Travel reviews by Dr F & Mrs A from UK

"We did not spend much time in the hotel, but the staff were very friendly and helpful"

"What a gem of a place! The staff are so welcoming and so talented, their singing was superb and they put themselves out to give us a great time. We are so grateful for the lovely candle decoration of the wine-cellar where they served us a special dinner. The guide we had when Charles left, Willie, was very friendly and gave us a good trip to the wine-farm.

Sleeping on the roof was wonderful, no bugs and not cold, but it seemed a waste of time to sleep when there are so many stars to look at.
We loved the lay-out of the room and its exterior."

"We always enjoy staying with Sam and Beethoven, both of whom are extremely friendly and welcoming. We admire Sam for the way he cares for and trains his staff, for their benefit as much as for his own. Sam was so generous in giving us a free wine-tasting as a celebration.

We will stay there whenever we are in Swakopmund, the garden is delightful for relaxation and reading."

"I doubt if we will ever do anything as exciting. Russell was an amazing guide/host, so knowledgeable and caring about the whole environment, plants, animals, geology and people. He took us on great trips and was a charming companion. Special mention must be made os Sonja who conjured up outstanding meals and accommodation under very difficult circumstances, including champagne and a special cake which she baked for us over a fire (how???)

Meeting Flip was very special, this man is awesome (not a word I normally use), his dedication and capacity for working under extraordinary conditions is incredible. We feel it was a great honour to be allowed to observe him at work and enlightening to talk to him, thank you for arranging it. This is work we will follow on the website.

We watched a large lion from close quarters as he ate from an oryx and played with his cub. We watched Flip recollar a lioness, tale measurements and display his affection for and knowledge about his animals, all of which he was happy to share with us."

"Another camp with happy, welcoming, singing staff, led by the wonderful Maggie. Once more we were welcomed with champagne and rose-petals. Nestor was our able and friendly guide who took great care to find things to interest us.

We were ready for a rest after our camping experience and enjoyed the accommodation and outlook. The trackers were successful in finding a rhino with baby, and sensitive, not only for our safety but also for the welfare of the animals when the mother became a little agitated. Most enjoyable.

A delightful surprise evening meal was given to all of us in a lamp-lit secluded area."

"A wonderful place to finish our sightseeing trip. Once more we were given special treatment, champagne on arrival at the airstrip, the honeymoon suite, special private dinner in a pavilion, and more champagne at the end of the stay.

Such delightful people, especially our guide, Gheradus and our waitress, Gina. Gheradus made sure we saw as many birds as possible, all of which he knew at a glance, and took us for two exciting boat trips, one of which resulted in us seeing at very close hand, a crocodile take a cow from a group drinking in the river.

We were so pleased that Wilderness's CEO was staying there and we were able to express our appreciation for everyone's efforts and attentions, including our travel agent in London!"

"Thank you Sabina for suggesting this for our last night. Bettina is a lovely host and her place is different.

Next time we would like to begin our trip with two nights here."

"this is a wonderful place to begin and to end a holiday. Mike and Carol are great hosts, very friendly and caring.

Their luxury room was superb and when we returned they upgraded us to a fabulous suite. I would strongly reccommend them to any traveller and will return there next time."

"A wonderful welcome, everyone so friendly and helpful. The family-gathering round the table at mealtime is so inclusive and one soon feels at home.

Arrangements for outings was designed individually to suit interests and each was most ably guided by knowledgeable guides.

We loved it"

"A delightful place to stop-over on a long journey, one to which we would return for a longer stay. All the staff were friendly and interested in what we wanted to do.

As we were there only overnight we did not do activities but looked upon it as a welcome and indulgent rest. The pool area is a dream, both during the day and at night for star-gazing"

"We were so pleased to return to Sam's. He is a great character and charming host. We were the only guests and he really put himself out to make us welcome and to spend time with us.

We enjoyed his wine-tasting, he is so well-informed and enthusiastic. His dog, of course, was on form as co-host, and the beautiful garden was a haven of rest after a hard day's shopping."

"Again, this was a stop-over on a long journey so we did not partake in activities. The setting is delightful and staff friendly and helpful. We enjoyed our night there and the rooms and centre are lovely.

Compared to other places we did not find mixing with others as easy, probably because there are individual tables and we were not there long enough, nor did we go out in vehicles. I loved the outdoor bathrooms and the way the rooms fitted into the natural setting."

"A wonderful place to visit. The family-style dining is so enjoyable and makes one feel at home.

Jan, Suzi and all their staff are excellent company and do everything to make their guests comfortable and welcome. Excellent guiding by Jan, plenty of nearby places to stroll to around the lodge and enjoy seeing birds, lizards, various insects and plants and the most superb bungalows in which to enjoy comfortable relaxation and privacy.

Some people might be disappointed not to see lots of game but anyone with wider interests in plant-life, smaller animals and geology would enjoy being here."

"One could not hope for a better or more well-informed guide than Bruno. We were the only guests so everything was catered to our interests. We had a dramatic first night with violent thunderstorms which made the outdoor dining and bathroom experiences ones to remember.

Everything was provided by Bruno and Tommy, Bruno cooking over a fire after a full day out with us walking which was no mean feat. We learned a lot and had close sightings of a variety of animals, some very close to camp. The access road was difficult after prolonged rainfall, maybe at some point it will have to be addressed.

A welcome experience and a change from luxurious lodges, an adventure really."

"Lovely though main camp is I prefer their (more expensive) Bush Camp. It was lovely to see the leopards and cheetahs and this is probably the most reliable way of doing so.

It is also a more acceptable way of allowing lots of people to see them as I find the idea of several vehicles chasing after stalking predators abhorrent and at least we know that these beautiful animals will be cared for if necessary.

At the same time the idea of educating people about the dreadful treatment we mete out to these animals is laudable. They do a good job here."

"It is such a shame that this camp is now closed. With tourism so important to Namibia maybe the tourist board should stop to think about the implications of granting only short-term licences to companies who have to set up well-run and well-appointed camps miles from anywhere. It seems an appalling waste of physical and human resources.

Our guide was outstanding, all the camp staff outgoing and friendly and we had wonderful trips into this special area, appreciating the beauty and vastness and changeability. Everyone was sad that it was ending, but they gave us a great party to see it go out in style."

"As I said in the first comments this was an excellent end to an outstanding holiday. The premier suite is the best we have ever stayed in.

I would not go to any hotel in preference to the personal, individual accommodation on offer here"