Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs I from UK
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
8
Excursions taken
0
Unforgettable holiday!
Namibia between 11 Jun 2008 and 25 Jun 2008
"This was our first trip to Namibia and only our second trip to Africa. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in this beautiful country - the fact that you can drive for miles without seeing another car and look for miles in every direction and see nothing but space is a great experience.
We generally received a warm welcome wherever we went and would certainly return to Namibia in the future. A special thank you to Tracy Lederer who organised our trip at very short notice and we would also highly recommend Chris McIntyre's guide book which was informative and an excellent resource."
We generally received a warm welcome wherever we went and would certainly return to Namibia in the future. A special thank you to Tracy Lederer who organised our trip at very short notice and we would also highly recommend Chris McIntyre's guide book which was informative and an excellent resource."
Arranged By Tracy Lederer
Hilltop House, Namibia (this camp has since closed)
"Friendly welcome to Namibia"
1 night
Arrived
12 Jun 2008
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Kulala Desert Lodge
"Fantastic desert experience"
2 nights
Arrived
13 Jun 2008
"After a long drive from Windhoek, we were greeted with a refreshing iced tea from friendly and welcoming staff. Although the lodge looks a little like the French Foreign Legion, rooms were comfortable and public areas were attractive and stylish.
Our chalet style room looked out onto a fantastic view and gave a real feeling of being in the wilderness. We also took an organised trip to the Dunes at sunrise with a guide called David who was entertaining and informative. A great place to stay!"
Our chalet style room looked out onto a fantastic view and gave a real feeling of being in the wilderness. We also took an organised trip to the Dunes at sunrise with a guide called David who was entertaining and informative. A great place to stay!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Hansa Hotel
"Comfortable rest stop"
1 night
Arrived
15 Jun 2008
"The hotel is very dated in terms of decor and layout but it is well maintained and very clean. There is secure car parking available at the hotel at the very reasonable price of N$20 per night but there is plenty free parking if you so wish!
The location is really central and although we were only there one night, it seemed as though it would be ideal for longer stays. The staff were pleasant and the only meal we had, breakfast, was adequate."
The location is really central and although we were only there one night, it seemed as though it would be ideal for longer stays. The staff were pleasant and the only meal we had, breakfast, was adequate."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Good
Service
Average
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Average
Food
Average
Doro Nawas
"Exceptional"
2 nights
Arrived
16 Jun 2008
"On approach, Doro Nawas does look foreboding, but from the warm welcome with cold flannels onwards we received outstanding service, an exquisite room and a restaurant/communal area with great panaramic views.
Special mention must be made of Susan (waitress) who had an ever present smile and infectious laugh. Our guide Lister provided a great morning drive and after 90 minutes of tracking we were fortunate enough to follow a herd of 14 desert elephants for 2 hours.
We cannot speak highly enough of this accommodation - it was a real highlight of our trip."
Special mention must be made of Susan (waitress) who had an ever present smile and infectious laugh. Our guide Lister provided a great morning drive and after 90 minutes of tracking we were fortunate enough to follow a herd of 14 desert elephants for 2 hours.
We cannot speak highly enough of this accommodation - it was a real highlight of our trip."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Ongava Tented Camp
"Disappointing"
1 night
Arrived
18 Jun 2008
"This was possibly the most expensive of the Namibian accommodation that we had chosen but was a real disappointment. The tents and communal areas were nice (although not particularly any better than anywhere else we stayed) but what this place lacked for us was the friendly, welcoming and knowledgable staff that we had been fortunate to encounter everywhere else.
We only spent one night here (mainly because of the cost) but really wished we had spent the chunk of money elsewhere on cheaper accommodation that would have been far superior in every way. Meals were adequate and again, were not of the high standard that had been presented everywhere else. There was a lack of explanation as to how the morning game drive into Etosha was to operate and this left us with a feeling of being rushed to leave.
In hindsight we wished we had spent the morning relaxing at the camp's waterhole as our guide did not have access to any private areas of the park and was restricted to the public roads. We were never made to feel at home here and felt that the camp simply did not deliver what would be expected at an establishment with such a high price."
