Reviews of Damaraland Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
121 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Damaraland Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
0% success
0% success
0% success
92% success
68% success
65% success
37% success
32% success
7% success
6% success
0% success
"Damaraland Camp review"
The rooms were beautiful but the bathroom was impractical for cold weather and the water was cold both days because there was a fault with the solar shower and it was freezing cold.
Once again there was a hard sell for the activities. The late afternoon walk was enjoyable and our guide very knowledgeable but not overly passionate about his job. We booked on the elephant tracking for the next morning which was again very expensive and were told by the staff there was only a 1% chance of seeing anything. We didn't know whether to cancel the trip or not but as there was nothing else to do we went ahead.
There was 2 people from Wilderness Safaris on the trip with us and they seemed to think we weren't leaving until 6.00am which seemed late to us as we were told 5.30am the night before. The guide didn't say anything to encourage us to leave earlier. Some locals told the guide that elephants had been spotted near the village the night before and we managed to spot the elephants off in the distance with binoculars.
We drove through some spectacular scenery, and did see some other game but nothing we hadn't already seen much closer ourselves. The guide was not informative and really didn't tell us much about anything. We were given a quick cup of coffee and a inedible biscuit before being rushed back to the camp because the Wilderness Safaris staff had to catch a plane at midday. We felt that we had left late and then rushed back to accommodate the Wilderness Safaris Staff. It was all very disorganised and unprofessional.
That evening the guide proceeded to tell us numerous times that he would not see us the next day, obviously wanting a tip. It was very embarrassing and annoying. He then said we were late leaving, once again hinting this was our fault, and that's why we didn't see the elephants. I also felt other staff were hovering about waiting for tips and felt very uncomfortable about it. We stayed at far less expensive places with far better guides who asked for nothing.
There was a lack of leadership at the camp and although everybody was very nice and friendly it was not the quality I would expect at the top end of the market. After all I had read about the camp it was very disappointing." See all these reviews: 22n in Namibia
"Desert adapted elephants at Damaraland"
The location of the camp is in spectacular scenery, and the rooms are modern and comfortable, but the lighting was somewhat inadequate. We reserved a full day for our guide Raymond to take us to Twylfontein and also to find the desert adapted elephants.
Our close viewing of a family of elephants whilst they were in transit owed a lot to Raymond's expertise. The staff at the camp gave us a warm welcome, but the level of engagement and commitment were not at the level expected by us, and that was a disappointment." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
"Our first safari trip"
We had good welcome on our arrival but the immediate pressure to go on the dessert elephant drive at what we felt was a very steep price, set us off on the wrong foot. The rest of our stay was fine but not outstanding . The Desert elephant drive was brilliant and we spent some time watching a family group which we did thoroughly enjoy but we felt at 1100$ each it was grossly over priced compared with the other trips, equally good, that we took in Namibia." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
"Damaraland Camp review"
Raymond our guide set out with us about 5.30am on a very cold morning, for about an hour and a halfs drive to the higher slopes of Damaraland. The scenery was different from the camp site, nobody else around, Raymond said he had not been there for weeks and he found us the rhinos 5 altogether, one mother and calf .
We got really close to them on foot a magic moment! We also saw alarge group of elephants and to my husbands delight hundreds of Welwitcha planst in flower!
The elephant tracking from the camp was also very good The evening meal at the boma was good as well" See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
"Damaraland Camp review"
"A great lodge in a stunning situation"
Everest was great as a guide and took us to a remote area for desert rhino, the Springbok river. A fantastic, if unsuccessful trip, it did throw up some problems. Only a single spare tyre was taken on the landrover. It was needed very soon and clearly had not been checked; it was very soft. Our 2nd puncture rendered us immobile and Everest had to climb the nearest mountain to get a phone signal to enable him to summon help. This came, complete with 3 spare wheels (!), 2 hours later. Had 2 properly checked spares been taken in the first place, the 2 hours saved could well have resulted in our 1st desert rhino sighting. Fantastic desert elephant, though and a bonus cheetah." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
"Damaraland Camp review"
Also did not like the communal table for all meals. However, the manager Paul, was the best manager we encountered, and ran a very tight ship." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
"Damaraland Camp review"
Excellent game drive trekking desert adapted elephant with very informative guide. A wonderful morning - found the elephants - a very enjoyable experience. The guide was very pleasant and informative.
