Reviews of safaris to Damaraland
1129 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Damaraland.
"The Quintessential Namibia Trip"
Two things come to mind: I wish I had been given a bit of warning about the heat and about the problems with electronica.
Fly-in is the best way to do it (or on the Desert Express, which was my initial plan).
Great Job!!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia April 2016"
Beautiful country, lovely people
Overall - amazing!" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
"Incredibly satisfying Namibia tour"
The car was terrific - perfect choice for us: 4/4 but automatic drive. We loved the driving tho it is challenging in parts - some long stretches of "washboard" road. But we and the car held up fine - and the drives are all worth it for the wonderful experience of being immersed in a beautiful and complicated country with endlessly interesting landscapes - and people.
The accommodations were also varied; most were just delightful - a few exceptional and unique experiences. We were especially surprised by the delicious and fresh (and healthy!) meals we had in some very remote areas. Two of the accommodations were not quite as perfect a match for our style but that was completely because of our late scheduling and trying to match our other preferences re: access and route with what was available.
All in all a great experience; we'd highly recommend Expert Africa and would be happy to use them again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Would be really hard to say as all aspects were so well managed. Perhaps one thing that might be useful is a bit more detail on how to get to a few of the accommodations. The map was great - and well used - but while the GPS, which we used to supplement the maps, was most often excellent - when it was wrong, it was dramatically wrong - sending us on a road that didn't exist, for example. Some more detailed instructions about the last portion of the route to any particular accommodation could help.
Maruska was terrific to work with and planned a great trip; she was also very responsive while we were there, although little contact was needed fortunately. She was particularly tenacious about us getting a refund for a minor expense related to a flat tire that just got a little complicated because of credit card issues. [The folks from Wilderness Safaris in the Windhoek airport were amazingly helpful also.]" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"The first of many?"
Great country - just the right mix of driving (1500 miles in two weeks) and walking. Sights, sounds and smells all fantastic, deserts, mountains, animals.
Fabulously warm and welcoming a real joy in lots of the people we met (thinking locals rather than tourists - though the tourists all looked pretty happy too).
Long may it continue." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
"We had a most wonderful time."
Sabina from Expert Africa designed a customized African adventure for us and went out of her way to help us during one difficult episode. She was an incredible resource for us as this is the type of trip one cannot embark on successfully without a travel agent.
Prior to our trip, there were many many exchanges both by phone and email in which she was always ready, willing and able to answer any and all questions. Thank you Sabina and Expert Africa!
We will be sure to turn to you again for our next Africa trip!" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
"A truly marvellous holiday"
We had some trepidation about driving in Namibia but this proved unfounded and was a joy. We are glad however that we decided on a 4 x 4 rather than a standard car.
Our subsequent visit to South Africa for a family wedding also went off without a hitch.
We would heartily recommend Namibia as a destination and were surprised how few people from the UK were visiting it.
Thank you Expert Africa and Elizabeth, in particular, for organising such a wonderful memorable trip." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"Our March 2016 trip to Namibia"
The trip overall was terrific, but Doro Nawas and Hoanib were particularly so. In addition, we travelled south to Fish River Canyon, Aus and Luderitz. We stayed at the Fish River Lodge, on the rim of the Canyon, and at the Eagle's Nest Chalets in Aus. Both properties were unique and nice, even if not to Doro Nawas and Hoanib standards. That being said, however, I can't imagine better places to stay in those areas, and I would recommend them to people traveling to those areas.
This was our second trip to Namibia. We loved the country so much the first time--its diverse natural beauty, climate, people and pace--that we wanted to return to see the main parts we didn't get to see on our first visit. We are constantly recommending it to people.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We had outstanding service the entire time, so thank you. And we will definitely be in touch when we plan our next trip to Africa. On a minor note, I wish we had known flying Wilderness Air from Windhoek to Doro Nawas/Hoanib was an option, but it never came up." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 4 on a Namibia trip
"Our 2016 Namibian Trip"
We fell in love more deeply with the country with every place we went to. The guidance from Expert Africa was invaluable! I gave them a task of helping me to plan my trip to Namibia on relatively short notice and they made it happen for me. All the lodges were unique, fun experiences and truly wonderful.
Even though we moved around a lot on our trip, we felt we were lucky to have visited so many places and got to experience each of them for their uniqueness.
Definitely one of the best African vacations we've taken! Thank you for everything." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia March 2016"
This is our second Namibian trip booked with Sabina and we were not disappointed. The advice provided on both occasions was not only helpful but also very accurate.
We will certainly book with Expert Africa again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Could include prices with brochure to give a rough idea, it is more difficult now they are separate to have any idea whether the trips may be affordable without any information." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"Way past expectations"
So grateful for the tip to get our own air fares" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 10 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.
