Reviews of trips to Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
908 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Swakop' & Walvis Bay.
"6 Happy returners to Namibia in 2013"
We had enjoyed our visit so much 2 years ago, that we wanted to return, and see more. this could well have been an anti climax, but fortunately it wasn't. None of us have any regrets.
We noticed the effect of no rain for more that 2 years, very little greenery anywhere.
The unmade roads were in a bad condition, which we were told was due to the increase in large tourist transports.
The people, the accommodation and the food were as wonderful as we expected. Thank you Sabina for putting such a great trip together for us.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
A little caution is required when driving from Dolomite to Okaukuejo, especially in a 2x4 car. We were warned, by a frequent visitor, of very deep tyre ruts, at the start of the most direct route. We took the slightly longer southerly route (an extra12 Kms), which was fine.
We were also warned of the extremely large Anteater holes in the roads, some were 2 feet wide & 18 inches deep. Many could be seen, if driving at a sensible speed, as they had pile of earth beside them, but others were not visible until nearly on them! They need to be avoided, or the car would get stuck, and you could do serious damage!
There were none east of Okaukuejo." Read full review: 30 nights in Africa; 24 on a Namibia trip
"A dream trip"
I am ready to go again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None. Maruska was fantastic, we were so lucky to have her." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
"My Aug 2013 trip"
THere was not a place to review N'aankuse. It had tighter fenced in animals but it allowed us to get some excellent head shots of leopard, lion, cheetah. We had never seen wild dog before so that was a treat. Sounds like they run a huge volunteer oriented facility. The drive in and out was longer than expected. I wish we could have gotten a room here. They seemed a little uppity to me ...but were flexible with us when we decided not to drive back in the dark and cancelled dinner and the bush men story time. Arno thinks having Bush men flown in to their camp is absurd. I am sorry we missed them though.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
This feedback form was aggravating. It doesn't save each page as you go along so 2x I had to start totally over. I am writing a lot so that was aggravating. If I had to return to it, I had to scroll thru all the pages to get to where I was going. A tab system or a drop down box would have been better. Each page needs to be saved when you continue to the next page." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip
"My Aug 2013 trip"
This is for you. You are sure an expert in what you do. I can't say enough as far as your wonderful, well planned itinerary for us.
The whole trip was beyond our expectations. South Africa and Namibia were terrific.
Perhaps the only thing I would have changed was the City Lodge at Johannesburg. The Intercontinental Hotel was closer, bigger rooms and have a better restaurant. On the other hand, we only stayed at the City Lodge for less than a day and it was easy enough for us to walk and have dinner at The Intercontinental Hotel.
Thanks a lot, Maruska! Let us know if you handle other trips aside from Africa.
It was surely a very memorable, fun trip for us." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
"Wonderful trip"
As a family of three with an eight year old child, we valued the planning process and the considerations brought to our attention by Maruska. She helped us through a number of itineraries, patiently making suggestions/changes as our knowledge of the area expanded. Maruska's input was always thorough, professional and thoughtful.
The travel went off as planned and we are happy with the choices made thanks to Maruska's shepherding. I would absolutely use Expert Africa again and have already recommended it to others." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip
"Top 5% of 70 counties visited!"
Namibia has such diversity in landscape and people, providing an ever changing and intense experience from day to day. We have travelled to 40 countries in the last 3 years, and total of 75 countries in life time, we both would rate our experience in Namibia as top 5% of countries we visited and Expert Africa / Saskia as the best travel agency we have dealt with." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
"Namibian adventure"
Nearly all our accommodation and activities exceeded our expectations. It is very rare when that happens!
I would strongly recommend Expert Africa to our friends. Well done!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Driving time calculator for sites in Namibia?" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"Unforgetable Holiday!"
We can't really find anything to fault as everywhere you suggested we stay was excellent.
Just one last point to help others!
Don't fill up your car with petrol in Windhoek on your way back to the airport!
We did, and Budget charged us nearly £30 for fuel! Be warned!" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
"My Jul 2013 trip"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really. Angela was superb in helping us put our trip together. Expert Africa website is also superb." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"My Jul 2013 trip"
Namibia is a fantastic place to go on a do it yourself safari trip as it feels very safe, the roads are quiet and the locals were all very friendly, helpful and knowlegdable. We didn't encounter any negative attitudes or pressure to buy in markets or shops and the Namibians are clearly proud of their country and keen to impress travellers.
We saw a huge amount of animals in Etosha and elsewhere brought back some fantastic photographs and memories. If only we could start it all over again!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just to reinforce the care needed when driving on the gravel roads. We had a bit of a hairy moment and saw one car overturn on the costal road north of Swakopmund." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 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.
