Travel reviews by S & J from Denver
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
7
Excursions taken
1
My Apr 2025 trip
Namibia and 1 other country between 3 Apr 2025 and 20 Apr 2025
"What a trip! We are so grateful to Sabina and the whole EA team for helping to make this a reality.
We reached out to Sabina a bit last minute, but she was very accommodating. She did a great job understanding our goals for the trip, and suggesting options that aligned with those goals.
Two hiccups in our trip made us especially grateful for the support of Expert Africa. First, our flight from the US was unfortunately cancelled, and the rebooked option got us in one day later. Sabina seamlessly coordinated with our first lodge and flight teams to adjust our schedule.
Secondly, unfortunately due to the heavy rains and flooding in Namibia, Serra Cafema was forced to close temporarily. This happened while we were in country and had limited wifi. Tracy (Sabina was at a site visit) jumped right in, sharing the news and immediately offering alternative options. She negotiated private transport to get to the new camp, all while keeping us informed, but letting us still enjoy the trip. As a result, our trip felt seamless and we didn't have to worry, for which we are so grateful.
The local country knowledge and thorough vetting of hotels (especially the full lodge reports) were incredibly helpful in building our itinerary. The coverage while we were on our trip ensured we were supported when unfortunately some changes were required.
We absolutely recommend Expert Africa, and have in fact already recommended Expert Africa to multiple family and friends.
Thank you Sabina and team!"
We reached out to Sabina a bit last minute, but she was very accommodating. She did a great job understanding our goals for the trip, and suggesting options that aligned with those goals.
Two hiccups in our trip made us especially grateful for the support of Expert Africa. First, our flight from the US was unfortunately cancelled, and the rebooked option got us in one day later. Sabina seamlessly coordinated with our first lodge and flight teams to adjust our schedule.
Secondly, unfortunately due to the heavy rains and flooding in Namibia, Serra Cafema was forced to close temporarily. This happened while we were in country and had limited wifi. Tracy (Sabina was at a site visit) jumped right in, sharing the news and immediately offering alternative options. She negotiated private transport to get to the new camp, all while keeping us informed, but letting us still enjoy the trip. As a result, our trip felt seamless and we didn't have to worry, for which we are so grateful.
The local country knowledge and thorough vetting of hotels (especially the full lodge reports) were incredibly helpful in building our itinerary. The coverage while we were on our trip ensured we were supported when unfortunately some changes were required.
We absolutely recommend Expert Africa, and have in fact already recommended Expert Africa to multiple family and friends.
Thank you Sabina and team!"
Arranged By Sabina Hekandjo
Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp
"Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
3 Apr 2025
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
2 sightings
Elephant
1 sighting
Giraffe
6 sightings
Hippo
4 sightings
Leopard
1 sighting
Lion
3 sightings
Spotted Hyena
2 sightings
White Rhino
1 sighting
Wild dog
2 sightings
Wildebeest
10+ sightings
Zebra
5 sightings
DumaTau Camp
"DumaTau Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
5 Apr 2025
"Our favorite lodge of the entire trip! The arrival to DumaTau is striking as you walk into the lodge to be greeted by the beautiful flowing Linyanti River below.
We appreciated the variety of activities available - our time at DumaTau included a walk, boat safari and lunch and sundowners on the pontoon, as well as the traditional game drive. All beautiful ways to experience the landscape and see varied game.
We learned a tremendous amount and really enjoyed our conversations with our guide, Nas. He was especially effective at building a rapport with us, and not just identifying the animals we saw, but adding detail and color to what they were doing and why.
The meals at DumaTau were delicious, and we especially enjoyed the night of local singing and dancing within the Boma."
We appreciated the variety of activities available - our time at DumaTau included a walk, boat safari and lunch and sundowners on the pontoon, as well as the traditional game drive. All beautiful ways to experience the landscape and see varied game.
We learned a tremendous amount and really enjoyed our conversations with our guide, Nas. He was especially effective at building a rapport with us, and not just identifying the animals we saw, but adding detail and color to what they were doing and why.
The meals at DumaTau were delicious, and we especially enjoyed the night of local singing and dancing within the Boma."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
3 sightings
Hippo
8 sightings
Lion
5 sightings
Zebra
3 sightings
Weinberg Hotel
"Weinberg Hotel review"
1 night
Arrived
8 Apr 2025
"A great stopover hotel in Windhoek - lots of dining options, attentive staff, fun rooftop bar and clean spacious rooms.
One note, you can only use the pool if you are using the spa."
One note, you can only use the pool if you are using the spa."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
"Sossusvlei Desert Lodge review"
3 nights
Arrived
9 Apr 2025
"Spectacular location and very large well appointed rooms. We loved having our own large private terrace and pool.
The wildlife is more sparse than other locations on our trip, but the views and activities more than made up for it. Sam was our guide, and led us to the Sossusvlei Desert park where we hiked Big Daddy and saw Deadvlei. Sam takes great photos! He also led us on a quad biking activity in the desert at sunset which we loved - we were greeted at the end with sundowners in the desert.
We liked that because there were limited predators in the area, we had a bit more independent mobility than at other camps.
We were able to go for a self-guided walk and had the option to go biking.
Food was delicious; the main lodge is lovely as well."
The wildlife is more sparse than other locations on our trip, but the views and activities more than made up for it. Sam was our guide, and led us to the Sossusvlei Desert park where we hiked Big Daddy and saw Deadvlei. Sam takes great photos! He also led us on a quad biking activity in the desert at sunset which we loved - we were greeted at the end with sundowners in the desert.
