Travel reviews by Mr B from Newnan
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
5
Excursions taken
1
Dik Dik Drive - Namibia
Namibia between 21 Jan 2010 and 2 Feb 2010
"Trip was excellent. Thank you.
Expert Africa did a splendid job of arranging the Dik Dik self-drive trip with some itinerary modification which worked out well (day trip to Sandwich Harbour instead of kayaking in Walvis Bay lagoon, extra time in Swakopmund). As it turned out, the extra time in Swakopmund was a good thing because I was attached by a dog in the street requiring a visit to the police, a doctor, a pharmacy, the bank, etc.
Had I not had an extra day there, I'd not have seen Swakopmund -- an interesting and unusual place. That is not say that extra time should be built in to all itineraries to permit post dog-attack activities. As it turns out, there is no rabies in Namibia -- or at least not in Swakopmund district -- and the dog's owner paid my N$900 expenses.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I should note that Angela Griffin also helped arrange this trip and she did an excellent job of it. Thanks."
Expert Africa did a splendid job of arranging the Dik Dik self-drive trip with some itinerary modification which worked out well (day trip to Sandwich Harbour instead of kayaking in Walvis Bay lagoon, extra time in Swakopmund). As it turned out, the extra time in Swakopmund was a good thing because I was attached by a dog in the street requiring a visit to the police, a doctor, a pharmacy, the bank, etc.
Had I not had an extra day there, I'd not have seen Swakopmund -- an interesting and unusual place. That is not say that extra time should be built in to all itineraries to permit post dog-attack activities. As it turns out, there is no rabies in Namibia -- or at least not in Swakopmund district -- and the dog's owner paid my N$900 expenses.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I should note that Angela Griffin also helped arrange this trip and she did an excellent job of it. Thanks."
Feedback response
It did require slightly more than two weeks to obtain initial response to my original booking inquiry made via the Expert Africa Web site in mid-December. I'm still not sure why, but once email contact was established, communication was quick, efficient and effective.
Arranged By Tracy Lederer
Elegant Guesthouse
"The Elegant Guesthouse review"
1 night
Arrived
23 Jan 2010
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
BullsPort Lodge and Farm
"Bullsport Guest Farm review"
2 nights
Arrived
24 Jan 2010
"Six recently completed rooms have not received the mention they deserve. They are imaginatively designed, spacious and airy with private porch; bed-sitting room; extensive luggage stowage area; dressing area; huge bath with double-sinks and an open walk-in shower sufficient for three to four adults (we imagine).
Oh, yes. After a dusty 5-hour hike, the cold swimming pool is sublime."
Oh, yes. After a dusty 5-hour hike, the cold swimming pool is sublime."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Desert Homestead
"Desert Homestead review"
2 nights
Arrived
26 Jan 2010
"The Desert Homestead appears to occupy a hill only slightly higher than the desert floor; however, once in the lodge it seems quite high up with commanding views over the Namib in every direction. Individual reed-roofed huts are cleverly situated so that you seem to be alone on your porch amid the desert and mountains.
The staff here are mostly from Northern Namibia and they are delightful: smiling, fun and friendly.
We highly recommend the Homestead's in-house guide, Seven, who will drive you in a Land Rover to Sesriem/Sossusvlei in time for sunrise over the dunes. Seven is eager to share his extensive knowledge of the sand and fauna and does so with an enjoyable sense of humor as you blow by less intelligent people, hopelessly stuck in sand, who attempted the trip in an ordinary car or lesser 4x4."
The staff here are mostly from Northern Namibia and they are delightful: smiling, fun and friendly.
We highly recommend the Homestead's in-house guide, Seven, who will drive you in a Land Rover to Sesriem/Sossusvlei in time for sunrise over the dunes. Seven is eager to share his extensive knowledge of the sand and fauna and does so with an enjoyable sense of humor as you blow by less intelligent people, hopelessly stuck in sand, who attempted the trip in an ordinary car or lesser 4x4."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sam's Giardino
"Sam's Giardino review"
3 nights
Arrived
28 Jan 2010
"Here is the perfect respite from the brutal desert. Sam's place is cool, green, clean and comfortable.
