Reviews of safaris to Etosha National Park
1247 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Etosha.
"My Mar 2024 trip"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The trip logistics were great (accommodations, directions, choice of guides, locations, food, etc). One suggestion: This was our first time in Africa. We found it very helpful to have Grace's assistance when we arrived at the Windhoek Airport. We took your advice to check in at the Wilderness Safaris office there, and Grace took us under her wing and walked us through the process of using the cash machine to get local currency and picking up the rental car. She made that process so much smoother for us." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
"My Jan 2024 trip"
Sabina made good suggestions and we enjoyed staying in a variety of places, and the mixture of self-guided and organised activities. Helpful to have the airport lounge when we arrived after an overnight flight - cold drinks and somewhere comfortable to sit and watch the safety video, but also useful info and they helped us to get a SIM card sorted out etc.
I've never done a trip which was organised by a company before, and I'm a convert!
We have recommended Expert Africa to others already, and are thinking/ dreaming about the next trip...
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Would be good to strongly encourage people to know how to change a wheel before they travel (the Europcar rep told us 50-60% of travellers have tyre trouble). Also to make sure before people leave the airport that they have some idea of how to change a wheel on that specific vehicle - we came across a young family who were struggling, in 38C heat, to find the notch to put the jack into.
Also to make people aware that, while they may be able to check-in for their return flight online, Windhoek Airport doesn't have QR code readers for digital boarding passes. If the attendant in the Wilderness lounge hadn't made us aware of this when we arrived for our return flight we would have got a bit stuck, but if people are short on time or don't go into the lounge they may not discover this until too late.
In hindsight, we would probably have fewer one-night stops - it was wonderful, but I think we were trying to cover too much ground, really. Not Sabina's fault - we were over-ambitious!
A note for some of the lodges - often we were given a lot of verbal info upon arrival, including the different activities available. Sometimes we were and sometimes we weren't told prices. It's a lot to take in, and would be very helpful to have the activities written down and definitely with info on prices (some lodges did provide this either in the room or at reception)." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"My Dec 2023 trip"
On this note, the service and help from the local agents was also exemplary in getting us reunited with our luggage. We had great experiences everywhere we went. Driving was a breeze. A few rough roads, mostly Solitaire to Walvis Bay but otherwise the roads are fine.
On a personal note for me I would have rather spent an extra day driving the coast and one less day at Camp Kipwe but that is not meant as knock on Camp Kipwe. I am just quite fascinated by the coastal area.
All in all, we are very happy with the trip Maruska provided for us and the great service we received! We would do it all again in a heartbeat!
Keep doing what you're doing!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"My Nov 2023 trip"
Sabina was excellent and we were able to organise our perfect trip with minimal hassle. The whole trip ran smoothly.
The highlight of our trip has to be Wolwedans Dunes Camp, which was simply breathtaking.
At Etosha National Park we were able to view some brilliant wildlife including lions, rhinos, elephants amongst others. Overall a brilliant trip and we would thoroughly recommend both Namibia and Expert Africa." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"My Nov 2023 trip"
Having been to Namibia before, and knowing roughly what we wanted to do, we set out to book the trip directly ourselves, but after discussion with Tom he came up with quite a number of options / lodges that we hadn't considered or been aware of.
After putting together a suggested itinerary it was clear that it was easier, and just as economic, to let Expert Africa organise all the accommodation. With map, guidebook and detailed intinerary and directions everything was made easy for travelling almost 4000km round Namibia over 3 1/2 weeks.
Overall a fantastic trip with great places to stay and visit.
Keep up the good knowledge of the country and its ever changing accommodation." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 23 on a Namibia trip
"My Nov 2023 trip"
The only problem was having a bat in our room while we were sleeping for 2 nights in Okakuajo and one night in Kalahari Red Dunes. But that isnt Expert Africa's fault!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"My Nov 2023 trip"
"My Nov 2023 trip"
As regular safari goers, this trip did not disappoint. Tom was helpful and the itinerary that we put together was perfect for us.
A lot of driving, but worth every mile we drove.
One small (petty) thing, petrol can be hard to get in Etosha, so maybe a diesel vehicle would be better." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia November 2023"
"My Oct 2023 trip"
Namibia has three really world class sights - Etosha, Sossusvlei and Fish Canyon. Luderitz, Swakopmund and Tweifelfontein interesting. Food and accommodation generally very good.
Only disappointment was the Skeleton Coast - one of the most boring drives I have ever made.
The main drawback of Namibia as a whole is the amount of driving involved, especially since the car rental firm imposes (maybe sensibly) a limit of 70km/h on gravel.
We covered 5000km and after all this time in the car, the last long stretch from Fish Canyon to Windhoek seemed an eternity...