We only spent one night here (mainly because of the cost) but really wished we had spent the chunk of money elsewhere on cheaper accommodation that would have been far superior in every way. Meals were adequate and again, were not of the high standard that had been presented everywhere else. There was a lack of explanation as to how the morning game drive into Etosha was to operate and this left us with a feeling of being rushed to leave.
In hindsight we wished we had spent the morning relaxing at the camp's waterhole as our guide did not have access to any private areas of the park and was restricted to the public roads. We were never made to feel at home here and felt that the camp simply did not deliver what would be expected at an establishment with such a high price."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Good
Service
Poor
Activities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Facilities
Average
Okaukuejo Camp
"Stunning Waterhole"
2 nights
Arrived
19 Jun 2008
"The restcamp is ideally situated to explore the southern end of the park but by far it's greatest asset is the floodlit waterhole. We were fortunate enough to see a herd of elephants at sunset on our second night, followed by 5 black rhino after dark!! If visiting in winter you will need to wrap up warm as it does become very cold, very quickly.
Our accommodation was basic, but clean and well maintained. From the outside the rooms do look like old fashioned Butlins chalets but were comfortable enough. We were pleasantly suprised by the high standard of service and the quality of the food at the restaurant. After reading reviews elsewhere we were a little worried about what to expect from the restcamp but it turned out to be a very enjoyable 2 night stay."
Our accommodation was basic, but clean and well maintained. From the outside the rooms do look like old fashioned Butlins chalets but were comfortable enough. We were pleasantly suprised by the high standard of service and the quality of the food at the restaurant. After reading reviews elsewhere we were a little worried about what to expect from the restcamp but it turned out to be a very enjoyable 2 night stay."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Mushara Lodge
"Ideally situated for East Etosha"
2 nights
Arrived
21 Jun 2008
"The Lodge is ideally located a short drive from the eastern gate of Etosha and we spent a very pleasant 2 nights here. The staff were very friendly and welcoming throughout and both food and service was of a high standard.
Rooms were comfortable and apart from the bathroom in need of some updating, were stylish and modern. The Lodge does offer game drives into the park but we decided to self drive."
Rooms were comfortable and apart from the bathroom in need of some updating, were stylish and modern. The Lodge does offer game drives into the park but we decided to self drive."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Okonjima Bush Camp
"A fantastic way to end our trip!"
1 night
Arrived
23 Jun 2008
"We only spent one night here but wished we had been able to stay longer!
The Bush Camp chalets were beautifully appointed and the Lapa was an oasis of calm. Staff were very welcoming, friendly and gave a great sense of enjoying their work - this created a wonderful atmosphere for both staff and guests. Activities were well planned, entertaining, informative and hugely enjoyable.
We were lucky enough (sightings are not guaranteed as another group discovered the same night) to successfully track the elusive leopard, we also met around 14 cheetahs. Our guide, Jacques was great fun and seemed to love what he did. Food was of a high standard and a visit at the end of the evening meal from the chef was a nice touch! This was definately a highlight of the trip and we very much hope to revist both Okonjima and Africat again at some point in the future."
The Bush Camp chalets were beautifully appointed and the Lapa was an oasis of calm. Staff were very welcoming, friendly and gave a great sense of enjoying their work - this created a wonderful atmosphere for both staff and guests. Activities were well planned, entertaining, informative and hugely enjoyable.
We were lucky enough (sightings are not guaranteed as another group discovered the same night) to successfully track the elusive leopard, we also met around 14 cheetahs. Our guide, Jacques was great fun and seemed to love what he did. Food was of a high standard and a visit at the end of the evening meal from the chef was a nice touch! This was definately a highlight of the trip and we very much hope to revist both Okonjima and Africat again at some point in the future."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Apart from being a little difficult to find, Hilltop House was well positioned and close enough to the city centre for what we needed. The owner was very friendly and helpful giving us directions around Windhoek.
Although we only had breakfast here, this was served promptly and of good quality."