Reviews of safaris to North-west Kalahari & Panhandle
80 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include North-west Kalahari.
Mr K & Mrs S
NL
"Kalahari and Caprivi trip"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 10 May 2017 and 26 May 2017
"This was a memorable trip. We highly enjoyed the contrast between the dry areas of the Kalahari and the lush waterways of the Caprivi. We thought the trip was very well paced by Maruska.
All arrangements went smoothly and we appreciated the advice on how to deal with roadblocks and the crossing into Botswana and back,
One of our objectives was to hike as much as possible. As it turned out, only Waterberg Wilderness Lodge and Erongo Wilderness Lodge offered enough opportunities for a day or two of walking but we realize that was the maximum feasible within the parameters we set ourselves.." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
All arrangements went smoothly and we appreciated the advice on how to deal with roadblocks and the crossing into Botswana and back,
One of our objectives was to hike as much as possible. As it turned out, only Waterberg Wilderness Lodge and Erongo Wilderness Lodge offered enough opportunities for a day or two of walking but we realize that was the maximum feasible within the parameters we set ourselves.." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs CH
Guildford
"Our month in Namibia/Botswana"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 18 Mar 2017 and 15 Apr 2017
"We had a wonderful month and intend to return to Namibia with a longer trip into Botswana."
Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 26 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr Z
Maryland, USA
"honeymoon of our dreams"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 18 Nov 2016 and 3 Dec 2016
"Thanks for making our incredible honeymoon possible.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The one thing I wished for over and over on the trip was a bit more slack in the plans. There were towns I would have liked to explore, and people I'd have loved to get to know, but we really did not have time. I don't remember it being an option to add in extra time in places, but this would have made the trip more enjoyable for me.
Also, an ATM map and a tip guide would be helpful. But overall, we were very pleased, so thank you." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The one thing I wished for over and over on the trip was a bit more slack in the plans. There were towns I would have liked to explore, and people I'd have loved to get to know, but we really did not have time. I don't remember it being an option to add in extra time in places, but this would have made the trip more enjoyable for me.
Also, an ATM map and a tip guide would be helpful. But overall, we were very pleased, so thank you." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr C & Ms B
Macclesfi
"November trip to Namibia and Botswana"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 18 Nov 2016 and 8 Dec 2016
"A great trip. All the arrangements worked well.
Namibia and Botswana are beautiful countries.
We hope to go again and would certainly use Expert Africa." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
Namibia and Botswana are beautiful countries.
We hope to go again and would certainly use Expert Africa." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Woodbridge
"My Nov 2016 trip"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 6 Nov 2016 and 25 Nov 2016
"This was our third trip with Expert Africa, again we were very happy with everything provided by them.
Our initial delay was out of Expert Africa's control.
However, the help provided by Tracy was excellent - starting with late night texts and emails then further phone calls. She arranged alternative accommodation and kept us informed.
Wilderness Safari staff at Windhoek airport, especially Priscilla, were exceptionally helpful in dealing with our car hire problems, then escorting us to our accomodation in Windhoek - Bidvest delayed us so long that it was dark before we left the airport.
Priscilla then ensured that our late arriving luggage was sent on to us." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
Our initial delay was out of Expert Africa's control.
However, the help provided by Tracy was excellent - starting with late night texts and emails then further phone calls. She arranged alternative accommodation and kept us informed.
Wilderness Safari staff at Windhoek airport, especially Priscilla, were exceptionally helpful in dealing with our car hire problems, then escorting us to our accomodation in Windhoek - Bidvest delayed us so long that it was dark before we left the airport.
Priscilla then ensured that our late arriving luggage was sent on to us." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr J
Hants
"Overall feedback"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 23 Sep 2016 and 7 Oct 2016
"A very memorable trip. The Caprivi Strip is so different to the rest of Namibia. Delightful lodges. Expert Africa very good, as always.
Only two small comments:
1. there was a chap from Wilderness Safaris at Windhoek airport to meet & greet us. This has never happened before, so we walked straight past him. I hope he wasn't offended, but there was nothing from Expert Africa to say that we were being met at the airport. Bit of a surprise.
