Travel reviews by AK from USA
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
7
Excursions taken
1
Namibia Aug/Sept 2021 trip
Namibia between 19 Aug 2021 and 7 Sep 2021
One lodge, Ai Aiba was disappointing and felt “low end”- our travel consultant should have suggested a different place.
The other issue was with Etendeka and Tok Tokkie: my wife and I found the description quite misleading: there is nothing Luxury about Tok Tokkie, and it should have been presented as a camping trip with no tent. I believe that Etendeka is similar. Expert Africa should have made it very clear that conditions are very basic and that it can get freezing cold, windy and sandy at night and the bed is a very basic foldable one, and this was not conveyed to us clearly. While Mandulea was also not luxurious, it did have some basic comforts like light, real bed, shower and toilettes which worked well for us.
On the positive side, Onguma and Hoodia exceeded our expectations and were superb."
Feedback response
We’re delighted these travellers enjoyed their trip in Namibia – although we are also sorry that not all of its elements met their expectations.
We pride ourselves on our first-hand, in-depth knowledge as well as the level of detail on this website. We are very aware some of the ‘trails’ accommodations originally included in this trip – specifically at Etendeka Walking Trail and Tok Tokkie Trails – are amongst the most basic that we offer anywhere in Africa. Clearly, on this occasion, we failed to get this across to these travellers.
Their comments have also reminded us that cold snaps in July-Sept can have a significant impact on our traveller’s experiences. Going forward, we resolve to flag this up even more prominently, particularly to those travellers choosing ‘more basic’ accommodations like the Etendeka Walking Trail and Tok Tokkie Trails.
Arranged By Tom Morris
Weinberg Hotel
"Am Weinberg Boutique Hotel review"
Onguma Tented Camp
"Onguma Tented Camp review"
Game drive to Etosha was wonderful and so was sundowner."
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Elephant
2 sightings
Giraffe
4 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
2 sightings
Oryx
8 sightings
Roan antelope
1 sighting
Wildebeest
6 sightings
Zebra
6 sightings
Mundulea Reserve
"Mundulea Reserve review"
Tents are comfortable but not meant for luxury seeking people. Good food.
A very memorable experience if one likes to walk."
Giraffe
1 sighting
Oryx
2 sightings
Roan antelope
2 sightings
Wildebeest
4 sightings
Zebra
2 sightings
Ai Aiba Lodge
"Ai Aiba Lodge review"
The rooms are too close to each other so one can hear conversations.
On the positive, the location is beautiful and the staff was very friendly and helpful.
The lodge is showing its age, though everything in the room did work."
We understand that there’s always a vegetable-based starter option, ‘mixed seasonal vegetables’ with the main course and also a green salad – but the owners assure us that they’ll look at their food again with a keen eye on its ‘healthiness’.
Most recently they completed a “complete overhaul and refurbishment” just prior to the coronavirus pandemic. We’re sorry if the deliberately ‘rustic’ feel of the lodge appeared to these clients as the lodge ‘showing its age’.
Systems Manager & Senior Africa Specialist | Southern Africa
The Delight
"The Delight review"
We found the town of Swakopmund quite depressing and lifeless (could be as a result of covid curfew), so one night could have been enough."
Tok Tokkie Trails
"Tok Tokkie Trails review"
However, this is not a luxury hike: it is a camping trip with no tent, so expect cold temperatures and blasting sand at night. The beds were not very comfortable.
On the other hand, the night sky was wonderful."
However, we are delighted that they did generally enjoy the trail and specifically the guiding; that is what this experience is all about. Sleeping in the dunes with only a bedroll can be the highlight of a Namibia trip – even if travellers need to be prepared for low temperatures from June to Sept.
Systems Manager & Senior Africa Specialist | Southern Africa
Oryx
5 sightings
Hoodia Desert Lodge
"Hoodia Desert Lodge review"
Excellent rooms, food, location. Wonderful staff.
Thomas, the manager, gives the place a personal touch."
Oryx
3 sightings
Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion
"Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion review"
4 Sep 2021 • All-day excursion
Several good restaurants within walking distance."