Travel reviews by Mrs M & Mr S from USA
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
13
Excursions taken
0
My Oct 2018 trip
Namibia between 9 Oct 2018 and 1 Nov 2018
"overall it was fantastic, thank you Maruska for designing the perfect trip. We loved every day!
All was fantastic. No significant problems or issues, loved the country, would love to return. Mostly met Germans & Dutch; only met two American couples, Americans are really missing out!
Roads were not too bad and very little traffic.
I was surprised and saddened (or probably just ignorant) to see the racism and poverty that still exists in our world."
All was fantastic. No significant problems or issues, loved the country, would love to return. Mostly met Germans & Dutch; only met two American couples, Americans are really missing out!
Roads were not too bad and very little traffic.
I was surprised and saddened (or probably just ignorant) to see the racism and poverty that still exists in our world."
Arranged By Maruska AdyeRowe
GocheGanas
"GocheGanas review"
1 night
Arrived
9 Oct 2018
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Eland
1 sighting
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Oryx
10+ sightings
White Rhino
4 sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Hilltop Guesthouse (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Hilltop Guesthouse review"
1 night
Arrived
10 Oct 2018
"Staff was pleasant at Hilltop.
Visited a fantastic small local bookstore near Hilltop, great discussion with wonderful owner, Anya.
Visited Independence Memorial Museum in Windhoek, good introduction to history of Namibian independence."
Visited a fantastic small local bookstore near Hilltop, great discussion with wonderful owner, Anya.
Visited Independence Memorial Museum in Windhoek, good introduction to history of Namibian independence."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Okonjima Plains Camp
"Okonjima Plains Camp review"
1 night
Arrived
11 Oct 2018
"We took a night game drive as well as morning drive. Both were great. Saw cheetah as well as leopard.
We were delightfully surprised with a bottle of champagne at dinner, to celebrate our 20th anniversary.
Thank you Maruska for forwarding that information to Okonjima.
We did not have time to go to the cat education center."
We were delightfully surprised with a bottle of champagne at dinner, to celebrate our 20th anniversary.
Thank you Maruska for forwarding that information to Okonjima.
We did not have time to go to the cat education center."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Aardvark
1 sighting
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Oryx
10+ sightings
Wild dog
1 sighting
Zebra
10+ sightings
Onguma Bush Camp
"Onguma Bush Camp review"
1 night
Arrived
12 Oct 2018
"long drive from Okonjima to Onguma.
We arrived late in afternoon, and left early for Etosha in morning.
Next time I would prefer to stay in park Namatumi if it was available."
We arrived late in afternoon, and left early for Etosha in morning.
Next time I would prefer to stay in park Namatumi if it was available."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Sightings report
Giraffe
3 sightings
Oryx
10+ sightings
Sable antelope
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Halali Camp
"Halali Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
13 Oct 2018
"Accommodations and food were not remarkable.
However, the park is great.
We enjoyed driving to the various outlooks and waterholes during the day and simply walking to the waterhole at the Halali camp itself."
However, the park is great.
We enjoyed driving to the various outlooks and waterholes during the day and simply walking to the waterhole at the Halali camp itself."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Activities
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Average
Facilities
Average
Sightings report
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Lion
6 sightings
Oryx
Many sightings
Roan antelope
10+ sightings
White Rhino
6 sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Okaukuejo Camp
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
15 Oct 2018
"Camp facility better than Halali, room was near the waterhole, where we spent time late into the night and early in the morning. We were never disappointed with the diverse and numerous wildlife.
We drove far to the west and enjoyed the outback as well as large Etosha pan.
We enjoyed the large selection of bird types and habitats.
not sure I know if the antelopes were the roan or sable??"
We drove far to the west and enjoyed the outback as well as large Etosha pan.
We enjoyed the large selection of bird types and habitats.
not sure I know if the antelopes were the roan or sable??"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Lion
5 sightings
Oryx
10+ sightings
Roan antelope
10+ sightings
Sable antelope
Many sightings
White Rhino
10+ sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
10+ sightings
Vreugde Guest Farm
"Vreugde Guest Farm review"
1 night
Arrived
17 Oct 2018
"Lovely cattle farm with interesting long time welcoming family.
They regaled us with singing and champagne in celebration of our anniversary, another sweet surprise.
Took sun downer trip around farm with one of sons, informative.
No large wildlife, lots of birds, warthogs, dikdik and possibly a duiker
Left early for very long drive to Khowarib. With sightseeing stops, the drive took nine hours.
Excellent food!"
They regaled us with singing and champagne in celebration of our anniversary, another sweet surprise.
Took sun downer trip around farm with one of sons, informative.
