Travel reviews by Mr M & Mrs R from London
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
4
Excursions taken
1
Namibia - much greener than I expected
Namibia between 4 Oct 2018 and 11 Oct 2018
"The trip was very good. Sabina's advice to spend the first night at the Olive Grove in Windhoek to avoid the risk of our incoming flight from Johannesburg being late and our missing the flight to Damaraland Camp was very good. The Olive Grove was delightful and relaxing and dinner on the terrace made a marvellous start to the holiday.
Etosha National Park was slightly disappointing for us as we had been on many safaris in South Africa and Botswana, and Etosha was very much like the Kruger National Park in South Africa, where again one had to stay on the roads through the park. However the reserve around the lodge was much better and the driver could drive over a much wider area, and the scenery there was stunning, with plenty of wild life, including a caracal which I gather isn't frequently seen. Seeing a vast herd of zebra patiently waiting for three lions to leave a water hole so that they could then have a drink was also fascinating. The guide also went to great lengths to find us white rhinos.
We liked Damaraland and the harsh, volcanic scenery. My wife really enjoyed Sossusvlei and the dunes. I had expected them to be the highlight of the trip, coming at the end, but I'm afraid the anticipated Wow Factor didn't materialise for me, but I still enjoyed the excursion and the Dead Vlei was most dramatic.
Providing landing cards for Namibia, with instructions how to complete them, was a great bonus. None were available on the plane and all the passengers had to scramble to get them and fill them in at Windhoek airport so we were almost the first people through passport control.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
On the landing card there is a question asking how much we anticipated spending in Namibia. I said I didn't know and that was not acceptable, although the passport officer wasn't bothered what figure I put in as long as I put in some figure. You might point this out with the information you provide about completing the landing card as a couple next to us were given quite a hard time about the way they had completed the form."
Etosha National Park was slightly disappointing for us as we had been on many safaris in South Africa and Botswana, and Etosha was very much like the Kruger National Park in South Africa, where again one had to stay on the roads through the park. However the reserve around the lodge was much better and the driver could drive over a much wider area, and the scenery there was stunning, with plenty of wild life, including a caracal which I gather isn't frequently seen. Seeing a vast herd of zebra patiently waiting for three lions to leave a water hole so that they could then have a drink was also fascinating. The guide also went to great lengths to find us white rhinos.
We liked Damaraland and the harsh, volcanic scenery. My wife really enjoyed Sossusvlei and the dunes. I had expected them to be the highlight of the trip, coming at the end, but I'm afraid the anticipated Wow Factor didn't materialise for me, but I still enjoyed the excursion and the Dead Vlei was most dramatic.
Providing landing cards for Namibia, with instructions how to complete them, was a great bonus. None were available on the plane and all the passengers had to scramble to get them and fill them in at Windhoek airport so we were almost the first people through passport control.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
On the landing card there is a question asking how much we anticipated spending in Namibia. I said I didn't know and that was not acceptable, although the passport officer wasn't bothered what figure I put in as long as I put in some figure. You might point this out with the information you provide about completing the landing card as a couple next to us were given quite a hard time about the way they had completed the form."
Arranged By Sabina Hekandjo
Olive Grove
"Delightful guest house"
1 night
Arrived
4 Oct 2018
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Damaraland Camp
"Excellent, community-run camp."
2 nights
Arrived
5 Oct 2018
"This was the best of the three camps we stayed at. The staff were very warm, friendly and helpful. It appeared to be managed by Wilderness Safaris but run by the local community. On our first morning my wife and I were driven a short distance into the hills for breakfast where we were amazed to find that a table with a white tablecloth and chairs with white covers and decorated with coloured shawls had been set out for breakfast for us and our guide. A member of staff and a waiter and a chef, with a barbecue for a hot breakfast, were waiting for just the two of us. We felt really pampered.
There was a single large dining table for all the guests where we exchanged experiences. On the second night dinner was served near a boma in a large kraal or stockade made of stakes with romantic lighting. We ate at a large table and had buffet service. It was a most enjoyable experience. A manager was always present at dinner.
We had a knowledgeable local guide who took us on a walk on the first afternoon and then for a long drive the following morning. We saw a pair of ostritches looking after about 20 babies, oryx and a herd of desert elephants."
