Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs T from Welling

"Very comfortable rooms. Lovely place to unwind after the flight. Very helpful owner/manager."

"Beautiful setting and lovely spacious rooms.
Very good all day safari with Italy as our guide.
One to visit again.

The only surprise was the long drive from the road - 20kms along a bumpy difficult track (see our comments about the car)."

"Kulalas best feature is it's private access to Sossusvlei. This meant that being there for sunrise was not too arduous.

The lodge diid feel a little impersonal. This may have been due to the lodge being managed by one person whereas in other camps there always seemed to be a couple. Having said that the manager couldn't have been more helpful when one of us was feeling unwell.

The waterhole was too small and too far away to be of interest."

"Firstly we must admit that we (not Expert Africa) picked this hotel. The location was very disappointing - it is surrounded by other buildings (except on the seaward side) and a new building is being constructed next door.

The rooms are very attractive. We had no safe in the room though and despite being told one would be fitted, it never materialised until we insisted that it be fitted that day. The maintenance man eventually arrived at 7p.m. There were two shower roses but only one worked until the maintenance man fixed it next day. I asked for a hairdrier (surely there should have been one in the room?) and one was produced after some delay.

Apparently the manager had resigned three weeks earlier and there was only a temporary manager - we use the word 'manager' advisedly. This became all too obvious the following evening. We asked for a taxi to take us into Swakopmund but when it came to calling him to bring us back he wasn't answering his cell. Eventually the Hansa Hotel (where we had gone to eat - very good food) rang the Burning Shore and they got hold of the driver. We had the distinct impression that he was 'somebody's boyfriend althogh the 'manager' denied this. We also felt that the price he charged was too high - N$300. When asked, the 'manager' quoted a price nearer N$240.

Having arrived back in our room we realised that a small amount of loose change was missing from our room - and the bed had only been half prepared fro the night. The only person available at that time was a security guard but we managed to speak to the 'manager' on the phone and she came at 7a.m. next morning to discuss the problems. Her take on the situation was that she was only a temporary manager and she said that the rest of the reception staff were in the process of ibeing trained. This was of no consolation to us.
Overall we felt 'ripped off'. We deducted N$50 from our bill for the taxi fare and gave a tip in cash to the kitchen/waiting staff as they had both been good."

"What a contrast to the Burning Shore!

Vincent (the manager) and his team were excellent. Particularly in view of what happened on our way to the camp (see comments under Europcar). As we were late for the afternoon activity Vincent took us out personally. He also handled the arrival of the replacement car (at midnight) so that we weren't disturbed.

All this and a stunning location as well. Can't recommend this camp too highly! Only wished we had booked for a longer stay."

"This camp was abit of a shock - we hadn't realised how rustic it was! Having said that the tents were clean and comfortable.
The atmosphere was good - Dennis and Claire were very hands on.

The morning walk was interesting but we only stayed one night instead of the two we had booked because of the car issues. Claire was very helpful in arranging our additional accomodation in Kamunjab.

Another camp that is a long distance from the road - 1 to 1.5 hours - although the camp do transport you."

"Definitely the best camp ever! Cameron and Wendy obviously love their job and put in 110% as do all the other staff. They also eat with the guests which ensures plenty of conversation and laughter.

The waterhole is amazing. Only 30feet from the lounge and very well patronised throughout the day. Our first night a black AND a white rhino came to drink AT THE SAME TIME resulting in a little tussle over the 'right to drink'! (the white rhino won through sheer bulk). The second night two lions came to drink.

The rooms were beautiful with an inside and an outside shower. The food was excellent."

"Their fame has gone to their heads! The camp has been doubled in size with the addition of 10 very ugly looking rooms. From the outside they look like square concrete storage huts!

Inside they are spacious and modern. They are called View rooms but the view is of a buiding site. Everywhere there is building work and landscaping going on - whilst guests are trying to relax.

A very impersonal service - this and the Burning Shore were the only places where we weren't known by name. The only bright spot was hyena tracking with Jack - he was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The other guide we had for leapard tracking and cheetahs was Arnold and he seemed to be going through the motions."