Reviews of Doro Nawas
Wildlife sightings and reviews
503 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Doro Nawas and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
0% success
0% success
1% success
91% success
54% success
51% success
18% success
6% success
4% success
2% success
1% success
"Doro Nawas review"
The restaurant facility (and the house style) is rather more formal than at Kulala, but the food is ample and good.
We were sceptical about doing the elephant tracking activity but when our guide, Lister, promised we would definitely find elephants, we did it and had another wonderful Namibian experience. He had already walked us around the wilderness, giving names to so many plants, insects, tracks, birds. He really came up trumps with the elephants: two groups and two solitary bulls. Plus two cheetahs. Not bad ! This was an extraordinary experience, topped by a fine sunset." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia; 2n in South Africa
"Doro Nawas review"
Would have been nice to have had a few walks offered from the Lodge, but otherwise service good and only thing that could have been improved was food (perfectly safe but not particularly creative)." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
"Southern Africa Manager"
"Doro Nawas review"
Very interesting trips to find the desert adapted elephants. long and not very comfortable morning outing with little to show for it mainly due to the intercom radio on our vehicle not allowing contact with the other vehicle which was more successful. Afternoon trip was very successful and was run for us because of the morning's technical problem. This was not totally resolved, but was sufficient to let us get excellent access to the animals. The staff tried to charge the full rate for the second trip, despite it being necessary because of the technical malfunction. However, we did manage to negotiate a more appropriate charge after the staff had to contact more senior managers 'elsewhere'.
Slight difficulties with this arrangement on check-out, but resolved simply. Altogether a very good place to stay, though the overall 'feel' resulting from it being run on a contract basis means that it suffers a little in comparison with the directly managed lodges." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
"Doro Nawas review"
We had an unfortunate experience with a radio failure which meant that we did not get to see one of the big herds in the early morning drive. That siad the camp did allow us to go again in the afternoon where we had a wonderful experience of the herd in late evening light.
The sleeping out experience is NOT to be missed, truly wonderful." See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia
"Doro Nawas - chalets on the wide open plains"
The pool while lovely, was just too small for the number of guests. Although we had a nice few hours on the loungers, most people were left to sit on the deck. I'd recommend they invest in more than 5 loungers!
There were plenty of activities on offer, but you did have to fit in with their planned schedule - this wasn't a problem for us as we were self-drive, so we drove ourselves to Twyfelfontein and the Organ Pipes as they didn't have this on offer the afternoon we wanted to do it. We're glad we did, because it was very easy to do this yourself, it cost us nothing (apart from a little petrol!) and we had the Organ Pipes to ourselves - a real highlight.
If you're self-drive I'd recommend doing the local attractions yourself because they are easy to find and self-guide. In terms of the Doro Nawas activities, we did a guided desert elephant safari with the Doro Nawas guide one morning, and found the Oscar group up into the river, after a 2 hour mission where we'd nearly given up hope! It was amazing to get so close to them. We really enjoyed this activity and would recommed it.
Staff were variable. Our first night they were great - kind, attentive and very cheerful. On the second night service was patchy at best, and we waited over an hour for our dinner. When busy they look like they might struggle to maintain good service. The food was average - it was edible and well presented, but not of a high standard.
We would go back to Doro Nawas, because we thought the setting and our beautiful room really made this a special place to stay." See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
"Best accomodation we had"
The desert elephants more than made up for our difficulties when we found them." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia
"Rolling our beds onto the patio!"
Tracking the desert-adapted elephants was great, although our vehicle's radio wasn't working in the morning, so the driver of the other vehicle wasn't able to let our driver know when he found the elephants (and we consequently saw only a solitary male that AM). However, the management was very accomodating, and lowered the price of an afternoon ride significantly to compensate for the radio problem.
We saw a large family group (as well as a big bull) in beautiful, golden, late afternoon light." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia; 3n in Botswana
"Doro Nawas review"
A member of staff came down from the lodge with cool face towels, just rght for wiping away the Namibian dust.
Going up to the main building we were given welcome drinks and shown the facilities before being shown to our " room". This is an understatement as the building, just for us, was nearly as large as the ground floor of our house and this just for a bedroom and en-suite bathroom.
The bedroom, with island site bed, felt like a half marathon just to walk to the bathroom.
Bed isn't the right description either as it could be wheeled onto the huge veranda to sleep under the stars.
The evening meal was very good, but as with a previous lodge, was served very cool and a replacement was requested and brought without much delay.
At the end of the meal a guide came around with details of the following days actvities. As we needed to be away mid morning we chose a guided walk which we found to be very informative and our guide, Michael, told us about tracking and the uses that animals and local people make of the various trees/ bushes.
Doro Nawas was the first lodge with a crafts/ gift shop which had a good selection and reasonably priced therefore welcome and used.
All staff were friendly and welcoming and seemed genuinely pleased that you wre in Namibia... this was a common experience in all Namibian accommodations." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia; 5n in South Africa
"Doro Nawas review"
"Doro Nawas review"
Everyone from the reception staff, general maintainance staff to the guides were very obliging and informative, making our stay here very enjoyable." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 2n in Zambia
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.
Mowani Mountain Camp
Mowani is a beautiful and stylish mountain retreat in southern Damaraland; it makes a great base for visits toTwyfelfontein.
Damaraland Camp
Setting the standard for community partnerships, Damaraland Camp offers a beautiful location, a range of activities – and a genuine welcome.
Camp Kipwe
With unusual, igloo-like rooms, open-air bathrooms and beautiful scenery, Camp Kipwe is well placed for nature and cultural excursions.
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.
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.
Onduli Ridge
Onduli Ridge is a luxurious, low-impact luxury camp offering top-notch guiding in a remote wilderness area of Damaraland.
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.
Etendeka Hiking 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.
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.
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.
