Travel reviews by Ms F & Mr A from London
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
7
Excursions taken
0
We had an amazing time in Namibia
Namibia between 28 Sep 2012 and 9 Oct 2012
"We had never travelled to sub-Saharan Africa before, and found Chris McIntyre's book on Namibia a really useful starting point. Our main aim was to see zebras in Etosha (believe it or not) and the book made planning when to go very easy.
We found Expert Africa through the book. We normally book our travel independently, but decided that we would benefit from others' knowledge about Africa when booking this trip. We were limited in time, and Expert Africa did a good job of tailoring a trip to suit our aims and time constraints.
The pre-travel notes were brilliant to prepare us for what to expect.
We found the landscape in Etendeka and Etosha particularly beautiful, and saw masses of wildlife - much more than we expected. It was an incredible experience, and a huge privilege, to get so close to the wildlife in both those places, and in Okonjima.
We were well looked after everywhere we stayed - but nowhere better than Etendeka, where we found gentle, straightforward hospitality.
The driving was a bit daunting to start with on the gravel roads, but we settled into it, and were rather surprised to see tarmac again when we left Etosha! It suited us really well to be able to drive ourselves around.
Despite the relative ease of driving around, and the very comfortable places to stay, we found a real sense of quiet and wilderness in Namibia which was wonderful.
And we saw plenty of zebras."
We found Expert Africa through the book. We normally book our travel independently, but decided that we would benefit from others' knowledge about Africa when booking this trip. We were limited in time, and Expert Africa did a good job of tailoring a trip to suit our aims and time constraints.
The pre-travel notes were brilliant to prepare us for what to expect.
We found the landscape in Etendeka and Etosha particularly beautiful, and saw masses of wildlife - much more than we expected. It was an incredible experience, and a huge privilege, to get so close to the wildlife in both those places, and in Okonjima.
We were well looked after everywhere we stayed - but nowhere better than Etendeka, where we found gentle, straightforward hospitality.
The driving was a bit daunting to start with on the gravel roads, but we settled into it, and were rather surprised to see tarmac again when we left Etosha! It suited us really well to be able to drive ourselves around.
Despite the relative ease of driving around, and the very comfortable places to stay, we found a real sense of quiet and wilderness in Namibia which was wonderful.
And we saw plenty of zebras."
Arranged By Sabina Hekandjo
Erongo Wilderness Lodge
"Erongo - very welcoming"
1 night
Arrived
29 Sep 2012
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Mowani Mountain Camp
"Mowani seems quite a slick operation"
1 night
Arrived
30 Sep 2012
"Our first experience of gravel roads on the way to Mowani - so it felt like quite a long drive from Erongo (although fine looking back).
The setting is very striking nestling in the pink rocks.
The staff were very welcoming but a bit on the pushy side for us. We would have preferred things a bit calmer!
The room was very nicely decorated and well equipped - and it was a good place to stay for the Twyfelfontein rock carvings, and as a stopover to Etendeka where we were headed next.
We didn't have time to go on any of Mowani's activities (we were only there one night) - but took ourselves to see the rock carvings."
The setting is very striking nestling in the pink rocks.
The staff were very welcoming but a bit on the pushy side for us. We would have preferred things a bit calmer!
The room was very nicely decorated and well equipped - and it was a good place to stay for the Twyfelfontein rock carvings, and as a stopover to Etendeka where we were headed next.
We didn't have time to go on any of Mowani's activities (we were only there one night) - but took ourselves to see the rock carvings."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Etendeka Mountain Camp
"Etendeka was a real highlight of our trip"
2 nights
Arrived
1 Oct 2012
"Our visit to Etendeka was one of the highlights of the trip. We were there for 2 nights, and could happily have stayed longer.
Etendeka has probably the smallest human footprint of anywhere we have stayed outside back country campgrounds. But Dennis and his team provide everything their guests need, with gentleness and good humour.
Dennis' long-term knowledge of the area was illuminating, and we appreciated being able to quiz him on the local environment and culture. Ivan is also an entertaining and knowledgeable guide. I doubt we will ever forget what we learned about oryx droppings... (and I mean that in a good way).
We loved the design of the new communal areas, minimal but restful, and making great use of the local rocks. And we enjoyed the simplicity of the bedroom tents (with views of the Hartmann's mountain zebras in the distance). The outdoor bucket showers are liberating!
Oh, and Dennis mixes an excellent gin and tonic."
Etendeka has probably the smallest human footprint of anywhere we have stayed outside back country campgrounds. But Dennis and his team provide everything their guests need, with gentleness and good humour.
Dennis' long-term knowledge of the area was illuminating, and we appreciated being able to quiz him on the local environment and culture. Ivan is also an entertaining and knowledgeable guide. I doubt we will ever forget what we learned about oryx droppings... (and I mean that in a good way).
We loved the design of the new communal areas, minimal but restful, and making great use of the local rocks. And we enjoyed the simplicity of the bedroom tents (with views of the Hartmann's mountain zebras in the distance). The outdoor bucket showers are liberating!