No large wildlife, lots of birds, warthogs, dikdik and possibly a duiker
Left early for very long drive to Khowarib. With sightseeing stops, the drive took nine hours.
Excellent food!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Khowarib Lodge
"Khowarib Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
18 Oct 2018
"The lodge at Khowarib was trying hard to be good.
Took visit trip to Himba village, for cultural exchange. Well worth the excursion. Not sure how this could have been improved, it was a bit awkward, the women seemed to just be enduring the exchange. The children were adorable. Not sure what their collective future will be. There were no men in the village.
Fascinating part of Namibia, I would have liked to spend more time a bit further north & west, next time!. Even though the development is more rudimentary. I read a great book, An Arid Eden by Garth Owen-Smith about the history of this area, highly recommend it."
Took visit trip to Himba village, for cultural exchange. Well worth the excursion. Not sure how this could have been improved, it was a bit awkward, the women seemed to just be enduring the exchange. The children were adorable. Not sure what their collective future will be. There were no men in the village.
Fascinating part of Namibia, I would have liked to spend more time a bit further north & west, next time!. Even though the development is more rudimentary. I read a great book, An Arid Eden by Garth Owen-Smith about the history of this area, highly recommend it."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Feedback response
We have to agree … Garth’s book, An Arid Eden, is a classic. Nobody is more knowledge about this area over recent decades than Garth and his partner Margaret Jacobson. They’re amazing people doing really great work – as have been recognised by numerous awards for both conservation and development over the years – and the book is the perfect one to read for this area.
Manager & Senior Africa Specialist
Doro Nawas
"Doro Nawas review"
2 nights
Arrived
20 Oct 2018
"Greeted warmly by staff song. Another palatial lodge, great service and lovely room. They also recognized our anniversary with a bottle of wine, and sweet handwritten card. We slept on outside porch for both nights. We took all sundowner drives and morning game drives.
We drove ourselves to Twyfelfontain, another wonderful experience. Met wonderful man, guide Martin. We drove with him to Khorixas in the evening to complete some of our personal chores ($ exchange, fuel, etc), we met his parents and extended family for a welcomed cultural exchange."
We drove ourselves to Twyfelfontain, another wonderful experience. Met wonderful man, guide Martin. We drove with him to Khorixas in the evening to complete some of our personal chores ($ exchange, fuel, etc), we met his parents and extended family for a welcomed cultural exchange."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Oryx
Many sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Brigadoon
"Brigadoon review"
2 nights
Arrived
22 Oct 2018
"Back to city... interesting museum and walked around town and beach.
Great Indian restaurant in town, able to walk to it."
Great Indian restaurant in town, able to walk to it."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Kulala Desert Lodge
"Kulala Desert Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
24 Oct 2018
"Another long driving day from Swakopmund to Kulala, eight hours, including stops and lunch. Arrived in time for a sun downer drive. Interesting area. Lovely rooms, one night we slept outside in raised roof area.
Another bottle of wine to celebrate our anniversary...we have definitely been spoiled!
Took game drive to Sossusvlei and hiked to top of Big Daddy dune, well worth the effort. Incredible scenery down into Deadvlei. Took another sun downer drive, this one to Sesriem Canyon."
Another bottle of wine to celebrate our anniversary...we have definitely been spoiled!
Took game drive to Sossusvlei and hiked to top of Big Daddy dune, well worth the effort. Incredible scenery down into Deadvlei. Took another sun downer drive, this one to Sesriem Canyon."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Oryx
10+ sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
BullsPort Lodge and Farm
"Bullsport Guest Farm review"
2 nights
Arrived
26 Oct 2018
"Took walks and one game drive with young man, Jonathon, who worked there but was actually raised on a nearby local farm. Great information about farming/ranching in Namibia.
Hiked the Quivertree Gorge Trail, over 5KM, also went horseback riding.
Food was good."
Hiked the Quivertree Gorge Trail, over 5KM, also went horseback riding.
Food was good."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Eningu Clayhouse
"Eningu Clayhouse review"
2 nights
Arrived
28 Oct 2018
"Beautiful spot, met Bettini, nice woman. Great staff.
lots of walking trails, small animals & birds.
We saw Kudu at many places, they are not on your sightings lists. Also saw mongoose, baboons, Black Back Jackels, Steenbok, Springbok, and a plethora of birds.
We drove to Windhoek for another day there, back to bookstore, repair tire, ate Portuguese food, that was good."
lots of walking trails, small animals & birds.
We saw Kudu at many places, they are not on your sightings lists. Also saw mongoose, baboons, Black Back Jackels, Steenbok, Springbok, and a plethora of birds.
We drove to Windhoek for another day there, back to bookstore, repair tire, ate Portuguese food, that was good."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Took early morning game drive, great introduction to wildlife."