Travel reviews by A and A from Cossington
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
11
Excursions taken
0
My Aug 2018 trip
Namibia between 30 Aug 2018 and 16 Sep 2018
"Namibia was wonderful - so much more colourful than we expected.
The typical Namibian lodge we stayed in was in a good location (a bit of a drive from the main road), had well appointed rooms with a view, a warm welcome, a sundowner spot or drive, a 'signature' activity, and a nice dinner and breakfast. Service in general was good everywhere. 2 night stops in most locations worked well - we generally needed a full day to do whatever the 'signature' activity was.
Our highlights were Fish River canyon - it's a long, long drive south, but really worth it, Tok Tokkie Trails - sleeping under the stars, and Etosha - Okaukuejo camp facilities weren't great, but the water hole made it so much better than staying outside the park.
4WD car essential, together with an ipod for the long drives and in September in the south the nights were very cold - need jacket and a hat!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Can't fault anything about the trip.
We had a couple of problems - delayed bag, forgotten Kindle, on both of which we were helped by the local team - thank you!"
The typical Namibian lodge we stayed in was in a good location (a bit of a drive from the main road), had well appointed rooms with a view, a warm welcome, a sundowner spot or drive, a 'signature' activity, and a nice dinner and breakfast. Service in general was good everywhere. 2 night stops in most locations worked well - we generally needed a full day to do whatever the 'signature' activity was.
Our highlights were Fish River canyon - it's a long, long drive south, but really worth it, Tok Tokkie Trails - sleeping under the stars, and Etosha - Okaukuejo camp facilities weren't great, but the water hole made it so much better than staying outside the park.
4WD car essential, together with an ipod for the long drives and in September in the south the nights were very cold - need jacket and a hat!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Can't fault anything about the trip.
We had a couple of problems - delayed bag, forgotten Kindle, on both of which we were helped by the local team - thank you!"
Arranged By Sabina Hekandjo
River Crossing
"Good first stop"
1 night
Arrived
30 Aug 2018
"Convenient first stop after a long trip."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Average
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
"Stopover en route to fish River Canyon"
1 night
Arrived
31 Aug 2018
"Bagatelle is typical of many Namibian lodges - good location (a bit of a drive from the main road), well appointed room with a view, warm welcome, a sundowner drive, a couple of activities, in their case cheetah feeding and a nature drive, and a nice dinner and breakfast.
The stand out element of the typical lodge 'package' was the food - some of the best we had in Namibia."
The stand out element of the typical lodge 'package' was the food - some of the best we had in Namibia."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Fish River Lodge
"It's a long drive but worth it!!"
2 nights
Arrived
1 Sep 2018
"A long drive south, but the canyon is amazing. Stunning views of the canyon from the lodge and all rooms.
The lodge do a drive into the canyon which was excellent, and there are two well marked walking trails along the rim east and west to get the best views of the canyon.
Visiting in early September we needed plenty of clothes to keep warm in the evening, both in our room and in the lodge itself!"
The lodge do a drive into the canyon which was excellent, and there are two well marked walking trails along the rim east and west to get the best views of the canyon.
Visiting in early September we needed plenty of clothes to keep warm in the evening, both in our room and in the lodge itself!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Namtib Desert Lodge
"Intimate friendly lodge"
1 night
Arrived
3 Sep 2018
"Namtib Desert lodge is in a good location on a clockwise tour from fish River heading north.
There's a very warm welcome, a sundowner spot, and a friendly dinner and breakfast.
The stand out element of the typical lodge 'package' was the dinner around a single big table with our hosts."
There's a very warm welcome, a sundowner spot, and a friendly dinner and breakfast.
The stand out element of the typical lodge 'package' was the dinner around a single big table with our hosts."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Tok Tokkie Trails
"Sleeping under the stars"
2 nights
Arrived
4 Sep 2018
"A highlight of our trip to Namibia, we loved every minute.
The walk wasn't too strenuous, the scenery was stunning, the guide was caring, funny and interesting, the organisation faultless and the food was amazing (from a tiny field kitchen!). And to top it all we spent 2 nights staring at and sleeping under the stars
We went in early September, and the weather was unseasonably cold, so the evenings were very chilly - need a jacket, hat and gloves."
