Reviews of safaris to Damaraland
1066 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Damaraland.
"when can I go back?"
I would definitely take a 4x4 with lockable cabinets in it.
The drives between sites was just about tha perfect distance and gave you a chance to appreciate the magnificent landscapes.
All the driving was very easy except for the sand road between Kipwe and Swapokmund which needed concentration
Never unlock your car doors in Windhoek.
I would unreservedly recommend Expert Africa to anyone wanting to see the stunning beauties of Namibia." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
"South Africa, Namibia & Botswana"
Very enjoyable and effortless driving between lodges. We covered 5,000 km in the rainy season with no problems. The twin cab Ford Ranger was perfect.
The following will be especially remembered
Dabis for the interest and the enthusiasm of the owner
Wolverdans for the situation and for the charm of Thelma
Vreugde for the friendliness of the family
Mundulea for everything about it
Nhoma for the humour of the bushmen
Ngoma for the lodge its situation and management" Read full review: 39 nights in Africa; 27 on a Namibia trip
"The trip of a lifetime!"
"Amazing, fabulous, wonderful!"
Such a variety of experiences and a real sense of freedom from self driving.
The Namibians we met were nearly all friendly and smiley, and the views simply stunning." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
"Amazing trip. Can't wait to go back."
The only down note was Etosha Onguma Aoba but overall the trip was fantastic. One that we'll never forget." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"Our trip to Namibia December 2016"
We thoroughly enjoyed all of the accommodation especially Kulala Desert Lodge and Doro Nawas Camp. On our first day at Kulala, we took a sundowner tour from the lodge and were also lucky to see the full moon over the dunes. On our second day, we took an early morning guided drive to Sossusvlei. The guide was excellent. He found a shovel-snouted lizard and a white lady spider for us. At Doro Nawas, we also had an excellent guide. We saw about 25 desert-adapted elephants; at night, the same guide showed us scorpions.
We also liked Swakopmund and the Sandfields Guesthouse. The two-hour flight from Swakopmund was a unique way to see the dunes, the desert, the flamingoes, the seals and the skeleton coast. We also enjoyed kayaking with the seals.
There was a bit of a glitch on our day tour to Sandwich Harbour. There were two vehicles on the tour, and our family had a junior guide who was a good driver but was not knowledgeable and could not provide us with any information. However, this problem was later resolved by talking to Bruno, who offered us a free three-hour tour the next day to a magnificent area located about 10 km from Swakopmund. Bruno also included sandboarding as part of the tour. His tour was definitely one of the many highlights of our stay in Swakopmund.
We found Etosha National Park to be a very special place. It was raining before we arrived in Etosha, and as a result the animals found different sources of water and were not attracted to the waterholes. We sometimes had to drive for a few hours before spotting animals. We did, however, see many animals in the end, including three lionesses, a sleeping lion, a black rhino and a group of about 15 hyenas. As far as accommodation goes, we liked Mushara Bush Camp better than Andersson's Camp.
Franz Indongo Lodge was also a fine place to stay and well located to visit the CCF. The cheetahs were quite active when we visited, and both the tour and the museum were very informative.
In conclusion, our trip was a great success. Although we drove a lot, we found the roads well maintained and the car very comfortable. We would like to thank you for organizing this trip for us. We are already thinking about other destinations in Africa and we will be in touch.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Keep up the good work" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
"My Dec 2016 trip"
If Planet Earth II has not convinced you to visit then you should go anyway as it has much more to offer than what was shown in the short time that the BBC allotted to the Namib desert.
If you are looking for something totally different look no further." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip
"My Dec 2016 trip"
We will return again! A great family holiday." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
"My Nov 2016 trip"
Namibia is beyond spectacular. What additionally impressed us was the attitude of the Namibians to their country and to the environment. Most reassuring to see the efforts being made to sustain the right balance.
The tour planning by Sabina was perfect for us." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
"My Nov 2016 trip"
Despite the lengths of the drives, we found time disappeared due to the changing landscapes. We felt particularly proud to have made the journey around, but the joy of discovering each are and learning so much from the tour guides, enriched the experience.
It will be a holiday to remember for a long time to come." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
Where 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.
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.
Camp Kipwe
With unusual, igloo-like rooms, open-air bathrooms and beautiful scenery, Camp Kipwe is well placed for nature and cultural excursions.
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.
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.
White Lady B & B
White Lady B&B, a small, comfortable guesthouse, offers a stepping stone to the sites of southern Damaraland.
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.
Brandberg Restcamp
Brandberg Restcamp is a simple, no-frills place, close to many attractions, offering sundowner drives, guided hikes up the Brandberg and game drives .
Onduli Ridge
Onduli Ridge is a luxurious, low-impact luxury camp offering top-notch guiding in a remote wilderness area of Damaraland.
Ugab Terrace Lodge
Ugab Terrace Lodge is a comfortable stopover between Damaraland and Etosha National Park or Namibia’s Central Highlands.
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.
Damara Mopane Lodge
Damara Mopane Lodge is a large 60 room lodge surrounded by beautiful gardens. It can be used as a comfortable stopover between Etosha and the Skeleton Coast
Huab Under Canvas
Huab under Canvas is a no thrills bush camp offering top notch guiding in a remote wilderness area of Damaraland.
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.
