Reviews of safaris to Damaraland
1130 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Damaraland.
"My Sep 2018 trip"
"Our trip to Namibia"
Of course the wildlife is the big feature of Africa in general, and we certainly. weren’t disappointed on that score.
The people we met, both locals and visitors were friendly and interesting and so informative. We learned about the country and it’s issues since independence, and we learned about other places that some of the visitors we met had been to. Definitely whetted my appetite for Africat.
We realised that we were on a particular circuit so often met the same people who were a day or two ahead of behind us. I think with just about 11 full days, the tour was perfect. We might possibly, in retrospect, with what we know now, have chosen to drive through Etosha and stay a night in one of the other lodges.
Having said that, on our third day at Ongava we spent several hours in the hide and realised just how many animals come to the waterhole. It was non stop in the morning, and breath taking. Then in the evening the rhinos came! It’s interesting that the guides are very cagey about the number of rhinos they have, and it great that they are so protective." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2018 trip"
Starting the trip at Galton House and ending it there was excellent - it gave us time to recover from the flights etc and at the end of the holiday we could relax, have a shower, a nice meal and get out of our safari clothes, put our normal clothes on ready for the return home and generally chill out!
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Flying between camps was ideal as having spoken to people who were driving the distances involved were long and this meant they couldn't cover as much ground as we did. When the Brandt guide is next updated you may want to note that the restaurant 22 Degrees South is closed.
We recommended Expert Africa to several people who were thinking of future African adventures so hopefully more business will come your way in the future." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
"Great trip - stunning country"
Our accommodation was consistently very good. It seems almost invidious to come up with highlights - everything was good, but my personal favourites were Desert Rhino Camp ( outstanding ), desert elephants at Doro Nawas, the dunes of Sossusvlei, lions in Etosha - I could go on.
Our first visit to Namibia ( but not Africa ) - I should say that I found the people very welcoming and friendly, and we felt perfectly safe everywhere." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"All we could have wished for, and more!"
We would not recommend the detour via the Skeleton Coast, and 2 other groups had in fact been advised against it.
Also, distances on directions were not always accurate, and at Onguma, which we approached from the west, the gate was only 100 metres (not 500) from the park and was not signposted in that direction! We, as well as 2 other groups, ended up going past it for varying distances before turning back. Not good at the end of a day! We understand, however that a new sign is under construction.
We can recommend the one and a half hour Tour of Swakopmund Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, run by Charly'sTours. Really excellent, knowledgeable and intelligent guide with a good understanding of the wider African context.
Windhoek Airport is absolutely terrible and simply cannot cope with the increasing tourist load. It will only get worse, but is a terrible introduction and farewell to a beautiful country. Do pressurise the authorities on this. One working x-ray machine for baggage is ludicrous, and an hour and a half in a non-air-conditioned immigration hall on arrival rendered us dehydrated, dizzy and shaky!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2018 trip"
Having undertaken a 17 night stay that involved 2600km of driving I think we would not do such an extensive trip again but it was a really good way to see the contrasting parts of the country and we know where we would spend more time in any future visit.
Every location we stayed at was good and even where we have comments regarding improvements this didn't really detract from our enjoyment. Generally service was very good and people very friendly.
As others have reported, driving is very easy and as a disabled driver using hand controls, I can confirm it still remains easy.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Very little to add as the overall experience was very good. We were very grateful for the time and effort Josh put in to help us arrange the hand controls on our vehicle.
Only one minor point is that the folder the trip material arrives in is a nice design, but unfortunately not that practical and it began to disintegrate early in the tour!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2018 trip"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
NO
I WAS DELIGHTED BY EVERYTHING EXPERT AFRICA DID FOR US AND WOULD CERTAINLY RECOMMEND YOU TO OTHERS - INFACT I ALREADY HAVE THREE TIMES!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2018 trip"
Only adverse comment about the trip as a whole is that it was hard work driving on the gravel, even though the use of self drive was a very good way of seeing the country.." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia Sept 2018"
"Expert Africa lived up to their name again"
All logistics worked efficiently and all our accommodation was excellent. We always seemed to be in the best rooms at the best lodges and again we were lucky with our game viewing.
Yet again Expert Africa exceeded our expectations. Thanks to Tracy
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A warning about the problems that people with UK mobile phones with service suspended on outgoing calls.
A lot of people are having this problem" Read full review: 26 nights in Africa; 24 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.
Onduli Ridge
Onduli Ridge is a luxurious, low-impact luxury camp offering top-notch guiding in a remote wilderness area of Damaraland.
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.
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.
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.
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.
