Reviews of Hoodia Desert Lodge
(97%) From 30 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
| 
Hoodia Desert Lodge review
The best!
From welcome by Thomas Becker and every aspect was excellent.
Although we didn't go on the Lodge excursion to Sossusvlei ( too long a walk for me to Dead Vlei) Thomas suggested exactly what we should do, provided us with picnic lunch and folding chairs.
Food was beautifully presented and delicious
Spectacular location
Stunning location with spectacular views. Stunning chalets, we both absolutely loved the outdoor shower!
The staff couldn't have been more helpful, especially when we returned really late for dinner due to sunset horse riding experience. They were still extremely cheerful as they served us dinner.
It was a great location to experience all that Sesriem has to offer and then come back and relax by the pool.
Additionally, amazing having so many birds living by the lodge and we loved seeing all the Springbok on the long drive from the road.
Amazing stay at Hoodia Desert Lodge
First of our stops out on the road. The setting for the lodge is incredible with very expansive views of the surrounding mountains and desert - we were lucky to get room no. 1 at the end of the row with unobstructed views out to the west - ideal for watching the sunset. Being British, when we got to the gate and saw it was closed we assumed it was locked and it took us a few minutes to realise that just pulling it across to open! We'll blame this on the long drive and having come from Windhoek where locked security gates were the norm!
On reaching the lodge we received a very genuine welcome from the owners and staff. Food was excellent - probably the best meals of the whole holiday and this was preceded by drinks on the terrace overlooking the dry river bed. Dietary requirements were noted and respected with no need for reminders (not always the case in other places). Excellent wine selection at reasonable prices.
Highlight of our stay was the day trip to Sossusvlei. Our guide for the day was lodge owner Thomas as his regular guide was on holiday and he gave us a truly memorable day out, sharing his knowledge of the area and the country as a whole. Although the day was rather overcast for photography, this made it much easier for climbing sand dunes and the walk to Dead Vlei which we were lucky enough to get all to ourselves - again due to good planning by Thomas. Mid morning drinks and lunch were served with style and panache - true African luxury! A long day was rounded off by a walk at Sesriem Canyon. Although this trip may seem expensive we felt it was worth every penny.
Rooms were quite warm but this may have been due to power cuts affecting the air conditioning - not a regular occurrence. Outside bath and shower were fantastic and we saw warthogs, steenboks, springboks and baboons nearby.
Hoodia was everything we hoped for and more.
Hoodia is a first rate lodge
Specifically recommended to us by Expert Africa, Hoodia is a first rate lodge giving convenient access to Sesriem.
Highly recommended.
Hoodia Desert Lodge review
Lovely lodge outside Sossusvlei so entrance and exit to the park was limited. Not much to do apart fom seeing the park so perhaps 1 night spent actually inside the park would have provided better photo opportunities.
Food was superb - especially the imaginative vegetarian meals.
With temperatures of 45C it was extremely HOT!! The AC in the room failed to work apparently it was 'too hot for it'! Thankfully it eventually worked at some time in the night when the temperature fell a little.
Wifi was available - pleasant surprise.
Hoodia Desert Lodge review
Very attentive welcome from the manager,and we really thought our room 9 (at the far end had a fantastic view) and was the best available,thanks for organising it!
The room was fine,though because the bed was in the middle it seemed quite small,but cleverly arranged.Fine desert view from the bathroom outside.
They set up a excellent picnic lunch to take to the dunes,and had a good wine list ,and nicely presented food in the dining room.
the situation is good ,reasonably near the dunes,which is a help in the early morning.
Hoodia Desert Lodge review
This is a really nice lodge with a good restaurant. The cabin rooms are well set up comfortable reasonably spacious and private. The outside shower (there is an inside one also) is tastefully shielded for view and great after a hot day on the dunes. The only thing that lets it down is the lack of lighting on the sandy pathway and the need to use torches provided to go to dinner.
The service is really good though and there is WiFi in the reception.
It is well placed for visiting the dunes but only accessible in either direction over about 300Km of gravel road. The one between Sesriem and Walvis bay is particularly bad especially at the Sesriem end.
The Service station in Sesriem is convenient for petrol and also deals with tyres.
Hoodia Desert Lodge review
Very nice lodge. Attentive staff. Good food. No delay in service.
Great base to explore Sossusvlei.
Hoodia - a fantastic place to stay
This was by far the best place we stayed at (out of 10 places) on our Namibia trip. Great welcome, great staff, excellent food and accommodation and Thomas, the owner, couldn't do enough for us and gave us a great day out in the Namib desert.
We would have liked an extra day here (at least).
So peacefull.
The rooms were great. We really liked taking a short 1h walk around the lodge and going to the nearby hills. It gives you a nice perspective of the lodge and the surrounding area and the beauty of all of it.
Here, as everywhere we went to, we loved the food. The rooms were very comfortable, clean and beautifull. The outdoor shower is a treat when you're back from a long day of desert safari and playing in the red sands of Sossusvlei.
The lodge is not right next to the entrance at Sesriem, but very reasonably close. The guide was also great and, if you have not been at Sossusvlei yet, don't leave this lodge without taking the day drive to see it.
Expert Africa arranged an excursion to Sossusvlei for these travellers during their stay. They commented:
Angula was excellent!
Angula was our guide and he was a very knowledgeable and polite guide. He walked with us all the way up the dunes (no easy feat, exept for him) and showed us around everywhere, culminating with a fantastic picnic lunch before our last stop at Sesriem Canyon.
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.
