Reviews of trips to Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
909 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Swakop' & Walvis Bay.
"My Jul 2022 trip"
Expert Africa supplied everything we asked for. The weather at this time of year is perfect for ‘oldies’ like us, who want more than sunbathing. The skies were clear, the sun shone. The nights were very special. The stars and moon are too beautiful to describe. One of our guides told us that his father told him when he was a child that if he looked closely at the Southern Cross he might see the head of a giraffe looking down protectively on Namibia! Keeping guard. What a lovely story.
The lodges we stayed in were clean and well designed, set in lovely places and full of delightful staff.
I just need to say a big, big thank you to you all. You deserve to flourish. I will certainly be telling everyone to go to Namibia for their holidays!,
Just as a post script. After our holiday with you, we met our daughter and family in Windhoek, rented 4x4 s and stayed a further two weeks camping. We went up to Etosha National Park and had a wonderful time. We returned to Europe, encountering a strike by ground staff in Germany! We got rerouted to Manchester instead of Birmingham, where we managed to catch the train back to Ludlow. We didn’t manage to contact our taxi driver so we had to pay for a fare we didn’t use. Our baggage didn’t make it on to the plane and as of today (18th August) we still can’t find it! Lufthansa have not been at all helpful. I won’t be recommending them to anyone! So, my guidebooks my diary my little gifts are lost. That is one reason I have been slow to fill in you questionnaire. I don’t have any written records.
Still all of that will not spoil my memories of an amazing country. I have been humming the Paul Simon song ever since I stood under that African sky! “Joseph’s face was as black as the night and the pale yellow moon shone in his eyes”" Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip
"My Namibia Jul 2022 trip"
Be prepared for driving time as dirt roads limit speed able to drive. However minimal traffic.
Excellent trip." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"Family of 5: June/July 2022"
If you are a family wondering whether your children will enjoy Namibia, whether the expense and the long drives and activities available will be worth it, don't hesitate a moment longer. For all of us, this was the most amazing experience of our lives. Our kids (aged 15, 12 and 8) have already asked if we can come back next year. They learned and grew so much, with incredible opportunities for learning each day and they met such warm, generous and interesting people who shared their knowledge with them and helped them fall in love with a country wildly different from their own.
Sabina was the most incredible help in organising, and reorganising our trip, with huge patience and kindness during such challenging times. Her resourcefulness made her something of a magician: pulling the right vehicle out of the hat when it seemed impossible; rearranging accommodation when I added a last minute stop; ready with last minute changes to the Covid regulations which we hadn't yet heard of. Thanks to her, we are now huge fans of Expert Africa and we wouldn't think of going anywhere else when we book our next trip.
Thank you Sabina, and thank you Namibia. You have won our hearts and our loyalty and we are deeply grateful to have met you.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
There's not a single thing we can think of....please just keep doing what you do, with our gratitude for helping us fall in love with Africa, and with travel as a family." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 22 on a Namibia trip
"Jun/Jul 2022 trip Namibia/Zambia/Rwanda"
We weren't sure what to expect travelling to Africa so soon after international borders started to open again, but we were delighted with how quickly tourism has found its feet again in Namibia, Zambia and Rwanda. Our self drive in Namibia felt perfectly safe, and our first time to Zambia now won't be our last.
Claire did a great job with our covid delayed trip. Fantastic support on the trip with CV 19 testing issues for Rwanda as a result of delayed airlines. Accommodation particularly in Zambia was outstanding." Read full review: 29 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"My May 2022 trip"
Sabina was quick to communicate information and make adjustments to our itinerary. Our trip went smoothly and we felt like the information provided about accommodations and activities was representative of our experience." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"My May 2022 trip"
"My May 2022 trip"
The food was generally very good but we did notice that when we went from one Wilderness Safaris Lodge to another the food options were rather similar because they seemed to work off the same menus!
In retrospect, we would have liked three nights somewhere. Perhaps at Ongava? If we were to have cut a destination it would probably have been one of Nxamaseri or Kazile Island Lodge where you are in both cases on the river, although we liked them both in their different ways.
The driving was generally OK but we did have three long days of driving early on almost wholly on untarred roads. Later on in Caprivi the roads were excellent. We got one puncture - caused by a screw and not the roads!
Whilst we were warned it would be cold at night it was more than that. In a lot of places it did not warm up until the afternoon, when it did become hot. We happened to encounter a lot of windy days which made it worse. On game drives you are perched up in an open sided vehicle and so the airspeed makes the cold seem much worse than the temperature would suggest. We took fleeces and gilets but a wind proof coat would have been better than a fleece. That said May still seemed a good time to go, however, because it was before the coldest time, and after the rainy season, and the lodges were not very busy and so there were no big crowds on the game drives.
Star attractions:
- Sesriem and the dunes
- Damaraland and the Daro Nawas lodge
- Ongava
- Muchenje" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"My May 2022 trip"
Everything was great from there on out, except until the very end when two persons in my traveling party tested positive for COVID at Splash Camp, Botswana. There were a lot of details that needed help and attention for these two persons when they were told they had to stay in Botswana an extra five days, at a camp with zero internet availability. The camp does have a satellite phone for emergencies. They reached out to Expert Africa to request help in making alternative travel arrangements and important notifications to people at home and received zero assistance.
This lack of helpful response did not set well with us as a group of five travelers having spent a combined (approximate) $50k between us on this once in a lifetime type of travel experience. So the beginning and end of the trip were not the most shining examples of Expert Africa’s service. But the majority of our trip was great. So take that information any way you wish. Just sharing our true experiences." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
"My Apr 2022 Namibia trip"
Claire kept us informed, and kept up our hopes that trip would actually happen.
Our trust in Claire and Expert Africa was justified, and we had a wonderful trip. We are so glad we didn’t miss it!
We particularly liked the amazing landscapes in Namibia, and the contact we had with the local people at the lodges." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"My Apr 2022 trip"
Maruska designed a trip for us that matched all of our goals. She was outstanding during the pandemic in rescheduling a couple of times and kept us informed of everything she was working on and changes. She is the best travel consultant we have ever worked with. She is timely and precise in her dealings with suppliers and companies in Africa. She was very responsive throughout the 3 years of planning. We highly recommend her. Thank you Maruska!" Read full review: 32 nights in Africa; 19 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.
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.
Oyster Box Guesthouse
Oyster Box Guesthouse is a small, modern and comfortable B&B, overlooking Walvis Bay Lagoon.
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.
