Travel reviews by Mr F & Ms E from USA

"River Crossing was a great lodge.

The common areas and rooms were well-appointed, with lots of charm and character. The staff were all wonderful and a pleasure to interact with. We loved the safari drive and saw a ton of animals including a herd of giraffes really up close. Great surroundings, and fantastic views from the pool deck and the rooms, and an easy drive into Windhoek.

The "driveway" from the main road to the lodge is long and in really bad shape. Not a lot to do in terms of activities, other than the safari, and horseback riding. I was hoping for hiking trails, but a staff person we asked said all we could do was the walk down to the stables. However, it's a perfect place to relax and spend some time in a wonderful setting."

"Definitely the simplest accommodation of our trip in all regards, but perfectly adequate for what it is, as Keetmanshoop seems to be a stopover town.

The highlight is definitely the sunny central courtyard. Rooms are very basic, but clean and tidy. Easy drive to the Quivertree forest."

"Nest hotel is not only the best known hotel in Luderitz, it's a local landmark and hangout, so it's a pretty bustling place in an otherwise sleepy town.

Situated at the very tip of a peninsula over the water of the bay, it has fantastic views on the ocean and the city from almost every room. The pool area looked very inviting, but we didn't check it out, it was too cold during our stay. The restaurant has an outdoor patio which is perfect during the day for lunch or a drink, and dinner was delicious; lots of options and very attentive service. They did lose our reservation the first night, but accommodated us anyway.

Reservations are definitely recommended, as they seem to be sticklers about having a reservation for dinner. Nest's location also makes it an easy starting point for exploring Luderitz on foot, or starting a drive of the area. The concierge was happy to spend the time to explain all our tour options to us, and make suggestions for things to see."

"In terms of pure character and beauty, this lodge can't be beat. The combination of rustic hut construction, and modern furniture and amenities is unexpected and breathtaking. Just to step out on the deck of a chalet at night and look up at the most dazzling night sky you've seen in your life is in itself a worthwhile experience. There are water holes just feet from the chalet, and wildlife is constantly hanging out around them. It's a 10 minute walk to Sesriem canyon, where you can take a guided walk, or hike independently. The lodge also offers sunrise tours to Soussusvlei, which are an absolute must, and were a definite highlight of the trip for us. Dinner options are limited, but what they do serve is very good, and advance requests are accommodated. This is the perfect place to stay in the Namib-Naukluft park to take advantage of all of its offerings.

There are a few caveats that come with staying here though. Perhaps because it's an ecolodge and doesn't have the best utilities infrastructure, but we did have a few issues. For one, our toilet didn't work. We did have maintenance come out to fix it soon after our arrival, but after one flush it broke again. So for two days we had to use the pool area toilets (which were a hike from our chalet). On the day we took the sunrise tour, when we got our wake-up knock at 4 30 am, we realized we didn't have power in the chalet. So we had to get ready in the dark. And when I say dark, I mean DARK, like zero lumens, stick a fork in your eye, pitch black dark. Just to grope around to find our phones for some light took 5 minutes. At first we thought it was a power outage at the lodge, but once we stepped outside, we saw it was just our chalet that didn't have power (lucky number 15). There is no heat or AC option either (aside from a fan), so whatever temp it is outside, is what you get inside.

Frankly we took these things in stride, because, although annoying, they weren't enough to dampen our experience, which was otherwise fantastic. What was more off-putting, was their tour manager. When you arrive, you get a welcome briefing by one of their tour managers, and the one we got was unpleasant. Yes, we managed to find the one unpleasant Namibian in the entire country, and she works at Soussus Dune lodge. She seemed genuinely uninterested in helping us or answering questions, mumbled quietly in half-sentences and avoided eye contact the whole time we talked to her. We didn't book anything with her. And she really was the only one with that attitude among all the other wonderful staff, so I'm not lowering my service rating because of one bad apple. Later we heard another tour manager giving a welcome spiel to a group of new arrivals, and he was so thorough, informative and approachable that we asked to book the sunrise tour with him. The tour itself was fantastic. The two guides we had were so obviously passionate about the place, took time to answer questions, engaged the group by asking questions of their own, and served an amazing picnic breakfast at the end. Watching the sun rise over those dunes while standing on top of one was a really poignant moment.

Overall, despite those few negative moments, it was still a really incredible place to spend a couple of days. Very different, exotic, beautiful, and peaceful. I just hope that the management not get complacent by counting on the lodge's attributes to do all the work, and focus on working out the kinks."

"The Bullsport experience is really unique among all the other lodges/hotels we stayed in, in that the hosts truly welcome you as if you were a guest staying with them, and not just a tourist who made a booking at their lodge. And they do this with an unassuming and casual candor that makes it feel natural and pleasant, rather than a business angle.

For me the highlight of our very brief one night stay here was the family style dinner, and not because it was a delicious home made meal, but rather because we got to spend a few hours having a conversation in fascinating company. I loved that Ernst and Johanna don't shy away from potentially polarizing topics, and are happy to share their opinions and stories with their guests. It was an enlightening and wholly refreshing experience, and we remain grateful for their hospitality.

We didn't have time to do the Quivertree gorge hike, but we did do an evening game drive through the farm, and a morning horseback ride, on both of which we were treated to spectacular scenery, and a wealth of information about farming in Namibia. Our room was fantastic - large and beautifully appointed. I do wish there was a heater that didn't involve an open flame, as it got really cold at night.

A really great option, especially for anyone interested in getting more under the skin, and learning from the locals."

"Loved it.

The rooms with the nautical decor, the cozy, tiny common area and breakfast nook, the perfectly manicured flower beds and flowering trees, the shady courtyard, the central location within easy walk of any point of interest in Swakopmund.

Every detail felt homey and authentic."

"River Crossing was a great lodge.

The common areas and rooms were well-appointed, with lots of charm and character. The staff were all wonderful and a pleasure to interact with. We loved the safari drive and saw a ton of animals including a herd of giraffes really up close. Great surroundings, and fantastic views from the pool deck and the rooms, and an easy drive into Windhoek.

The "driveway" from the main road to the lodge is long and in really bad shape. Not a lot to do in terms of activities, other than the safari, and horseback riding. I was hoping for hiking trails, but a staff person we asked said all we could do was the walk down to the stables. However, it's a perfect place to relax and spend some time in a wonderful setting."