Travel reviews by Mr J from Hants
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
5
Countries visited
4
Lodges stayed in
38
Excursions taken
0
Another excellent holiday
South Africa between 22 Oct 2018 and 8 Nov 2018
"As mentioned elsewhere, the highlight of this trip was the Karoo National Park.
Its a pity that Expert Africa do not extend their horizon to this area. It is really worth taking a 3-4 day detour north of R62 and the Garden Route. Karoo National Park was truly exceptional, Graaff-Reinet worth a visit, Prince Albert simply delightful, the Swartberg Pass unmissable.
This was my fourth holiday with Expert Africa - they continue to be my first choice"
Its a pity that Expert Africa do not extend their horizon to this area. It is really worth taking a 3-4 day detour north of R62 and the Garden Route. Karoo National Park was truly exceptional, Graaff-Reinet worth a visit, Prince Albert simply delightful, the Swartberg Pass unmissable.
This was my fourth holiday with Expert Africa - they continue to be my first choice"
Arranged By Claire Scott
Acorn House
"Third stay at Acorn House - just perfect"
1 night
Arrived
22 Oct 2018
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Abalone Guest Lodge (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Watching whales from your balcony - wonderful"
2 nights
Arrived
23 Oct 2018
"Not many places in the world offer whale watching from your room balcony.
Perfect location."
Perfect location."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Schoone Oordt Country House
"Lovely building"
2 nights
Arrived
25 Oct 2018
"Lovely dining room / restaurant, especially if you can manage to get a window table overlooking the gardens.
Good food, friendly host and staff. We found Swellendam town itself not worth a 2-night stay, but would really recommend nearby Bontebok National Park - we spent nearly a whole day there, even though its a relatively small park."
Good food, friendly host and staff. We found Swellendam town itself not worth a 2-night stay, but would really recommend nearby Bontebok National Park - we spent nearly a whole day there, even though its a relatively small park."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Tsala Treetop Lodge
"Absolutely Fabulous !"
2 nights
Arrived
27 Oct 2018
"This place is absolutely fabulous. We must have spent the first 30 minutes after arrival simply taking photographs of the room and location. Rooms come with your own private infinity pool overlooking the forest. Suites are huge - bedroom, entrance room, sitting room, v.large bathroom and (optional) outside shower.
Be careful - the local monkeys have realised that snacks / nibbles are provided in the room for new arrivals. They're harmless, but expect to share your cheese straws.
We used both restaurants - Tsala Lodge itself and nearly Zinzi. The food wasn't quite up to the same standard as the location. But as the location was truly outstanding, I'm probably being a little unfair. In 30 years of traveling, I've found nothing that quite compares to this."
Be careful - the local monkeys have realised that snacks / nibbles are provided in the room for new arrivals. They're harmless, but expect to share your cheese straws.
We used both restaurants - Tsala Lodge itself and nearly Zinzi. The food wasn't quite up to the same standard as the location. But as the location was truly outstanding, I'm probably being a little unfair. In 30 years of traveling, I've found nothing that quite compares to this."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Gorah Elephant Camp
"Woken by lion roaring outside tent"
2 nights
Arrived
29 Oct 2018
"Camp was excellent, but not really my type of game viewing - so let's split the two.....
Not really accurate to call the rooms "tents" as they were so well appointed. Heavy canvas walls and roof. Main building / restaurant / viewing veranda all very good.
Everything overlooks the water hole where wildlife wanders in and out. No fences. Woken on the second morning by a lion roaring as it wandered around the camp. Food good, staff friendly and efficient. Monkeys play around the buildings in the early mornings.
Now to game viewing - I prefer Etosha: self-drive and very large numbers of animals. Gorah is a concession within Addo Elephant Park and offers game-drives twice a day. No self-drive. Animals not too plentiful, but maybe we were just unlucky."
Not really accurate to call the rooms "tents" as they were so well appointed. Heavy canvas walls and roof. Main building / restaurant / viewing veranda all very good.
Everything overlooks the water hole where wildlife wanders in and out. No fences. Woken on the second morning by a lion roaring as it wandered around the camp. Food good, staff friendly and efficient. Monkeys play around the buildings in the early mornings.
Now to game viewing - I prefer Etosha: self-drive and very large numbers of animals. Gorah is a concession within Addo Elephant Park and offers game-drives twice a day. No self-drive. Animals not too plentiful, but maybe we were just unlucky."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Karoo National Park (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Got to be the highlight of the holiday!"
