Reviews of Wolwedans Dunes Lodge
(94%) From 34 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Natural indulgency
As you arrive and open the gate to the concession the scenery that welcomes you is just overwhelming and if that would not be just enough, it gets even better as we move forward. What a natural reception!
The lodge and the people in it match perfecly in this stunning wonder. Our sincere appreciation to Mr. Vente Mendes (our guide), and all the professionals that made and make it special (Manfred, Simon, Strauss - the Cook....).
Special and simple details, like driving back to the lodge after a sundown drive, with the LandRover´s headlamps switched off so that one could appreciate the starbright sky and enjoy all the peacefulness was magical.
Luxury in the dunes
This was our second visit to Wolwedans and it was every bit as enjoyable as the first.
How we qualified for the "Mountain View Suite" we do not know but it was greatly appreciated - and enjoyed.
Great views, interesting drives, good food and very friendly staff.
You are really spoilt here and we plan to visit here again
Wolwedans - paradise in the desert
Beautiful setting and lovely spacious rooms.
Very good all day safari with Italy as our guide.
One to visit again.
The only surprise was the long drive from the road - 20kms along a bumpy difficult track (see our comments about the car).
Wolwedans Dune Lodge review
Well received in the camp, they already knew who we were, all very organised.
Our guide - ITALY(?!) was very friendly and he made the whole stay worthwhile.
Staff serving at dinner/breakfast always very charming.
Not such a strong presence on the management front, ok and fine but did not feel that were was a strong presence. From what we learnt later in our trip from Ongava about Wilderness Safaris and all the work they do for the community etc I think someone should have been promoting that much more, talking about it more, welcoming guest in much more etc. For such a fantastic place technically it meant that it lacked a 'feeling'.
Did not enjoy the communal dinner aspect at all.
Food generally good bar the deserts on both nights were very poor.
Wolwedans Dune Lodge review
Wolwedans Dune Lodge is set in a stunning location - the view from our first sun-downer was one of the enduring memories of our holiday. You can really get a feel of the vastness of Namibia from here. The lodge is professionally run and the service cannot be faulted. The food was Michelin-starred - the best that we had in Namibia. On the negative side, the chalets are in need of a face-lift (currently underway) and the fact that we were on Honeymoon was not acknowledged in any way. The drive from Windhoek was long and rather arduous. We would recommend that visitor's fly in to the lodge by light aircraft.
Read more about the whole safariWolwedans Dune Lodge review
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here including our evening sundowner and our all day game drive. Our guide, Italy, was very knowledgeable and helpful. It was the only lodge where we had a guide and vehicle allocated to just the two of us.
Before dinner the staff entertained us with a tradional song and the menu was explained to us in both English and the native language, a very nice touch. The meal on the first night was excellent but the standard on the second night was not so high.
The accommodation is in the process of being refurbished and enlarged. This is needed to ensure that Wolwedans maintains its status as one of Namibias most luxurious lodges.
We particularly appreciated the hot water bottles as it was very cold at night.
Part of the Family at Wolwedans
We stayed 2 nights at Wolwedans - our first introduction to the real Safari experience. The views are spectacular, the staff are really welcoming and friendly and the food was good. We met some lovely fellow guests which made the group dining very pleasant. We felt very special and looked after by everyone, which was a splendid experience.
We did a full day and a half day drive on the Reserve with Hans - both were very informative and relaxing - with a surprising amount of wildlife to be seen - something we had not expected, and which they Guides are keen to point out are not guaranteed! Good picnic lunch on the full day drive.
It is worth noting that there is no ability to power electrical items in the rooms, nor any cellphone coverage - which might make it ideal for some people, but if you want to be contactable, it can be a bit worrying.
When we first arrived, it was not clear where the Lodge accommodation was (you arrive at 'base camp' where you leave your car) and cannot see the Lodge. It only emerged as we were transferred by Wolwedans vehicle where things were. A bit more up front explanation might help people get oriented.
extraoridnary setting with wonderful staff
the lodge was leaking heavily in a major rain storm. inexcusable at that price per night ....lousy details in the bedroomlodge. l deck lounge chair covers all in shreds,ceiling not attractive, dirt and a magazine under the bed from previous guests....not up to standard.
they will remodel. we were told .....but until then one should know...
inspite all those complaints it was my favorite place of the whole trip and the one lodge i truly want to return. the views from the rooms,bar /sitting room and dining are truly spectacular and change at all our of day.michil and his staff could not be more charming and the presence of herman made it unforgettable.
the rainstorms were so dramatic we were literally scared from all the thunder and lightning. would not have wanted to miss a minute of the whole stay inspite of the drama of the leaking bedroom
Expert Africa comments
Wolwedans Dune Lodge is in the process of updating all of their rooms at present, so future travellers should experience fresher and newer facilities.
Wolwedans Dune Lodge review
Food rather pretentious - we know it is difficult running a restaurant here as all the food comes from Windhoek.
More simple better quality meals would have been more appreciated.
Activities were good and well organised.
Christmas at Wolvedans
This camp was a little disappointing for all of us. We arrived on xmas afternoon (after a wonderful xmas send off from Kulala Wilderness camp) and not one person said 'merry xmas' to us unless we said it first! The rooms were certainly not as good as they look in the brochure (although the views are simply stunning) and we found the staff a little indifferent.
We had had an early start the morning of our arrival (up at 4.30am to go to Soussosvlei) and asked what time dinner would be. It was explained to us that dinner wouldn't be served until all guests were present. We asked if perhaps our main courses could be served a little earlier as our children were beginning to tire but when we hadn't had the main course by 10.20pm we gave up waiting and went to bed!
Of the courses we did eat the asparagus soup was inedible - extremely thick and very salty! Our guide either lacked the knowledge or enthusiasm to make our 'game drive' the following morning interesting. Whilst we weren't expecting tons of game we werent expecting to feel bored by the experience either! The sundowner drive was better, as we were taken to Chateau Plains which was simply stunning and the guide did make a wicked G&T.
We requested packed lunches on our day of departure but when we opened them I noticed that the yogurts they had provided were past the sell by date - 2 were dated 'use by 26th Dec' and 2 'use by 7th Dec' - we left the camp on the 27th December!!!! I think this is unacceptable service from any camp let alone one advertising itself as one of the best in Namibia.
I think this camp is in need of an overhaul. Our experience indicated that it perhaps relies on its reputation but didn't deliver the goods or live up to expectations on this occassion.
Expert Africa comments
We were very disturbed to read this report. Our traveller’s experiences at the Dune Lodge are usually exceedingly good – and this review reflected a less positive experience.
When we contacted Wolwedans, they immediately extended an unqualified apology to our travellers, and went on tried to explain some of the background to these traveller’s comments. They too rarely receive reviews like this one.
It seems that the lodge was without its two most senior chefs over the Christmas period. Hence the kitchen was being run by junior staff members – affecting the usually very high standards of the food and service. Dinner is normally served at 8.30pm, but other guests had requested an extended sun-downer on the dunes – thus dinner was moved to be later than usual. Clearly this was not acceptable as well as being unusual.
Wolwedans also agreed with these guests that the lodge did need an overhaul, and this is currently underway – to update the chalets, enlarging the bathrooms and bedrooms, and upgrading the fixtures and furnishing.
This upgrade was announced after these travellers visited Wolwedans. Sadly, it’s of little consolation to them, although it’s good news for any subsequent visitors.
As these travellers experience was clearly out of the ordinary for Wolwedans, the owners have kindly given them a partial refund as a gesture of good will.
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.
