Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs B from London
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
12
Excursions taken
1
My Jun 2024 trip
Namibia between 26 Jun 2024 and 18 Jul 2024
"We had a very good experience working with Sabina. We had done a fair amount of reading and research prior to our decision to work with Expert Africa and were looking for someone to assist us in the planning of our holiday in a collaborative way. Sabina was open to this way of working with us and incorporated our ideas and interests with her recommendations to create a bespoke itinerary for us.
An additional benefit was having, in Sabina, a local who also had worked in the UK. We found her personal experience with and knowledge of the various lodges in Expert Africa's portfolio assisted her in recommending which lodges would suit us best. She was very helpful in route planning and timings - these were invaluable when we planned our daily travels and ensured we were never caught out by the time it takes to travel various distances. We liked how our route took us to various of types of lodges and also how our travel was along the back routes to ensure we could enjoy the fabulous and ever changing scenery, which when speaking with others staying in the same lodges seem to make our trip somewhat unique.
Sabina was also fantastic in communicating my dietary requirements to the lodges and ensuring that they were accommodated, even on bush lunches and braais. We also appreciated how she was available immediately for the two problems we encountered while traveling and was able to advise and in one case, sort one problem out with the lodge on our behalf. Finally, she kindly provided us with a cool box and ice blocks which she personally dropped off at the Olive Grove Guesthouse.
All of these small touches along with her expertise and attention to detail made our trip stress-free, highly enjoyable and a very positive experience.
We would definitely recommend Expert Africa to friends and family who desire a similar experience at a similar price point."
An additional benefit was having, in Sabina, a local who also had worked in the UK. We found her personal experience with and knowledge of the various lodges in Expert Africa's portfolio assisted her in recommending which lodges would suit us best. She was very helpful in route planning and timings - these were invaluable when we planned our daily travels and ensured we were never caught out by the time it takes to travel various distances. We liked how our route took us to various of types of lodges and also how our travel was along the back routes to ensure we could enjoy the fabulous and ever changing scenery, which when speaking with others staying in the same lodges seem to make our trip somewhat unique.
Sabina was also fantastic in communicating my dietary requirements to the lodges and ensuring that they were accommodated, even on bush lunches and braais. We also appreciated how she was available immediately for the two problems we encountered while traveling and was able to advise and in one case, sort one problem out with the lodge on our behalf. Finally, she kindly provided us with a cool box and ice blocks which she personally dropped off at the Olive Grove Guesthouse.
All of these small touches along with her expertise and attention to detail made our trip stress-free, highly enjoyable and a very positive experience.
We would definitely recommend Expert Africa to friends and family who desire a similar experience at a similar price point."
Arranged By Sabina Hekandjo
Olive Grove
"Olive Grove review"
2 nights
Arrived
27 Jun 2024
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Average
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Mushara Outpost
"Mushara Outpost review"
2 nights
Arrived
29 Jun 2024
"We enjoyed our stay at Mushara Outpost.
Staff was friendly and helpful. Service was good and efficient.
The food was some of the best we had during our entire trip and we especially enjoyed the many homemade items at Mushara Outpost such as the museli, rusks, and bread.
The rooms were lovely and the guides were excellent."
Staff was friendly and helpful. Service was good and efficient.
The food was some of the best we had during our entire trip and we especially enjoyed the many homemade items at Mushara Outpost such as the museli, rusks, and bread.
The rooms were lovely and the guides were excellent."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Cheetah
2 sightings
Eland
1 sighting
Giraffe
Many sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Oryx
4 sightings
Sable antelope
1 sighting
Zebra
3 sightings
Okaukuejo Camp
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
1 night
Arrived
1 Jul 2024
"We were given a lesser quality room upon check-in, which was disappointing, but Sabina sorted it out with the camp reception quite quickly.
We enjoyed the experience of staying by the waterhole and observing the large variety and number of animals who came to drink and bathe.
That was an amazing experience and really make a night at the camp worthwhile.
The facilities were fine. Our room was a bit small and could use a refresh, but otherwise functional.
The restaurant food was a bit disappointing in quality."
We enjoyed the experience of staying by the waterhole and observing the large variety and number of animals who came to drink and bathe.
That was an amazing experience and really make a night at the camp worthwhile.
The facilities were fine. Our room was a bit small and could use a refresh, but otherwise functional.