3 nights
Arrived
31 Oct 2018
"Staggering scenery. Wildlife viewing was excellent - self-drive with a sense that the animals were truly wild and not in a "park". Birds were fabulous - more colours than a rainbow, and almost tame. Many hours spent just watching them land on our table picking up crumbs. Don't leave your breakfast on your table unguarded if you go to get coffee/toast - the birds will have the lot before you are back!
Restaurant supervisor was lovely with a wicked sense of humour. True sense of isolation - magical - absolute silence. Stars gazing splendid. I could go on and on. Didn't want to leave. But - as the landscape is bare and arid, the scenery might not be for everybody. Nor maybe the basic self-catering rooms. It was perfect for me.
Two small comments - restaurant menu was extensive, but the food was basic, don't expect gourmet dining here. Our room had two single beds."
Restaurant supervisor was lovely with a wicked sense of humour. True sense of isolation - magical - absolute silence. Stars gazing splendid. I could go on and on. Didn't want to leave. But - as the landscape is bare and arid, the scenery might not be for everybody. Nor maybe the basic self-catering rooms. It was perfect for me.
Two small comments - restaurant menu was extensive, but the food was basic, don't expect gourmet dining here. Our room had two single beds."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Average
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Swartberg Country Manor (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"OK for an overnight stop"
1 night
Arrived
3 Nov 2018
"My title says it all - OK for an overnight stop as you drive along the Garden Route. The other guests (mostly groups and bus tours) seemed to be doing the same as us - one night stop-over before moving on.
Bad design - who would think that putting a communal area with large-screen TV right next to the guest rooms was a good idea? Our host warned us of a rugby match on TV that evening with potential noise. Poor breakfast. Not really 4-star.
Oudtshoorn has a couple of good restaurants but is nothing special.
However - the accommodation was right at the southern end of the Swartberg Pass. I've wanted to drive this pass for a long time and was not disappointed. Wonderful scenery."
Bad design - who would think that putting a communal area with large-screen TV right next to the guest rooms was a good idea? Our host warned us of a rugby match on TV that evening with potential noise. Poor breakfast. Not really 4-star.
Oudtshoorn has a couple of good restaurants but is nothing special.
However - the accommodation was right at the southern end of the Swartberg Pass. I've wanted to drive this pass for a long time and was not disappointed. Wonderful scenery."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Good
Service
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Galenia Estate
"Perfect location, lovely view, good food"
2 nights
Arrived
4 Nov 2018
"A lovely property up away from the road, tucked under the mountains.
Beautiful view over the valley and to Montagu. Excellent restaurant for both breakfast and dinner.
A pity the bad weather prevented walks around the estate."
Beautiful view over the valley and to Montagu. Excellent restaurant for both breakfast and dinner.
A pity the bad weather prevented walks around the estate."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Angala Boutique Hotel
"Delightful location"
2 nights
Arrived
6 Nov 2018
"Over 2 km from the road, with a beautiful garden / pool. We only ate breakfast here due to the very large number of excellent restaurants in Franschhoek. The eating area was perfect and the breakfast was good. Friendly staff.
Not sure bare, grey, walls add much to a room. Outside shower seemed just a little bit "public"."
Not sure bare, grey, walls add much to a room. Outside shower seemed just a little bit "public"."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Overall feedback
Namibia and 2 other countries between 23 Sep 2016 and 7 Oct 2016
"A very memorable trip. The Caprivi Strip is so different to the rest of Namibia. Delightful lodges. Expert Africa very good, as always.
Only two small comments:
1. there was a chap from Wilderness Safaris at Windhoek airport to meet & greet us. This has never happened before, so we walked straight past him. I hope he wasn't offended, but there was nothing from Expert Africa to say that we were being met at the airport. Bit of a surprise.
2. Wild Horizons transfers. Perfect and on-time for each occasion. The problem was communication. We we not given a pick-up time for the transfer to Livingstone Airport. Our previous driver said we would be contacted and informed 24 hours before pick-up. We were not contacted, and none of the telephone numbers given in Zimbabwe was contactable either from a mobile or the hotel's phones. I even tried sending a text, but there was no reply. In the end we had to ask the Avani concierge to phone Wild Horizons local office in Zambia. If Wild Horizons has a local office, why give travellers lots of numbers in Zimbabwe ? (none of which seem to work)."
