Reviews of Doro Nawas
(93%) From 413 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Too far out given poor weather conditions
Unfortunately the two days previously there had been record rainfall on the coast round Walvis bay and we were advised that due to the subsequent flooding not to use the coastal road heading towards the seal colony and up the skeleton coast so we drove as much as we could on tarmac which lead to the drive taking 7 hours with the last hour being on an undulating dust road with large deep puddles on the low parts.
No one could predict this but almost the last straw was the terrible pitted driveway from the road to the camp which was quite badly signposted. I think this jaundiced us about the camp where the staff were lovely and the accommodation was good. Food was good and the pool provided a welcome relief.
We did not partake in any drives the following day as we just couldn't face getting back in a vehicle. Staff had good singing voices and all looked like they enjoyed entertaining us.
We had a walk in the bush from the lodge and saw an ostrich and a snake.
Doro Nawas
The main building on approach looks rather like the Alamo, defended on top of the hill. The open air setting is very well designed for maximum viewing and each chalet has utmost privacy.
To be greeted by a staff choir was a little disconcerting (they are called up every time someone arrives) and the level of bureaucracy and waiver signatures needed seemed a little excessive (and was repeated at Kulala in exactly the same wording).
Obviously a regular feature, the evening meal was a 'secret' and a trek by torchlight for a few hundred yards to a fully equipped BBQ, a bar and a long table for everyone, encouraging conversation (as it did) and fully staffed service - excellent and utterly efficient. Other meals were also very good and pleasantly served.
The pool again well used and well-sited. Very relaxing.
Doro Nawas review
Formidable looking exterior, perched on hill, but nice pleasant internal spaces.
Very rocky entrance track.
Welcomed with a staff sing song – a bit embarrassing!
Nice spacious chalet with comfortable bed and terrace looking West.
Enjoyed the outside shower.
Good trip to rock art at Twyfelfontein
Nice external terraces with long views and nice to have breakfast outside.
Excellent final communal BBQ out in the bush.
Doro Nawas review
What a start - to be greeting by the staff singing a welcome song was fantastic - you would have thought they were a professional choir.......the also sang after dinner, and when you depart as well - you cannot help but smile as they sing!!
The lodges were stunning and you have the ability to push your bed out onto the patio to sleep under the stars if the weather is good enough - unfortunately it rained on both the nights we were there. The design of the lodge was incredible and we loved the private outside shower that looked over the desert. The room was extremely spacious.
The bar and dining area was superb and set on top of a hill with magnificent views in all directions (we were lucky enough to have breakfast watching an incredible sunrise before our morning game drive).
Superb Location
We arrived after an amazing flight from Kulala, flying first over the Namib Desert and then the mountains of Damaraland, which was an unforgettable experience. The views from Doro Nawas were equally amazing and we loved the rooms with the outdoor showers and beds that could be rolled out on the balcony.
The highlight of our stay was seeing the Desert Elephants - especially as some recent rain meant they were hard to find so it felt more special when we finally did track them down. Our guide Reginald went above and beyond the call of duty, first running up a hill to look for them and then driving up what was close to a cliff. We were lucky to see the elephants in the mountains, which were more attractive than the river area, and saw one climbing a very steep slope in search of clean water.
Doro Nawas was, nevertheless, probably our least favourite camp. It is great that the camp employs the local Damara community but we felt more training and better management were required. There were also lots of rats in the rocks by the pool, which we felt was a health risk. It was a shame that we missed on the outside dinner as we stayed on a Saturday and Sunday night but it was only held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Doro Nawas–The Most Special Lodge!
We were initially hoping to stay at Camp Kimpwe, which we had heard so much about and were disappointed when it was not available, but could not have been happier that we ended up at Doro Nawas instead! It is such an incredible place! The desert of Namibia is stark and harsh and strikingly beautiful and as you drive up to this unique property you will be blown away. It is like a fortress on a hill giving stunning views of the distant mountains and the desert landscape.
You are welcomed by the most wonderful staff in the world–I believe Doro Nawas provided the best service of any hotel I have every stayed at. The lovely team welcomes you with beautiful singing that had me grinning from ear to ear! Every single person is so talented. You will get to enjoy their beautiful, local music during dinners as well and I cannot tell you how special it was. It was one of the highlights of our trip!
The rooms are absolutely beautiful, with comfortable beds and huge balconies which you can roll your bed out onto. We slept underneath the star-filled sky both nights. There were no bugs at all and it was the most magical experience. The pool area is lovely and you have such a nice view to enjoy. The chef does an incredible job and every meal prepared was wonderful. They do bush dinners several nights a week and this was a truly special experience! They were able to cater to my vegetarian needs and every dish was wonderful. We were able to see the desert elephants on our excursion and got to spend quite a lot of time enjoying them and our guide was wonderful about giving us photographers different angles.
I cannot recommend this lodge highly enough. Every staff member seems to truly enjoy their job and care about the guests and this creates the warmest, most welcoming environment for anyone lucky enough to stay here!
Doro Nawas
An excellent lodge. Staff extremely pleasant - sang for us each night after dinner.
A key singer was the waitress Sammie, who had been on a tour to Switzerland with her choir.
The menus were explained in English and then in the Click Language. Fascinating!
Doro Nawas review
Wondered where we had come to. From a distance the camp looked like a foreboding fort stuck on top of a rock, but once inside, the views justified it's location. Another warm welcome (with song from the staff). The chalets were excellent, but you need to be reasonably fit to climb up to the main building everytime. The evening drive to find the desert adapted elephants was brilliant. We saw 23 including 2 very young ones. The evening was made extra special by the "bush dinner", being led out into the darkness and find behind a very large rock, a candlelit spread and a full dinner under the stars. Again with the staff singing and dancing. Really memorable
Read more about the whole safariBeautiful people
This camp had the most welcoming staff. The Damara people the locals from this area we found very hospitable.
Room was superb and we were able to roll our bed outside so we could sleep under the stars.
One night dinner was a BBQ served out in the desert, a magnificent setting.
Good wine anything we wanted was of no problem and the singing was great.
Doro Nawas review
Morning drive to see the elephants was most enjoyable.
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