Travel reviews by Barnes from Hampshire

"We had a very good 2 nights at the Weinberg Hotel.

Lovely rooms, very helpful staff and near at least one lively restaurant."

"We stayed at the Hilton because our trip to Sossussvlei was delayed by a day.

It was fine but very expensive and not as attractive/comfortable/personal as the Weinberg. The cost may have been because it was a last minute booking."

"Desert Camp was a wonderful place to be based for our trip to the Sossussvlei dunes.

We loved our simple accommodation with really fabulous views to all sides, and the peace and quiet. Also the swimming pool, which was a joy after the long journey from Windhoek.

Eating, information and assistance at the main lodge were all excellent."

"Lovely stay at The Stiltz.

A great location for rooms literally on stilts as most rooms have views of the sea as Stiltz is on the edge of Swakopmund (within easy reach of restaurants and bars), by the sea and over an area of vegetation where the local camels are brought to feed. A lovely sight; camels and flamingoes together.

We did a great trip to the protected coastal dunes from here (towards Sandwich Harbour) which we had pre booked. Highly recommended."

"We really really enjoyed Camp Kipwe.

The incredible views, the peace and quiet, the fabulous rooms built on and into the boulders, the excellent service, the sundowner at the top of the Kipwe kopje and the trip to Twyflfontein to see the ancient rock etchings.

The only criticism I’d make is that Namibia is a) always a very arid country and b) suffering a terrible drought right now. We don’t understand why there is fresh linen table cloths etc on the tables every night at Camp Kipwe. It must take huge amounts of water to launder this. Surely even the most discerning of guests would support the use of much less water to provide for their comfort?"

"Palmwag Lodge was a less personal experience than other lodges.

Having said that, it’s location right by the riverbed was excellent and we saw around 8 desert elephants including babies drinking and eating about 75 from our room verandah. We also had a lovely relaxing day enjoying one of the swimming pools before going on our truly wonderful prebooked camping night in the enormous Palmag concession area with Rodney and Ziggy.

This was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. We saw some amazing scenery, learnt a lot about a lot and really enjoyed the very comfortable camp in tents - with beds in what felt like our own wilderness. Sundowners, supper and breakfast all organised and served by the excellent Rodney and Ziggy. Highly recommended."

"The Palmwag Sleepout was one of the highlights of our trip to Namibia.

Rodney and Ziggy (cousins or nephew and uncle; we couldn’t make out which) were our guides and very knowledgeable, very good company and extremely good hosts. The journey to the camp was very bumpy! but wonderfully interesting and we had a lovely sundowner on a kopje with fabulous views en route to our camp.

A braai supper, then cooked breakfast were organised and served by Rodney and Ziggy and we all (4 of us; two couples) had a very good and memorable time. Don’t book this if you’re after high end luxury. This is camping (with beds and a chemical loo plus great guides).

We loved it."

"We all loved Ongava Lodge.

Set on a kopje overlooking its own enormous game park bordering Etosha, it has fabulous views, great staff, a swimming pool with great views and dassies in the surrounding rocks (that drink from the pool when no one is swimming) and it’s own incredible water hole."

"Very satisfactory tented camp near an Etosha gate.

It’s on flat land so no views but it gave us a different experience which was very good.

Lovely staff, a great pool (with lots of bird life) for reading by, swimming and chilling and easy access to Etosha.

The tents were very comfortable and well thought out, with fridges, fans and everything we needed."

"Our last night at the Weinberg was as good as our first at the beginning of our holiday!"