2. Wild Horizons transfers. Perfect and on-time for each occasion. The problem was communication. We we not given a pick-up time for the transfer to Livingstone Airport. Our previous driver said we would be contacted and informed 24 hours before pick-up. We were not contacted, and none of the telephone numbers given in Zimbabwe was contactable either from a mobile or the hotel's phones. I even tried sending a text, but there was no reply. In the end we had to ask the Avani concierge to phone Wild Horizons local office in Zambia. If Wild Horizons has a local office, why give travellers lots of numbers in Zimbabwe ? (none of which seem to work)." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
Only two small comments:
1. there was a chap from Wilderness Safaris at Windhoek airport to meet & greet us. This has never happened before, so we walked straight past him. I hope he wasn't offended, but there was nothing from Expert Africa to say that we were being met at the airport. Bit of a surprise.
2. Wild Horizons transfers. Perfect and on-time for each occasion. The problem was communication. We we not given a pick-up time for the transfer to Livingstone Airport. Our previous driver said we would be contacted and informed 24 hours before pick-up. We were not contacted, and none of the telephone numbers given in Zimbabwe was contactable either from a mobile or the hotel's phones. I even tried sending a text, but there was no reply. In the end we had to ask the Avani concierge to phone Wild Horizons local office in Zambia. If Wild Horizons has a local office, why give travellers lots of numbers in Zimbabwe ? (none of which seem to work)." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr C & Mrs C
Lancs
"Our African Adventure"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 5 Sep 2016 and 27 Sep 2016
"This was our first visit to Southern Africa and it exceeded our expectations.
Sabina had given us a great itinerary and set of accommodation, with sound advice about distances and what to see. In retrospect we would not have spent two nights at Camp Kwando, but more in the panhandle. However, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and would love to do it again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
A list of where the ATMs are located would be useful.
Note that bird/animal guide books are not readily available at the lodges. Suggest that customers buy them before travelling.
Clarify the cross border permit instructions for vehicles from Namibia to Botswana.
Note that Zimbabwe now charges US$55 for UK residents visitor permit whereas EU members generally are charged US$30." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
Sabina had given us a great itinerary and set of accommodation, with sound advice about distances and what to see. In retrospect we would not have spent two nights at Camp Kwando, but more in the panhandle. However, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and would love to do it again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
A list of where the ATMs are located would be useful.
Note that bird/animal guide books are not readily available at the lodges. Suggest that customers buy them before travelling.
Clarify the cross border permit instructions for vehicles from Namibia to Botswana.
Note that Zimbabwe now charges US$55 for UK residents visitor permit whereas EU members generally are charged US$30." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms H
Washington
"My August 2016 Trip"
I visited Namibia and 3 other countries between 8 Aug 2016 and 27 Aug 2016
"The trip of a lifetime!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Maruska was wonderful: very knowledgeable, helpful and she built an amazing itinerary. All details were covered.
I've been recommending her to people at home!" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Maruska was wonderful: very knowledgeable, helpful and she built an amazing itinerary. All details were covered.
I've been recommending her to people at home!" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
XX
London
"My Aug 2016 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 3 Aug 2016 and 16 Aug 2016
"Fabulous trip. Couldn't recommend highly enough
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Really excellent - no suggestions" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Really excellent - no suggestions" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
M family
Hampshire
"Another lovely Namibian holiday"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 2 Jul 2016 and 16 Jul 2016
"This was our second self-drive holiday in Namibia, so we were all looking forward to the beautiful scenery, wonderful friendly welcomes, and very high standard of accommodation even in the bush, which we had enjoyed previously and we were not disappointed anywhere!
Very well organised, all meetings, border crossings etc worked.
Manageable driving distances each day (more tarmac than the West part of Namibia).
We mostly did our own drives in the reserves and did not see leopard and cheetah this time. Etosha is fantastic but it is so vast it is difficult to do it justice: you may need a lot of time to go from one waterhole to another if you arrive at a deserted one.
Some slightly odd details: e.g. suggesting laundry possible at Mundulea (it isn't), note Ndhovu runs on Botswana time." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
Very well organised, all meetings, border crossings etc worked.
Manageable driving distances each day (more tarmac than the West part of Namibia).
We mostly did our own drives in the reserves and did not see leopard and cheetah this time. Etosha is fantastic but it is so vast it is difficult to do it justice: you may need a lot of time to go from one waterhole to another if you arrive at a deserted one.
Some slightly odd details: e.g. suggesting laundry possible at Mundulea (it isn't), note Ndhovu runs on Botswana time." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
80
reviews of North-west Kalahari by travellers since August 2007
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