Reviews of trips to Windhoek
1054 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Windhoek.
"Our Namibia adventure - September 2015"
Driving was easy - long straight roads with no traffic, albeit some of the gravel roads in the more remote areas were a challenge. Our party of four are all well travelled and we agreed that Namibia was one of the best places we had visited. Highlights were the walking at Erongo Wilderness Lodge, the game at Etosha (particularly around the waterholes, where we saw large concentrations of animals), the solitude and wilderness at Damaraland Camp and the superb scenery around Sossusvlei.
Many thanks to Sabina and the rest of the team at Expert Africa for helping to organise this wonderful trip." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2015 trip"
The only thing we would perhaps have changed was to get a 4 wheel drive or AWD drive vehicle to give us greater peace of mind driving on gravel or sandy roads. Our thanks to Maruska for her excellent suggestions for lodges and very rapid responses to all our queries." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2015 trip"
"My Sep 2015 trip"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Be aware that Wilderness often have big tours at their sites. Also Erongo brochure says 2 hours to airport it is 3.
Namibia as a country is friendly and non threatening. Never felt unsafe." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"Return to Africa"
One point of ambiguity arose in that our package stated "local beverages at each establishment(water, beers, ciders, juice, soft drinks, house wines and local spirits)" were included. However, it was not until our arrival at Andersson's Camp that this was clarified and agreed with Ultimate Safaris after we had been purchasing our own drinks for four nights." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
"A wonderful experience"
It was all a wonderful experience. Firstly I must put a word in for Mack Air as there didn't seem to be anywhere to put that. We were concerned and a bit anxious about the small flights but the service and professionalism from the pilots was excellent and made the whole experience fine.
All the places we booked were good, each different and interesting. Of course not having been to Africa before or been on a safari holiday before it is difficult to understand what it is going to be like even though we read all the information and listened to all the advice there is nothing like the experience of actually being there.
In no particular order we felt that the camps in Botswana seemed more geared up to 2 night stays and in fact 2 nights felt perfectly fine though before we went I thought 2 nights might feel a bit tight. In fact sometimes our 3 night stays felt as if the guides were looking for things to do. I loved Botswana, particularly the Okavanga Delta and would go back there.
Though we were a bit concerned about driving ourselves round Namibia as 2 women on our own in our late 50s and 60s, in fact it was very easy. We loved Cape Cross and Walvis Bay, both fine for 1 night stays. I would want to stay 2 nights in Okonjima in the Bush camp, a very pleasant place to stay. It was me who insisted on staying in Okaukeujo and it was fine though I think if I was advising someone else I would suggest somewhere smaller with better food.
I also would not go back to the Zambezi Sun, it was the only place we were disappointed with. Everyone is different but we both realised how important a breakfast and dinner view is for us and a view of the Zambezi rather than corporate hospitality is worth paying for.
We loved South Africa and will probably go back there sometime. All in all we loved it and love Africa, it is like no other place I've ever been to.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I cant think of anything. My sister and I did talk about how difficult it must be to advise people on where to stay and where to go. You did really well so thank you. The only thing that might have helped us not go to the Zambezi Sun was either us telling you the sort of hotel we usually stay in when we travel or you asking." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"My Aug 2015 trip"
Impressed by the advice and help received from the Expert Africa staff. Only regret was we wished we had stayed a night near Twyfelfontein to give us more time to see the rock engravings, petrified forest etc." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"My Aug 2015 trip"
The book on Namibia was invaluable, particularly, the guidance on local, en-route stops. Obviously written by people who knew their way around Namibia.
The level of support provided by Sabina was outstanding." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
"Our trip to Namibia August 2015"
All of the arrangements made for us by Expert Africa worked smoothly. All of the information provided by them before our trip was excellent.
One thing strikes me that I would like to mention. Namibia is a country of wide contrasts and that is one of its glories. One could spend long time there discovering all of its treasures. However, unfortunately time for the average holiday-maker is limited. We spent mainly two nights in one place and then moved on. Because of the contrast in areas, places and types of accommodation, I found that moving on to the next place brought with it something like culture shock, because I had been so charmed with the last place and took a little time to adjust to the new. This is not a criticism and I would not have changed anything about our itinerary which was excellently planned, it's just an observation." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"Our 2015 visit to Nanibia"
The only down side was the car, not the one we ordered and not up to the gravel roads very hard and tiring to drive." Read full review: 30 nights in Africa; 27 on a Namibia trip
Where to stay in Windhoek
Our suggestions for places to stay in Windhoek
Olive Grove
In a quiet Windhoek suburb, Olive Grove is one of our favourite guesthouses: stylish, with a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and excellent food.
Galton House
A cool stylish sanctuary in a quiet suburb of Windhoek, Galton House boasts a pool and a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Elegant Guesthouse
The Elegant Guesthouse is a friendly, comfortable establishment with a lovely, tranquil garden, and is a good choice for an overnight stay in Windhoek.
River Crossing
Secluded on a private game reserve between Windhoek and the international airport, River Crossing is a tranquil place to start or end a trip.
Villa Violet
Villa Violet is a friendly, owner-run guesthouse in a residential area of Windhoek, just a few minutes' drive from the city centre and numerous restaurants.
Haus Sonneneck
Haus Sonneneck was one of Windhoek's best pensions just a few minutes' drive away from the city centre, however it has now closed.
Hilltop Guesthouse
A long-standing favourite, the small, owner-run Hilltop Guesthouse is comfortable, smart and good value.
Weinberg Hotel
In a quiet upmarket suburb of Klein Windhoek, the stylish Weinberg has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and luxury facilities.
GocheGanas
For somewhere to really pamper yourself, Gocheganas Lodge & Spa offers wildlife combined with extensive wellness treatments.
Heinitzburg Hotel
One of the oldest hotels in Windhoek, the Heinitzberg occupies a great hill-top location but can feel like a relic of a bygone era.
Olive Exclusive
The Olive Exclusive is perhaps Windhoek's most luxurious boutique hotel but remains a friendly and unpretentious place to stay.
Etango Ranch G. Farm
Etango offers simple, clean, comfortable accommodation and it’s the closest accommodation to Windhoek International Airport.
Immanuel Wilderness
Within easy reach of Windhoek, Immanuel Wilderness Lodge is a good overnight option for those who don't wish to stay in the city.
Rivendell Guesthouse
Rivendell Guesthouse offers great value, relaxed accommodation in a homely atmosphere with helpful and extremely friendly staff.
Sun Karros Daan Viljoen
Situated within the Daan Viljoen Nature reserve Sun Karros is a simple lodge with gentle game viewing and bird watching opportunities.
Avani Windhoek Hotel
The Avani Windhoek Hotel and Casino lack the personal touch of Windhoeks smaller guesthouses but is well located in the heart of the city.
Hotel Thule
Windhoek’s Hotel Pension Thule offers stunning views across the city and a reputable in-house restaurant, within easy reach of the international airport.
Omaanda
Omaanda offers luxury accommodation and wildlife viewing within easy reach of the international airport and Windhoek City.
Ti Melen
Overlooking Avis Dam, Ti Melen is on the outskirts of Windhoek, yet only 10-minutes from the city's amenities.
Desert Express
The Desert Express runs from Windhoek to Swakopmund on set departures. Recently this schedule has been somewhat erratic.
