Travel reviews by Mrs & Mr M from UK
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
13
Excursions taken
1
My May 2012 trip
Namibia between 16 May 2012 and 6 Jun 2012
"Very happy with the itinerary as it allowed us a brief look at many different parts of the country in a relatively short period of time. We travelled 4200 kms in 3 weeks. We are used to driving on gravel and corrugated roads but other less experienced drivers may have found the length of trip tiring. It also meant that some very good camps became overnight stops instead of the destination they deserved to be. (eg. Mushara)
We purchased goods for which we could reclaim the VAT. Our claim was processed without problem other than a 70 minute queue after check-in and 15 minutes before check-in to complete the form and have Customs and Excise check that we had the goods in our possession. Some people in the queue did not get their claims processed before having to board their flight. At the time I was queuing most of the people were on a flight to Angola and had a very large number of receipts with their claims. These were being audited carefully and many rejected which added to the time being taken."
We purchased goods for which we could reclaim the VAT. Our claim was processed without problem other than a 70 minute queue after check-in and 15 minutes before check-in to complete the form and have Customs and Excise check that we had the goods in our possession. Some people in the queue did not get their claims processed before having to board their flight. At the time I was queuing most of the people were on a flight to Angola and had a very large number of receipts with their claims. These were being audited carefully and many rejected which added to the time being taken."
Vertigo Boutique Hotel, Namibia (this camp has since closed)
"Very comfortable hotel"
1 night
Arrived
17 May 2012
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Average
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
"Good stay at Bagatelle"
1 night
Arrived
18 May 2012
"Good to be able to walk around by ourselves and get a feel for the area around the camp."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Canyon Lodge
"Good base for Fish River Canyon viewing trips"
2 nights
Arrived
19 May 2012
"No lounge area for sitting in the evening, only a small bar area."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Average
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Nest Hotel
"Wonderful views from Nest Hotel"
1 night
Arrived
21 May 2012
"No particular comments. We were very lucky with the weather the day we visited Luderitz and also drove around Diaz Point."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Eagle's Nest
"Great braai under the stars at Eagles Nest"
1 night
Arrived
22 May 2012
"There had been flooding in March and the resort was in the process of rebuilding access roads; for which they apologised. This did not cause any undue difficulty for us but access to the Eagles Nest part of the resort was very sandy in part. We believe that an ordinary car may not have been able to access our particular lodge.
A member of the restaurant staff was very efficient in getting a braai pack prepared for us together with wood, firelighters and matches. All other guests returned to the lodge for dinner leaving us to have our braai in the dark under the stars - one of the best nights of the trip. This is definitely the way to do it at this resort!"
A member of the restaurant staff was very efficient in getting a braai pack prepared for us together with wood, firelighters and matches. All other guests returned to the lodge for dinner leaving us to have our braai in the dark under the stars - one of the best nights of the trip. This is definitely the way to do it at this resort!"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Hoodia Desert Lodge
"Wonderful memories of Hoodia"
2 nights
Arrived
23 May 2012
"The service was both professional and personal and the food the best we encountered on our trip.
We went on the all day excursion to Soussusvlei. The guide, Angula, was excellent and his knowledge and the excellent picnic lunch contributed to a very memorable day."
We went on the all day excursion to Soussusvlei. The guide, Angula, was excellent and his knowledge and the excellent picnic lunch contributed to a very memorable day."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Central Guest House, Namibia (this camp has since closed)
"Excellent location"
3 nights
Arrived
25 May 2012
"The location and services provided made this an excellent base for exploring Swakopmund. The "receptionist" Anya was particularly helpful and went out of her way to ensure we enjoyed our stay.
There was a problem on one night when a cat (whose owner was on holiday) got back in at night time and woke guests on the top floor and was indeed put outside again by a guest (us). This was dealt with by the guest house the next day."
There was a problem on one night when a cat (whose owner was on holiday) got back in at night time and woke guests on the top floor and was indeed put outside again by a guest (us). This was dealt with by the guest house the next day."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Coast and Sandwich Harbour
"Excellent guiding by Ernest"
26 May 2012 • All-day excursion
Wonderful! No other words necessary.
Excellent
Mowani Mountain Camp
"Two very good guided drives"
2 nights
Arrived
28 May 2012
"Excellent guiding by Stewart and very good service by staff at camp."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Dolomite Camp
"Wonderful views"
1 night
Arrived
30 May 2012
"We enjoyed our stay at the camp and wish that we had been able to get the extra night that we initially tried to book rather than having the extra night at Okaukuejo.
It is worth noting that this camp is probably not suitable for anyone with mobility difficulties.
The game viewing in this newly opened up section of the park is more interesting than the eastern section as the game is not yet used to the presence of vehicles."
It is worth noting that this camp is probably not suitable for anyone with mobility difficulties.
The game viewing in this newly opened up section of the park is more interesting than the eastern section as the game is not yet used to the presence of vehicles."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Okaukuejo Camp
"Good central base for Etosha"
2 nights
Arrived
31 May 2012
"A good central base but due to its size this camp does not have the same feel as many others.
It was pleasant to note that there was little noise around the floodlit waterhole but it was very annoying that people insisted on taking photographs of elephants at very close range (close to the stone wall around the camp) using cameras without first disabling the flash."
It was pleasant to note that there was little noise around the floodlit waterhole but it was very annoying that people insisted on taking photographs of elephants at very close range (close to the stone wall around the camp) using cameras without first disabling the flash."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Average
Food
Average
Mushara Bush Camp
"Wonderfully relaxing"
1 night
Arrived
2 Jun 2012
"Only 3 tents occupied and only 1, very well behaved, child. So we found it very quiet and relaxing but it may not be in the high season. If we returned to Etosha we would spend more time here.
We would particularly like to note that we found Victoria, who appeared to be in charge at the time, a very impressive hostess."
We would particularly like to note that we found Victoria, who appeared to be in charge at the time, a very impressive hostess."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Weaver's Rock Guest Farm (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Convenient overnight stop, great views"
1 night
Arrived
3 Jun 2012
"We used this as an overnight stop only and so have no experience of any of the activities on offer. It was only a short distance off the B1 so is very convenient for breaking a journey from Etosha to Windhoek.
The rooms were clean with balconies with wonderful views across plains to mountains in the distance. The food was well cooked but the portion sizes were very large."
The rooms were clean with balconies with wonderful views across plains to mountains in the distance. The food was well cooked but the portion sizes were very large."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Average
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Vertigo Boutique Hotel, Namibia (this camp has since closed)
"Last night stop"
1 night
Arrived
4 Jun 2012
"There was apparently only one other guest, whom we did not see.
The rooms and facilities were still very good but we felt the food on offer at breakfast was extremely limited There was no juice, fresh fruit and some of the bread rolls were not particularly fresh. This was a bit of a disappointment for an hotel that is obviously aiming to be "upmarket""
The rooms and facilities were still very good but we felt the food on offer at breakfast was extremely limited There was no juice, fresh fruit and some of the bread rolls were not particularly fresh. This was a bit of a disappointment for an hotel that is obviously aiming to be "upmarket""
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Good
Service
Average
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Poor
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
It would be a bit isolated if it were to be used for anything other than a one night stop on arrival."