Reviews of trips to Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
909 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Swakop' & Walvis Bay.
"My Sep 2022 trip"
Tom was fantastic in setting up
Think to improve some hints on where to stop on the long drives would be nice" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2022 trip"
I thought the whole setup from speaking to the team, the website and paperwork provided has been very well thought out and implemented. I'd very much like to one day use expert africa again for another magical adventure in Africa.
In the meantime a very warm thanknyou Sabina." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"Sept 2022 - a gang from Europe"
"My Sep 2022 trip"
Camp Kipwe and Onguma were new to us and really excellent, especially Onguma. Having a guide in Etosha with a radio and some mates with radios makes a big difference, as compared to just driving yourself around. Having said that, the drives within the Onguma reserve itself were good. We had a great sundowner by a waterhole with a pride of 9 lions and a big old pride male.
This is, I think, our 4th trip with Expert Africa. We are thinking now of a return trip to the Mara/Serengiti in 2-3 years time. We will be in touch.
Tracy, thank you for your hard work.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really. It works." Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2022 trip"
Sabina was excellent in rearranging our accommodation three times and it was lovely to actually meet her in Windhoek.
We are already thinking about a return journey where we'd like to take in Caprivi & Victoria Falls..." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip
"Post Covid 2022 trip"
It was definitely well worth the wait, we all had a wonderful time and wouldn't hesitate to recommend a similar trip to anyone considering such a holiday.
Namibia is a beautiful country and has so much to offer - the people are friendly and cannot do enough to help, the food was fantastic (we had 2 vegans in our group and they were very impressed), the accommodation and additional excursions were all very well planned.
The only slightly negative comment is that the prices quoted in the guidebooks for entrance fees etc are now outdated. Speaking to some of the local guides it seems that relatively large increases were introduced in April of this year and they have also expressed their concern?!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips
Thank you Tom for all of your help and advice over the last couple of years - we finally made it!!
We all had a memorable holiday and all of us intend to visit Africa again at some point in the future - we wouldn't hesitate to use yourself and Expert Africa again and have already recommended you to friends." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia Sep 2022 trip"
None of our accommodation was disappointing and to produce such high quality food in some very remote locations was testament to the skill of the staff. The wildlife and geological features are the obvious draw to the country yet our most vivid memories are of the people who we met. Such open friendliness throughout the country vindicated the choice of Namibia as our first holiday in Africa.
Tom and Expert Africa did us proud - thank you." Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 21 on a Namibia trip
"My Aug 2022 trip"
I’ll get the major disappointment out first, not that you can do anything about it - Simba don’t make tomato sauce flavour crisps any more! Disaster!
In general, we learnt a lot about how we personally need to plan travel in the future, both having gained various back/hip/knee problems since we last travelled any distance and, at times, feeling more than a mere three years older.
I don’t think we will consider ‘one night stands’ again, especially if it means an hour or more down a gravel road basically just to eat and sleep. Namtib and Ai Aibas are both beautiful places and we had no time to do them justice. We’re not early risers and we are slow drivers, who like to stop and look, which all combined to have us on the road 9.30-4.30 for several days, which was exhausting.
We did look at the hotels in several of the towns and wonder whether we won't be better off to stay somewhere like that as a transit stop.
We also need to carefully look at the lodges, to consider whether we can actually cope there. If there is a steep walk to the reception or lots of steps, it's difficult. Also, there's no point in going somewhere and finding that the walks involve hiking up a mountain!
Being experienced travellers to Namibia, we think we won't try one of your set itineraries again. We would prefer to custom-build, knowing that we will have sound advice from you. We have booked all our previous visits through you (or Sunvil, originally) and we wouldn't consider going anywhere else.
There are certain areas which we won't choose to visit again, because of the poor quality of the gravel roads. For instance, the roads around the entrance to Sossussvlei were appalling. The drive to Swakop, once past Solitaire, had nowhere to stop and seems endless. The one picnic area was infested with wasps - what a disappointment! Also, much as we love Etosha, we spent very little time driving to other waterholes because the roads are awful.
We found most other visitors were German, with far fewer from Britain than on our previous trips. Not a problem; just a comment.
We'd like to mention Wilderness Safaris, whose staff were excellent whilst we used their airport lounge and then in guiding us through the airport. Whilst we were there, we had an interesting conversation with a gentleman whose was a senior commercial officer for the airports authority. He was interested in our descriptions of how a trip to Namibia is viewed my many of our friends in the UK; namely, if they actually know where Namibia is, as bonkers and dangerous, particularly as we drive ourselves. He was considering what commercial measures could be taken to dispel any fears and misunderstandings amongst UK people.
However, we're quite happy if tourist numbers don't increase!
Altogether, an outstandingly brilliant time, no less than we expected!
Thank you." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"My Aug 2022 trip"
The gravel roads aren’t for the faint hearted but the country as a whole makes up for it!
Stunning scenery, a great variety of experiences and many very happy memories.
The tok tokkie trail and Ongava were our highlights" Read full review: 33 nights in Africa; 22 on a Namibia trip
"My Aug 2022 trip"
May be worth Expert Africa warning people just how bad some of the roads can be (the Welwitschia Drive in places was a trial, and going the optimum speed on the endless ridged sections doesn't always help, especially if you want to stop the vehicle and look at something with the binoculars). However, that's all part of the fun.
Everything worked out as planned, and it was so good I didn't even mind changing a flat tyre on my birthday before we walked out to the other-worldly experience of Dead Vlei. Most of the people we dealt with at the various camps, restaurants etc were native Namibians, and almost to a woman (and some men) they were friendly and helpful and welcoming.
The navigation was also very easy and its nice to have roads with such little traffic. This will stand out as one of our favourite trips of all time. We hope to return.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really. This trip was the upper end of our affordability, but there's not much one can do about that unless we camped and cooked our own food, and then we would have had less time for the wildlife and would not have experienced some of the excellent chalets etc.
Namibia does seem to offer something special in sub-Saharan Africa in terms of the ease of a self-drive experience and quality of places to stay - and you undoubtedly know the country well enough to pick some of the most characterful places. Maybe make sure Europcar don't give out duff contact numbers to clients!
Other than that, thanks Tracy for all the ground organisation, and also thanks Mr McIntyre for the excellent Bradt guide, which was a constant companion." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 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.