Oh, and Dennis mixes an excellent gin and tonic."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Dolomite Camp
"Dolomite has a fantastic setting"
1 night
Arrived
3 Oct 2012
"The location of Dolomite camp in western Etosha is fantastic, with great long views from the rooms which are dotted around a rock outcrop.
We really enjoyed our time in the western part of the park, and (in October when we were there) saw plenty of wildlife (including Hartebeest which we didn't see anywhere else on our stay).
The rooms are beautifully designed, although possibly a bit overfilled with furniture and fittings! We got some close views of birds in the trees around our room.
There seemed to be a large number of trainees getting experience on the staff - so service wasn't slick, but it was always friendly.
At the moment there is no fence around the park, so after dark you need to ring for a golf buggy to pick you up to go to dinner etc. The service works really well - but we couldn't help feeling it was a bit like a Disney ride as we chugged up and down the pathways in the buggy!"
We really enjoyed our time in the western part of the park, and (in October when we were there) saw plenty of wildlife (including Hartebeest which we didn't see anywhere else on our stay).
The rooms are beautifully designed, although possibly a bit overfilled with furniture and fittings! We got some close views of birds in the trees around our room.
There seemed to be a large number of trainees getting experience on the staff - so service wasn't slick, but it was always friendly.
At the moment there is no fence around the park, so after dark you need to ring for a golf buggy to pick you up to go to dinner etc. The service works really well - but we couldn't help feeling it was a bit like a Disney ride as we chugged up and down the pathways in the buggy!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Okaukuejo Camp
"The waterhole at Okaukuejo is a real treat"
2 nights
Arrived
4 Oct 2012
"The great thing about Okaukuejo is its location. Being in the middle of the park gives great access to views across the salt pan, and you also have amazing access to the waterhole at the camp. When we were there in October, there were great herds of animals making their way down to the waterhole morning and evening, and amazing sightings including rhino, elephants and lions at night.
The camp itself is functional rather than luxurious, but our room was clean and comfortable, and the staff were perfectly competent.
We stayed 2 nights which was definitely worth it for getting a sense of the surrounding landscape, and the amazing amount of activity at the waterhole."
The camp itself is functional rather than luxurious, but our room was clean and comfortable, and the staff were perfectly competent.
We stayed 2 nights which was definitely worth it for getting a sense of the surrounding landscape, and the amazing amount of activity at the waterhole."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Onguma Bush Camp
"Loved the peacefulness of Onguma"
1 night
Arrived
6 Oct 2012
"We arrived at Onguma hot and dusty after a fantastic day driving around eastern Etosha. We found the staff welcoming, and thoroughly appreciated the cool, minimalist interior of our room. I know that polished concrete floors are not to everyone's taste - but the decor suited us very well.
Also the communal rooms were lovely - simply decorated but with soft cushions and views over water which appeared to attract a good variety of birds.
We got close sightings of various antelope and birds from our room and found the whole experience of our one night at Onguma very restful.
The food and wine was some of the best we had on our trip."
Also the communal rooms were lovely - simply decorated but with soft cushions and views over water which appeared to attract a good variety of birds.
We got close sightings of various antelope and birds from our room and found the whole experience of our one night at Onguma very restful.
The food and wine was some of the best we had on our trip."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Okonjima Plains Camp
"Real privilege to get this close to wildlife"
1 night
Arrived
7 Oct 2012
"We found Okonjima well run by enthusiastic, mostly young, staff.
We went cheetah tracking in the afternoon - and were amazed by how close we were able to get to the cats (including some around a kill).
We also saw a whole host of other wildlife - including a leopard tortoise on the cheetah drive! and a porcupine from the night hide.
Our guides were very knowledgeable.
The food was excellent - definitely make sure you arrive in time for cake in the afternoon, and the room was spacious and well fitted."
We went cheetah tracking in the afternoon - and were amazed by how close we were able to get to the cats (including some around a kill).
We also saw a whole host of other wildlife - including a leopard tortoise on the cheetah drive! and a porcupine from the night hide.
Our guides were very knowledgeable.
The food was excellent - definitely make sure you arrive in time for cake in the afternoon, and the room was spacious and well fitted."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
When we did get there, the staff at Erongo were lovely. They were waiting for us at the car park to transfer to a 4WD for the last bit of the drive, and got us into our room and to dinner speedily after our arrival.
Our room was charming and comfortable, and the food was excellent. We had our first kudu sighting of the trip at the waterhole at dinner in the moonlight.
We got up early for the nature walk. The guide was gentle and knowledgeable, and we felt we learned a little about local culture as well as wildlife.
We were only in Erongo 1 night, but could have stayed another quite happily.
When we were there (end September 2012) they had had a power outage due to a bush fire - so were running on generators. But they were handling it very sensibly and equipped everyone with torches for the few hours in the night when they didn't have full electricity."