Reviews of safaris to Damaraland

"This was our 7th visit to Botswana and 4th to Namibia. As ever we had a wonderful time. Expert Africa was once again exceptionally helpful and friendly. Although Megan booked our trip initially and was our contact more recently, Tracy also looked after us very well while Megan was away.
As usual, we mainly used Wilderness Safaris camps and, as usual, were particularly impressed with the high quality of the guiding in all locations. Transfers between camps were organised seamlessly.We were also very impressed with their care and consideration with regard to Ken's problems with balance in the dark, and in all locations they went out of their way to ensure that he had good lighting to escort us back to our tent at night.
We were also impressed by the way information was passed from camp to camp, so that when we arrived in a new location they already knew, for example, what drinks we liked for sundowners and other details of things we liked, which made us feel at home.
The Wilderness lounge at Windhoek was a good addition as somewhere to escape while waiting for the next connection and to use a computer to check in for flights.
Our only regret is that some camps now have separate tables for meals, as one of the things we have always enjoyed about these holidays has been the opportunity to meet and talk to people from so many different countries." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"A wonderful experience with wonderful memories.

Breathtaking from beginning to end, especially in terms of nature and wildlife but also very nice places to stay (mostly). The only 'down' side I can think of is the cost, as this was indeed by far the most expensive holiday we've ever booked... but no regrets! Next time I would however do the trip in the opposite direction (as was the plan originally -I know-, but couldn't be achieved because of booking restraints) and leave the highlights (etosha and okonjima) 'til the end.

Thanks for the good planning and organization and the help throughout!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"A dream holiday. Would like to do revisit most of the places." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"Namibia. 14 days was the absolute minimum time for the trip- would have really liked a couple of extra days to reduce a bit of driving. (Our choice I know). We found all the places in Namibia delightful/interesting to stay in- all different but great fun with their own charms. THe roads overall are not bad- many are sealed with long, straight stretches. Many of the unsealed ones were fine too but there were three really bad ones-luckily not too long.Certainly wouldn't put us off returning for another visit.

The meet and greet Wilderness Safari team at Windhoek airport were very helpful, efficient and patient, and we appreciated their little lounge to use while waiting.

We did have a truly great memorable trip with too many highlights to single any out. Felt totally safe. The people are charming and the ethos about tourism is impressive.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Cant comment on the brochure as dont think I ever saw one. Found the feedback form a bit tedious to fill in so hope it is helpful.

But we did have a really great trip and have been recommending Expert Africa to anyone interested in travel to Africa from New Zealand" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"We loved the people, landscapes and animal viewing, every Namibian we met were absolutely lovely, it is a wonderful country, although we wish it wasn't quite so cold at night!" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip

"Justin Huff helped us plan two weeks in Namibia. We travelled with our six and seven year old daughters. We flew via Scenic Air up to Etosha from Windhoek and then self-drove back with stops at Huab and Ai Aiba. Everything went perfectly according to plan with no hiccups. When we had one question to clarify our itinerary we were very happy that Expert Africa had a responsive 24 hour team on call. The trip was every bit the wonderful adventure we hoped it would be. The wildlife surpassed our highest expectations and driving in Namibia is a very do-able experience.

Justin answered every question/concern we had and we felt very well prepared to make our trip even with two young kids in tow.

We will happily use Expert Africa if and when our family returns to Africa someday." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 5 on a Namibia trip

"This was everything we could have hoped for and more.

Namibia is a very special place - vast, deserted, so varied in landscape, full of beautiful options.

At the end of our 17 days, our family of 5 adults each ran through their own highlight. We had 5 different versions such was the richness of this holiday.

Best one ever / Tanzania had topped the list before but Namibia offers so much more!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Very satisfied with expert Africa and have already recommended." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"Amazing! Whilst we have travelled around the world, this was meant to be the trip of a lifetime and it was. It is a holiday we will long remember. We have always wanted to go on safari and see elephants, lions and other wildlife in their natural habitat, but it was also special in terms of the fantastic scenery, friendly people and some of the amazing places we stayed. A great way to mark a special birthday! Thank you." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"The trip overall was fabulous. Where we've written negative reviews of accommodation (e.g. Twyfelfontein) we were warned in advance that this was more basic accommodation. Only one we weren't aware of was the building work and poor food at Okaukuejo. Josh did a great job of creating our trip for us at short notice. The welcome team in Namibia airport were lovely and the trip went very smoothly." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"This was the trip of a lifetime. With our children, aged 20 & 19, we were looking for a holiday the whole family could enjoy and we certainly got it. Everything went off perfectly. The planning of the trip with Sabina and her advice was of the highest standard. Everything was exactly as described.

There were representatives to welcome us on arrival at Windhoek, there were no booking misunderstandings at any lodges, the transfer from Kasane in Botswana to Livingstone in Zambia went smoothly and lastly the transfer to Livingstone airport, all on time and according to plan. We dropped our car off in Kasane, were collected by safari vehicle and transferred to the river where we were taken across by boat into Zambia and collected on the other side with the driver helping us get through the 'interesting' Zambian border checkpoint (the Zambian officials were rude and unhelpful well below the standard in Botswana or Namibia).

The border official, despite having a water dispenser in her office, sent our driver back to the car to get her a bottle of water! Bearing in mind that we had driven about 4 hours from our last lodge in the Caprivi and arrived early, the logistics of this transfer was impressive. (Just for info there are trucks queuing at this crossing as they move between Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana for as far as the eye can see with it taking them on average 2 to 3 weeks to get across - per the local taxi driver - so I could imagine the transfer potentially going horribly wrong!).

Just a tip, when arriving in Botswana we needed to dip ALL our shoes (foot and mouth prevention) so make sure you have all shoes handy so you don't have to unpack suitcases at the border.

The design of the three week trip, balancing the length of drives, stop-overs and rest days while still trying to see as much as possible was brilliant and could not have been done without the expert advice of Sabina and her patience in the early days while she tried to understand what we wanted to get out of the holiday.

We travelled during June and July and the weather was fabulous. Warm sunny days and mostly cool nights. We certainly needed warm jackets for the evenings whereas during the day we needed shorts and t-shirts.

Tips that worked for us:
(1) in the U.K. we purchased a tracks4africa map of Namibia (£10) online and transferred it onto our Garmin SatNav which we took with us and this made navigating stress free.
(2) Covering our suitcases in bin bags to keep them dust free was essential as the canopy definitely was not dust proof.
(3) We purchased a cooler box locally and this allowed us to keep our picnic food fresh and drinks cool for the long drives. You can buy ice for the cooler box at any service station;
(4) an upgrade to a 4x4 gave us extra flexibility and comfort on long drives.

We were surprised at how expensive most of the lodges were so this was, for us, a particularly expensive holiday but in the end worth every penny.

I would not hesitate to recommend Expert Africa and would use them again." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip