Reviews of Mowani Mountain Camp
Wildlife sightings and reviews
152 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Mowani Mountain Camp and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Relaxing mountain camp with great views"
The tents themselves were perhaps the most basic accommodation of our trip, but the bed was very comfortable and not too hot either when the side "windows" were left open. The tents could perhaps do with a little fridge to keep water/drinks cold and also insects would tent to make their way into the tent as they can never be 100% sealed off, so it is good to be aware of this.
We had a great waiter, Eugene, who would serve us breakfast, lunch and dinner and he was a very affable character and we enjoyed the banter we would have with him at meal times. He was both efficient and friendly, and we received great service from him. The food at Mowani was good and portions large, but somethings such as pastries, break etc. were not as good as in some of the other lodges. The sundowners on a big rock provided great views, but when there are a lot of people at the camp it can become quite busy and private sun-downers may also be an option. We felt that there was at times some underlying tension between the camp management and staff as well, which did not always make the sun-downers the most relaxing experience.
In terms of activities, Mowani focused on the rock painting excurions and desert-elephant tracking. We went on the elephant-tracking excursion one morning, but did not find them despite our guide's best efforts. Interestingly, a couple we met later on our travels had stayed at Damaraland Camp at the same time and had sighted three herds of elephants so maybe that may be a more reliable lodge to go in April as the elephants will often travel around depending on where they think they can find water.
The scenery around Mowani is amazing and the plentiful rains in Namibia in 2009 meant that the ground was covered in knee/waist-high grass which made the surroundings very picturesque and interesting to photograph. Overall, Mowani was an enjoyable place to stay and experience something different, though if visiting Damaraland again, we may be tempted to try another lodge (e.g. Damaraland Camp or Doro Nawas) to experience something different as well." See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia; 1n in South Africa
"Mowani Mountain Camp review"
The food was excellent, and service in general was of a very high standard. Sun-downer drinks from the viewpoint, complete with a bar and nibbles was really special. We were on our honeymoon and they went to amazing extra lengths to make it feel special for us - a table for two by the camp fire under the stars for dinner one night, followed by breakfast for two on top of the viewpoint the next morning.
Vincent the manager even helped us change our flat tyre! Unfortunately due to the rains there was very little wildlife, but it was an amazing place just to sit and enjoy the sun and scenery." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
"Mowani Mountain Camp review"
It is a fun place to stay with every comfort, and finding the desert elephants and spending time with them was very special.
We have lots of photos of the singing, the sunsets, the staff and warm memories of out stay." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
"Fantastic Mowani Mountain Camp"
Vincent (the manager) and his team were excellent. Particularly in view of what happened on our way to the camp (see comments under Europcar). As we were late for the afternoon activity Vincent took us out personally. He also handled the arrival of the replacement car (at midnight) so that we weren't disturbed.
All this and a stunning location as well. Can't recommend this camp too highly! Only wished we had booked for a longer stay." See all these reviews: 11n in Namibia
"Mowani Mountain Camp review"
Lovely lovely staff
Very welcoming
Good Food
Strange that you had to pay for Sundowners! Makes it look stingy! Just include it in the price if you are FBA and get on with it!
Great place!
Mowani is how it is meant to be!" See all these reviews: 15n in Namibia
"elephant safari was great"
The guide for our morning trip was excellent." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia
"Mowani Mountain Camp review"
The staff were very attentive, making a real effort to accomodate my dietry requirements. We had the same waiter for the duration of the stay making the service feel very personnal. As it was our honeymoon they organised a romantic dinner by the fire and breakfast at the sundowner spot.
This was the best lodge we stayed in durng our trip." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia
"Mowani Mountain Camp review"
We wish that we could have stayed there forever because the view is definitely one of the highlights! So peaceful there!
The service was outstanding.
Enjoyed the Elephant drive trip. Saw a baby elephant, only 3 days old - another highlight of our trip!" See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
"Mowani Mountain Camp review"
The safari the next day was very special: we saw a herd with three baby-elephants (one of them only one day old!) and also three cheetahs. Our guide Reynoldus really did his best to find the elephants for us! Wonderful place to stay!" See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
"Views of such beauty and magnitude"
We took a guide on the desert elephant safari and he found elephant for us and that was wonderful. Worth doing and worth the money. We loved the rock dassies running around on the rocks! Wanted to see a leopard and just missed one spotted at breaksfast! We felt it might be useful if the owner had a board up somewhere visible for guests to read - noting down leopard sightings, for example. Our sons were disappointed not to see the leopard and perhaps had it been made clearer that the camp did have leopard around, then we would have been on the alert more. Better communication on animal sigthings would have been good for us.
It is hard as so often one is only one night in the camp but we were lucky to spend two nights! Loved the fire lit outside each evening. Very good shop. Might be nice to know more about how the camp began and who started it up and why it was sited where it was. Worth visiting Twyfelfontein rock paintings - did thi son our own and glad we did it. Our picnic lunches on day of departure were beatifully made and even had hand-decorated paper bags as did the brown paper bag into which my shop purchases went - very individual service here and the staff must be congratulated.
Mowani had the best view of anywhere I think and we shan't forget it ever. Our only positive criticism might be that our children were in a room a long way from us - so we couldn't check on them easily. More sensible to have us next to them. But the children loved seeing the lizards and rock hyraxes (dassies) and for them, it was a beautiful place, as it was for us." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
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