In addition to Sam, an engaging Swiss gentleman, there is an exuberant and entertaining PR manager named Beethoven, a three-month-old Bernese mountain dog pup. Beethoven succeeds celebrated previous PR managers, Einstein and Ornella, who are sadly no longer with us.
Dine-in here. The five-course dinners are excellent as is, so I'm told, Sam's wine cellar.
Expert Africa organised a day-trip for this traveller to Sandwich Harbour; he commented:
This is a fascinating guided trip to an otherwise inaccessible area. Our guide, Wayne, was highly knowledgeable about the area's history, geology and its highly adapted flora and fauna. There is great beauty here: spectacular dune-top views of breakers meeting sand cliffs, countless flamingos gathered in shallow water. Wild and splendid!"
In addition to Sam, an engaging Swiss gentleman, there is an exuberant and entertaining PR manager named Beethoven, a three-month-old Bernese mountain dog pup. Beethoven succeeds celebrated previous PR managers, Einstein and Ornella, who are sadly no longer with us.
Dine-in here. The five-course dinners are excellent as is, so I'm told, Sam's wine cellar.
Expert Africa organised a day-trip for this traveller to Sandwich Harbour; he commented:
This is a fascinating guided trip to an otherwise inaccessible area. Our guide, Wayne, was highly knowledgeable about the area's history, geology and its highly adapted flora and fauna. There is great beauty here: spectacular dune-top views of breakers meeting sand cliffs, countless flamingos gathered in shallow water. Wild and splendid!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Coast and Sandwich Harbour
"Turnstone Tours - Sandwich Harbour day trip"
29 Jan 2010 • All-day excursion
This is a fascinating guided trip to an otherwise inaccessible area. Our guide, Wayne, was highly knowledgeable about the area's history, geology and its highly adapted flora and fauna. There is great beauty here: spectacular dune-top views of breakers meeting sand cliffs, countless flamingos gathered in shallow water. Wild and splendid!
Excellent
Eningu Clayhouse
"Eningu Clayhouse review"
1 night
Arrived
31 Jan 2010
"This treat for the eye is a superbly comfortable nature retreat in the middle of nowhere. The sounds you hear will be made by hundreds of birds or maybe the shush-shush of a preoccupied porcupine meandering through the yard or maybe you'll hear the new owner extolling her mastery of contracts and her shrewdness in protecting herself against liability for possible acts of negligence by the previous owner(s), etc., etc.
Eningu Clayhouse is in transition between owners. During breakfast on our one morning there, the only guest (me) couldn't hear the aforementioned birds or the rodent due to a business discussion carried on by the new owner at the next table; so, we left.
With the likely addition of television from Europe and an Internet café we sense that this property may become a Kalahari roadhouse for high rollers and we cannot recommend it to anyone at this time"
Eningu Clayhouse is in transition between owners. During breakfast on our one morning there, the only guest (me) couldn't hear the aforementioned birds or the rodent due to a business discussion carried on by the new owner at the next table; so, we left.
With the likely addition of television from Europe and an Internet café we sense that this property may become a Kalahari roadhouse for high rollers and we cannot recommend it to anyone at this time"
Terrible
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Terrible
Feedback response
Eningu responded very promptly saying that although they were obviously disappointed by the travellers comments, they do appreciate any form of feedback, as this helps them to identify issues of concern. They have acknowledged that during this transition period there may be signs of teething problems however they hope that these will be overcome very quickly.
Eningu have also assured us that although they will be offering their guests internet access for flight reconfirmation and a television for the viewing of the Football World Cup, they plan very few other changes at the lodge.
Eningu have also assured us that although they will be offering their guests internet access for flight reconfirmation and a television for the viewing of the Football World Cup, they plan very few other changes at the lodge.
Southern Africa Manager
Youthful staff is friendly and helpful – including the night watchman who retrieved our car key from the door of the car where we stupidly left it.
This location is convenient and easy to find when arriving via Windhoek Airport."