Reviews of trips to Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
908 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Swakop' & Walvis Bay.
"My Jul 2013 trip"
We travelled as a family with two kids (12 and 13 year old).
Self driving was easy enough, although some roads can be bad (Sesriem to Swakopmund f.e) . Take an extra spare tyre! One should never underestimate the distances. With kids you need several stops of more than one night, otherwise driving will be to much for them.
Although July is a busy month, it never felt crowdy. During the day and on the road you're almost always alone!
Accomodations and food are more than excellent, at least you get much more value for money then in Europe.
Namibia is a very varied country with stunning landscape. Getting close to the animals is very impressive and an experience we (and certainly the kids) will always remember.
And finally, the support and advice of Expert Africa (Sabina Hekandjo) is more then perfect. I wished everyone would answer mails that quick and informative!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"As amazing as expected and more"
We cannot recommend Expert Africa highly enough.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Afraid not! Everything was so well planned for us
We appreciated the first night visit from local rep who supplied some local advice
Cannot thank you enough" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
"A journey that's worth the effort"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Don't think there's any way round the Okaukuejo catering problem.
The cold (July) needs more emphasis. Double fuel tank well worth specifying. The C14 road to Swakopmund from Sesriem is known as the worst road in Namibia (and that's saying something) - there's no other way to cover that ground but you should maybe warn customers. The country lived up to expectations." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
"My Jun 2013 trip"
Our tour was first rate. Namibia sets very high standards for itself and mostly achieves them. As our group travelled in June and July we knew the nights would be cold, but this wasn't a problem except we didn't linger in the outdoor showers!!!
We were glad to have the extra spare-wheel and also pleased to have paid a little more to upgrade to a Nissan Xtrail. We saw people in ordinary saloon cars having some problems here & there. The Bradt Guide and marked map were in constant use. Thanks for providing these.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Only one small initial blip, on arrival at Daan Viljeon we had to pay 170 N$ for entry even though we had rooms booked there.
I knew it was included because Angela had written it in our very first quote, but the lady on the barrier would not let us in without first paying. We were tired after our flight and not knowing what to do. It would have helped if we had had a voucher to give her to satisfy her needs! Maybe you could include one next time in your very snazzy Expert Africa wallet?
All 4 of us voted this our best African holiday experience...so THANK YOU EXPERT AFRICA TEAM!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"Our Namibian Adventure"
From the moment we first contacted Expert Africa, when Chris personally responded to an inquiry about when to travel, we knew we were in good hands. Maruska planned our journey and was thorough, accesible, and accomodating, working with us to ensure that our itinerary was exactly what we wanted. As a result, the trip not only met, but far exceeded our expectations. We kept commenting that this was "the trip of a lifetime," and it was. Stunning scenery, luxurious accomodations, and excellent service all combined to make this an incredible journey.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We have just a few suggestions as you plan trips for future travelers:
(1) It might be useful to provide slightly more extensive driving notes. For example, instead of simply saying, "approximately 4 hours, mostly on gravel roads" you could add a few details, for example "you will pass through the charming town of Solitaire" or "you will cross the Tropic of Capricorn before hitting the tricky but beautiful Kuiseb Pass."
(2) The drive from Mowani Mountain Camp to Etosha is much longer than the estimated 3.5 hours; it actually takes about 5 hours given the poor road conditions of the gravel roads near Mowani. We still made it to Etosha before sundown, but it's worth advising future travelers of this.
(3) Although we enjoyed staying in Swakopmund, both of our excursions were in or south of Walvis Bay. It struck us that future travelers doing the same thing could stay in Walvis Bay and therefore cut out the drive time back and forth from Swakopmund." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip
"Our honeymoon in Namibia (June 2013)"
Our favourite places to stay (in order) were Erongo Wilderness Lodge, Camp Kipwe and Hoodia Desert Lodge. We would also very much recommend visiting the western part of Etosha for some great safari in an area almost empty of tourists." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"Our Trip as a whole."
Despite this we both felt that the trip had been very well thought out and superbly organised., Most importantly we felt well protected under the umbrella of Expert Africa. It was good to hear at our first stay in Windhoek what a reliable firm you are!!!!
We would most certainly recommend Expert Africa to anyone wanting to visit Namibia.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Perhaps some written information about what is 'doable' in the time around the various camps/hotels.
I asked for approximate journey times between destinations which was invaluable.........maybe include those as part of your service. It is hard to work those out when you are used to travelling on paved roads!!!!
Maybe it would be worth offering two standards of accommodation in locations where that would be possible." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
"My Jun 2013 trip"
thanks to maruska for all the help in organising the trip and sorting out the problems caused by the lack of flights between Windhoek and maun." Read full review: 29 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip
"A trip to remember"
Suggested additional tours were excellent
Thank you very much.
We thoroughly enjoyed working with your professional service
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Would further suggest that you recommend your clients take the flight over Sossusvlei and the morning drive arranged by the Lodge to Sossusvlei itself. Both these activities were excellent and most enjoyable." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"My May 2013 trip"
The planning and booking were made an easy experience with excellent first hand knowledge which was so helpful.
The Namibia Guide book was the most useful we have ever had with so much useful detail.......perhaps it should be suggested to help planning as there is so much useful info.
10/10 to Expert Africa
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
Where to stay in Swakop' & Walvis Bay
Our suggestions for places to stay in Swakopmund & Walvis Bay