Travel reviews by Mr and Mrs M from Berks
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
6
Excursions taken
0
My Dec 2024 trip to Namibia
Namibia between 7 Dec 2024 and 19 Dec 2024
"We had an amazing trip - our first visit to Namibia and first time using Expert Africa.
It was difficult to know what to do/where to go but Tracy was really helpful from the start. She was extremely knowledgable about the places we wanted to visit and gave us some great information before we then went off and did some research. We then came back to Tracy to ask more questions and look at an itinerary and accommodation in more detail.
We knew were going for 'scenery' rather than wildlife and having done our research our trip met or exceeded our expectations on every level. It was also good to know that Expert Africa was there should we have experienced any problems.
I can't speak highly enough of Expert Africa and particular thanks to Tracy for all her help.
Comments on our Private Guide
We quickly built a good rapport with Usko. We were a little concerned about spending so much time with our guide as there was only my husband and I but needn't have worried. Usko was delightful and was happy to listen to how we wanted the trip to go in terms of leaving time from each lodge, how many stops we wanted to make en route etc.
He told us we didn't need to 'make conversation' but could just enjoy the views from the vehicle and ask questions if we wanted to know anything. He was very knowledgable and always pointed out places of interest/wildlife/flora and fauna, landscapes etc. It made the days easy and relaxing (for us!).
He also told us that some evenings he wouldn't join us for dinner so that we could have time together. Usko made the trip really stress free, our cases were loaded/unloaded and delivered and collected from our rooms. He was an excellent driver especially on the bumpy gravel roads and soft sand at Sossusvlei!
The picnics we enjoyed en route some days were amazing! A proper table, camping chairs, tablecloth and delicious food in 'the middle of nowhere'. Usko really made the trip for us, we felt in incredibly safe hands knowing that if there were any problems that he was fully equipped to deal with them."
It was difficult to know what to do/where to go but Tracy was really helpful from the start. She was extremely knowledgable about the places we wanted to visit and gave us some great information before we then went off and did some research. We then came back to Tracy to ask more questions and look at an itinerary and accommodation in more detail.
We knew were going for 'scenery' rather than wildlife and having done our research our trip met or exceeded our expectations on every level. It was also good to know that Expert Africa was there should we have experienced any problems.
I can't speak highly enough of Expert Africa and particular thanks to Tracy for all her help.
Comments on our Private Guide
We quickly built a good rapport with Usko. We were a little concerned about spending so much time with our guide as there was only my husband and I but needn't have worried. Usko was delightful and was happy to listen to how we wanted the trip to go in terms of leaving time from each lodge, how many stops we wanted to make en route etc.
He told us we didn't need to 'make conversation' but could just enjoy the views from the vehicle and ask questions if we wanted to know anything. He was very knowledgable and always pointed out places of interest/wildlife/flora and fauna, landscapes etc. It made the days easy and relaxing (for us!).
He also told us that some evenings he wouldn't join us for dinner so that we could have time together. Usko made the trip really stress free, our cases were loaded/unloaded and delivered and collected from our rooms. He was an excellent driver especially on the bumpy gravel roads and soft sand at Sossusvlei!
The picnics we enjoyed en route some days were amazing! A proper table, camping chairs, tablecloth and delicious food in 'the middle of nowhere'. Usko really made the trip for us, we felt in incredibly safe hands knowing that if there were any problems that he was fully equipped to deal with them."
Arranged By Tracy Lederer
Weinberg Hotel
"Weinberg Hotel review Great first night stop"
1 night
Arrived
7 Dec 2024
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge
"Kalahari Red Dunes Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
8 Dec 2024
"We really enjoyed our two night stay at Red Dunes. We received a really warm welcome and all the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful.
The food was excellent, a set five course dinner with a choice of main course. Breakfast was a cold buffet with hot dishes made to order and for lunch there was a good choice of 'light meals' from the menu. We had all our meals on the outdoor terrace overlooking the water holes and saw giraffe and oryx. Apparently there were some meerkats in the distance but too far away for us to see clearly!
The rooms were very well appointed and extremely comfortable with a well stocked mini bar and coffee and tea. The pool area was very nice with a few sunbeds in the shade.
We had a relaxing stay and enjoyed the sunset nature drive and stop for sundowners."
The food was excellent, a set five course dinner with a choice of main course. Breakfast was a cold buffet with hot dishes made to order and for lunch there was a good choice of 'light meals' from the menu. We had all our meals on the outdoor terrace overlooking the water holes and saw giraffe and oryx. Apparently there were some meerkats in the distance but too far away for us to see clearly!
The rooms were very well appointed and extremely comfortable with a well stocked mini bar and coffee and tea. The pool area was very nice with a few sunbeds in the shade.
We had a relaxing stay and enjoyed the sunset nature drive and stop for sundowners."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Giraffe
5 sightings
Meerkat
1 sighting
Oryx
10+ sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Fish River Lodge
"Fish River Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
10 Dec 2024
"We arrived to a rather chaotic welcome as a family were just leaving and the receptionist seemed a little 'harassed' and told us to 'wait there' as she couldn't check us in, so not the best start. However, Llewelyn brought us iced tea and I'm pleased to say that things improved from then on.
