Travel reviews by Mr D & Ms S from UK
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
11
Excursions taken
1
Another wonderful Namiibian experience
Namibia between 8 Aug 2014 and 15 Aug 2014
"We love Namibia. Etosha always gives amazing wildlife experiences. There is a lot of driving but the scenery is stunning. We particularly enjoyed the road from Etosha to Palwag over the Grootberg pass. Everyone should do the skeleton coastal route at least once. It is a long but unforgettable day.
We did think the last days drive from Swakopmund to the airport for a lunchtime flight rather a long way and on a very busy road it was a bit of a rush.
Thank you expert Africa for organising our trip once again. Your recommendations were excellent as always.
Gwyneth was our main contact and then Sabina. Both very helpful and knowledgable.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We used Chris's Bradt guide once again like a bible. Wherever you are or whatever you want to know, the answer will be in that book!"
We did think the last days drive from Swakopmund to the airport for a lunchtime flight rather a long way and on a very busy road it was a bit of a rush.
Thank you expert Africa for organising our trip once again. Your recommendations were excellent as always.
Gwyneth was our main contact and then Sabina. Both very helpful and knowledgable.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We used Chris's Bradt guide once again like a bible. Wherever you are or whatever you want to know, the answer will be in that book!"
Frans Indongo Lodge
"Quick overnight stay"
1 night
Arrived
8 Aug 2014
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Okaukuejo Camp
"My favourite camp in Etosha"
3 nights
Arrived
9 Aug 2014
"We were pleased with the location of our cottages. The bush chalets are probably better than the waterhole chalets as you don't have everyone milling around your front door. They are just a short walk from the waterhole and quite comfortable.
Being able to view the waterhole while in camp is special. Not to be missed. The restaurant food is by no means the best, but is just fine. We didn't realise that breakfast is included, and is available from early on so you can still make an early exit from the camp."
Being able to view the waterhole while in camp is special. Not to be missed. The restaurant food is by no means the best, but is just fine. We didn't realise that breakfast is included, and is available from early on so you can still make an early exit from the camp."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Desert Rhino Camp
"Very remote but worth the long drive"
2 nights
Arrived
12 Aug 2014
"We loved Desert Rhino camp for its remoteness. We had an unforgettable stay. It is a long drive to the camp but you learn so much about the desert animals and vegetation from fantastic guides. Our guide Bons was a delight to be with over the 2 days. So knowledgable and such fun. We successfully tracked 2 rhinos on foot which was thrilling. The trackers from Save the Rhino were v efficient and lovely people. We thoroughly enjoyed our day with them.
It is worth noting that the pick up point for Desert Rhino camp is not at the Palmwag Lodge entrance, but another 3 Kms further along the road. It has it's own sign. The lodge is very comfortable but very open to the elements so v cold at night. Hot water bottles and rugs were very welcome!
The food was v good and they were excellent in providing alternatives for my son who has food allergies."
It is worth noting that the pick up point for Desert Rhino camp is not at the Palmwag Lodge entrance, but another 3 Kms further along the road. It has it's own sign. The lodge is very comfortable but very open to the elements so v cold at night. Hot water bottles and rugs were very welcome!
The food was v good and they were excellent in providing alternatives for my son who has food allergies."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Central Guest House, Namibia (this camp has since closed)
"Convenient and v comfortable"
1 night
Arrived
14 Aug 2014
"A very convenient and central overnight stop in Swakopmund. Rooms very comfortable. An easy walk into town."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
My Oct 2010 trip
Namibia between 1 Oct 2010 and 16 Oct 2010
"Overall, we had a wonderful holiday, so thank you all very much. We will return and will recommend Namibia and you guys to others without hesitation.
One more note for your book, Chris: the R200 note is now in common use in Namibia!
One final thought: We do think things are getting rather expensive in Southern Africa. I spent about £2000 while in Namibia in addition to the base cost of the trip (more than I had anticipated) - and I could have spent much more. Apparently there are people willing to pay £600 for a bottle of wine (see the Mushara wine list.) If people are not careful, they will price themselves out of the market!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just do what you can to impress on the operators out there that they have a wonderful product, and it would be a real mistake to get greedy. Geese and golden eggs come to mind!!!"
