Reviews of safaris to Damaraland
1126 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Damaraland.
"My big birthday trip 2025"
We were very happy with Kwessi Dunes (trip highlight), Mowani Camp (awesome views, the best food) and GocheGanas is a little gem. If we had more time, we would have stayed a little longer in Swakopmund - beautiful city!
The only camp that we felt a bit underwhelmed by was Ongawa Lodge. The reasons are:
1. We were not told upfront of costs for Etosha and Ongawa gane drives - the manager mentioned that game drives were not included but failed to disclose prices, which were not shown in the room either
2. The game drives in Ongawa follow a set route and in three drives, we pretty much saw the same views/animals. Other camps use their land to show different sites. This felt too little for NAM1,500 per person/per drive
3. The Etosha Game drive is very expensive at NAM2,500 per person and it lasts only 3h
4. We were given our bill after breakfast on last day. We scan the bill and paid since we were in a rush. The bill felt excessive so we asked for breakdown and found out that we were overcharged for Etosha Game drive by NAM5,000. The manager was not particularly graceful in handling with this mistake - we had to recount days spent and activities per day before the mistake was acknowledged. They were unable to do the refund so we are now waiting to see if this come through this week.
I hope the comments above are useful and thank you once again for your help,
Rute & James" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
"My Apr 2025 trip"
We reached out to Sabina a bit last minute, but she was very accommodating. She did a great job understanding our goals for the trip, and suggesting options that aligned with those goals.
Two hiccups in our trip made us especially grateful for the support of Expert Africa. First, our flight from the US was unfortunately cancelled, and the rebooked option got us in one day later. Sabina seamlessly coordinated with our first lodge and flight teams to adjust our schedule.
Secondly, unfortunately due to the heavy rains and flooding in Namibia, Serra Cafema was forced to close temporarily. This happened while we were in country and had limited wifi. Tracy (Sabina was at a site visit) jumped right in, sharing the news and immediately offering alternative options. She negotiated private transport to get to the new camp, all while keeping us informed, but letting us still enjoy the trip. As a result, our trip felt seamless and we didn't have to worry, for which we are so grateful.
The local country knowledge and thorough vetting of hotels (especially the full lodge reports) were incredibly helpful in building our itinerary. The coverage while we were on our trip ensured we were supported when unfortunately some changes were required.
We absolutely recommend Expert Africa, and have in fact already recommended Expert Africa to multiple family and friends.
Thank you Sabina and team!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
"My Apr 2025 trip"
All camps from WIlderness do have couple of star above all other ones that we have been on Namibia
Also very comfortable having land strips near by the Wilderness camps.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
For for this trip I was super well taken care off.
It is seamless the service form Expert Africa with Wilderness Safari ( Which was my concern). Congratulations you were able to make it happen.
Thought I would run into some problems with logistics, but none showed up.
Incredible!!!
Next trip with you guys will be in Botswana next year!!!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"My Mar 2025 trip"
"My March 2025 trip"
The trip was very well organised and everything worked seamlessly. We booked with very little notice and Tracy pulled it together very quickly for us. We also completely reversed our itinerary at the last minute, probably causing hair to be torn out but Tracy never showed it.
We used the Bradt guide constantly and it was always with us. I will try to email in my very small contributions/changes that we found along the way.
I especially loved the north of Namibia this time. It reminded me of my time in Zimbabwe 35 years ago and I was surprised by how little it had changed. I'm a big fan of the rainy season and love visiting in the green season. We were surprised and delighted by how much game we saw, and of course the birds were incredible. The Delta was magical and Shinde was a very good 2nd choice since Kwara didn't have availability. We loved Shinde and had some great sightings.
The lodges were very comfortable, some were luxurious, more so than I would choose on my own, but perfect for us as a couple. Hugh likes more comfort than me and would like to have known in advance which lodges didn't have air conditioning.
Overall it was another great trip. Thank you Expert Africa" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia March 2025"
Namibia is a magical country and we had amazing, once in a lifetime experiences every day that couldn't fail to move us. This really was a trip that kept on giving in the most profound way.
The expanse, emptiness and beauty of the landscapes really must be seen to be believed and the warmth of the people (especially those we met at Doro Nawas) felt so sincere, it quickly felt like home.
Sabina put together a fantastic itinerary for us and we felt she really took on board and understood our preferences. It was a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation and ticked all our boxes (even some we didn't know we had).
We hope Namibia will welcome us again in the future and we wouldn't hesitate to use Expert Africa again and to recommend it to other travellers.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We're not sure how it could have been improved - everything was excellent, heartfelt thanks to all involved." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"My Feb 2025 trip"
Excellent organisation from Sabina at Expert Africa who put the trip together." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
"My Feb 2025 trip"
South Africa more relaxed but Babylostoren disappointing." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip
"My Jan 2025 trip"
"Namib Desert, Damaraland, Etosha self-drive"
We had chosen Namibia as none of the family except one had ever been to Africa on safari, and we wanted a special experience as my husband and I were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. It is fair to say this holiday is the best holiday any of us have ever had. Namibia is such a beautiful and varied country, it blew us away. We stayed in extremely comfortable lodges, which were all without exception outstanding. The staff were helpful and kind. The food delicious. The guides knowledgable and entertaining. And we saw so many different animals! If it hadn't started to rain hard on our last day I think we may never have left.
Expert Africa, and specifically Sabina, did a brilliant job organising the logistics: everything worked as per plan - the route and accommodation descriptions were accurate, the lodges expected us, the cars were brand new and drove well, and the supporting information provided relevant and useful.
Thank you very much for our holiday of a lifetime!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
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Inspire meWhere to stay in Damaraland
Our suggestions for safari camps in Damaraland
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.
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 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.
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.