We liked that because there were limited predators in the area, we had a bit more independent mobility than at other camps.
We were able to go for a self-guided walk and had the option to go biking.
Food was delicious; the main lodge is lovely as well."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Oryx
10+ sightings
Wildebeest
3 sightings
Zebra
7 sightings
Ballooning in the Namib Desert
"Ballooning in the Namib Desert review"
11 Apr 2025 • Morning excursion
Very impressed by the professionalism and production of the organization.
Views were stunning. Post balloon brunch in the desert was a nice addition - gorgeous views of the dunes, and good food.
We were also very impressed with Namib Sky's community involvement and investment.
The balloons hold up to 16 people per balloon, so it's a bit cozy in the basket.
The balloon pilots were fun - you get to know them a bit more at brunch; while flying they're quite focused.
Views were stunning. Post balloon brunch in the desert was a nice addition - gorgeous views of the dunes, and good food.
We were also very impressed with Namib Sky's community involvement and investment.
The balloons hold up to 16 people per balloon, so it's a bit cozy in the basket.
The balloon pilots were fun - you get to know them a bit more at brunch; while flying they're quite focused.
Excellent
Hoanib Valley Camp
"Hoanib Valley Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
12 Apr 2025
"Our itinerary changed due to heavy rains across the country, so traveling to Hoanib Valley Camp was a late addition to our trip.
The location is spectacular, and you truly feel relaxed and remote. It is quite a journey to get there - we flew in, and it was a two hour (bumpy!) drive to get to HVC.
The game drive cars are weathered, especially relative to those of other camps. A highlight was watching full moon rise over the dunes beyond the camp. We enjoyed relaxing by the pool, playing games, and an evening guided walk on our second night. The team is attentive and warm - IT and Denise really added a lot to our stay!
There were two challenges that impacted our stay. Our guide did not engage with us very much. As a result, the game drive we did was very quiet, with little to no rapport. We only did the one game drive as a result.
The second challenge is that the rooms feel in need of a refresher. Our room's floor/carpet had some large stains covered by throw rugs, but visible nonetheless.
The rooms were clean, but felt a bit old. We appreciate how comfortable everything was given how remote the camp is, but relative to other lodges of this caliber, things felt weathered."
The location is spectacular, and you truly feel relaxed and remote. It is quite a journey to get there - we flew in, and it was a two hour (bumpy!) drive to get to HVC.
The game drive cars are weathered, especially relative to those of other camps. A highlight was watching full moon rise over the dunes beyond the camp. We enjoyed relaxing by the pool, playing games, and an evening guided walk on our second night. The team is attentive and warm - IT and Denise really added a lot to our stay!
There were two challenges that impacted our stay. Our guide did not engage with us very much. As a result, the game drive we did was very quiet, with little to no rapport. We only did the one game drive as a result.
The second challenge is that the rooms feel in need of a refresher. Our room's floor/carpet had some large stains covered by throw rugs, but visible nonetheless.
The rooms were clean, but felt a bit old. We appreciate how comfortable everything was given how remote the camp is, but relative to other lodges of this caliber, things felt weathered."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Giraffe
2 sightings
Oryx
1 sighting
Onduli Ridge
"Onduli Ridge review"
3 nights
Arrived
15 Apr 2025
"Spectacular! A goal for our trip was to feel awe and Ondlui Ridge certainly enabled that. From seeing multiple shooting stars while sleeping outside to Rhino trekking with the Rhino Rangers, we were lucky to feel awe multiples times a day!
Our guide Lion was fantastic, and a standout of the entire trip! He taught us so much about the history of Namibia, the culture of the local Damara people, geology, and lots of vivid details about the animals we saw.
We loved the pool space, the views from the sundowner deck, and the iconic pizza night around the fire. We enjoyed the varied activities available - we went for evening guided walks each night (one night even watching a herd of over 10 giraffe on foot while the sun started to set) and went e-biking before flying out on our last morning.
Celine and Ester, the chef, were real highlights among the lodge team, ensuring we were always comfortable and enjoying delicious meals. They even organized a special private dinner for us in the wine cellar!
Thank you to the whole Onduli Ridge team!"
Our guide Lion was fantastic, and a standout of the entire trip! He taught us so much about the history of Namibia, the culture of the local Damara people, geology, and lots of vivid details about the animals we saw.
We loved the pool space, the views from the sundowner deck, and the iconic pizza night around the fire. We enjoyed the varied activities available - we went for evening guided walks each night (one night even watching a herd of over 10 giraffe on foot while the sun started to set) and went e-biking before flying out on our last morning.
Celine and Ester, the chef, were real highlights among the lodge team, ensuring we were always comfortable and enjoying delicious meals. They even organized a special private dinner for us in the wine cellar!
Thank you to the whole Onduli Ridge team!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Elephant
1 sighting
Giraffe
2 sightings
Oryx
10+ sightings
Weinberg Hotel
"Weinberg Hotel review"
1 night
Arrived
18 Apr 2025
"See above [Ed: See the review of a stay here earlier in the trip - below.]"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Our first game drive we saw three lions in a tree and a leopard! Our guide LG was excellent - she was thorough and engaging, making the game drives fun and playful, while also ensuring that we saw extensive game. The entire team at Nxabega, especially our butler Killer, was thoughtful and responsive.
When we asked for port after dinner one evening, the following night, port was waiting for us in our room.
The tents have incredible views and spaced out enough that you feel truly remote (but also safe) - a highlight was taking an outdoor shower while zebras walked along the marsh in front of us."