One more note for your book, Chris: the R200 note is now in common use in Namibia!
One final thought: We do think things are getting rather expensive in Southern Africa. I spent about £2000 while in Namibia in addition to the base cost of the trip (more than I had anticipated) - and I could have spent much more. Apparently there are people willing to pay £600 for a bottle of wine (see the Mushara wine list.) If people are not careful, they will price themselves out of the market!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just do what you can to impress on the operators out there that they have a wonderful product, and it would be a real mistake to get greedy. Geese and golden eggs come to mind!!!"
Arranged By Sabina Hekandjo
Kulala Desert Lodge
"Kulala Desert Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
1 Oct 2010
"Overall a very nice lodge; good guides, good food.
It would be a good idea for the excursions to be included in the price - almost everyone goes there to see the dunes, so why add £100+ each to the bill?"
It would be a good idea for the excursions to be included in the price - almost everyone goes there to see the dunes, so why add £100+ each to the bill?"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
The Stiltz
"The Stiltz review"
2 nights
Arrived
3 Oct 2010
"Lovely location and room. One thing for the new guide, Chris: The Tug is open on Sundays!
Kayaking was fun."
Kayaking was fun."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Kayaking with seals
"Kayaking with seals"
4 Oct 2010 • Morning excursion
The kit is a bit on the old and used side, but Jeanne made up for it all with her personality, and we had a super morning on the water.
Note that the meeting place is not quite as described - worth checking with her to get it right; I think it was a different coffee house.
Note that the meeting place is not quite as described - worth checking with her to get it right; I think it was a different coffee house.
Doro Nawas
"Doro Nawas review"
2 nights
Arrived
5 Oct 2010
"Spent a very happy day looking for desert elephant (successfully!) and seeing the rock art at Twyfelfontein
Same comment about the expense of add-on activities!"
Same comment about the expense of add-on activities!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Hobatere Lodge
"Hobatere Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
7 Oct 2010
"While a little more dated than other camps, we enjoyed the visit, especially the night in the treehouse.
Saw a lion kill happen at the waterhole next to the camp - fantastic game viewing right on the doorstep. The evening game drive was not so good.
Too many people herded onto a vehicle (ok if it is your first time, but we would not bother with the guided viewing next time."
Saw a lion kill happen at the waterhole next to the camp - fantastic game viewing right on the doorstep. The evening game drive was not so good.
Too many people herded onto a vehicle (ok if it is your first time, but we would not bother with the guided viewing next time."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Okaukuejo Camp
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
9 Oct 2010
"The lodge near the waterhole was excellent. We saw more game than I have ever seen in nearly 60 years of game viewing - just amazing. 9 rhino at the waterhole - all at once; 60+ elephant; pride of 12 lions; 5 species of eagle in one day. What more could you ask for? Chris' recommendations on the waterholes to visit were spot on.
The restaurant is well described in your book as being a bit like 'school dinners'. we had 2 acceptable meals and one poor one - at least we were prepared, and it was the only poor one in 14 days, so not bad!"
The restaurant is well described in your book as being a bit like 'school dinners'. we had 2 acceptable meals and one poor one - at least we were prepared, and it was the only poor one in 14 days, so not bad!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Average
Mushara Outpost
"Mushara Outpost review"
2 nights
Arrived
12 Oct 2010
"Decor etc is sightly OTT, but nevertheless a super place to stay. Room 8 is really private! Food here was the best we had - excellent. But they are milking the prices! about £9 for 2 G&Ts - it's cheaper in London!!!!
Nice pool - you can actually swim a length!"
Nice pool - you can actually swim a length!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Ondudu Safari Lodge
"Erongo Wilderness Lodge review"
1 night
Arrived
14 Oct 2010
"Lovely place to slow down and relax; amazing scenery.
Pity they had a problem with the pool while we were there."
Pity they had a problem with the pool while we were there."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
We did arrive a bit later than expected as our flight was delayed. It might be an idea for the Lodge to know if they are the first stop from the airport. They had contacted you wondering if we were still expected.
Having arrived in the dark, it was delightful to see the surroundings of the lodge to be so beautiful in the morning. The staff were extremely nice and welcoming."