Meal times were amazing with singing waiters and 2 giggly waitresses telling us the menus in their click language - such fun. A highlight of the stay." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia
"Wonderful location and staff"
saw so many desert adapted elephants in the dried river bed and enjoyed the evening walk which offered spectacular views stretching for miles.
The evening meal spent out in the Boma, hidden from view of the camp was magical. Loved the staff sniging us into supper." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
"Great location"
Staying three nights meant we managed to see desert elephants on our first day and rhino on our second day (amongst many other animals and birds) without feeling rushed. Meals were great fun, especially the bbq, and star gazing and meteors were a nighttime highlight. We would happily have stayed far longer." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
Holiday styles & special interests in Namibia
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Namibia.
Other lodges in Damaraland
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Doro Nawas
Comfortable rooms and a convenient location make the community run Doro Nawas a great base for exploring Damaraland.
Mowani Mountain Camp
Mowani is a beautiful and stylish mountain retreat in southern Damaraland; it makes a great base for visits toTwyfelfontein.
Desert Rhino Camp
Desert Rhino Camp offers a rare opportunity to track black rhino on foot in one of the last true wilderness areas – an amazing experience.
Camp Kipwe
With unusual, igloo-like rooms, open-air bathrooms and beautiful scenery, Camp Kipwe is well placed for nature and cultural excursions.
Etendeka Camp
Etendeka is an owner-run camp in the remote and less visited north of Damaraland. The camp is renowned for it's spectacular guided walking trails.
Grootberg Lodge
On the edge of an ancient plateau Grootberg Lodge has a stunning location and arguably the best views of any lodge in Namibia.
Twyfelfontein C'try Lod.
A large lodge set among the rocks, Twyfelfontein Country Lodge is a convenient base for visiting the rock engravings, which are only 4km away.
Spitzkoppen Lodge
Spitzkoppen Lodge provides stylish accommodation in an area of scenic grandeur with guided access to sites of ancient Bushman rock art.
Palmwag Lodge
Palmwag Lodge has a great location by a spring in the Uniab River and offers access to an area where you can see a variety of desert-dwelling animals.
Huab Lodge
Huab is a classic little Namibian Lodge which is slightly off the beaten track in a lesser visited part of Damaraland.
Brandberg White Lady
Brandberg White Lady Lodge, nestled at the foot of its namesake, makes a good base from which to visit bushman rock paintings including the 'White Lady'.
Vingerklip Lodge
Vingerklip Lodge occupies a lovely location, but is a little too far east for guests to visit Damaraland's main attractions.
Khowarib Lodge
Khowarib Lodge has a great location overlooking the Hoanib River. This is one of the few places to offer authentic Himba village visits.
Malansrus Camp
Within easy reach of Twyfelfontein, Malansrus offers a simple but comfortable base for visits to the rock engravings or seek out desert-adapted elephants.
White Lady B & B
White Lady B&B, a small, comfortable guesthouse, offers a stepping stone to the sites of southern Damaraland.
Etendeka Walking Trail
The Etendeka Walking Trail promises to offer a back-to-basics walking and camping experience in one of Namibia's most remote and untouched wilderness areas.
Brandberg Restcamp
Brandberg Restcamp is a simple, no-frills place, close to many attractions, offering sundowner drives, guided hikes up the Brandberg and game drives .
Onduli Ridge
Onduli Ridge is a luxurious, low-impact luxury camp offering top-notch guiding in a remote wilderness area of Damaraland.
Ugab Terrace Lodge
Ugab Terrace Lodge is a comfortable stopover between Damaraland and Etosha National Park or Namibia’s Central Highlands.
Ozondjou Trails
The simple Ozondjou Trails gives a unique perspective on living with Damaraland’s desert-adapted elephants and how tourism is key to protecting them and the livelihood of the people.
Damara Mopane Lodge
Damara Mopane Lodge is a large 60 room lodge surrounded by beautiful gardens. It can be used as a comfortable stopover between Etosha and the Skeleton Coast
Huab Under Canvas
Huab under Canvas is a no thrills bush camp offering top notch guiding in a remote wilderness area of Damaraland.
Palmwag Sleep-out
Palmwag Sleep-out is a simple camping experience and a great way to enjoy the remote beauty of the vast Palmwag Concession
Camp Doros
Small, intimate and with excellent eco-credentials, Camp Doros is set above an ephemeral river within a remote community concession of Damaraland.
Sorris Sorris Lodge
Overlooking the Brandberg Massif, Sorris Sorris is probably the most luxurious lodge in southern Damaraland.