Only two small comments:
1. there was a chap from Wilderness Safaris at Windhoek airport to meet & greet us. This has never happened before, so we walked straight past him. I hope he wasn't offended, but there was nothing from Expert Africa to say that we were being met at the airport. Bit of a surprise.
2. Wild Horizons transfers. Perfect and on-time for each occasion. The problem was communication. We we not given a pick-up time for the transfer to Livingstone Airport. Our previous driver said we would be contacted and informed 24 hours before pick-up. We were not contacted, and none of the telephone numbers given in Zimbabwe was contactable either from a mobile or the hotel's phones. I even tried sending a text, but there was no reply. In the end we had to ask the Avani concierge to phone Wild Horizons local office in Zambia. If Wild Horizons has a local office, why give travellers lots of numbers in Zimbabwe ? (none of which seem to work)."
Arranged By Sabina Hekandjo
River Crossing
"River Crossing Windhoek"
1 night
Arrived
24 Sep 2016
"Not the most pretty set of buildings, but the location is great.
An excellent one-night stop-over before continuing your holiday in Namibia.
Baboons roam freely around the site."
An excellent one-night stop-over before continuing your holiday in Namibia.
Baboons roam freely around the site."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Frans Indongo Lodge
"Frans Indongo Lodge"
1 night
Arrived
25 Sep 2016
"Perfect for a one-night stop-over to break the journey from Windhoek to Etosha.
Pleasant, but not a place you could stay at for more than one night."
Pleasant, but not a place you could stay at for more than one night."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Mushara Bush Camp
"Mushara Bush Camp"
2 nights
Arrived
26 Sep 2016
"Absolutely perfect for exploring the eastern end of Etosha. Situated just outside of the park gates.
Their outdoor BBQ is a real treat."
Their outdoor BBQ is a real treat."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Hakusembe River Lodge
"Hakusembe Lodge"
1 night
Arrived
28 Sep 2016
"Perfect for a one-night stop before you continue your holiday into the Caprivi Strip.
Very nice location on the banks of the Okavango."
Very nice location on the banks of the Okavango."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Ndhovu Safari Lodge
"Ndhovu Safari Lodge"
1 night
Arrived
29 Sep 2016
"Lovely location on the banks of the river. Lots of hippo to watch.
Mahangu National Park is just down the road and is highly recommended.
Much smaller than Etosha but with a very good variety of wildlife."
Mahangu National Park is just down the road and is highly recommended.
Much smaller than Etosha but with a very good variety of wildlife."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Nxamaseri Lodge
"Nxamaseri Island Lodge"
2 nights
Arrived
30 Sep 2016
"Wonderful lodge on its own island. River activities by boat or canoe.
As the brochure says - not much big game, but the bird life is plentiful and the whole experience truly amazing.
Our best time on this trip"
As the brochure says - not much big game, but the bird life is plentiful and the whole experience truly amazing.
Our best time on this trip"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Lianshulu Lodge
"Lianshulu Lodge"
2 nights
Arrived
2 Oct 2016
"A larger lodge in a very pleasant position on the banks of a river and within the Mudumu National Park.
Animals free to roam through the grounds, so escorts required to take you to & from your room after sunset. Lots of hippo and elephant.
Very pleasant and friendly staff."
Animals free to roam through the grounds, so escorts required to take you to & from your room after sunset. Lots of hippo and elephant.
Very pleasant and friendly staff."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Avani Victoria Falls
"Avant Victoria Falls"
2 nights
Arrived
4 Oct 2016
"A tourist hotel in a tourist area. Not my style, but if you want to see Victoria Falls it is the closest hotel. The Falls were just a five minute walk.
OK - it's a 3-star tourist resort - but does it do what it says on the tin? Yes, very well except for the food which was consistently poor.
A word of warning - at the end of the dry season Victoria Falls is very diminished with only half of its length being actually a waterfall - and this part is only visible from the Zimbabwe side. The rest is just a dry rock cliff. Plan your visit according to season if you want to see the full falls in all its glory.
Seeing only half the falls wasn't a problem for us as Victoria Falls wasn't our prime destination - it was a fly-out point after our trip to the Caprivi Strip."
OK - it's a 3-star tourist resort - but does it do what it says on the tin? Yes, very well except for the food which was consistently poor.