There was a single large dining table for all the guests where we exchanged experiences. On the second night dinner was served near a boma in a large kraal or stockade made of stakes with romantic lighting. We ate at a large table and had buffet service. It was a most enjoyable experience. A manager was always present at dinner.
We had a knowledgeable local guide who took us on a walk on the first afternoon and then for a long drive the following morning. We saw a pair of ostritches looking after about 20 babies, oryx and a herd of desert elephants."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Sightings report
Elephant
1 sighting
Oryx
1 sighting
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Ongava Tented Camp
"Dining/lounge area/pool overlooking waterhole"
2 nights
Arrived
7 Oct 2018
"I was amazed to see giraffe at the water hole right in front of the reception area when we arrived. A variety of animals drank there during the day.
The large dining area overlooked the water hole but otherwise it didn't have much character. It was set out with separate tables and felt like a cafeteria.
The accommodation was fine.
We stayed at the camp for access to the Etosha National Park, which was like the Kruger National Park, where you had to stay on the road to see the animals, apart from two areas where there were large water holes. There were lots of animals there, and also lots of vehicles. Since our return home we have spoken to a number of friends who have been to Etosha and all of them were disappointed with their experience there, saying that it was a bit like a UK safari park.
The camp was situated in, or had access to, a large reserve with plenty of animals, and there our guide could drive wherever he wished. The scenery there was stunning, with long golden grass, trees and wild flowers, and with dark mountains in the background."
The large dining area overlooked the water hole but otherwise it didn't have much character. It was set out with separate tables and felt like a cafeteria.
The accommodation was fine.
We stayed at the camp for access to the Etosha National Park, which was like the Kruger National Park, where you had to stay on the road to see the animals, apart from two areas where there were large water holes. There were lots of animals there, and also lots of vehicles. Since our return home we have spoken to a number of friends who have been to Etosha and all of them were disappointed with their experience there, saying that it was a bit like a UK safari park.
The camp was situated in, or had access to, a large reserve with plenty of animals, and there our guide could drive wherever he wished. The scenery there was stunning, with long golden grass, trees and wild flowers, and with dark mountains in the background."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Average
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Facilities
Average
Sightings report
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
3 sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Oryx
3 sightings
White Rhino
2 sightings
Wildebeest
3 sightings
Zebra
5 sightings
Hoodia Desert Lodge
"Large, dramatic, theatrical sitting area"
2 nights
Arrived
9 Oct 2018
"The lounge area is large and dramatic, with plenty of seating areas and lavishly furnished, with many beautiful books on Namibia.
The individual tables in the spacious dining area are set in a semi-circle near to large picture windows. There is a deck outside where you can have drinks and watch the sun set, with a pool area one level below that. The manager was very attentive and the service was good.
The guide we had was excellent and very knowledgeable.
We stayed at the lodge for access to Sossusvlei and did not see, or expect to see, animals there."
The individual tables in the spacious dining area are set in a semi-circle near to large picture windows. There is a deck outside where you can have drinks and watch the sun set, with a pool area one level below that. The manager was very attentive and the service was good.
The guide we had was excellent and very knowledgeable.
We stayed at the lodge for access to Sossusvlei and did not see, or expect to see, animals there."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion
"Great excursion, nature walk and lunch"
10 Oct 2018 • All-day excursion
Before we went to the dunes our excellent guide showed us the nest of the dancing lady spider and of a small scorpion and persuaded them to emerge from the sand. He also explained a great deal about the geology of the area.
He drove us to a quieter area of the dunes which was less crowded than the more popular one. We still walked up a dune of a size which suited us - while two other, younger guests were more ambitious and walked up a much larger one - and helped us to slither down the precipitous far side. We then went for a long walk through the dunes before having a relaxing picnic lunch, beautifully laid-out beneath a shady tree.
It was very hot on the walk and our guide went to great lengths to make sure we drank plenty of water.
He drove us to a quieter area of the dunes which was less crowded than the more popular one. We still walked up a dune of a size which suited us - while two other, younger guests were more ambitious and walked up a much larger one - and helped us to slither down the precipitous far side. We then went for a long walk through the dunes before having a relaxing picnic lunch, beautifully laid-out beneath a shady tree.
It was very hot on the walk and our guide went to great lengths to make sure we drank plenty of water.
Excellent
Excellent, relaxed dinner on the terrace made a wonderful start to our visit to Namibia.
Large, comfortable room on first floor. Good breakfast. Charming, helpful staff."