Reviews of safaris to Damaraland
1066 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Damaraland.
"My Sep 2015 trip"
We found it reassuring to have the knowledge and expertise of Expert Africa's staff behind us, to guide us through a part of the world of which we had little previous experience. The choice of lodges was perfect, and every arrangement that had been made for us went without a hitch. We were particularly grateful for the huge contributions made by Maruska, in the initial planning of the trip, and Tracy, who took over when we were forced to postpone our trip by 12 months, following a family bereavement.
We would not hesitate to use Expert Africa again in the future, nor to recommend them to friends and family." Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2015 trip"
"My Sep 2015 trip"
I suspect this is because of our discussions with Expert Africa staff who took the time to find out exactly what we wanted, and then planned the trip accordingly.
I cannot speak highly enough about the planning and organisation which had obviously gone into this trip. Thank you again Martha." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 24 on a Namibia trip
"Trip of a lifetime (so far!)"
We first contacted you with a rough itinerary, which was much improved by Tracy's many suggestions and her acceptance that I was trying to keep costs down for the bulk of the trip. You booked us into 15 different places to stay and all were very acceptable, with most good/excellent." Read full review: 36 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2015 trip"
The only thing we would perhaps have changed was to get a 4 wheel drive or AWD drive vehicle to give us greater peace of mind driving on gravel or sandy roads. Our thanks to Maruska for her excellent suggestions for lodges and very rapid responses to all our queries." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"Our Namibia adventure - September 2015"
Driving was easy - long straight roads with no traffic, albeit some of the gravel roads in the more remote areas were a challenge. Our party of four are all well travelled and we agreed that Namibia was one of the best places we had visited. Highlights were the walking at Erongo Wilderness Lodge, the game at Etosha (particularly around the waterholes, where we saw large concentrations of animals), the solitude and wilderness at Damaraland Camp and the superb scenery around Sossusvlei.
Many thanks to Sabina and the rest of the team at Expert Africa for helping to organise this wonderful trip." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2015 trip"
"My Sep 2015 trip"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Be aware that Wilderness often have big tours at their sites. Also Erongo brochure says 2 hours to airport it is 3.
Namibia as a country is friendly and non threatening. Never felt unsafe." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"A wonderful experience"
It was all a wonderful experience. Firstly I must put a word in for Mack Air as there didn't seem to be anywhere to put that. We were concerned and a bit anxious about the small flights but the service and professionalism from the pilots was excellent and made the whole experience fine.
All the places we booked were good, each different and interesting. Of course not having been to Africa before or been on a safari holiday before it is difficult to understand what it is going to be like even though we read all the information and listened to all the advice there is nothing like the experience of actually being there.
In no particular order we felt that the camps in Botswana seemed more geared up to 2 night stays and in fact 2 nights felt perfectly fine though before we went I thought 2 nights might feel a bit tight. In fact sometimes our 3 night stays felt as if the guides were looking for things to do. I loved Botswana, particularly the Okavanga Delta and would go back there.
Though we were a bit concerned about driving ourselves round Namibia as 2 women on our own in our late 50s and 60s, in fact it was very easy. We loved Cape Cross and Walvis Bay, both fine for 1 night stays. I would want to stay 2 nights in Okonjima in the Bush camp, a very pleasant place to stay. It was me who insisted on staying in Okaukeujo and it was fine though I think if I was advising someone else I would suggest somewhere smaller with better food.
I also would not go back to the Zambezi Sun, it was the only place we were disappointed with. Everyone is different but we both realised how important a breakfast and dinner view is for us and a view of the Zambezi rather than corporate hospitality is worth paying for.
We loved South Africa and will probably go back there sometime. All in all we loved it and love Africa, it is like no other place I've ever been to.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I cant think of anything. My sister and I did talk about how difficult it must be to advise people on where to stay and where to go. You did really well so thank you. The only thing that might have helped us not go to the Zambezi Sun was either us telling you the sort of hotel we usually stay in when we travel or you asking." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"My Aug 2015 trip"
Impressed by the advice and help received from the Expert Africa staff. Only regret was we wished we had stayed a night near Twyfelfontein to give us more time to see the rock engravings, petrified forest etc." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 14 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.
