Travel reviews by Mrs J. from Sussex

"We very much enjoyed our 3 nights at Olive Grove. The rooms were spacious, attractively decorated and comfortable. The staff were friendly and helpful, the breakfasts were good but the dinners not so good as the meat was very tough. It was game or chicken and disappointing. There were no activities as we were using it as a base at the beginning and end of our trip. and it worked very well."

"Delightful welcome from staff with cold towels and cold drink. Beautiful property with wonderful views of the dunes from the rooms which are well-appointed, attractively decorated and comfortable. Enjoyed a swim in the very chilly pool. Good meals taken on the terrace with excellent merlot included. Great views of the waterhole.

Next day an excellent tour to the dunes with a very knowledgeable and interesting guide (Rocky).

Highly recommend a stay here."

"A German townhouse attractively decorated in the middle of Swakupmond. We only had breakfasts but they were good.

We went to Sandwich Bay with Turnstone Tours. It was a good day out but it would have been better if they had called us to say that we should start an hour earlier because of the tides. As it was, we had a short time at the Bay and a hair-raising journey along the coast to beat the incoming tide. I have written to Turnstone about this."

"A lovely thatched tent with amazing views. Charming staff for whom nothing was too much trouble. Sundowner set up on cushions on the rocks was spectacular. Excellent dinner (pork).

Very good tour the next day with excellent, informative guide (Vargee) who found the elephants we were hoping to see. Learnt a lot from him about the local and national culture."

"We opted to be driven up the steep approach to the Lodge. Not very attractive dining area with a very small sitting area for guests unless they go outside onto the terrace. The rooms were small with no fans or a/c (no electric points). The walking tour and biking could not take place because of lions near the property. We had to be escorted back to our cabins after dinner. The pathways were very uneven and treacherous, especially for someone who uses a stick. We took the afternoon tour around the plateau but it wasn't very interesting. Next day we went on the rhino tracking tour. We were told we would be collected from our cabin at 5.30am because of the lion, but no one turned up. Luckily our mobile worked and we were able to call reception but it made us late for the start of the tour. It was very long and, at times, unbearably bumpy. The trackers did find the rhino. Then a long bumpy drive back. The guides did not sit with us at lunch so we weren't able to ask all the questions that we had wanted to. Spectacular scenery and stunning infinity pool. Delightful staff who sang beautifully after dinner one evening."

"Arrived to a warm welcome with cold towels and drink. Lovely large room with indoor and outdoor shower and amazing views over the waterhole. Joined afternoon drive with an exceptionally good guide (Mike) when we saw large numbers of animals and birds. Enjoyed a sundowner out in the bush with giraffes looking on!

Next day an wonderful tour, again with Mike when we saw great variety of animals. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and time spent afterwards with Mike and other staff. Unfortunately dinners were not great - tough pork and eland. Breakfasts were very good."

"Drove through Etosha on our way to Mushara and were very disappointed in the lack of animals. Enjoyed a warm welcome at beautiful Mushara. The architecture and decor are stunning. Our room was well-appointed and very comfortable. The pool was cold and refreshing. Enjoyed a short time at the hide. Excellent dinner the first night. Better luck in Etosha the next day and a good lunch back at Mushara. BBQ for dinner all beautifully laid out in the BBQ area but the meat was dry and tough. A very enjoyable stay."

"Good accommodation with sitting room, balcony overlooking the bush and comfortable bed. Interesting to learn about their work with the cheetahs and the dogs but the walking tour was a bit disappointing as the animals were all asleep under trees. An indifferent dinner (ran out of gin and tonic) and disappointing breakfast - lack of cereal choice, overcooked eggs.

Overall, a good stopping place between Etosha and Windhoek."

"Good place for a last night. See previous entry."