The walk wasn't too strenuous, the scenery was stunning, the guide was caring, funny and interesting, the organisation faultless and the food was amazing (from a tiny field kitchen!). And to top it all we spent 2 nights staring at and sleeping under the stars
We went in early September, and the weather was unseasonably cold, so the evenings were very chilly - need a jacket, hat and gloves."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Namib Outpost
"Great base to go to Sossusvlei"
2 nights
Arrived
6 Sep 2018
"Desert Homestead outpost is typical of many Namibian lodges - good location (a bit of a drive from the main road), well appointed room with a view, warm welcome, a sundowner spot, and a nice dinner and breakfast.
The lodge do a trip to the dunes which we only took to let someone else do the driving, but the guide was knowledgeable and had full access to all the various locations. Recommended.
We had a couple of problems while we were there - a slow puncture which they reinflated before we had noticed it ourselves and then guided us to the nearest repair centre, and we left a Kindle behind which they sent on to us, having contacted the local agents to get our itinerary. Great service!"
The lodge do a trip to the dunes which we only took to let someone else do the driving, but the guide was knowledgeable and had full access to all the various locations. Recommended.
We had a couple of problems while we were there - a slow puncture which they reinflated before we had noticed it ourselves and then guided us to the nearest repair centre, and we left a Kindle behind which they sent on to us, having contacted the local agents to get our itinerary. Great service!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
The Delight
"Great Swakopmund stop"
2 nights
Arrived
8 Sep 2018
"Unusual to stay in a 100 room hotel in Namibia, but we liked it a lot.
Well designed public areas, good room, great location, friendly efficient staff."
Well designed public areas, good room, great location, friendly efficient staff."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Camp Kipwe
"Up close to the Elephants"
2 nights
Arrived
10 Sep 2018
"Camp Kipwe is typical of many Namibian lodges - good location (a bit of a drive from the main road), well appointed room with a view, warm welcome, a sundowner spot, a couple of activities, the main one at Kipwe being a nature drive to see Elephants, and a nice dinner and breakfast.
The stand out elements of the typical lodge 'package' were the lodge design, the sundowner spot and the nature drive, where we got very close to the elephants (much closer and quieter than Etosha)"
The stand out elements of the typical lodge 'package' were the lodge design, the sundowner spot and the nature drive, where we got very close to the elephants (much closer and quieter than Etosha)"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Okaukuejo Camp
"Fantastic location makes worth it"
2 nights
Arrived
12 Sep 2018
"Everything we had read about the camp itself was accurate - indifferent service and food, bureaucracy, basic rooms, but we didn't care because the waterhole 50 metres from our room made it all worthwhile.
We went on a morning game drive with the camp, which we thought was well worth it - you go out 30 minutes before other cars, you are in an open jeep with a high seating position, see the sunrise and of course the driver knows where the game is!
We then spent hours at the water hole, which was full of game nearly all the time. A huge bonus is that it's floodlit, so game viewing continues long after the park gates have closed. We witnessed a lion hunt one evening (and the devouring of the giraffe carcass by lions, jackals and vultures the next morning)."
We went on a morning game drive with the camp, which we thought was well worth it - you go out 30 minutes before other cars, you are in an open jeep with a high seating position, see the sunrise and of course the driver knows where the game is!
We then spent hours at the water hole, which was full of game nearly all the time. A huge bonus is that it's floodlit, so game viewing continues long after the park gates have closed. We witnessed a lion hunt one evening (and the devouring of the giraffe carcass by lions, jackals and vultures the next morning)."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Poor
Facilities
Good
Ondudu Safari Lodge
"Fantastic scenery and a beautiful lodge"
1 night
Arrived
14 Sep 2018
"Erongo Wilderness lodge is typical of many Namibian lodges - good location (a bit of a drive from the main road), well appointed room with a view, warm welcome, a sundowner spot, a couple of activities and a nice dinner and breakfast.
There are lots of well marked walking trails, all of which have fantastic views."
There are lots of well marked walking trails, all of which have fantastic views."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Hilltop Guesthouse (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Stopover before returning home"
1 night
Arrived
15 Sep 2018
"Pleasant hotel, good location, friendly staff, good breakfast.
All you need as a place to stay when you have a morning flight to catch."
All you need as a place to stay when you have a morning flight to catch."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Not currently featured by Expert Africa