Reviews of safaris to Etosha National Park
1247 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Etosha.
"My Sep 2015 trip"
Highlights were the variety of landscapes, the wildlife in Etosha, the desert-elephant, cheetah and leopard tracking and the friendliness of the local people.
We did a self drive tour based on the Caracal trip with an extra night at Central Highlands. The 2 night stops worked well with one day of driving and one day of activities. Our hire car was a 2WD SUV which was fine on the gravel roads.
We had one puncture half way between Solitaire and Swakopmund, so would recommend carrying a second spare tyre.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No - you've got it just right." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2015 trip"
The itinerary worked very well. Note our comments about Swakop and Doro Nawas.
The car was a worry and really not good enough.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
All round a great service resulting in an exceptional holiday experience. Many thanks." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
"A month in 2015"
Wolwedans not worth the premium. Sossusvlei over-hyped.
Country excellent and the locals very helpful. Stunning scenery.
Africat / Okonjima, Etendeka and Skeleton Coast were highlights
Martha was a star. Shame she's not there any longer." Read full review: 30 nights in Africa; 27 on a Namibia trip
"Excellent and stress free organisation"
The information you provided before we left was excellent. It was easy to find the lodges and you told us what we needed to know about how things worked in Namibia. We also found the guidebook to be very helpful.
Just so you know, the bakery in Outjo has been knocked down and is being rebuilt. Also, there is now a petrol station at the airport which is not restricted to hire firms.
Also we found a gem of a place in Uis where we stopped for coffee. It's called The Cactus Coffee Shop and Garden Centre. The setting is idyllic and we wanted to stay all day. The coffee is very good, the gardens are attractive and there are bird feeders which attract the birds as you drink and eat. You sit in the shade and are soothed by gentle classical music. Bliss!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Perhaps offer alternatives to the Wilderness Safaris lodges? Perhaps offer slightly less luxurious but still comfortable accommodation to reduce the costs? With hindsight we would perhaps have preferred to spend more on the car and a little less on the accommodation." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"Our trip to Namibia"
We received excellent advice and support from Martha Young. What we loved about the trip was the flexibility it gave us while planning every day. At the same time the most stressful and time consuming things such as accommodation research, distances, etc were done for us. This approach let us enjoy every moment of our trip. The communication with us was excellent from the very first moment. We felt we were well informed; the brochures, maps, leaflets, baggage tags and the wallet for vouchers were a great idea.
If we decide to go to Africa once again, we will book a trip with Expert Africa for sure. Thank you!!!!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
You are excellent!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"The best trip we've enjoyed for many years"
However, you must enjoy driving off tarmac and be OK with being on unmade roads with very little traffic and longish drives. A 4x4 really is worth the extra in terms of comfort and is capable of withstanding the occasional miscalculation on dry riverbed crossings!
The countryside is stunning desert, big and empty - which may or may not be to everyone's taste, but Mad Max Fury Road had inspired us to go. The wildlife was amazing and unforgettable, all the people we met were friendly, knowledgeable and the service we had everywhere we stayed was as good as anywhere we have been in the UK.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We really don't. The whole booking experience was a joy." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2015 trip"
I would make a mention of the young lady, Wilderness Safaris, at Windhoek Airport how was most helpful, in fact anything to to do with Wilderness Safaris was excellent.
A trip to remember, thank you" Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"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
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.