The restaurant food was a bit disappointing in quality."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Average
Food
Poor
Sightings report
Black Rhino
2 sightings
Elephant
2 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Oryx
2 sightings
Wildebeest
2 sightings
Zebra
2 sightings
Safarihoek Lodge
"Safarihoek Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
2 Jul 2024
"Fantastic stay in all respects. The facilities are very well appointed, the staff are knowledgeable and well trained and the reserve is outstanding.
We enjoyed the very comfortable room with the fantastic view and outdoor shower.
The food was delicious. We did think there could be better cold options at breakfast as some items weren't of the quality expected. In addition, it also felt at time as if the staff were constantly following us, for example up to the breakfast and afternoon tea buffet, to the point it felt uncomfortable serving ourselves.
The drives were very high quality, personalized, we saw a lot of animals and learned an immense amount from our guide Sydney."
We enjoyed the very comfortable room with the fantastic view and outdoor shower.
The food was delicious. We did think there could be better cold options at breakfast as some items weren't of the quality expected. In addition, it also felt at time as if the staff were constantly following us, for example up to the breakfast and afternoon tea buffet, to the point it felt uncomfortable serving ourselves.
The drives were very high quality, personalized, we saw a lot of animals and learned an immense amount from our guide Sydney."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Elephant
2 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Oryx
3 sightings
Wildebeest
2 sightings
Zebra
3 sightings
Doro Nawas
"Doro Nawas review"
2 nights
Arrived
4 Jul 2024
"We enjoyed this community run camp and the location.
The staff were very friendly and also very helpful. The location is stunning. Rooms are large and well appointed.
Good that the staff put hot water bottles in the bed at night as it was cold in the room without heat and we didn't have hot water to shower in the mornings.
Guides were knowledgeable and we enjoyed our excursions."
The staff were very friendly and also very helpful. The location is stunning. Rooms are large and well appointed.
Good that the staff put hot water bottles in the bed at night as it was cold in the room without heat and we didn't have hot water to shower in the mornings.
Guides were knowledgeable and we enjoyed our excursions."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Elephant
1 sighting
Giraffe
1 sighting
Oryx
1 sighting
Zebra
1 sighting
Ai Aiba Lodge
"Ai Aiba Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
6 Jul 2024
"We had a good stay at the lodge.
The rooms were a bit dark and also could use a refresh as they are looking worn and a bit dated. It was fantastic to have the chairs on the patio in front of our room to watch the birds and also have our sundowners.
The staff at the lodge were fantastic. Very accommodating. The guides, especially, were super knowledgeable and personable.
While dinners were very good, we found the quality of some of the breakfast items could have been better, especially the yogurt and museli.
It would have also been good to have a bit of fresh fruit in the morning.
Its really the staff that made the stay extra special and also the stunning landscape. We would definitely recommend taking the sundowner hike."
The rooms were a bit dark and also could use a refresh as they are looking worn and a bit dated. It was fantastic to have the chairs on the patio in front of our room to watch the birds and also have our sundowners.
The staff at the lodge were fantastic. Very accommodating. The guides, especially, were super knowledgeable and personable.
While dinners were very good, we found the quality of some of the breakfast items could have been better, especially the yogurt and museli.
It would have also been good to have a bit of fresh fruit in the morning.
Its really the staff that made the stay extra special and also the stunning landscape. We would definitely recommend taking the sundowner hike."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Facilities
Average
Sightings report
Zebra
1 sighting
Cornerstone Guesthouse
"Cornerstone Guesthouse review"
2 nights
Arrived
8 Jul 2024
"This was an excellent base to explore Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.
We enjoyed being able to walk everywhere. The room was cozy, but well appointed.
The quality of everything at breakfast was incredibly good.
The owners were wonderfully helpful and kind giving the guesthouse a very personal touch."
We enjoyed being able to walk everywhere. The room was cozy, but well appointed.
The quality of everything at breakfast was incredibly good.
The owners were wonderfully helpful and kind giving the guesthouse a very personal touch."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Hoodia Desert Lodge
"Hoodia Desert Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
10 Jul 2024
"We received a warm welcome from one of the owners and a personal orientation to Hoodia and our time there.
We enjoyed our well appointed room and the views. We also found the meals to be excellent. They create a lovely ambiance with the fireplace and the other areas to sit and relax.
Our day excursion was outstanding as was our guide Petrus. He was incredibly knowledgeable (there wasn't a question he didn't have a sound answer for), thoughtful and an enjoyable person to spend the day with.
It was magical how he created a special bush lunch for us in the middle of the desert.
In the end, it wasn't an issue to stay a short drive from the park entrance. Actually, arriving at the dunes slightly later provided us with the opportunity to enjoy them without a crush of other tourists."