A word of warning - at the end of the dry season Victoria Falls is very diminished with only half of its length being actually a waterfall - and this part is only visible from the Zimbabwe side. The rest is just a dry rock cliff. Plan your visit according to season if you want to see the full falls in all its glory.
Seeing only half the falls wasn't a problem for us as Victoria Falls wasn't our prime destination - it was a fly-out point after our trip to the Caprivi Strip."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Poor
Once again - a perfect holiday
South Africa between 20 Aug 2015 and 4 Sep 2015
"I can see no reason to consider any other travel company. Expert Africa are perfect and I've recommended them many times to family and friends. Friendly, helpful and very knowledgable.
I'm already thinking about our next trip."
I'm already thinking about our next trip."
Arranged By Tracy Lederer
Le Must River Residence
"Excellent"
1 night
Arrived
21 Aug 2015
"Le Must River Residence is well positioned on the banks of the Orange River - it is very pretty. Room was perfect, staff were very helpful and friendly. A delightful place.
Upington can look a little daunting when trying to find a restaurant for your evening meal, but O'Hagan's is recommended"
Upington can look a little daunting when trying to find a restaurant for your evening meal, but O'Hagan's is recommended"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Kalahari Tented Camp
"Tented Camp - self-catering - perfect"
2 nights
Arrived
22 Aug 2015
"Kalahari Tented Camp is self-catering - take this literally ! There is a gas fridge and hob (plus cutlery & utensils & pots and pans) but remember to bring everything else with you - not even a box of matches is provided. This was not a problem as Mata-Mata shop is within 4 km, but don't get caught out by leaving cooking too late only to find that you can't light the gas or BBQ !
Accommodation was perfect.
The campsite is not fenced, so game do wander close by - Wildebeest in particular seem to like coming up from the valley. The view over the dry river bed is extraordinary - waking up, looking out of the window and seeing giraffe at the waterhole was memorable.
There is a small swimming pool but no other facilities. And so what? You're there for the game and the experience, not to sit by the pool.....
If I had two small suggestions for improvement, they would be : (1) a box of matches would be nice (2) the waterhole is floodlit at night, but with what appear to be a 20w bulb. A better light (on a timer to keep night-time black) might make just-after-dusk viewing better"
Accommodation was perfect.
The campsite is not fenced, so game do wander close by - Wildebeest in particular seem to like coming up from the valley. The view over the dry river bed is extraordinary - waking up, looking out of the window and seeing giraffe at the waterhole was memorable.
There is a small swimming pool but no other facilities. And so what? You're there for the game and the experience, not to sit by the pool.....
If I had two small suggestions for improvement, they would be : (1) a box of matches would be nice (2) the waterhole is floodlit at night, but with what appear to be a 20w bulb. A better light (on a timer to keep night-time black) might make just-after-dusk viewing better"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Ta Shebube Rooiputs
"Ta Shebube is just perfect"
2 nights
Arrived
24 Aug 2015
"We were the only guests, so had very personal attention. I asked if the lodge was ever busy/full and it appears not. This is a shame, it is truly a great place.
When we were there, a pride of lions were close by and leopard tracks were seen each morning. No worries - the staff are very safety conscious and we were taken, and collected, from our chalet before and after sunset. This is the appeal - no fences !
Our guide ("BK") was very knowledgable, friendly and helpful.
The chalet was just delightful - one complete wall is a sliding glass door, so if you're not on an early morning drive you can let the Kalahari sunrise wake you up. Food was very good
If I had some very small comments for improvement they would be - (1) a signpost from the road would be nice. We just headed up a sand track towards the buildings on the dune ridge. If the buildings had not been visible from the road, we would have been a bit lost (2) mend the old Land Rover's gearbox (BK was constantly fighting to get it into 4 wheel drive) !!
Otherwise 5 Stars all round !"
When we were there, a pride of lions were close by and leopard tracks were seen each morning. No worries - the staff are very safety conscious and we were taken, and collected, from our chalet before and after sunset. This is the appeal - no fences !
Our guide ("BK") was very knowledgable, friendly and helpful.
The chalet was just delightful - one complete wall is a sliding glass door, so if you're not on an early morning drive you can let the Kalahari sunrise wake you up. Food was very good
If I had some very small comments for improvement they would be - (1) a signpost from the road would be nice. We just headed up a sand track towards the buildings on the dune ridge. If the buildings had not been visible from the road, we would have been a bit lost (2) mend the old Land Rover's gearbox (BK was constantly fighting to get it into 4 wheel drive) !!
