Travel reviews by Mr P M from Derbyshire

"Everything done very efficiently"

"The hotel is very well-located and equipped, though restaurants are a little limited in range. Swakopmund is an interesting contrast to other parts of Namibia, despite the lingering greyness and consequent cool temperatures.

I took an excursion to Walvis Bay and boat trip which was well-run and worthwhile."

"A three night stay here is unnecessary, since the worthwhile activities can be done in less time. Although the petrified forest is quite interesting, it involved a very lengthy journey covering similar terrain etc. to previous excursions and only merited a short visit.

It also meant that two out of three evenings had a "bush dinner" which was entertaining the first time but repetitious after that. Similarly, the singing/dancing routines, which the staff engaged in at every opportunity, eventually became a little excessive.

Service and facilities, like the other Wilderness camps, are of a good standard, but the rooms are a little dark."

"The camp is the best equipped of those I stayed in, being the newest, and there was an excellent range of wildlife seen on the game drives. However, I was disappointed to find that an excursion to the Skeleton Coast (described as a highlight by people I spoke to) was only offered as an optional (and expensive) extra to guests not staying three nights. As a result, and since I refused, on principle, to pay the extra amount, I found myself on a final game drive which closely resembled a previous one and which meant that my overall level of satisfaction was a little below earlier expectations.

This arose because the couple I had been with chose not to go out on the final afternoon and this, in turn, triggered a sudden, (strategic?) illness in our guide, leaving me to join a newly-arrived couple, without any advance notice. This was the only time in the Wilderness camps that my status as a single traveller left me feeling slightly spare, possibly not unrelated to the fact that the (excellent and very enthusiastic) camp manager and her husband had earlier left, on their leave."

"Spectacular location and welcome contrast to the desert regions. Views down the river and birdlife were a very positive aspect. The camp staff were particularly friendly and interesting to talk to.

I found the Himba village visit fascinating and a far more authentic experience than the Damara "Living Museum", especially since I was the only visitor, along with my guide, and the lingering low cloud meant that the cattle had not yet been taken to pasture."

"A very different experience from the desert camps owned by Wilderness. The setting and the large numbers of birds and other wildlife make this a worthwhile camp to stay in. I particularly liked having a small waterhole outside my room, along with the attached "hide" and a supply of birdseed which enhanced the viewing experience.

Getting close to cheetahs and leopards was an excellent experience, albeit not easily brought about by the guide. This was the only camp, however, where my single traveller status felt like a slight handicap - eating alone, for example, without being asked if I would prefer to have company, as in Serra Cafema, and spending much of the last game drive (following a female leopard) unable to hear the guide or see what was happening. This was partly a result of the greater numbers of visitors, but also the different style of this camp."