Travel reviews by Royal Albatross - Enfield

Highly Recommended

On this trip, I visited Namibia between 8-Jun-2008 and 21-Jun-2008 and I travelled with 1 other person.

Wonderful. Namibia is a fantastic country - full of experiences, surprises and delights.

The ExpertAfrica service was helpful, efficient and reassuring. The attention to detail in the documentation is impressive - as is the information available in Chris's book - which we took with us. Everyone at the lodges spoke warmly about the ExpertAfrica team - the work you do in visiting the lodges clearly pays dividends.

I normally plan and book all holiday arrangements myself, direct with hotels, airlines, car hire etc. It is a testament to Gwynneth that I booked this trip with ExpertAfrica, because I normally like to retain control. Her approach was supportive and in no way pushy. I felt that in trusting her to make the arrangements, she was definitely adding value.

She also called on her colleagues for more specific information about lodges she had not stayed at personally. Talking to someone about places they know well, and experiences they have had personally is a great feature of the service - even if you discover that you don't always want/like the same things. The level of interest in the trip is also an indication that EA are truly interested in their clients' experiences.

The only thing I would say is that I think it would be good if there were more details provided within the lodges about activities and facilities (generally speaking they tell you things verbally, but don't always have anything for you to refer to). I also felt that the guides could do more to tell people in advance what they are going to do, how long things might take etc. Normally this doesn't matter - you're on holiday! But sometimes it could be important, and coming back 1-2 hours after you were told you'd be back woulnd't be ideal! Maybe they could wear watches....that might help!

I stayed at and have reviewed:

Place	Overall rating
Olive Grove, Namibia 8-Jun-2008 review: Overnight at Olive Grove	Good
Wolwedans Dunes Lodge, Namibia 9-Jun-2008 review: Part of the Family at Wolwedans	Good
Sossus Dune Lodge, Namibia 11-Jun-2008 review: Great views at Sossus Dune	Average
Hansa Hotel, Namibia 13-Jun-2008 review: Back to civilisation in Swakop	Good
Mowani Mountain Camp, Namibia 14-Jun-2008 review: Great views and service in the Mountains	Good
Ongava Lodge, Namibia 16-Jun-2008 review: Only one night at Ongava	Good
Onguma Tented Camp, Namibia 17-Jun-2008 review: Onguma is a great base for exploring Etosha	Good
Okonjima Bush Camp, Namibia 19-Jun-2008 review: Had the best time at Okonjima	Excellent