Otherwise 5 Stars all round !"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
The Falls Guest House
"A great place to stay for the Falls"
2 nights
Arrived
26 Aug 2015
"The Falls Guest House is very good, but gets only 4 Stars because of two problems which should be easy to fix - (1) guests should not need a degree in hydraulic engineering to make the shower work. They know about this, and we were given the instructions about which taps to turn on, in which sequence, etc, but still success resulted in only a warm dribble.... (2) reception appears to be rarely manned
There is no evening meal, but a BBQ can be ordered, which is very good. Apart from the shower, the room was excellent, with a full kitchen if you prefer self catering.
Two small niggles, but a great place to stay, right next to the short road to Augrabies Falls National Park. Their catch-phrase is absolutely correct - More Than Just a Waterfall. The park is extensive and very beautiful.
I don't know how you'd arrange it to be there when the Orange is in full flood, but the sight and sound must be awesome. At other times, enjoy the park and the Rock Hyraxes"
There is no evening meal, but a BBQ can be ordered, which is very good. Apart from the shower, the room was excellent, with a full kitchen if you prefer self catering.
Two small niggles, but a great place to stay, right next to the short road to Augrabies Falls National Park. Their catch-phrase is absolutely correct - More Than Just a Waterfall. The park is extensive and very beautiful.
I don't know how you'd arrange it to be there when the Orange is in full flood, but the sight and sound must be awesome. At other times, enjoy the park and the Rock Hyraxes"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Mountain View Guest House
"Perfect base for the spring wild flowers"
2 nights
Arrived
28 Aug 2015
"This was our second time to Springbok. My feedback for the first occasion was not enthusiastic, but I now see that was unfair. Springbok town needs to be explored - it is vibrant and interesting. Springbok Lodge Restuarant in the centre of town is especially well worth a visit, for the shop or a coffee, or a meal. It is one of those quirky African places. You cannot book the restaurant, so timing is important if you want an evening meal.
Mountain View Guest House is very pleasant and the owner very friendly and helpful. Rooms and breakfast were perfect.
The spring wild flowers have to be seen to be believed. Recommended - (1) Nababeep village (2) the gravel road along the north boundary of Namaqua National Park. The road is pretty grim, but you don't need a 4x4 - keep going until the end of the Wildeperdehoek Pass - the view is extraordinary. The Namaqua Information Centre at the edge of town is very good and can provide daily updates on the flowers, recommended viewing locations and maps etc"
Mountain View Guest House is very pleasant and the owner very friendly and helpful. Rooms and breakfast were perfect.
The spring wild flowers have to be seen to be believed. Recommended - (1) Nababeep village (2) the gravel road along the north boundary of Namaqua National Park. The road is pretty grim, but you don't need a 4x4 - keep going until the end of the Wildeperdehoek Pass - the view is extraordinary. The Namaqua Information Centre at the edge of town is very good and can provide daily updates on the flowers, recommended viewing locations and maps etc"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve
"Voted Best Hotel in the World 2009"
2 nights
Arrived
30 Aug 2015
"Voted Best Hotel in the World 2009. There is nothing more to say.
Beyond excellent. They even washed our car before delivering it back to us at reception on departure."
Beyond excellent. They even washed our car before delivering it back to us at reception on departure."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Acorn House
"Another excellent stay at Acorn House"
2 nights
Arrived
1 Sep 2015
"This was our second stay at Acorn House. I asked for this guest house specifically - there is no better commendation. My son and girlfriend also stayed there earlier in the year.
Perfect location, very friendly and helpful."