We enjoyed our well appointed room and the views. We also found the meals to be excellent. They create a lovely ambiance with the fireplace and the other areas to sit and relax.
Our day excursion was outstanding as was our guide Petrus. He was incredibly knowledgeable (there wasn't a question he didn't have a sound answer for), thoughtful and an enjoyable person to spend the day with.
It was magical how he created a special bush lunch for us in the middle of the desert.
In the end, it wasn't an issue to stay a short drive from the park entrance. Actually, arriving at the dunes slightly later provided us with the opportunity to enjoy them without a crush of other tourists."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion
"Hoodia Sossusvlei excursion review"
11 Jul 2024 • All-day excursion
This was a highlight and very memorable experience.
Not only because of the dunes themselves, but also due to the way the excursion was structured and primarily due to the excellent guiding by Petrus. We thoroughly enjoyed the day, learning a lot about the geography, animal and insect life, history of the dunes and canyon, etc.
The bush lunch was also beautifully done, including catering wonderfully for my dietary requirements.
Petrus was also (as all guides at all lodges were) very considerate of both of our physical limitations and ensured that we still would have a fabulous experience despite any restrictions these might cause.
Not only because of the dunes themselves, but also due to the way the excursion was structured and primarily due to the excellent guiding by Petrus. We thoroughly enjoyed the day, learning a lot about the geography, animal and insect life, history of the dunes and canyon, etc.
The bush lunch was also beautifully done, including catering wonderfully for my dietary requirements.
Petrus was also (as all guides at all lodges were) very considerate of both of our physical limitations and ensured that we still would have a fabulous experience despite any restrictions these might cause.
Excellent
Kanaan Desert Retreat
"Kanaan Desert Retreat review"
1 night
Arrived
12 Jul 2024
"Stunning location, but the lodge was not especially well run and the amenities weren't as good as at other lodges.
The rooms were a good size, beds comfortable and view outstanding, but without heat it was miserably cold in the evening and morning. Space heaters (not the air condition unit in the room) would have been very welcome.
The food was good at dinner with the chef making a delicious vegetarian meal for me, but breakfast was not of the best quality and very disorganized (we had to wait an hour for them to bring it out despite being told breakfast would be available from 8am, causing us to get on the road much later than desired).
We had booked a sundowner drive and it was interesting to drive through the beautiful landscape, but our guide was a bit inexperienced and at times not as professional in demeanor as other guides we'd had. For example, when we or the couple who joined us asked a question, the guide would usually pass a thick reference book back to us and ask us to look up and read about the plant, animal, bird, etc we had asked a question about. We expected him to tell us about it.
That said, he and all the staff were very friendly and kind. They also put on a lovely concert for us at dinner singing various songs typical of those their tribe would sing."
The rooms were a good size, beds comfortable and view outstanding, but without heat it was miserably cold in the evening and morning. Space heaters (not the air condition unit in the room) would have been very welcome.
The food was good at dinner with the chef making a delicious vegetarian meal for me, but breakfast was not of the best quality and very disorganized (we had to wait an hour for them to bring it out despite being told breakfast would be available from 8am, causing us to get on the road much later than desired).
We had booked a sundowner drive and it was interesting to drive through the beautiful landscape, but our guide was a bit inexperienced and at times not as professional in demeanor as other guides we'd had. For example, when we or the couple who joined us asked a question, the guide would usually pass a thick reference book back to us and ask us to look up and read about the plant, animal, bird, etc we had asked a question about. We expected him to tell us about it.
That said, he and all the staff were very friendly and kind. They also put on a lovely concert for us at dinner singing various songs typical of those their tribe would sing."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Good
Service
Average
Activities
Average
Rooms
Average
Food
Average
Facilities
Average
Sightings report
Oryx
1 sighting
Eagle's Nest
"Eagle's Nest review"
1 night
Arrived
13 Jul 2024
"A lovely location, we enjoyed our remote cabin built into a rock, and especially enjoyed the fireplace since we had not heat and it was exceptionally cold at night.
The location and landscape made it very special. We enjoyed hiking around the property.
The lodge itself was fine, but the food was very average served as a buffet in the evening and at breakfast and the items on the breakfast buffet especially, could have been of better quality.
Being quite large, it had a different feel (mainly at meal times and around the lodge itself) than the previous lodges we had stayed at, but that was fine. Staff were helpful if a bit brusk at times."
The location and landscape made it very special. We enjoyed hiking around the property.
