Travel reviews by Ms TC from Florida
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
10
Excursions taken
2
My Sep 2022 trip
Namibia between 23 Sep 2022 and 15 Oct 2022
"Namibia was definitely one of the most memorable from all the trips I have done in the last three decades covering all the continents.
It was a long trip, with a busy schedule almost everyday, and some long drives (to me, as I don’t really enjoy sitting in a vehicle for long). I would do it differently next time, as I would have liked to have more time to spend relaxing in some of the lovely camps. There were many highlights from the trip, but the best one was seeing the spotted hyaena in Etosha, he was very close to our vehicle, as we took pictures of him, he turned around and stared at us, it was a very special moment.
We did and saw so much in three weeks with lots of different activities including sand boarding which was great fun. The people in Namibia were very special, and I felt fortunate to have met some of them and to experience this incredible country. I wanted to come to Namibia over ten years ago after my photographer friend mentioned about the special landscape. After seeing the pictures of Sossusvlei on the internet, I was hooked and determined to visit one day. The planning of this trip during the Covid lockdown gave me hope and kept my sanity, and I enjoyed the researching and planning of the entire trip, and discovering all the amazing things that this country had to offer.
I was very glad and felt fortunate too to have come across Expert Africa to organise the trip for us. Everything went extremely smoothly, I could not have wished for a better tour operator to make the arrangements for us. I also enjoyed very much working with Maruska on this trip. She’s extremely professional, knowledgeable and patient with the requests and changes that I had.
Due to Covid, the trip had to be postponed for one year. During that time, Maruska and I got to speak to each other many times to arrange the trip, and she felt more like a friend. I hope our friends will consider going to Namibia after seeing the hundreds of pictures that we have taken. It is such a special place. I’m looking forward to returning, and hopefully, my family from Asia will join me next time.
Thank you, Expert Africa and Maruska, for this successful, fun and memorable experience!"
It was a long trip, with a busy schedule almost everyday, and some long drives (to me, as I don’t really enjoy sitting in a vehicle for long). I would do it differently next time, as I would have liked to have more time to spend relaxing in some of the lovely camps. There were many highlights from the trip, but the best one was seeing the spotted hyaena in Etosha, he was very close to our vehicle, as we took pictures of him, he turned around and stared at us, it was a very special moment.
We did and saw so much in three weeks with lots of different activities including sand boarding which was great fun. The people in Namibia were very special, and I felt fortunate to have met some of them and to experience this incredible country. I wanted to come to Namibia over ten years ago after my photographer friend mentioned about the special landscape. After seeing the pictures of Sossusvlei on the internet, I was hooked and determined to visit one day. The planning of this trip during the Covid lockdown gave me hope and kept my sanity, and I enjoyed the researching and planning of the entire trip, and discovering all the amazing things that this country had to offer.
I was very glad and felt fortunate too to have come across Expert Africa to organise the trip for us. Everything went extremely smoothly, I could not have wished for a better tour operator to make the arrangements for us. I also enjoyed very much working with Maruska on this trip. She’s extremely professional, knowledgeable and patient with the requests and changes that I had.
Due to Covid, the trip had to be postponed for one year. During that time, Maruska and I got to speak to each other many times to arrange the trip, and she felt more like a friend. I hope our friends will consider going to Namibia after seeing the hundreds of pictures that we have taken. It is such a special place. I’m looking forward to returning, and hopefully, my family from Asia will join me next time.
Thank you, Expert Africa and Maruska, for this successful, fun and memorable experience!"
Arranged By Maruska AdyeRowe
Olive Grove
"Olive Grove review"
1 night
Arrived
25 Sep 2022
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Average
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Poor
Facilities
Good
Kulala Desert Lodge
"Kulala Desert Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
26 Sep 2022
"The first night was very cold, and it was rather uncomfortable for sleeping, we were surprised that there was no heating.
The staff was amazing, the food initially was rather salty but they readjusted the seasoning after we made our request. The guide was excellent, we thoroughly enjoyed our activities with him. I would happily stay at this lodge again if I return.
Hopefully, by then, there will be heating in the rooms."
The staff was amazing, the food initially was rather salty but they readjusted the seasoning after we made our request. The guide was excellent, we thoroughly enjoyed our activities with him. I would happily stay at this lodge again if I return.
Hopefully, by then, there will be heating in the rooms."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Wolwedans Desert Lodge
"Wolwedans Desert Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
28 Sep 2022
"Taking the costs into consideration, I was rather disappointed with the room, and the meals. There were mosquitoes in the room on both nights, so our sleep was disturbed.
We were offered a simple tuna fish (from a can) salad for lunch on our first day. Only white bread rolls were available. The subsequent meals got better especially for dinners, but the lunches were not as substantial. I requested for some items to be delivered to the room, but never received them.
It also felt strange not to have a lock on the door. The services at Kulala were definitely much better.
However, we did enjoy our activities at Wolwedans very much, the guide was lovely."
We were offered a simple tuna fish (from a can) salad for lunch on our first day. Only white bread rolls were available. The subsequent meals got better especially for dinners, but the lunches were not as substantial. I requested for some items to be delivered to the room, but never received them.
It also felt strange not to have a lock on the door. The services at Kulala were definitely much better.
However, we did enjoy our activities at Wolwedans very much, the guide was lovely."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Oryx
3 sightings
Zebra
3 sightings
Swakopmund Luxury Suites (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Swakopmund Luxury Suites review"
4 nights
Arrived
30 Sep 2022
"A very pleasant stay with a modern room, the staff was fantastic, would definitely stay there again."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Dolphin and seal cruise
"Dolphin and seal cruise review"
2 Oct 2022 • Morning excursion
Fantastic guide and crew, enjoyed it very much.