Perfect location, very friendly and helpful."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
My Sep 2013 trip
Namibia and 1 other country between 8 Sep 2013 and 23 Sep 2013
"This was a second holiday booked with Expert Africa. For the first trip they were excellent, but this time not so good. Three comments -
1. this second trip was across two countries and Expert Africa staff seem organised by country. I was passed from one person to another and initially nobody seemed responsible for the whole trip
2. lack of answers to e-mails. On a couple of occasions I gave up waiting and had to phone
3. I booked 10 months in advance and even that far out some lodges were already fully booked. We were wait listed. A month before departure I contacted Expert Africa to make a final check of our wait list status and was somewhat surprised to find that in 10 months Expert Africa had not followed up on the bookings. By lucky chance only, we eventually got our first choice lodges, but only because I followed up"
1. this second trip was across two countries and Expert Africa staff seem organised by country. I was passed from one person to another and initially nobody seemed responsible for the whole trip
2. lack of answers to e-mails. On a couple of occasions I gave up waiting and had to phone
3. I booked 10 months in advance and even that far out some lodges were already fully booked. We were wait listed. A month before departure I contacted Expert Africa to make a final check of our wait list status and was somewhat surprised to find that in 10 months Expert Africa had not followed up on the bookings. By lucky chance only, we eventually got our first choice lodges, but only because I followed up"
Arranged By Sabina Hekandjo
Acorn House
"Acorn House review"
2 nights
Arrived
9 Sep 2013
"Delightful guest house in a wonderful position, directly under Table Mountain. The staff and service were first class."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Akamedie Street G H (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Akamedie Street G H review"
2 nights
Arrived
11 Sep 2013
"Absolutely superb. This is a delightful guest house, with wonderful cottages. The owners and staff were first class. Franschhoek had a scheduled 6am-6pm power cut whilst we were there and the owners did all they could to ensure there were no problems. Their suggestions for wine tasting were perfect. We could have stayed here for a week, pity we only had 2 nights...."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Annie's Cottage
"Annie's Cottage review"
1 night
Arrived
13 Sep 2013
"I've given Annie's Cottage an Average mark, but it's not really their fault. Springbok can only be regarded as an overnight stay on the road to Namibia - there's nothing there and it was freezing cold on the night we stayed. Luckily electric blankets were supplied.
We booked a triple room and what we were given was really a double with an extra bed by the door. However, I doubt that there is anywhere better in this town. We came, we stopped, we left - nothing more to say. Annie's Cottage was sufficient."
We booked a triple room and what we were given was really a double with an extra bed by the door. However, I doubt that there is anywhere better in this town. We came, we stopped, we left - nothing more to say. Annie's Cottage was sufficient."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Average
Service
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Canyon Lodge
"Canyon Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
14 Sep 2013
"Unbelievable ! Words cannot describe this place. Absolutely fantastic. The pictures in the guide books do not do it justice. Tour buses were even pulling off the road to allow tourists to take pictures of this lodge.
We arrived with a puncture and the staff were very helpful and had it all fixed within half and hour.
At the end of our holiday we played the "what was best?" game - best sights, best day, best lodge, worst road, etc. We changed the game to "what was the 2nd best lodge?" as Canyon Lodge was in it's own universe, so far removed from anything else we experienced. Worth going all the way to Namibia just for this lodge (and Fish River canyon)"
We arrived with a puncture and the staff were very helpful and had it all fixed within half and hour.
At the end of our holiday we played the "what was best?" game - best sights, best day, best lodge, worst road, etc. We changed the game to "what was the 2nd best lodge?" as Canyon Lodge was in it's own universe, so far removed from anything else we experienced. Worth going all the way to Namibia just for this lodge (and Fish River canyon)"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Eagle's Nest
"Eagle's Nest review"
2 nights
Arrived
16 Sep 2013
"Very good indeed. An excellent location with excellent accommodation. Staff and owners were very friendly and helpful.
Some comments - the Eagle's Nest chalets are 7km from the main lodge, which is a little too far to drive for breakfast. Expert Africa mention "breakfast packs" but these were not available.
Although described on the Expert Africa website as "self catering" and although bookings are done on a B&B basis only, the main lodge does have a restaurant. You do not have to be self-catering.
The BBQ packs were enormous, expect huge amounts of food. Unless you do like vast amounts of food, I would suggest ordering one fewer packs than the number in your party - you will not need all the food if you order one pack per person.
A perfect location for day-trips to Luderitz"
Some comments - the Eagle's Nest chalets are 7km from the main lodge, which is a little too far to drive for breakfast. Expert Africa mention "breakfast packs" but these were not available.
Although described on the Expert Africa website as "self catering" and although bookings are done on a B&B basis only, the main lodge does have a restaurant. You do not have to be self-catering.
The BBQ packs were enormous, expect huge amounts of food. Unless you do like vast amounts of food, I would suggest ordering one fewer packs than the number in your party - you will not need all the food if you order one pack per person.
