Reviews of trips to Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
908 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Swakop' & Walvis Bay.
"First Trip To Africa"
Truly the trip of a lifetime that we will never forget - it has definitely made us want to visit Afica again in the future. We never felt uncomfortable in any way whist we were travelling and luckily did not experience any problems with the car - I wasn't looking forward to having to change a wheel by the side of the road in those temperatures!
Expert Africa arranged a great itinerary for us which we wouldn't have changed at all in retrospect, Also many thanks for the detailed replies to all our questions and queries before we left." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"Remarkable and special"
Expert Africa pride themselves on knowing their territory and so it would be without hesitation that we would recommend them to anyone as the company to advise you on a similar trip.
Wilderness Safaris were excellent partners in Namibia and the reception team in Windhoek air worthy of special praise. IN this respect Nandula Malango was a star.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Driving in Namibia is not straightforward as we discovered.
Although the metaled roads are excellent, and similarly many of the dirt roads, a high wheel-base, 2WD is adequate,
But where it is known that the dirt roads are very difficult, varying from smooth to lengthy distances where the surfaces are dangerously rugged , a 4WD should be recommended.
This is especially so in some of the central areas (Sesfontein, Dora Nawas to Palmwag, to Swakpmond) where the roads have been graded directly onto the underlying rock and not built up with gravel or limestone.
In these domains a four wheel drive vehicle is really essential and an extra spare necessary too. Punctures are normal experiences here and the thin tyres for urban use are pathetically inadequate." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip
"A welcome return to Namibia's diversity"
From Expert Africa's staff to those in the various lodges ... and to those in petrol stations, cafes and restaurants, thanks for your friendly, helpful approach." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"A return to Namibia 2016"
Desert Rhino Camp, Okonjima, Okaukuejo and the Olifantsrus viewing hide in Etosha were the highlights." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"An amazing experience"
Chish McIntyre's book was really useful for advice on tips etc but his best advice was to just drive from waterhole to waterhole through Etosha. We did this and the experience was almost indescribable.
I was worried about the roads and getting petrol along the way. The roads were scary to begin with but once we drove at a reasonable speed and were sensible they were fine. I really got into driving on them and was almost disappointed when we hit tar around Etosha!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"trip that sets the bar very high"
"Fabulously varied trip."
See our other feedback on Zimbabwe.
Thank you to all Expert Africa staff who put it together ." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia holiday 2016"
The roads were very variable, but we stuck to the route planned for us and felt we'd had the best option.
The yellow sheet provided with restaurants and cafes, was useful. please note the Camelthorn Beer garden no longer exists! The couple have divorced.
WE had lunch in Otijwrongo at Kari's ,Hindenburg street which was excellent and a good replacement, same directions would find it! The Farmhouse deli inThe Strand Hotel in Swakopmund was a real find too." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia Adventure- Holiday of a Lifetime."
We would return very happily.
Fitting Victoria Falls in was good, but perhaps an expensive luxury." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 21 on a Namibia trip
"Zambia, Botswana & Namibia Aug-Sep 2016"
On the downside, the intimate knowledge that I usually have of every trip was gone. For me, this is part of the fun of a trip, so I missed it... having to check the itinerary every time I wanted to know something, rather than simply recalling it.
On the upside, the reason we had decided to use an agent was the difficulties of organising smooth transfers and bookings in a relatively unique environment... and almost everything went like clockwork. Where there was a hitch (the hotel 'upgrade' in Livingstone; pick-up going to the wrong end of the trip in Kasane) it was nothing to do with the booking or agent.
Taken as a whole we enjoyed the holiday very much indeed. Naturally there were highlights - Doro Nawas, Chongwe River Camp and Chobe Under Canvas would be our top three - but small things, like the fascination of the Zambia / Namibia border crossing at Kazangula or the starkness of the road from Henties Bay to Uis, also stood out as hugely interesting." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip
Where to stay in Swakop' & Walvis Bay
Our suggestions for places to stay in Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
Cornerstone Guesthouse
Cornerstone Guesthouse is a small friendly B&B in a peaceful residential area. It's just a short walk from Swkopmund's waterfront & amenities.
Sam's Giardino
Welcoming, professionally run, and mildly eccentric, Sam’s Giardino lifts the level of hospitality in Swakopmund to unusual heights.
Strand Hotel
One of the larger hotels in Swakopmund, the Strand is well-placed on the seafront with good access to restaurants and the centre of town.
The Stiltz
Not your typical guesthouse, The Stiltz occupies a glorious location over the Swakop River on the edge of Swakopmund.
Villa Margherita
Villa Margherita is a beautifully renovated B&B in the heart of Swakopmund, with comfortable, well-appointed rooms, and friendly and attentive staff.
Beach Lodge
Right on the sea front, Beach Lodge offers good standard accommodation and its own restaurant, 15 minutes’ drive from Swakopmund.
Lagoon Lodge
Lagoon Lodge is a quirky little guesthouse located right on the edge of Walvis Bay Lagoon, a good spot for watching the flamingoes that frequent the area.
The Delight
Colourful and contemporary in style, The Delight is a relatively large hotel within a short walk of Swakopmund's waterfront, restaurants and main attractions.
Swakopmund G'house
Swakopmund Guesthouse is a family-run B&B, boasting comfortable and high-quality rooms with a maritime touch.
Brigadoon
In a quiet residential location, Brigadoon is conveniently located for the Swakopmund waterfront and amenities.
Sandfields Guesthouse
Friendly Sandfields guesthouse is a cosy and inviting place to stay just north of Swakopmund town centre, and is particularly suitable for families with children.
Hansa Hotel
With a very central location in Swakopmund, the traditional Hansa Hotel is reliably good, though it is quite formal.
Secret Garden
Secret Garden Guesthouse is well located in the centre of Swakopmund not far from the sea. With a seaside feel, it has its own small restaurant and bar.
Sea Breeze
Just north of Swakopmund, the delightful Sea Breeze Guesthouse is bright and well-looked after with welcoming and helpful owners.
Organic Square
Organic Square is a modern guesthouse across two properties in the centre of Swakopmund.
Desert Breeze
Not your typical Swakopmund guesthouse, Desert Breeze occupies a glorious location overlooking the Swakop River and the desert beyond.
Cornerstone Apartments
Cornerstone Guesthouse’s three self-catering apartments, each in its own unique location, work well for families or groups of travellers seeking space & privacy within a comfortable, contemporary setting.
Pelican Point Lodge
Pelican Point Lodge sits on a remote peninsula offering panoramic views of the ocean and is only accessible by 4WD or boat.
Intermezzo
In a quiet residential area just north of the town centre, Intermezzo Guesthouse is a comfortable and bright place to stay while in Swakopmund.
Oyster Box Guesthouse
Oyster Box Guesthouse is a small, modern and comfortable B&B, overlooking Walvis Bay Lagoon.
Zum Kaiser Hotel
Hotel Zum Kaiser (formerly Swakopmund Boutique Hotel) is fairly large by Swakopmund standards, but has a good location in the centre of town, near to the beach.
Namib Guesthouse
The Namib Guesthouse is a small, modern B&B, set in Swakopmund's peaceful Kramersdorf area. It's just a short walk from the coast and many amenities.
Pearls Beach Pods
With a beachfront location, superb sea views and easy access to the amenities of Swakopmund, The Pearls Beach Pods combine privacy with a high standard of luxury.