Coast and Sandwich Harbour
"Coast and Sandwich Harbour review"
3 Oct 2022 • All-day excursion
Excellent tour, the guide was knowledgeable and professional, thoroughly enjoyed it.
Excellent
Camp Kipwe
"Camp Kipwe review"
1 night
Arrived
4 Oct 2022
"A wonderful surprise, wished we stayed here longer than one night, the bungalow was lovely, and the meals were excellent.
The staff was very attentive.
Would definitely consider staying here again, the place was very peaceful and the scenery was amazing!"
The staff was very attentive.
Would definitely consider staying here again, the place was very peaceful and the scenery was amazing!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Grootberg Lodge
"Grootberg Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
5 Oct 2022
"The views from the lodge were amazing, however, the room was small and had no charging capabilities for our phones and devices, which made it rather difficult at times, even though there was a charging station near the front desk in the main area.
The food was fine, but limited options were available at times.
We did the rhino tracking one morning, the long ride was very uncomfortable, and we only saw one rhino with her baby. The wifi signals were extremely unstable, and very frustrating to use. Some of the other lodges did not have the same issue with wifi.
Out of all the lodges we have stayed, I would be reluctant to return to Grootberg due to the issues that I’ve mentioned."
The food was fine, but limited options were available at times.
We did the rhino tracking one morning, the long ride was very uncomfortable, and we only saw one rhino with her baby. The wifi signals were extremely unstable, and very frustrating to use. Some of the other lodges did not have the same issue with wifi.
Out of all the lodges we have stayed, I would be reluctant to return to Grootberg due to the issues that I’ve mentioned."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Sightings report
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Okaukuejo Camp
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
1 night
Arrived
7 Oct 2022
"Our chalet was right by the waterhole, which was one of the highlights of my trip. We never knew who would be coming to the waterhole every time we opened our door, it was rather exciting. I woke up early in the morning anticipating what would be out there, and it was a treat to see some elephants greeting us.
The dinner that we had was fine, despite some negative reviews that I had come across. We even saw two rhinos by the waterhole in the evening after dinner.
Despite the basic accommodation, I was very happy to have included this camp in our itinerary.
The wifi connection was an issue but for just one night, it was acceptable, especially as I was warned about it before the trip."
The dinner that we had was fine, despite some negative reviews that I had come across. We even saw two rhinos by the waterhole in the evening after dinner.
Despite the basic accommodation, I was very happy to have included this camp in our itinerary.
The wifi connection was an issue but for just one night, it was acceptable, especially as I was warned about it before the trip."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Sightings report
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
2 sightings
Giraffe
1 sighting
Oryx
1 sighting
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
White Rhino
1 sighting
Wildebeest
1 sighting
Zebra
1 sighting
Onguma Tented Camp
"Onguma Tented Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
8 Oct 2022
"What a delightful place! The staff was fantastic, the scenery, the waterhole, and the wonderful food made our stay absolutely special.
The bush dinner was amazing too. I wish we had more time to spend at the lodge to relax and enjoy the settings.
I was actually sad to have to leave, the waterhole was wonderful with lots of activities from the wildlife.
I also loved the way our room was decorated, definitely one of the best camps that we stayed on this trip."
The bush dinner was amazing too. I wish we had more time to spend at the lodge to relax and enjoy the settings.
I was actually sad to have to leave, the waterhole was wonderful with lots of activities from the wildlife.
I also loved the way our room was decorated, definitely one of the best camps that we stayed on this trip."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Sightings report
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
2 sightings
Giraffe
3 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Oryx
2 sightings
Roan antelope
1 sighting
Sable antelope
1 sighting
Wildebeest
2 sightings
Zebra
3 sightings
Okonjima Bush Camp
"Okonjima Bush Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
10 Oct 2022
"Can’t wait to return! What a fantastic way to end our trip, our guide was excellent, he was very professional and funny too.
Our meals were the best on this trip, the staff was absolutely amazing and the dining area was ever so lovely. I loved our spacious room, and there were guinea fowls and wart hogs right outside at times.
We went for some lovely walks, and our morning drives were wonderful.
The rhino tracking activity was one of the highlights of this trip, and so was the sighting of a leopard who walked past our vehicle. We even saw one male rhino as we were leaving the camp on our last day, what a privilege!"
Our meals were the best on this trip, the staff was absolutely amazing and the dining area was ever so lovely. I loved our spacious room, and there were guinea fowls and wart hogs right outside at times.
We went for some lovely walks, and our morning drives were wonderful.
The rhino tracking activity was one of the highlights of this trip, and so was the sighting of a leopard who walked past our vehicle. We even saw one male rhino as we were leaving the camp on our last day, what a privilege!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Brown Hyena
2 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Oryx
2 sightings
Sable antelope
1 sighting
White Rhino
2 sightings
Wild dog
1 sighting
Wildebeest
1 sighting
Zebra
3 sightings
Guesthouse Voigtland (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Guesthouse Voigtland review"
1 night
Arrived
12 Oct 2022
"Excellent location for the last day before flying out of Namibia, I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a special place to stay for one or two nights in Windhoek.
The services were wonderful, the owners made us feel very welcome. It was also fun to have afternoon tea with the giraffes.
The pool area looked lovely even though we did not get a chance to use it, perhaps, next time!"
The services were wonderful, the owners made us feel very welcome. It was also fun to have afternoon tea with the giraffes.
The pool area looked lovely even though we did not get a chance to use it, perhaps, next time!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
The food was rather bland and the service was slow.
It’s a shame as the setting of the place was so lovely."