A perfect location for day-trips to Luderitz"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Feedback response
Following on these travellers feedback we have been in touch with Piet at Klein Aus Vista and he confirmed that they definitely offer breakfast packs, which can be requested from reception.
Africa Specialist | Namibia
Tok Tokkie Trails
"Tok Tokkie Trails review"
2 nights
Arrived
18 Sep 2013
"Splendid. The hikes were relaxed and relatively easy, with frequent stops for those who are not Olympic athletes. You do not need to super fit for this experience, although it was cool when we were there. Very hot days may be more of a challenge. The sleeping arrangements, lunch and dinner were excellent.
Our guide was very good. We were in a party with 5 others - a British couple and a Swiss couple with their local guide. The party worked well, very friendly.
For those who seek something different, this is perfect. Do not expect anything better than a bucket-shower and a "long-drop" toilet - but this is what the experience is all about.
Unbelievably, on our second night it rained! Rain in the Namib, not something you see every day. The sleeping bags were water-proof and the weather did nothing to spoil the adventure - in fact, it just added to the fun.
Highly recommended"
Our guide was very good. We were in a party with 5 others - a British couple and a Swiss couple with their local guide. The party worked well, very friendly.
For those who seek something different, this is perfect. Do not expect anything better than a bucket-shower and a "long-drop" toilet - but this is what the experience is all about.
Unbelievably, on our second night it rained! Rain in the Namib, not something you see every day. The sleeping bags were water-proof and the weather did nothing to spoil the adventure - in fact, it just added to the fun.
Highly recommended"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Zebra River Lodge
"Zebra River Lodge review"
1 night
Arrived
20 Sep 2013
"It was a pity that we used this lodge as simply an over-night stop to break up a long journey. It was really good and deserved a longer stay. However, I would suggest that you consider this lodge for it's own sake and not a base for visiting Sossusvlei - the road to Sossusvlei is not so good and it's at least 1.5 hours drive each way.
The lodge is in its own canyon, is very remote and a perfect base for walks and hikes, or just relaxing by the pool (with the tame springbok)"
The lodge is in its own canyon, is very remote and a perfect base for walks and hikes, or just relaxing by the pool (with the tame springbok)"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
"Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch review"
1 night
Arrived
21 Sep 2013
"Perfectly placed as your first stop in Namibia (on your way to Fish River Canyon), or as your last stop on the way back to Windhoek airport.
The chalets are good and the owners and staff very friendly and helpful (we asked about the meerkats and we were treated to our own private viewing). The tame springbok that wanders around the lobby/bar/restaurant area is cute (feed it the ginger biscuits).
We elected for just the cheetah feeding activity - this was very well organised and good value.
Perfect for a over-night stay"
The chalets are good and the owners and staff very friendly and helpful (we asked about the meerkats and we were treated to our own private viewing). The tame springbok that wanders around the lobby/bar/restaurant area is cute (feed it the ginger biscuits).
We elected for just the cheetah feeding activity - this was very well organised and good value.
Perfect for a over-night stay"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Overall Feedback
Namibia between 6 Sep 2011 and 19 Sep 2011
"Let's leave Budget car-hire to one side as that is not within your control or responsibility.
What can I say? Absolutely wonderful holiday. Brilliant, spectacular, excellent.
Everything was very good - from the initial help and assistance with deciding on a route, through booking, and the comprehensive information provided beforehand.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None whatsoever"
What can I say? Absolutely wonderful holiday. Brilliant, spectacular, excellent.
Everything was very good - from the initial help and assistance with deciding on a route, through booking, and the comprehensive information provided beforehand.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None whatsoever"
Haus Sonneneck
"Haus Sonneneck review"
1 night
Arrived
7 Sep 2011
"Very friendly host. A little way outside of town, but all the better for that !
Breakfast was a little limited, but we were the only guests at the time, so probably only enough food was provided for four people"
Breakfast was a little limited, but we were the only guests at the time, so probably only enough food was provided for four people"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Average
Desert Homestead
"Desert Homestead review"
2 nights
Arrived
8 Sep 2011
"Superb !
Setting, location, rooms all beyond expectations !
The only comment I would make would be that the "en-suite" toilet facilities were actually "in room" - as these were shared rooms, most of us preferred the privacy of the toilet facilities in the main building, with the ability to close a door when entering the toilet !"
