Reviews of safaris to Etosha National Park
1247 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Etosha.
"My May 2015 trip"
It was also a very nice itinerary, suited to our particular interests and preferences. We would have liked to be more active since we aren't used to spending so much time in vehicles, but recognize that the nature of the trip made this very difficult. Game drives made it possible to see much more, from a closer distance, with less hazard.
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Overall, the trip was very well organized. We stayed in some spectacular places.
Having the customized map and letter really helped in terms of self-drive navigation. (Two small points: The location for Okonjima was too far north for the actual turn off. Also, there were a couple of inconsistencies between the letter and the actual itinerary that looked like they were 'left overs' from a previous version of the letter.)
In terms of the overall itinerary, the trip was very well organized. If we were to do it again, we would make very few changes. We might skip BullsPort (but then wouldn't have walked at all!). We could also have skipped Mushara Bush Camp, except that we did need somewhere to overnight in about that location. Maybe we could have stayed inside the park? We loved having a waterhole chalet in Etosha and that was really a highlight. Footsteps was an interesting experience and might have been more important to us if we hadn't spent the previous 4 days kayaking and walking in the delta with a different outfitter." Read full review: 31 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
"My May 2015 trip"
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Some comments sent already [Ed: in lodge review pages - linked to below], no major suggestions, all went really well. Many thanks!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"Brilliant: a stunning holiday experience"
"Great experience in Namibia"
We loved visiting Terrace Bay and the drive up the Skeleton Coast - although a bit awed by the remoteness. Swakupmund was fun, with a great day out travelling to Sandwich harbour and back. Etendeka was another great experience as was the time we spent in Etosha. Erongo was great place to finish the trip.
Sabina's suggestions (don't spend two nights at Terrace Bay, try Mushara Bush Camp) were excellent. We really appreciate her phoning us when we had broken down to check we were OK and being looked after and confirming that the replacement vehicle was on its way. Also impressed by Wilderness Safaris who co-ordinated the replacement vehicle with Bidvest and the transfer from Okaukuejo while we were waiting for it to be delivered from Windhoek.
We were enormously impressed by the back up when we had a problem with the vehicle. It was very reassuring that were not coping with it alone. THANK YOU!
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After our experience with the original car we would be inclined to book a 4x4 next time to ensure we had a more robust vehicle.
Driving on the roads we travelled wasn't a problem but the original car we had an ineffective handbrake (not spotted on delivery and not actually much of a problem parking on the flat) and a very soggy passenger seat. It seems that it had been subjected to hard treatment which may be why it broke down." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"A wonderful 5-week adventure"
I expected it to be all desert, but I never knew how many different kinds of desert there are and what amazing landscapes and geology Namibia has. Nor did I realise what a fantastic variety of wildlife and birds there are.
We chose to have a driver/guide and it was well worth every penny - he not only took all the strain of the long drives, he was also an astonishing fund of knowledge and expertise. WIthout him, we would not have seen half the things we did, nor appreciated what we did see half as much.
Then we had 9 days in the Okavango Delta, a truly amazing place where the concentration and variety of wildlife is quite extraordinary. Very good guides provided by the lodges to find all the animals. The days were filled with great experiences.
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We had a fanatastic time and no complaints at all. However, we did find that quite a few of the lodges etc were really rather over the top in their attempts to emulate 4- or 5-star hotels. It's a matter of personal preference, but we actually felt more comfortable in the places that didn't try quite so hard and were perhaps a little more authentic in their atmosphere - like Etendeka and Kwara.
If I had known better what the range of options was, I could probably have explained this to Tracy at the beginning. So my suggestion would be that your agents could maybe spend a little more time getting to know what the client's expectations are and what kind of experiences they are looking for, and discuss the options, to enable them to make better-informed choices.
My impression is that, because I didn't have a limited budget, the assumption was that we would automatically prefer the most up-market places; that doesn't apply to us and maybe others are the same." Read full review: 35 nights in Africa; 25 on a Namibia trip
"One of our Best Trips Ever"
Of course a lot of that is because the country of Namibia has so much to offer. It is probably the safest and easiest country on the continent for independent travel. It also helps that it has a lot of very dramatic scenery and fascinating people and wildlife. But Expert Africa also played a large role in making this trip memorable. They know Namibia very well and booked us into the best lodges in the best regions of the country.
Because of Expert Africa everything went very smoothly on our trip. I recommend them without any reservation.
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Keep up the great job!" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip
"I want to go back!"
( Just an aside, and I don't want to seem to be going on about it too much, but Onguma Tented Camp promised so much and delivered so little, especially compared to the others. We got the impression that all the Wilderness Safari camps/lodges were very well managed and the staff seemed happy in their job, which is always something positive and pleasing when you come across it. )" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip
"Wonderful trip to Namibia"
It's a great destination for a family holiday, can't fault it." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"My Mar 2015 trip"
The older generation of our family was really impressed by the beautiful nature, the very friendly people who really cared if we enjoy our trip, the good food and by the cleanliness.
I did not expect that Namibia is such a perfect destination if you travel with kids. We were really impressed by the beautiful nature (which is really very special - we had not seen such places before, and so many wild animals) and since everything was very clean (even if you have the biggest sandpit on the earth which is questionably clean than it is not really the one of a lifetime experience) the kids could play very well - so everybody could find something interesting.
We were very surprised by the very good food, the good meat, the homemade bread (which is I presume a practical solution for big distances) and also homemade desserts and also the `house wine` was very good everywhere (which was of course South African wine but with overall good quality) - and everywhere was kids` menu available.
Everywhere we really liked the design of the camps and lodges, they were always very unique and matched with the surrounding nature and they were at very good locations.
So all in all and last but not least I think that you are really experts of Africa because you proposed us a brilliant itinerary, we saw very different places with each of them being beautiful, interesting and unique and very good camps and lodges to stay. We were extremely happy with the perfect organisation, everything was easy to understand and follow we received all the relevant info - I do not think that something was missing or not relevant.
We had an excellent time. Thank you very much!!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"Fantastic Holiday"
Felt safe throughout the trip. Tranfers at borders ran smoothly as did the car rental return All the staff at the lodges very professional and helpful. On reflections I think we would have rather stayed in slightly larger lodges. This is because sometimes we were the only ones there so lots of the activities were not on offer or to expensive as there was only the two of us. Food throughout was of a very high standard. Also the fact that the pound against the South African Rand is high made it a very good value holiday.!
Talking about a return visit as we headed home!
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We used our credit cards at all the lodges and camps therefore did not need to take large wads of money.. In Kasane where we filled up with petrol, before handing back the car they took any currency, rand, sterling Dollars etc and the rate of exchange was on par with banks. This was great because we then did not have to change money into pula just for the petrol." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 11 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.
Onguma Forest Camp
From its woodland setting on the Onguma Reserve, Forest Camp is within easy striking distance of Namibia’s flagship national park.
Safarihoek Lodge
At the heart of the private Etosha Heights Reserve, Safarihoek Lodge offers comfortable accommodation and excellent game-viewing.
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.
Etosha Garden Hotel
Safari in Etosha National Park Namibia, whilst based at the nearby Etosha Garden Lodge.
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 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.
