Namibia: reviews from our travellers
Unedited reviews written by our most recent Namibia travellers
"Perfectly Planned, Excellent Trip"
Although it was not an easy task for Megan and later Tom because we booked fairly late and many of the camps were fully booked but they managed excellently and we got just the type of camps we wished for, the distance between the camps for self-drive was ideal.
Everything worked just like clockwork, only pleasant surprises. Many thanks to both Megan and Tom for outstanding job!
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Just a feed back about using Tracks4Africa Namibia map on our Ipad. We downloaded the map at home to be used off-line (no roaming) in Namibia than used it together with the traditional map provided and found the two to be very good and cheap combination. (Our Garmin had broke on a previous trip and we didn't want to buy a new one) The GPS of the Ipad (or Iphone) was accurate for us to be able to see where we are, plan and see if we are heading the right direction. We can safely recommend to use it together with a map.
Route to Damaraland Camp: the pick up point was NOT marked out on the map and had to call the camp for advice (and we later found that we could have driven all the way up to the camp as the road was almost better than the main gravel road).
The route from Anderson's Camp to Mundulea was NOT marked out at all on the map provided by Wilderness Safaris. We asked the staff at Anderson's Camp and they pointed out the tarred road (Otjiwarongo and up to Otavi). In retrospect, may be, starting early enough, we could have driven through Etosha and then turned South to Tsumeb and Otavi instead and still made it to Mundulea by 14:30. IF driving through Etosha to the East then turn South is an possible alternative to get to Mundulea I wish Expert Africa had pointed out for us and we could have planned that day differently.
About guides on nature or game drives; Most of them drive and stay too closely to the animals, less than five meters to lions or ten meters to elephants for example. We experienced this both on our Botswana and in Namibia trips ( Wilderness Safari's camps). Probable reasons; previous guests asked them to get closer or they do it in the hope of more tips, or just show off. But most of visitors have binoculars and good cameras they should not insist. In fact it is far more exciting to watch game from some distance and the animals tend to stay longer, too. Guests and guides alike need to be informed and/or reminded about a recommended (regulated?!) distances to be kept ." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
"The Quintessential Namibia Trip"
Two things come to mind: I wish I had been given a bit of warning about the heat and about the problems with electronica.
Fly-in is the best way to do it (or on the Desert Express, which was my initial plan).
Great Job!!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
"Incredibly satisfying Namibia tour"
The car was terrific - perfect choice for us: 4/4 but automatic drive. We loved the driving tho it is challenging in parts - some long stretches of "washboard" road. But we and the car held up fine - and the drives are all worth it for the wonderful experience of being immersed in a beautiful and complicated country with endlessly interesting landscapes - and people.
The accommodations were also varied; most were just delightful - a few exceptional and unique experiences. We were especially surprised by the delicious and fresh (and healthy!) meals we had in some very remote areas. Two of the accommodations were not quite as perfect a match for our style but that was completely because of our late scheduling and trying to match our other preferences re: access and route with what was available.
All in all a great experience; we'd highly recommend Expert Africa and would be happy to use them again.
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Would be really hard to say as all aspects were so well managed. Perhaps one thing that might be useful is a bit more detail on how to get to a few of the accommodations. The map was great - and well used - but while the GPS, which we used to supplement the maps, was most often excellent - when it was wrong, it was dramatically wrong - sending us on a road that didn't exist, for example. Some more detailed instructions about the last portion of the route to any particular accommodation could help.
Maruska was terrific to work with and planned a great trip; she was also very responsive while we were there, although little contact was needed fortunately. She was particularly tenacious about us getting a refund for a minor expense related to a flat tire that just got a little complicated because of credit card issues. [The folks from Wilderness Safaris in the Windhoek airport were amazingly helpful also.]" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia April 2016"
Beautiful country, lovely people
Overall - amazing!" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
"The first of many?"
Great country - just the right mix of driving (1500 miles in two weeks) and walking. Sights, sounds and smells all fantastic, deserts, mountains, animals.
Fabulously warm and welcoming a real joy in lots of the people we met (thinking locals rather than tourists - though the tourists all looked pretty happy too).
Long may it continue." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"We had a most wonderful time."
Sabina from Expert Africa designed a customized African adventure for us and went out of her way to help us during one difficult episode. She was an incredible resource for us as this is the type of trip one cannot embark on successfully without a travel agent.
Prior to our trip, there were many many exchanges both by phone and email in which she was always ready, willing and able to answer any and all questions. Thank you Sabina and Expert Africa!
We will be sure to turn to you again for our next Africa trip!" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
"A truly marvellous holiday"
We had some trepidation about driving in Namibia but this proved unfounded and was a joy. We are glad however that we decided on a 4 x 4 rather than a standard car.
Our subsequent visit to South Africa for a family wedding also went off without a hitch.
We would heartily recommend Namibia as a destination and were surprised how few people from the UK were visiting it.
Thank you Expert Africa and Elizabeth, in particular, for organising such a wonderful memorable trip." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"My Mar / Apr 2016 Trip"
- the ability to travel unescorted
- the diversity of activities (desert, seashore, animals, etc)
- the ability to get some exercise.
The only negative we have to say is that the Corolla wasn't really up to the southern desert roads. We were down to 40 kph frequently, which made for some long drives. I dont think we needed 4 wheel drive or a big truck, but we did need better clearance. We were constantly scraping the undercarriage on the "middle hump" of the road and fighting the steering wheel. Sesriem to Solitaire (C19) and Solitaire to the Kuiseb Pass (C14) were simply bad, especially the latter.
We met some outbound travellers on our first night in Windhoek who'd been advised that the C14 was often in bad shape and been recommended a detour using the D1998 etc to C26. We took their advice, and, while we can't say what condition the C14 was like after that, the detour was certainly better than what we'd experienced to that point." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"My Mar 2016 trip"
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Not one of your more-challenging itineraries, but it all worked. Thanks Nick." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 4 on a Zambia safari
"Our March 2016 trip to Namibia"
The trip overall was terrific, but Doro Nawas and Hoanib were particularly so. In addition, we travelled south to Fish River Canyon, Aus and Luderitz. We stayed at the Fish River Lodge, on the rim of the Canyon, and at the Eagle's Nest Chalets in Aus. Both properties were unique and nice, even if not to Doro Nawas and Hoanib standards. That being said, however, I can't imagine better places to stay in those areas, and I would recommend them to people traveling to those areas.
This was our second trip to Namibia. We loved the country so much the first time--its diverse natural beauty, climate, people and pace--that we wanted to return to see the main parts we didn't get to see on our first visit. We are constantly recommending it to people.
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We had outstanding service the entire time, so thank you. And we will definitely be in touch when we plan our next trip to Africa. On a minor note, I wish we had known flying Wilderness Air from Windhoek to Doro Nawas/Hoanib was an option, but it never came up." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 4 on a Namibia trip