Setting, location, rooms all beyond expectations !
The only comment I would make would be that the "en-suite" toilet facilities were actually "in room" - as these were shared rooms, most of us preferred the privacy of the toilet facilities in the main building, with the ability to close a door when entering the toilet !"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Cornerstone Guesthouse
"Cornerstone Guesthouse review"
2 nights
Arrived
10 Sep 2011
"Very friendly host !
You are given one mobile phone per room with the ability to contact the owner in case of problems - nice touch ! (although Swakopmund, like the rest of Namibia, is so safe and crime free, these were probably unnecessary)
Not all rooms were equal - we had two rooms, one was half the size of the other.. no complaints, both were OK, just one room was better. The owner did point this out and give us the choice of who had which room."
You are given one mobile phone per room with the ability to contact the owner in case of problems - nice touch ! (although Swakopmund, like the rest of Namibia, is so safe and crime free, these were probably unnecessary)
Not all rooms were equal - we had two rooms, one was half the size of the other.. no complaints, both were OK, just one room was better. The owner did point this out and give us the choice of who had which room."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Palmwag Lodge
"Palmwag Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
12 Sep 2011
"Delightful !
I'm not actually sure the lodge had a reservation for us? It didn't actually matter as the lodge was only half full. This may simply be a perception as all other lodges consulted their reservation lists when we arrived - Palmwag didn't and then asked me if I had a reservation.....
One game-spotting activity taken - an evening drive with a sun-downer at the end. Very little game was actually seen, but we were not disappointed - Palmwag is not a "reserve" and covers a huge area so a bit of luck is required. The magic of the drive was in the scenery and the sunset at the end - splendid ! Beware, it is COLD at sunset !"
I'm not actually sure the lodge had a reservation for us? It didn't actually matter as the lodge was only half full. This may simply be a perception as all other lodges consulted their reservation lists when we arrived - Palmwag didn't and then asked me if I had a reservation.....
One game-spotting activity taken - an evening drive with a sun-downer at the end. Very little game was actually seen, but we were not disappointed - Palmwag is not a "reserve" and covers a huge area so a bit of luck is required. The magic of the drive was in the scenery and the sunset at the end - splendid ! Beware, it is COLD at sunset !"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Okaukuejo Camp
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
14 Sep 2011
"Very special. If there is one memory of the trip I would keep forever, it would be siting by the Okaukuejo water-hole watching the animals.
What made it special was the fact that this is a large site (104 rooms?) but almost everybody at the water-hole respected the request for silence. That total silence from a human audience of several dozen people was magical. Of course, I have to say "almost everybody" - there are morons everywhere, but they soon got bored and wandered off to the bar.
The Guide Book says the Okaukuejo has a reasonably priced restaurant (important with a family B&B booking). However, the restaurant was very expensive, so we used the self-catering facilities in the room. Having said that, the rooms are rated Excellent because of the facilities - self-catering (cooker, microwave, fridge, utensils, etc) was well provided for, with a reasonable on-site shop."
What made it special was the fact that this is a large site (104 rooms?) but almost everybody at the water-hole respected the request for silence. That total silence from a human audience of several dozen people was magical. Of course, I have to say "almost everybody" - there are morons everywhere, but they soon got bored and wandered off to the bar.
The Guide Book says the Okaukuejo has a reasonably priced restaurant (important with a family B&B booking). However, the restaurant was very expensive, so we used the self-catering facilities in the room. Having said that, the rooms are rated Excellent because of the facilities - self-catering (cooker, microwave, fridge, utensils, etc) was well provided for, with a reasonable on-site shop."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Poor
Okonjima Plains Camp
"Okonjima Main Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
16 Sep 2011
"A perfect end to a holiday !
The two activities provided in the package were excellent, with an excellent guide. The camp was perfect and we also upgraded from Garden Room to View Room. The rooms were more than you would expect from a 5* hotel.
One small comment - dinner service was slow, but the food was very good.
A little cold after sunset, so take a thick jumper to dinner !"
The two activities provided in the package were excellent, with an excellent guide. The camp was perfect and we also upgraded from Garden Room to View Room. The rooms were more than you would expect from a 5* hotel.
One small comment - dinner service was slow, but the food was very good.
A little cold after sunset, so take a thick jumper to dinner !"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
My son and wife have also stayed here. Lovely place, perfect location"