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Only suggestion would be to let people know about the time spent driving. We found that on gravel roads, with the car rental company's speed limits and our own stops, we took 50% longer than Google thought we should. This made for a couple of very long days.
Not sure we would have changed our itinerary but if we had been aware earlier it might have made the hours in the car less of a downer. You should also advise people to get a phone app like Spotify and download a LOT of music on it to be played over Bluetooth." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
Where to stay in Etosha
Our suggestions for safari camps in Etosha National Park
Okaukuejo Camp
Set within Etosha National Park, Okaukuejo Resort is a large camp with a productive, floodlit waterhole.
Halali Camp
The smallest of Etosha's erstwhile restcamps, overlooking its own floodlit waterhole, Halali has a superb location near the centre of Etosha Pan.
Mushara Bush Camp
The family-friendly Mushara Bush Camp offers great value and is an excellent base from which to explore Etosha National Park.
Ongava Lodge
With fantastic views over a private reserve bordering Etosha, the smart Ongava Lodge offers driving and walking safaris on the reserve, and guided drives in Etosha.
Ongava Tented Camp
Set around a waterhole on a private reserve, the small Ongava Tented Camp combines understated comfort with activities that include walks and night drives.
Onguma Tented Camp
Onguma Tented Camp is a lovely, little tented camp which centres around an attractive waterhole a short drive from the Von Lindequist Gate to eastern Etosha.
Dolomite Camp
Opened in 2011, Dolomite Camp allows visitors access to the far west side of Etosha National Park, which was previously off limits to most visitors.
Mushara Lodge
Close to the eastern entrance to Etosha, the comfortable Mushara Lodge is well-placed for exploring the park in your own vehicle or on a guided drive.
Namutoni Camp
Centred on an old fort, the government run Namutoni Camp is located just inside Etosha National Park, close to Fisher's Pan.
Onguma Bush Camp
For great wildlife viewing without breaking the bank, the affordable and understated luxury of Onguma Bush Camp could be perfect.
Hobatere Lodge
To the west of Etosha National Park, on the edge of Damaraland, Hobatere Lodge offers good game-viewing on its own reserve.
Mushara Outpost
Intimate and luxurious, Mushara Outpost is well-placed on a private reserve to explore nearby Etosha National Park on your own or on a guided drive.
Onguma Camp Kala
For a bird’s eye view across African bush, the stilted rooms at Onguma Camp Kala are truly special.
Onguma The Fort
The Fort is the jewel in the crown of the Onguma lodges, and arguably the whole of eastern Etosha.
Safarihoek Lodge
At the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, Safarihoek Lodge offers comfortable accommodation and excellent game-viewing.
Onguma Forest Camp
From its woodland setting on the Onguma Reserve, Forest Camp is within easy striking distance of Namibia’s flagship national park.
Taleni Etosha Village
Only 4km from Etosha's southern entrance, Taleni Etosha Village is an affordable base from which to explore the park.
Etosha Safari Lodge
A short drive from Etosha National Park's southern entrance, Etosha Safari Lodge is a convenient base from which to explore the park.
Little Ongava
The beautifully located and luxurious Little Ongava is a stunning place to stay in order to explore Etosha National Park and the private Ongava Reserve.
Etosha Safari Camp
Funky, low-key and very original, Etosha Safari Camp is well placed for visiting Etosha National Park on a self-drive or guided safari.
Andersson's at Ongava
With game drives on both its private reserve and in Etosha, Andersson's at Ongava also offers access to the Ongava Research Centre.
Mountain Lodge
In the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, the family-friendly Mountain Lodge offers game drives and bush walks within an exclusive environment.
Mokuti Etosha Lodge
With 106 rooms, child-friendly Mokuti Etosha Lodge is more like a hotel than a lodge. Facilities to include a gym, spa, tennis courts and even a snake park.
Etosha Oberland Lodge
A short drive from Etosha National Park's southern entrance, Etosha Oberland Lodge is a very comfortable base from which to explore the park, with excellent food.
Vreugde Guest Farm
Vreugde Guest Farm is a delightful owner-run and working sheep farm where you can expect a warm welcome and charming hospitality.
Villa Mushara
Offering luxury on a peaceful private reserve close to Etosha, Villa Mushara is a great choice for honeymooners & those wishing to indulge themselves.
Etosha Garden Hotel
Safari in Etosha National Park Namibia, whilst based at the nearby Etosha Garden Lodge.
Etosha King Nehale
A short drive from the national park's northern entrance, Etosha King Nehale Lodge is an interesting and comfortable base from which to explore the park.
Safari House
The private Safari House on the Etosha Heights reserve is a great option families or friends travelling together.
Onkoshi Camp
Onkoshi Camp is owned and run by Namibia Wildlife Resorts. Built on elevated wooden platforms it overlooks Etosha Pan.
