Travel reviews by Dr and Mrs A from Surrey
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
10
Excursions taken
1
June 2019
Namibia between 28 Jun 2019 and 14 Jul 2019
"We loved our trip.
At times we found the impact of the drought challenging - particularly in Etosha. Namibia is a stunning place and a wonderful place to travel in. The standards of accommodation, food and service were far higher than we expected. At times we felt a little uncomfortable with the luxury ( in some places we had wonderful days with out with our guides but at dinner it was the white members of staff we had not really met who sat down and ate with us, for example ).
The driving was perhaps more time consuming that we had imagined and it would have helped to have an idea of the lengths of the drives at the outset with the itinerary. However, the roads were good and we had no problems. We would recommend people take lots of music and podcasts to pass the time."
At times we found the impact of the drought challenging - particularly in Etosha. Namibia is a stunning place and a wonderful place to travel in. The standards of accommodation, food and service were far higher than we expected. At times we felt a little uncomfortable with the luxury ( in some places we had wonderful days with out with our guides but at dinner it was the white members of staff we had not really met who sat down and ate with us, for example ).
The driving was perhaps more time consuming that we had imagined and it would have helped to have an idea of the lengths of the drives at the outset with the itinerary. However, the roads were good and we had no problems. We would recommend people take lots of music and podcasts to pass the time."
Arranged By Sabina Hekandjo
River Crossing
"River Crossing review"
1 night
Arrived
29 Jun 2019
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Average
Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge
"Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge review"
1 night
Arrived
30 Jun 2019
"This was our first proper stop and was a good choice as easy to reach and chance to get used to driving etc.
The lodge is beautifully arranged and furnished and service was excellent. It is hard to judge the wildlife experience because it felt they were suffering in the drought like a lot of places. We opted to go out on the bikes which we really enjoyed. A sandstorm rather dominated our afternoon here but did not ruin the experience."
The lodge is beautifully arranged and furnished and service was excellent. It is hard to judge the wildlife experience because it felt they were suffering in the drought like a lot of places. We opted to go out on the bikes which we really enjoyed. A sandstorm rather dominated our afternoon here but did not ruin the experience."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Average
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Meerkat
1 sighting
Oryx
1 sighting
Hoodia Desert Lodge
"Hoodia Desert Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
1 Jul 2019
"This is a very slick operation. Very luxurious.
Extremely warm welcome and attentive and knowledgeable guide. The setting is superb.
Going into the National Park we were able to feel like we were not following the crowd and had a great walk in the dunes followed by a fabulous picnic."
Extremely warm welcome and attentive and knowledgeable guide. The setting is superb.
Going into the National Park we were able to feel like we were not following the crowd and had a great walk in the dunes followed by a fabulous picnic."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion
"Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion review"
2 Jul 2019 • All-day excursion
Gong into the park you do feel like you are on the tourist trail but our clever guide managed to minimise the feeling and we were able to get away from the crowds.
In fact we were on top of Big Daddy by ourselves and had a picnic with no one in sight. We all loved running down the dunes after the climb to the top.
Stunning scenery.
In fact we were on top of Big Daddy by ourselves and had a picnic with no one in sight. We all loved running down the dunes after the climb to the top.
Stunning scenery.
Excellent
Desert Breeze Lodge
"Desert Breeze Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
3 Jul 2019
"Perfect place for us - we had a chalet for us all. Great view of the dunes.
We liked being out of town. Friendly staff."
We liked being out of town. Friendly staff."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Camp Kipwe
"Camp Kipwe review"
1 night
Arrived
5 Jul 2019
"I loved this place! So beautifully designed - a visual treat with stunning views... The service was faultless.
High levels of luxury but with a sense that you were in a very natural environment. Classy! Food was amazing too and beautifully presented.
We did not stay long so could not really say much about the activities. We did have a good trip out to see the rock art with an excellent guide ."
High levels of luxury but with a sense that you were in a very natural environment. Classy! Food was amazing too and beautifully presented.
We did not stay long so could not really say much about the activities. We did have a good trip out to see the rock art with an excellent guide ."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Desert Rhino Camp
"Desert Rhino Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
6 Jul 2019
"This was one of the highlights of our trip. The camp is fantastic. Not the high levels of luxury that we had elsewhere but that is not a criticism. In that setting what was provided was incredible . The rooms were really lovely. We had a fabulous guide who judged us perfectly - we had impromptu drinks at sunset in the middle of nowhere to watch the sunset and a walk to the BBQ learning all the time about the local wildlife etc. We saw rhinos and mountain lions ( the lions were the first seen in five months )
It felt really good to be part of the conservation project and not just tourists. ( although that is of course what we were!!)
The service was great ."
It felt really good to be part of the conservation project and not just tourists. ( although that is of course what we were!!)
The service was great ."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Sightings report
Black Rhino
3 sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Oryx
10+ sightings
Zebra
Many sightings
Hobatere Lodge
"Hobatere Lodge review"
1 night
Arrived
8 Jul 2019
"This was a contrast as it was a lodge owned and run by the community. Whilst is was not as slick as other places we stayed at it had a charm that grew on us.
The best water hole action of our trip... We did a night drive and got very close to a pride of lions which was exciting."
The best water hole action of our trip... We did a night drive and got very close to a pride of lions which was exciting."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Elephant
5 sightings
Lion
10+ sightings
Dolomite Camp
"Dolomite Camp review"
1 night
Arrived
9 Jul 2019
"We found this place a bit sad. An amazing setting and a beautiful lodge that had not been maintained so it looked worn around the edges. The service was ok but not warm or impressive.
I think in times of more rain it would be a stunning place to see the park from but in the drought less so."
I think in times of more rain it would be a stunning place to see the park from but in the drought less so."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Activities
Average
Rooms
Average
Food
Average
Facilities
Average
Etosha Safari Camp
"Etosha Safari Camp review"
1 night
Arrived
10 Jul 2019
"This was another unexpected joy - very different atmosphere. Run by impressive and friendly team .
Good mix of slick service with relaxed “traveller vibe”. Hard to pull off but they do.
We enjoyed the music in the evening."
Good mix of slick service with relaxed “traveller vibe”. Hard to pull off but they do.
We enjoyed the music in the evening."
Excellent
Okonjima Plains Camp
"Okonjima Plains Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
11 Jul 2019
"What an impressive place. Unbelievable design to the main space - given that this was not the high end of the operation.
Beautiful rooms. Very slick service. Our guide was also very impressive. Again it was good to feel we were putting something into the conservation efforts.
We had a great trip out looking for leopards early morning ."
Beautiful rooms. Very slick service. Our guide was also very impressive. Again it was good to feel we were putting something into the conservation efforts.
We had a great trip out looking for leopards early morning ."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
The rooms were very comfortable and service was good."