only passengers.
Our trip was superb with the captain Heiko spending most of the time with us and sharing his vast knowledge about the environment. He was very interesting and informative.
Lots of great views including seeing penguins and flamingos together! Plus playful dolphins.
While both boats left about the same time, the other boat was back long before us - so excellent choice.
Would highly recommend this trip with Heiko.
Arrived at the jetty to find two catamarans ready to go. One was a new looking boat which was jammed with people, the other an older boat (Zeepaard) which has us as the only passengers.
Our trip was superb with the captain Heiko spending most of the time with us and sharing his vast knowledge about the environment. He was very interesting and informative.
Lots of great views including seeing penguins and flamingos together! Plus playful dolphins.
While both boats left about the same time, the other boat was back long before us - so excellent choice.
Would highly recommend this trip with Heiko.
Fish River Lodge
"Fish River Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
1 Dec 2023
"Stunning location with great lodges perched on the cliff edge.
Food was very good here. Swimming in the pool while looking over the edge of the canyon was amazing.
Sundowner trip going north of the lodge to a great viewpoint with superb sunset views.
Would also recommend a self guided walk to a great viewpoint south of the lodge (c1-2 hr return).
While the staff were fine this was (surprisingly) the busiest lodge we stayed in and it consequently felt somewhat less personal than other lodges.
Overall - a great place to visit and stay."
Food was very good here. Swimming in the pool while looking over the edge of the canyon was amazing.
Sundowner trip going north of the lodge to a great viewpoint with superb sunset views.
Would also recommend a self guided walk to a great viewpoint south of the lodge (c1-2 hr return).
While the staff were fine this was (surprisingly) the busiest lodge we stayed in and it consequently felt somewhat less personal than other lodges.
Overall - a great place to visit and stay."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge
"Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
3 Dec 2023
"Easily accessed a few kilometres of the main B2 road. The rooms were fairly recently built with high quality finishes which felt quite opulent.
The food here was outstanding - dinner was presented gourmet style and staff were all very friendly and helpful.
The walking trails around the lodge allowed us to get close to zebras, wildebeest and giraffes.
excellent two night stay here - would highly recommend"
The food here was outstanding - dinner was presented gourmet style and staff were all very friendly and helpful.
The walking trails around the lodge allowed us to get close to zebras, wildebeest and giraffes.
excellent two night stay here - would highly recommend"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Giraffe
Many sightings
Wildebeest
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Eningu Clayhouse
"Eningu Clayhouse review"
1 night
Arrived
5 Dec 2023
"Quirky and very relaxed lodge with very friendly owner and staff.
On our one night stay we were the only guest so got personal service Interesting waymarked trails surround the lodge with regular informative information boards and two viewing hides. Didn't go into the second hide when we saw a 4m cobra slide up into the thatch!
Great place to spend our final night before short 1 hour drive back to the airport."
On our one night stay we were the only guest so got personal service Interesting waymarked trails surround the lodge with regular informative information boards and two viewing hides. Didn't go into the second hide when we saw a 4m cobra slide up into the thatch!
Great place to spend our final night before short 1 hour drive back to the airport."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Eland
Many sightings
Oryx
Many sightings
Accommodation was comfortable, the food (dinner and breakfast) was excellent and the staff were all very friendly. The little waterhole provided plenty of bird interest, as well as springbok and bontebock while enjoying a pre-dinner drink. A couple of resident ostriches and some tortoises also added interest.
Would definitely recommend for a one night stopover."