Reviews of safaris to Damaraland
1067 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Damaraland.
"A wonderful holiday in a superb country"
Your brochure itself is worth having just to look at and gives an accurate and enticing description of what we have seen.
There is really only one thing I would have changed and that was the car. Technically you are right to say that it is manageable in a 2wd car. It would however have been so much more comfortable in a 4wd. We had no punctures and no breakdowns but the bumping and shaking on the rougher gravel roads was testing if only worying about shaking the car to bits.
As for Namibia it lived up to and exceeded all our expectations. Neither of us wanted to come bcak to England the holiday was that good. The scenery is so varied and the people so friendly that I would go back any time. Like many we have hundreds of photographs and hours of video so that I can make my own DVD to remind us of a fabulous time." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
"Marvellous"
Maruska got the trip absolutely right for us and could not have been more helpful and efficient.
I shall certainly use expert Africa again." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"Overall experience"
We were glad we arragned for an extra spare tyre even though it was not needed. We did however meet other tourists who did experience punctures & had to have tyres repaired.
Sabina was extremely heplful when planning the trip." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"As expected :)"
It is our feeling that the situation in Etosha will need careful monitoring. If the prices continue to rise dramatically then Hobatere might make a more cost effective alternative. The metalled road to Hobatere once complete also makes this more accessible.
We both felt that Etosha may try to price itself at luxury prices. Game drives at night in Etosha were 450 Namibian dollars, ridiculous compared to Hobatere." Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"Fabulous trip, Expert Africa made it"
Maruska recommended exactly the type of accomodation we wanted and suggested a great mix of differing experiences. We were delighted in particular that she recommended Etendeka to us - just wish we could have stayed longer.
And the Mokoro Trail in the Okavanga is out of this world" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"A fabulous trip"
Botswana was wonderful with the luxurious camps and great gameviewing. Maun had a good feel to it as a vibrant town." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"Fantastic holiday"
At times, we found the driving to be tiring and would have preferred to have been in a 4WD vehicle which would have ridden the bumpy bits better.
With all the travelling, we found that it would have been much better to have had at least 3 nights at each place, and perhaps this might need to be suggested to other travellers. It took most of the day to get from one place to the next, hence we only really had 1 day at any location other than Etosha to get the 'feel' of it. It would however, have given us a real dilemma as even with the benefit of experience, it would be impossible to choose somewhere to miss out of the itinerary ... and we could not afford a 3 week trip!!
We found dealing with souvenir sellers (and beggars) difficult at times. It is hard to know when you are getting ripped off - which we experienced at least once - and as we are not used to bartering, we felt uncomfortable that we might be being unfair to them by going too low. However, they do seem to be very good with their psychology in their selling. Particularly found Outjo (as described in the guide book) and Uis to be intimidating places for this." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
Where to stay in Damaraland
Our suggestions for safari camps in Damaraland
Doro Nawas
Comfortable rooms and a convenient location make the community run Doro Nawas a great base for exploring Damaraland.
Mowani Mountain Camp
Mowani is a beautiful and stylish mountain retreat in southern Damaraland; it makes a great base for visits toTwyfelfontein.
Damaraland Camp
Setting the standard for community partnerships, Damaraland Camp offers a beautiful location, a range of activities – and a genuine welcome.
Desert Rhino Camp
Desert Rhino Camp offers a rare opportunity to track black rhino on foot in one of the last true wilderness areas – an amazing experience.
Etendeka Camp
Etendeka is an owner-run camp in the remote and less visited north of Damaraland. The camp is renowned for it's spectacular guided walking trails.
Camp Kipwe
With unusual, igloo-like rooms, open-air bathrooms and beautiful scenery, Camp Kipwe is well placed for nature and cultural excursions.
Grootberg Lodge
On the edge of an ancient plateau Grootberg Lodge has a stunning location and arguably the best views of any lodge in Namibia.
Twyfelfontein C'try Lod.
A large lodge set among the rocks, Twyfelfontein Country Lodge is a convenient base for visiting the rock engravings, which are only 4km away.
Spitzkoppen Lodge
Spitzkoppen Lodge provides stylish accommodation in an area of scenic grandeur with guided access to sites of ancient Bushman rock art.
Palmwag Lodge
Palmwag Lodge has a great location by a spring in the Uniab River and offers access to an area where you can see a variety of desert-dwelling animals.
Huab Lodge
Huab is a classic little Namibian Lodge which is slightly off the beaten track in a lesser visited part of Damaraland.
Brandberg White Lady
Brandberg White Lady Lodge, nestled at the foot of its namesake, makes a good base from which to visit bushman rock paintings including the 'White Lady'.
Vingerklip Lodge
Vingerklip Lodge occupies a lovely location, but is a little too far east for guests to visit Damaraland's main attractions.
Khowarib Lodge
Khowarib Lodge has a great location overlooking the Hoanib River. This is one of the few places to offer authentic Himba village visits.
Malansrus Camp
Within easy reach of Twyfelfontein, Malansrus offers a simple but comfortable base for visits to the rock engravings or seek out desert-adapted elephants.
Etendeka Walking Trail
The Etendeka Walking Trail promises to offer a back-to-basics walking and camping experience in one of Namibia's most remote and untouched wilderness areas.
White Lady B & B
White Lady B&B, a small, comfortable guesthouse, offers a stepping stone to the sites of southern Damaraland.
Brandberg Restcamp
Brandberg Restcamp is a simple, no-frills place, close to many attractions, offering sundowner drives, guided hikes up the Brandberg and game drives .
Onduli Ridge
Onduli Ridge is a luxurious, low-impact luxury camp offering top-notch guiding in a remote wilderness area of Damaraland.
Ugab Terrace Lodge
Ugab Terrace Lodge is a comfortable stopover between Damaraland and Etosha National Park or Namibia’s Central Highlands.
Damara Mopane Lodge
Damara Mopane Lodge is a large 60 room lodge surrounded by beautiful gardens. It can be used as a comfortable stopover between Etosha and the Skeleton Coast
Ozondjou Trails
The simple Ozondjou Trails gives a unique perspective on living with Damaraland’s desert-adapted elephants and how tourism is key to protecting them and the livelihood of the people.
Huab Under Canvas
Huab under Canvas is a no thrills bush camp offering top notch guiding in a remote wilderness area of Damaraland.
Palmwag Sleep-out
Palmwag Sleep-out is a simple camping experience and a great way to enjoy the remote beauty of the vast Palmwag Concession
Sorris Sorris Lodge
Overlooking the Brandberg Massif, Sorris Sorris is probably the most luxurious lodge in southern Damaraland.
Camp Doros
Small, intimate and with excellent eco-credentials, Camp Doros is set above an ephemeral river within a remote community concession of Damaraland.