The lodge itself was fine, but the food was very average served as a buffet in the evening and at breakfast and the items on the breakfast buffet especially, could have been of better quality.
Being quite large, it had a different feel (mainly at meal times and around the lodge itself) than the previous lodges we had stayed at, but that was fine. Staff were helpful if a bit brusk at times."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Average
Activities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Facilities
Average
Fish River Lodge
"Fish River Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
14 Jul 2024
"As expected (the lodge had been recommended by friends) this was a stunning lodge due to its location and architectural style.
The long, bumpy drive up to the lodge through the barren landscape only added to the ambiance. The lodge and rooms were very well appointed and very welcoming. We loved the fireplace and areas where you could sit, relax and enjoy the view. We also found our room excellent all around. The food was also very good during all meals.
We received very sound advice on the excursions and very much enjoyed the canyon drive, which was quite varied and quite an adventure. Our excellent guide really made it a perfect day out and we appreciated his expertise.
Again, it was very cold and unfortunately the water bottles put in the bed during turndown were not properly hot. We did find that the staff were extremely slow and many didn't seem to be very well trained. All meals took ages, which meant we were nearly late for our canyon drive despite going to breakfast extra early and we also ended up departing the lodge 90 minutes later than desired because breakfast service was so slow, it was difficult to find someone to help with luggage and with only one staff member doing check out, we had to wait a very long time. This was frustrating and slightly marred what was otherwise a very memorable stay.
We would have expected the service at a lodge of this caliber to be much better, much more professional and with a lot of staff around also much faster."
The long, bumpy drive up to the lodge through the barren landscape only added to the ambiance. The lodge and rooms were very well appointed and very welcoming. We loved the fireplace and areas where you could sit, relax and enjoy the view. We also found our room excellent all around. The food was also very good during all meals.
We received very sound advice on the excursions and very much enjoyed the canyon drive, which was quite varied and quite an adventure. Our excellent guide really made it a perfect day out and we appreciated his expertise.
Again, it was very cold and unfortunately the water bottles put in the bed during turndown were not properly hot. We did find that the staff were extremely slow and many didn't seem to be very well trained. All meals took ages, which meant we were nearly late for our canyon drive despite going to breakfast extra early and we also ended up departing the lodge 90 minutes later than desired because breakfast service was so slow, it was difficult to find someone to help with luggage and with only one staff member doing check out, we had to wait a very long time. This was frustrating and slightly marred what was otherwise a very memorable stay.
We would have expected the service at a lodge of this caliber to be much better, much more professional and with a lot of staff around also much faster."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Zebra
1 sighting
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
"Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch review"
1 night
Arrived
16 Jul 2024
"Our stay was very brief, but we could see why people (especially families) would enjoy beginning their trip to Namibia at Bagatelle.
The landscape is stunning and there seems to be a lot of wildlife roaming freely around the property. We enjoyed the spa treatments, which were very good and the dinner outdoors by the open fire. Service was perhaps too professional, but maybe a bit too rushed for those on holiday who prefer to eat at a more leisurely pace and enjoy the ambiance. Breakfast was fine, but the food on the buffet in particular could have been of slightly better quality.
Also, the lodge was the first on our entire trip that really wasn't very interested in catering for my dietary needs - disappointing having had such thoughtful and considerate attention to them in all previous lodges.
Still, it was a nice place to stay between Fish River Canyon and Windhoek and to spend our last afternoon & evening. They also had the best (quality and variety) curio shop of all the lodges we stayed at."
The landscape is stunning and there seems to be a lot of wildlife roaming freely around the property. We enjoyed the spa treatments, which were very good and the dinner outdoors by the open fire. Service was perhaps too professional, but maybe a bit too rushed for those on holiday who prefer to eat at a more leisurely pace and enjoy the ambiance. Breakfast was fine, but the food on the buffet in particular could have been of slightly better quality.
Also, the lodge was the first on our entire trip that really wasn't very interested in catering for my dietary needs - disappointing having had such thoughtful and considerate attention to them in all previous lodges.
Still, it was a nice place to stay between Fish River Canyon and Windhoek and to spend our last afternoon & evening. They also had the best (quality and variety) curio shop of all the lodges we stayed at."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
At time the restaurant seemed overwhelmed. For example on the morning of our departure we went to breakfast early, only to depart the hotel an hour later than intended because it took so long to get our breakfast. This was a little frustrating, and the hotel might consider adding additional staff and additional staff during busy meal times.
Otherwise we enjoyed our stay and found the rooms were well appointed."