Reviews of Desert Homestead
(91%) From 53 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Awesome Location - Wasted Potential!
When we initially arrived at The Desert Homestead we were very excited about its location and views of the surrounding landscape. From each chalet there is one of the most beautiful views of the Naukluft Mountain Range and the valley next to it. The food was very good.
However, we had a really bad experience with the cleanliness of our room and response to our complaints. When we arrived in our chalet we noticed that the sink and the shower drain were almost completely clogged. It was obvious that whoever cleaned the room did not notice (= clean) or did not care about both drains being clogged. There was even a smell of sewage in the room. We went with the person who greeted us and let her know about the problem. She was with another staff member (or even the main manager, who did not even care to introduce herself to us) putting up Christmas decoration around the lodge. She told us that she was going to take care of it.
A few hours later when we went back to our room, the problem had not been corrected so we went back and informed someone else (because the first person we told was not around). He said he was going to send someone immediately which he did. When we went back to the room, to our really bad surprise, we found several clumps of wet foul-smelling hair on our bathroom floor. We could not believe it!!! We went back to told the initially person we spoke with and informed her of the situation. She even asked us if we wanted someone to clean the room again! The worst part about all, is that they only had four guests total including us two. They were not even busy!
Desert Homestead for Sossusvlei dunes
The only niggle here was that the individual thatched rooms became unbearably hot making sleeping at night difficult because you were wet through, no air conditioning except to open windows and move the hot air around with the large ceiling fan.
A warm and friendly welcome from the staff, the food was very good, both breakfast and evening. It was HOT there, so the pool was very welcome.
Marvellous day trip to Sossusvlei and the dunes, our guide was very knowledgeable and found and showed us things you would never have seen on your own, such as a Sidewinder snake and a White Lady spider that builds a silken trap with a lid under the sand. Champagne breakfast included in the trip, just for us two, wonderful.
Another word of warning for self drivers, BEWARE of sand roads ie. the D845 between the C27 and C19 just before Desert Homestead, we got bogged down to the axles in sand and had to dig ourselves out with the help of a passing 4X4 with a spade.
Fab location
The staff were helpful and pleasant. It was initally a bit confusing as staff seemed to do everything ie we weren't sure if it was the manager who carried our bag; our Soussusvlei trip guide brought our food one night. It might be useful if this was mentioned in the welcome ie 'all of us do everything here so don't be surprised if....'
The Soussesvlei guide, Vilo, was excellent.
I'm afraid the stereotype of Germans bagging the sunbeds all day with towels was confirmed! Get in quick if you're planning a lazy spell by the pool.
The bathrooms didn't bother us - you can always go outside.
A favourite place to stay
A return visit to Desert Homestead after four years and we were not disappointed.
Staff were as friendly and helpful as ever and we spent a very enjoyable time with our guide Seven at the dunes. Comfortable rooms and nice food. A very relaxing stay.
This was a bit
What we expected since everyone just comes down here to see the dunes.
Staff OK but not as friendly as other lodges.
Our guide to the dunes was fantastic , a super day.
Return to Desert Homestead
Very friendly and helpful staff who allocated us our requested, in advance, end of line chalet. Also gave me use of personal cell phone to confirm return flights when lodge PC on blink. Excellent pack lunch.
Need to upgrade check out procedure as bills written up manually which caused some delays when more than one person wanted to leave at the same time. Food not as good as five years ago (appeared to have changed management since then) pork chop instead of local game.
Desert Homestead
Not as swanky as Kulala, but a lovely atmosphere. The rooms were charming, and the staff were helpful. We enjoyed lunch, dinner, and lounging by the pool (not brave enough to go in the freezing water though!). The chairs etc by the pool are looking a bit tired, if I'm being very critical.
We had booked a sunrise horseride, which was excellent. Annoyingly I can't remember our guide's name which is a shame as he was great. None of us are experienced riders but he put us at our ease and let us dictate the pace and length of ride. As for the champagne breakfast (including bacon, sausage and eggs cooked over a fire): my kids reckoned it was the best breakfast they'd ever had.
desert homestead - magnificient
beautiful warm welcome with much needed refreshing complimentary drink.
Stunning location with beautiful sunset right outside our chalet. chalet's gorgeous. very nice homely meal. would highly recommend.
Desert Homestead review
I really enjoyed Desert Homestead there was a very friendly atmosphere and the staff were happy and helpful.
We had Megan lead our sundowner horseride who was an excellent guide and very knowledgeable. The only slight drawback was the lodge was a good 40 mins away from Sesriem which meant you had to travel a little bit further to see the dunes.
Desert Homestead review
Desert Homestead was very comfortable.
Lighting to the rooms at night was not the greatest and it would have been useful if torches had been provided for the trip too and from the rooms in the evening. It would also have been useful to have some information in the rooms about the lodge and activities. Also not enough bedding (or a hot water bottle would have been good) to keep you warm in the winter nights!
The staff here were all very very good and we did do two of the activities offered. Both we thought were worth the money paid due to the guides' knowledge.
We have always believed that acting responsibly is the only way to approach tourism and we're one of
the few companies to hold AITO's original coveted 5-star status for responsible tourism. It's a lead
that others are now following.