Staff were friendly and Llewelyn was exceptional - he really had a gift for anticipating customers needs.The rooms were comfortable with the most amazing views. We were concerned that there wasn't any air conditioning but the temperature did cool at night and the design of the rooms and top windows meant there was a good flow of air to cool things down.
A small fridge in the room would have been ideal as the water that was left for us quickly become tepid and not very nice to drink. Other travellers have mentioned the wind - I'm not sure if we were unlucky or if it always blows as strongly but it was incredibly noisy and difficult to sleep.
The lodge has a stunning setting and the food was good. Dinner was a set three course menu but the chef was happy to cook an alternative main course if you didn't want what was on offer.
We didn't do the trip to the bottom of the canyon as it was very hot during our stay but enjoyed the evening sunset drive.
The best thing about the lodge is the setting and if you are going to Fish River Canyon then definitely stay here for the proximity to the canyon and views."
Staff were friendly and Llewelyn was exceptional - he really had a gift for anticipating customers needs.The rooms were comfortable with the most amazing views. We were concerned that there wasn't any air conditioning but the temperature did cool at night and the design of the rooms and top windows meant there was a good flow of air to cool things down.
A small fridge in the room would have been ideal as the water that was left for us quickly become tepid and not very nice to drink. Other travellers have mentioned the wind - I'm not sure if we were unlucky or if it always blows as strongly but it was incredibly noisy and difficult to sleep.
The lodge has a stunning setting and the food was good. Dinner was a set three course menu but the chef was happy to cook an alternative main course if you didn't want what was on offer.
We didn't do the trip to the bottom of the canyon as it was very hot during our stay but enjoyed the evening sunset drive.
The best thing about the lodge is the setting and if you are going to Fish River Canyon then definitely stay here for the proximity to the canyon and views."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Oryx
10+ sightings
Desert Horse Inn
"Desert Horse Inn review"
1 night
Arrived
12 Dec 2024
"We thoroughly enjoyed our night at Desert Horse Inn. We knew it wouldn't be 'luxurious' but we received a really warm welcome and the rooms were comfortable and well appointed, with a small outdoor terrace for watching the sunset.
It was the busiest lodge we stayed at but it had a great atmosphere and all the staff were really friendly and helpful. We had an excellent dinner (huge portions!) in the restaurant and breakfast was a cold buffet with hot dishes made to order. By chance we met the owner Piet at dinner who told us a bit of the history of the Inn.
A very well run, quirky place to stay that we enjoyed and would have been happy to have another night."
It was the busiest lodge we stayed at but it had a great atmosphere and all the staff were really friendly and helpful. We had an excellent dinner (huge portions!) in the restaurant and breakfast was a cold buffet with hot dishes made to order. By chance we met the owner Piet at dinner who told us a bit of the history of the Inn.
A very well run, quirky place to stay that we enjoyed and would have been happy to have another night."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Sightings report
Oryx
5 sightings
Little Kulala
"Little Kulala review"
3 nights
Arrived
13 Dec 2024
"A stunning lodge where everything you could possibly need is taken care of. All the staff were friendly, helpful and professional and went out of the way to make us feel welcome.
The rooms were beautiful, extremely comfortable and very well equipped with wonderful views of the dessert. The food was excellent throughout our stay and it was lovely to be able to dine on the terrace and watch the sun setting. One evening they set up a bbq in the dessert which was fantastic -a very special evening.
We had three nights so that we could just enjoy relaxing at the lodge after our trip to Sossusvlei."
The rooms were beautiful, extremely comfortable and very well equipped with wonderful views of the dessert. The food was excellent throughout our stay and it was lovely to be able to dine on the terrace and watch the sun setting. One evening they set up a bbq in the dessert which was fantastic -a very special evening.
We had three nights so that we could just enjoy relaxing at the lodge after our trip to Sossusvlei."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Sightings report
Oryx
10+ sightings
Strand Hotel
"Strand Hotel review"
2 nights
Arrived
16 Dec 2024
"Very friendly staff and a warm welcome on arrival. Rooms were very comfortable and well equipped and we had a sea view and small balcony.
Amazing breakfast buffet with every possible thing you could want. Service at lunch was slow but food good when it arrived. Had dinner in the Brewer and Butcher restaurant in the hotel which was very good as was the service.
Excellent location and easy walk to the centre of Swakopmund or along the seafront."
Amazing breakfast buffet with every possible thing you could want. Service at lunch was slow but food good when it arrived. Had dinner in the Brewer and Butcher restaurant in the hotel which was very good as was the service.
Excellent location and easy walk to the centre of Swakopmund or along the seafront."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Food
Good
Rooms
Excellent
The pool seems to be free to hotel guests currently which was a bonus as it was very hot. We enjoyed an excellent dinner at the Butcher's Block which is part of the hotel complex. We enjoyed breakfast outside in the courtyard and there was a very good choice from the cold buffet and hot food made to order. The service was friendly and professional.
We only stayed one night so didn't leave the hotel but location seems reasonably close to the centre of Windhoek."