Travel reviews by Mr R from Somerset

"We had no plans to explore the big towns this time so did not wish to stay in Windhoek. River Crossing is closer to the airport than Windhoek but is out in the wild so we were able to experience Namibian countryside for the first time.

The individual rooms are about 20/30 meters apart with small patios looking down the hillside. The main reception/dining/swimming area is higher up and at night when having dinner the lights of Windhoek can just be seen between the intervening hills. The staff were delightful, eager to please and to chat about Namibia, where we were going and where we lived in the UK.

We rested after our long flight from the UK and headed off early the next morning so there was no opportunity to try any activities on offer. Like most of the approach roads to the lodges it was gravel, but we passed workers laying paving, so in future the drive up promises to be smoother.

One problem we experienced was that the bath surround was in a bad state of repair and it did not reflect the apparent standard of the promotional material or the standard of the rest of the surroundings."

"In some ways this was our favourite place, small, friendly and somewhere where we could learn more about life in Namibia. We eat with the family and other guests and were involved in the discussion of the days activities on the farm and the current problems they are suffering with the long dry spell they are suffering.

On the afternoon of arrival we went for a short walk round the farm and the next day their guide took us higher into the mountains next to the Naukluft Park where we saw Kudu, Zebra, Klipspringer snake eagle and the local Quiver Trees.

After a couple of hours we were dropped off at the top of Quiver Tree Canyon which we were able to descend on foot to be met at the bottom for a short drive back to the lodge. Here we saw our first Rock Dassies and a large bird called a Hamerkop."

"These lodges were located inside the park so we were able to head out to get pictures of the early light on the dunes before the park opened to other travellers. They were also the first lodges we stayed in where the walls were canvas and the roofs thatched which together with large window areas and large private balconies helped us feel more in touch wit the environment. The lodges are raised off the ground on stilts to reduce environmental impact and the simple shower in the en suite simply drained through the wooden floor into a tray below.

Access to the lodges from reception was via raised walkways. As with several of the lodges there were two basins in the en suite, but unfortunately one of the taps sprayed everywhere soaking you and there was only one plug anyway. Otherwise however everything was perfect, reception and dining areas large and airy overlooking a small water hole at which we saw Oryx and Springbok.

We found our own way to the dunes on the night of arrival and again early the next day so did not make use of any of the organised activities, however once at the end of the metalled road we took the shuttle into the dunes proper rather than use our 4WD car because probably due to our lack of experience we found ourselves getting stuck in the deep sand when we tried ourselves."

"Not realising there is a cold ocean current up the coast of Namibia, the drop in temperature and the fog as we approached Swakupmond caught us by surprise. However the guesthouse was a delight, easy to find, very clean and tidy rooms set in a beautifully maintained garden with excellent food.

Distances between lodges had required we stay in Swakupmond despite not really wanting to explore the big towns this time, however we found the local museum while there which took up a significant part of the day to explore, giving us a lot of the history of Namibia, the town and its businesses as well as information on the tribes indigenous to Namibia. A thoroughly absorbing, modern museum.

Here we experienced to only rain in Namibia, quite heavy overnight with lots of lightning. We picked up a lot of mud on the car the next day, which remained with us for the rest of the trip."

"A canvas walled, thatched roof lodge in dramatic rocky environment. Some confusion here as we could see signs to superior rooms yet not in the direction our room was in. Only the next day did we conclude that Superior room and superior view room was different. We had the latter and at least they did reflect the title. sitting on cushions on one of the large rocks watching the sunset drinking g&t was one of the highlights here.

On the second day we were up early in search of Desert adapted elephants and almost immediately found a small herd with a few youngsters among them. We were able to get up close for an hour and a half or so until they disappeared of into the boulders where we could not follow. there was a mouse in the room gnawing its way into the milk cartons when we got back - it scuttled off and we didn't see it again. Our companions had a similar problem, didn't see it but it got into their bags and chewed a few things - there's a lesson, zip up bags when not in the rooms.

One problem we had on returning to our lodge after dinner the light left on to guide us back was covered in moths and as soon as we were inside a put a light on they were all inside. Not the most dangerous situation but bothersome with them flapping all round you - had to put the light out a bunk down. The problem seemed to be that there was a 25cm gap between the walls and the roof that was completely open where in other lodges with a similar gap there were insect nets. Otherwise everything was excellent"

"While at out previous location we received a message that Ongava Lodge had double booked us and could only offer us a place at Ongava Tented Camp. Not sure why we were the ones being bumped as our booking had been made 10 months previously and almost certainly at least some of those at the Lodge would have booked after that. They offered non stop activities at no charge in compensation. First feelings were of unhappiness but a few things happened that we would not have experienced at the Lodge so it worked out, albeit by luck.

We were taken out more or less as soon as we arrived early afternoon when normally we would relax in camp and recover from the drive from the previous lodge. Got to see 2 white rhino up close in Ongava Reserve and then on our way back in the dark the guide saw black rhino in the dark. He took us to a hide where we were able to watch 2 white and 2 black rhino from about 15 feet at a waterhole for about 30 minutes before returning to camp for dinner.

The location of Tented Camp means we would not have seen them had we been at the Lodge. The next day we were up early to be taken to Etosha, but the guide quickly turned back after reports of a lion near the camp. We within 10 feet of a large male lion for about 10 minutes as it made it's along the roadside. Had a good full day in Etosha and saw a wide range of animals including Giraffe, Cheetah and Elephant. Returned to camp after dark completely exhausted. Camp has it's own waterhole right by the restaurant so got see a few antelope at breakfast. we were taken to our lodges after dinner by armed guard and advised not to venture out. One guest assured us a lion crossed their deck during the night.

Staff service was excellent, just the back office error let them down."

"Having been guided through Etosha for a day and a half at the previous location and even though we had driven through Etosha to get to Mushara we decide to drive ourselves into Etosha this time. Consequently we are unable to comment on the guide services here.

However the rooms and central area were wonderful. The lawn outside the restaurant area was a popular spot for warthogs and any time there were competing males together the lawn got chewed up and repair by the gardener a regular task."

"We were able to visit the Hoba meteorite (worlds heaviest metal meteorite) en route to Okonjima - well worth the slight deviation. The reserve .... We booked an early morning trip in search of leopard and although there are no guarantees to see any we were lucky enough to find three and we spent an exiting couple of hours watching them at really close quarters.

When they finally moved on we headed back to camp. although we had booked to look for wild dogs in the afternoon we saw them on the way back. So in the afternoon we took a guided tour of the reservation's work rescuing cats and returning them to the wild and helping farmers protect their herds from the indigenous carnivores - well worth your time. This included getting close to two cheetah.

The rooms are close together but entirely private - safe to walk to and from even in the dark as the camp is isolated from the main reserve. They have large picture windows looking out over open bush with various herbivores visiting the waterhole. We had a small family of wart hogs bedding down for each night against the wall of the room."

"This was our last night, sufficiently close to Windhoek to get to the airport in time. Part of the drama here is the 4WD approach to the camp (those without 4WD can park at the bottom car park and get a lift to reception.

The environment is very dramatic rocky terrain with tented rooms set on a hillside connected with the restaurant by raised wooden walkways. We took an evening guided trip to view some prehistoric cave paintings with sunset cocktails included. Not many large animals here but we did see dik-dik. Nevertheless guards patrol the camp through the night so there must be some cats about.

The following morning a two hour walk around the camp and to the top of one of the very high surrounding points starting at dawn and back in time for breakfast. A welcome change from being driven everywhere. Bathroom is effectively outside (perfectly private) so pretty chilly early in the morning and shower best used in the late afternoon."