Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs N from Hexham
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
6
Excursions taken
0
Wonderful holiday in Namibia
Namibia between 27 Aug 2009 and 4 Sep 2009
"We loved Namibia. The people, animals, landscape etc. After our tour fell through with Jules Verne we were a bit apprehensive but you were so helpful and reassuring and we felt that we could manage the Self Drive. [Ed: these travellers booked a trip to Africa with a tour operator, which fell through. Then they came to us, to help them swiftly create a trip!]
We found some of the gravel roads in the Namib/Naukluft area poor - particularly the D854 where we had a puncture. Hot and heavy work changing the wheel but we managed it. Puncture No 2 outside Walvis Bay was changed rapidly by a farmer and his son. We should have liked longer but our main holiday was in the Cape. We liked the feeling of frienliness and confidence in the people which must come with their independence. Enjoyed doing our own thing particularly in Etosha - 3 nights wqs just right."
We found some of the gravel roads in the Namib/Naukluft area poor - particularly the D854 where we had a puncture. Hot and heavy work changing the wheel but we managed it. Puncture No 2 outside Walvis Bay was changed rapidly by a farmer and his son. We should have liked longer but our main holiday was in the Cape. We liked the feeling of frienliness and confidence in the people which must come with their independence. Enjoyed doing our own thing particularly in Etosha - 3 nights wqs just right."
Arranged By Tracy Lederer
Sossus Dune Lodge
"Magical Desert Stat at Sossus Dune Lodge"
2 nights
Arrived
27 Aug 2009
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Villa Margherita
"B and B in Colonial House in Swakopmund"
1 night
Arrived
29 Aug 2009
"Very good large comfortable room in older Colonial house made our stay more interesting.
Receptionist very helpful and rang Dunlop Tyres Out of Hours service so we could buy 2 new tyres, Also advised on restaurants. Liked the decor."
Receptionist very helpful and rang Dunlop Tyres Out of Hours service so we could buy 2 new tyres, Also advised on restaurants. Liked the decor."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Okaukuejo Camp
"Waterhole Chalet in Okaukuejo Camp"
2 nights
Arrived
30 Aug 2009
"The position of our Chalet was excellent - so close to the Waterhole. Arrived to find 6 bull elephants at the waterhole - later black rhino with calf, giraffes. springboks, oryx, more elephants and jackals. We were amazed at how many animals came to the waterhole in the morning - lots of zebra and springbok - also kudu and oryx.
We found the food pretty average and the main courses poor apart from good steaks. Vegetables overcooked.
We did not like the way our postcards were sorted in the PO into countries and left exposed to the public.
We did one night drive which was good."
We found the food pretty average and the main courses poor apart from good steaks. Vegetables overcooked.
We did not like the way our postcards were sorted in the PO into countries and left exposed to the public.
We did one night drive which was good."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Average
Facilities
Good
Halali Camp
"Halali Rest Camp"
1 night
Arrived
1 Sep 2009
"Bush Chalet good. Loved the waterhole. Lovely position below the koppie.
Saw herd of elephants twice.
Tourist shop much better than Okaukuejo and food better. Smaller made it more friendly."
Saw herd of elephants twice.
Tourist shop much better than Okaukuejo and food better. Smaller made it more friendly."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Okonjima Plains Camp
"Bush Lodge in Okonjima"
1 night
Arrived
2 Sep 2009
"Upgraded form Main Camp to Bush Lodge. Could have stayed 2 or 3 nights here.
First class service and excellent food in beautiful surroundings. Can see why people go to private game parks. Saw a leopard and 6 cheetahs."
First class service and excellent food in beautiful surroundings. Can see why people go to private game parks. Saw a leopard and 6 cheetahs."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Olive Grove
"Olive Grove in Windhoek"
1 night
Arrived
3 Sep 2009
"Not sold on the cement fittings in our room but very comfortable bed and good dinner.
Glad we did not have to go out for a meal as a bit of a shock returning to the city and we had an early start the next day.
Receptionist insisted on the night security guard delivering us breakfast at 0545. The day guard washed and valeted our car for N$60. Budget had said we would have had to pay N$380 if the car was very dirty which it was."
Glad we did not have to go out for a meal as a bit of a shock returning to the city and we had an early start the next day.
Receptionist insisted on the night security guard delivering us breakfast at 0545. The day guard washed and valeted our car for N$60. Budget had said we would have had to pay N$380 if the car was very dirty which it was."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Feedback response
The owners of the replied to these comments with their usual speed, trying to clarify. They said that ….
“Our breakfast service (full cold buffet & hot breakfast ala carte menu) is available from 07h00. Should a guest require a breakfast earlier than 07h00, then we offer them a “breakfast tray menu” from which they can select their choice and they can advise the time at which they would like this tray delivered to their room. We apologise that, in this instance, this service appears to have been misunderstood, as we would never insist on a particular time at which the breakfast tray should be delivered – I can only think that our receptionist was suggesting that time, based on the guests departure time?
We do not offer a car wash & valet service at Olive Grove. It does sometime happen that a guest request this and, if we have the manpower available, then we arrange it with pleasure. We do not charge for this service; when asked we advise what this service would cost at a car wash in Windhoek (approximately N$80) and we also advise that if the guests does wish to pay for this service, then they can tip the staff member directly, at their discretion.”
We hope that these comments will make it easier for future travellers to understand how they operate.
“Our breakfast service (full cold buffet & hot breakfast ala carte menu) is available from 07h00. Should a guest require a breakfast earlier than 07h00, then we offer them a “breakfast tray menu” from which they can select their choice and they can advise the time at which they would like this tray delivered to their room. We apologise that, in this instance, this service appears to have been misunderstood, as we would never insist on a particular time at which the breakfast tray should be delivered – I can only think that our receptionist was suggesting that time, based on the guests departure time?
We do not offer a car wash & valet service at Olive Grove. It does sometime happen that a guest request this and, if we have the manpower available, then we arrange it with pleasure. We do not charge for this service; when asked we advise what this service would cost at a car wash in Windhoek (approximately N$80) and we also advise that if the guests does wish to pay for this service, then they can tip the staff member directly, at their discretion.”
We hope that these comments will make it easier for future travellers to understand how they operate.
Southern Africa Manager
Particularly liked our Herero gude who was very knowledgeable. Got us to a dune overlooking Dead Vlei for sunrise. Good breakfast set out for us beside Sossus Vlei."