Namibia: reviews from our travellers

"An excellent trip in an amazing country with very friendly people. Just don't forget to bring properly warm clothes if you travel during winter, as the nights can be very chilly.

We had a really great trip. Many thanks to Angela Griffin at Expert Africa - we had such a good time in Namibia. The high lights were the dunes at Sossusvlei, kayaking with Jeanne among seals at Walvis Bay and - according to our sons - when our host Bruno at Mundulea caught a puff adder (!). In addition we had our most enjoyable and relaxing afternoon in our lives at Grootberg Lodge, really. We would't mind staying there one more night. The rental car - a Nissan X-trail - was very comfortable but the trunk had no space for an extra spare tyre above our four suitcases, but that didn't matter because we had our only flat tyre on B1 (bad luck, probably a big nail on the tar road) just north of Windhoek on our way back home. It was a nightmare to swift tyres when big lorries past us in 100 km/h, but we kept calm. When the car was picked up by Budget we used the form Expert Africa recommends in their brochure, so there will be no problems, either with the flat tyre or anything else about the car. The Budget staff were very professional.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Maybe more information about spare tyres:

- If you go four persons in a Nissan X-trail there is no space for a second spare tyre.

- The spare tyre allows you to drive only at 80 km/h. We were lucky to have just 70 km left to Windhoek. Maybe you could order a fifth tyre instead of a normal spare tyre, so you can proceed at a higher speed?

And more information about warm clothes......." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"A truly excellent holiday. Thank you for helping us to plan and arrange it.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No!" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip

"It exceeded all expectations. Namibia is a beautiful, if sometimes stark, country and we found the people we met most friendly. Without exception, the various accommodations were very good, and in particular, the full descriptions in Expert Africa's printed and on-line brochures very accurate.

Driving was overall a pleasure with empty roads and those with gravel surfaces mostly very well maintained apart from part of the road between Sesriem and Walvis Bay which is fairly rough, but without potholes. I think we saw graders at work every single day. There were no problems with fuel supply.

June is low season (most lodges said their bookings would be full from late July onwards). As a result, with few guests, we received very personal service. Day time temperatures were in the low to mid-tweties C, which was very pleasant, but evenings and nights were cold and many lodges provided hot-water bottles. We were glad that we had taken layered clothing.

Meals seem to have received criticism from other visitors for being boring. We have never experienced such tender and tasty meat (mainly beef fillet, kudu and oryx) although a three-week diet of red meat is not nutritionally recommended! Vegetables were varied, soups delicious and some of the desserts imaginative so we have no complaints.

The standard of the guiding, where we used it, was very high and our experience at Mundulea exceptional.

We never felt unsafe, which can't be said for many other African countries.

So, a perfect holiday - just 1400 photographs to sort through.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I think you are already way ahead of the competition.

Coming to your office to meet with Gwynneth was well worthwhile to get her views, as a Namibian, on our plans. Communication between booking and our departure was good, and as we have found in the past, you actually take note of feedback unlike most other companies.

Please keep up the good work and we shall certainly travel with you again. Thank you or arranging a wonderful holiday." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"Our trip was amazing in the sense of what we saw and how we did it, and its varieties.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

It is very difficult to get the information and feel for the country you have never been to, and how things are done in each location. In that sense, the details were not communicated well to our needs.

It is easy to say, "please ask any questions if you have", rather than " please check this," or " did you know this?" to make sure that we understand the same thing. Many things are assumed to be understood. The communication was always initiated by me.

The child age should be considered individually by the height, not by age. Our daughter had never been a problem to any lodge. Given her age is 11.5 and she is tall." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"This was our second trip and another great one. Namibia offers luxurious accommodation, delicious food and staff who love their job and country.

not to mention the breathtaking scenery and the fantastic wildlife.

Tourist numbers are noticeably down - so more people should visit !" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"My trip to Namibia was, overall, amazing! Life changing even.

I drove through bush fires and was chased by a bull elephant! Man, it was exiting! And I was followed by a baboon for an hour during one of my walks. Probably thought I looked a bit lonely. :-D The only niggly thing was not getting vegetarian food on the flights as that had not been specified. Apart from that, I am definitely going back as soon as I can.

For a woman driving on her own, I had few problems except with the usual, i.e. men with far too much testosterone. I know how to handle that though so it wasn't a problem. I loved driving around on my own for three weeks. Best thing I ever did.

Next time, I won't bother with Swakopmund though. The only place I disliked despite the kind and friendly people. Just too weird for me (i.e. German town in Namibia) and in any case, I was in Namibia for the flora and fauna, not towns and buildings. I'm glad I went though as I wouldn't have known that had I not been.

Overall, a great holiday! Me = Happy! :-D" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip

"The trip was everything we had hoped it would be, with the itinerary being well thought out and manageable in terms of travel time.

Our only regret is that we didn't have more time - next time, we'll have to head south as well.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None - Gwynneth was extremely helpful and really knowledgeable, making sensible suggestions about proposed changes to our itinerary and speaking from personal experience." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"It was one of the most memorable holidays we have had. Everything was in line with or better than expectations. I think the key to Expert Africa's success is knowing about all the country's facilities firsthand, and then taking care to understand what the client really wants from the holiday. Because this happened, we had no unpleasant surprises, and may pleasant ones.

The balance of time we spent in each place was perfect, and therefore gave us a wide range of experiences in the time available.

The car hire was a success. I think for the gravel roads, the Nissan X-trail is a must, rather than a saloon, and people should be encouraged to take one. The Budget car we had was not provided with a second spare wheel, as had been booked. The manager was apologetic, but said the wheel he intended to supply was damaged. He then rightly said (as it turned out) that with it being the dry season, with no potholes, and with sensible driving, we should have no problem. In fact we had no tyre problems at all. I think in the dry season a second wheel is perhaps overcautious. Very comfortable car, with plenty of space for both people and luggage.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Hard to think of anything. Just keep visiting places, listen to feedback and ensure you understand what is important for the client (even if he doesn't know himself!)" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"Namibia exceeded our expectations. Wonderful scenery and wildlife.

Wilderness safaris were efficient in notifiying me of the change of itinerary after the fire at Camp Kipwe" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip

"Probably the best family (of 4) holiday we have ever had. Great organisation from Expert Africa. Welcomed wherever we went.

The local Namibians were so helpful, and really keen for us to enjoy their country.

Some of the places where we stayed were in the most stunning locations.

In retrospect, we might have been better staying 3 nights in some places (Doro Nawas and Erongo leap to mind). But then, what would we have missed out? Probably Swakopmund, which is really only worth 2 nights if you wish to undertake specific activities such as sand-boarding etc.

We appreciate your tolerance as we added more members of the family!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The only bit of advice I would quibble with was the encouragement not to travel from Onguma to Windhoek in one day, but to take a break at Erongo. Onguma-Windhoek is only about 45 km further than Onguma-Erongo; and it is all on tarred road.

Having said that, we are so glad that we did visit Erongo (see that section) - we wouldn't have missed it for anything." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip