Reviews of safaris to Damaraland
1126 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Damaraland.
"My May 2023 trip"
Being an independent traveller for many decades, I have always planned and organized myself my trips all over the world. I must say I do not regret a second having asked for Expert Africa's help in finding and booking all the different accommodations for so many nights,i.e. 21 nights, because it would have been very difficult in coordinating the schedule of the trip...I do not want to imagine the implementation of the international transfers after the problem I met with the bank of Expert Africa, located in London!
Tom Morris has been from beginning to end a highly knowledgeable and professional advisor. His choice of accommodation was excellent and in congruence with my budget. The standard of accommodation in Namibia ( even in "modest" places like Okaukuejo ) is excellent, beyond expectation. Of course I would not have minded putting up at luxurious lodges every night !!!
Through Expert Africa, we rented a car for our self drive trip. When we met with a problem with Europcar ( picking up a car with a small damage on a door at the airport ), Tom answered me on the spot and got in touch with the general manager of Europcar in Windhoek to make sure we would not be charged for. I did appreciate his rapidness and help .
Expert Africa website is absolutely excellent. And the information leather pack, along with the guidebook, the map we got before the trip is very good.
Now I have to talk about the BIG problem I met with the transfer of money. from my bank to Expert Africa's bank.
My bank followed all the instructions given by Expert Africa SCRUPULOUSLY.
The two payments prior to the trip should have remained in euros for the whole transaction, between my bank and their bank. For an unknown reason, the payments were AUTOMATICALLY converted into UK currency before being converted into euros, no matter how hard they tried!
It was a real hassle, completely stressful, time consuming AND financially infuriating! I was charged an amount of 194€ for fees!
I have recommended Expert Africa very highly to several French travellers. But I wouldn't like them to experience the same predicament. I would not like them to reproach me with that.
As said before, carry on with transmitting your expertise and passion for Africa ." Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 21 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia 2023 trip"
Although there was quite a lot of driving and on gravel roads (2500 km approx) that gave a great insight into the geography of the country. We will return and get up to the Caprivi Strip next time. Wonderful people too with a great sense of humour" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"My May 2023 trip"
We are glad that we did the itinery we did - of course one learns things for next time! We would not have bothered with Swakopmund - we did not find it an attractive place at all. What we really wanted to do from there was a flight down over Soussevlei but were unable to get booked on anything. Had we known about this in advance we could have booked a flight earlier but of course recognise that no tour operator can tell the clients everything! With hindsight another day in Soussevlei would have been useful to have had more time to explore and climb the dunes.
The whole trip went very smoothly indeed apart from entering Zimbabwe - we did not know that you still need a Covid certificate to enter there and also $55 cash for the visa - it would have been useful to have been told this - thankfully we had a very helpful assistant on our transfer from Botswana who baled us out. But without exception all other transfers etc when super smoothly which was great.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Gosh - it's a hard enough job trying to get a handle on what the client wants I don't know how you could do it any better!" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"Our May 2023 Namibia trip"
Namibia was surprisingly quiet which is a shame as it is a great destination.
We liked Desert Rhino camp best but it was all good. Everyone we met was friendly and helpful." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
"My May 2023 trip"
"My Apr 2023 trip"
"felt like a once in a lifetime holiday"
The suggested itinerary, prepared by Tracy after discussing with her only what we vaguely wanted, was spot on; the standard of the accommodation was beyond our expectation; and the quality of the detailed information pack, guidebook, map etc was the best we've ever had (and we've travelled extensively so have lots of benchmarks).
No question was too silly, even those we had on the day before we left about a particular route we were thinking of taking, and Tracy clearly had detailed, expert knowledge and insight of Namibia which was both reassuring and inspiring.
Our overall experience was way beyond anything we've ever had before and, based on this, we will use Expert Africa every time now. and would recommend them without hesitation to others.
Keep doing what you're doing - it's best in class!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
"My Apr 2023 trip"
It all went very smoothly and was generally very enjoyable.
I feel that all required information and documentation was provided, in good time. Chris's book is excellent.
Because nothing went wrong I can't comment on your problem resolution.
It was useful to to have wilderness safaris available at the airport." Read full review: 30 nights in Africa; 30 on a Namibia trip
"My Mar 2023 trip"
wilson - best guide ever had
Overall - Excellent" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"My Feb 2023 trip"
The characteristics of travelling on gravel or tarmac are so different that we could have done with being better informed about specific routes when planning. Also the passage of time renders some of the guidebook information out of date and this is a problem on the map also. For example the map incorrectly shows a petrol station at Seeheim - this meant retracing our steps for 60 km (so an extra 120km which then meant missing an activity at our destination) to ensure we had enough petrol.
We lost count of the number of coffee shops / bakeries in the guidebook that had closed / disappeared. Having sussed the driving out we went "off-piste" and cancelled one overnight stay and cut-short our stay at Sesriem so we could fit in a stay at Walvis Bay. We let the cancelled place know but our email to Expect Africa to tell of the same went unacknowledged apart from an "o-o-o but someone is covering for me" reply.
Namibia is a spectacular country with friendly people and provided us with some great memories." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 16 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.
