Namibia: reviews from our travellers

"Our trip was wonderful - we enjoyed it very much. The information Maruska provided when we were initially planning the trip helped to arrange a trip that suited our interests and desires. We believe the initial phone conversation was essential to the process, as Maruska was able to find out what we were hoping to do, and she knew the right questions to ask in order to better understand what we were looking for (both in terms of what we wanted to see and do, and what was most important to us.) Once she understood that seeing different habitats and wildlife, with good guides, were our priorities, she was able to suggest camps to fulfill these priorities.

Maruska also understood that luxury accommodation and gourmet food were not important to us; we just wanted comfortable, safe accommodation (though we found all our accommodations and food great). Our discussions with Maruska helped tremendouly, since we were not familiar with the camps in Botswana and how it all works (camps, activities, transport).

Also, her extensive knowledge of Namibia assisted us in deciding exactly what we wanted to do there and how we could do it. We really appreciated her knowlegde of both the regions and activities, and the practical knowledge of what was possible (e.g., roads, distances, driving times, etc.). Everything worked out extremely well.

I have one additional comment regarding the camps in Botswana. We really enjoyed Mapula Lodge, which was very relaxed and did not have so many guests. Our stay at Mapula was very special, even though we saw more game at the other two lodges. Although we enjoyed all three camps, the atmosphere at Mapula was most appealing to us, as we really like to take our time watching the wildlife, not rushing from one animal to another.

We realize every visit is probably different, and we were lucky to be at Mapula with only two other guests. But one thing we would definitely look for in the future (after having experienced the camps), is camps that have no more than four guests in a vehicle. It is just a much better experience to drive through the habitats and see the animals with only two or four guests in the vehicle. Luckily, we only had two game drives with six guests - but those two drives were not nearly as enjoyable as the others. With six guests, there was a lot more talking, and it was hard to appreciate the sounds of the animals and the land, sounds that enhanced the amazing things we saw.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I only have one suggestion. We never received our final documents (including map and luggage tags) by mail. Although this did not affect our trip, since Maruska e-mailed all the necessary documents, it might help to send the final document package by special post (with some sort of tracking) rather that just by regular mail. One other idea is that the final document package could have been sent again by fast post when we still had not received the package 10 days before departure. As I mentioned, it did not affect our satisfaction with the trip, and Wilderness Safaris at Windhoek airport had a map of Namibia ready for us when we arrived.

Thank you for a great trip!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Our 2 week tour of Namibia was the best holiday ever. After fears that our plans would be scuppered by the exceptional rains in April / early May, we were blessed with no rains during our visit, and completed our planned route despite the many appalling potholes and water-filled 'dips' in both the gravel roads and also within Windhoek itself. Sabina was diligent in juggling lodge reservations to fit in with the dates we could make, and was happy to discuss and provide advice whenever necessary - many thanks. We were struck by the variety of the places we saw - Klein Windhoek & Katatura township; delightful walks amongst wild flowers and along gorges in the Naukluft mountains; the sweltering desert heat in the dunes at Deadvlei; indulgent seafood and historic architecture in sunny Swakopmund; more walking in the rocky Erongo mountains; and a wealth of animals at Etosha and Okonjima." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"We went for the animals and the scenery which were wonderful and totally lived up to expectations but I hadnt expected to be so entranced by the people who looked after us. They were just amazing, genuine, dignified, informed, funny,. It was such a priviledge to have that experience and i will never forget ithem.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Just keep doing what you are doing so well. Maruska was great, listened to us and was very knowledgeable which helped enormously.She was very good, answered our questions very promptly. We also met some other people whose trip she planned and they were also extremely happy with her." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip

"We had a fantastic time in Namibia and would reccommend it to anyone.

One reason for visiting in May was that after the wet season there would be a greener landscape and less dust in the air ... well that was certainly true! The rains had delivered 2-3 times the average amount and everywhere was very lush, making the scenery spectacular.

With so much water around there were no concentrations of game at the waterholes but we still saw plenty of wildlife in most places.

The rains meant that some smaller roads were washed away or in poor condition so some journeys took longer than expected.
A SUV class vehicle was absolutely vital - a normal saloon car would not have made it on some of the gravel roads. Anyone going at this time of year should book a SUV or 4x4. Having said that, the main tarred roads were actually in much better condition than expected.

Thanks to Angela for all the work and advice on our itinerary, everything went very smoothly. The only hint of regret is that after all the rain we didn't see the "real" Namibia ... ah well, maybe next time!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"One of the best holidays we have ever had. What an adventure. The organisation was second to none. We could do it all over again. Indeed we didn't want to come home!!

Recommend you change the Mazambala though - unless there is a change of management!

You will undoubtedly be hearing from us again" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"For one person it was the best holiday ever, and the for other person the best few weeks of their life. The scenery as ever was stunningly beautiful. We were privilaged to see Namibia after unusually heavy rainfall and to see it so green with incredibly tall grass. But also to witness the Uniab River in full flood was quite something.

It was good to be with Vincent again and he was a very big part of making the trip such a sucess. We particularly enjoyed the camping, it was wonderful to be out away from everything and enjoy the peace and sounds of the bush. And it was wonderful to explore the more remote and wilder areas of Namibia. We would not have attempted this on our own, we also learnt so much more from Vincent and Simpson.

On the self drive part the distance between Lodges was not far so the driving was not tiring. So we always arrived in time to relax and go on an activity in the afternoon. We did a lot more walking on this trip which was great and it gave us more of an opportunity to talk to the guides and other lodge staff, and learn more about life in Namibia. We were very impressed with the high level of service from everyone, with the exception Of Budget car hire. It was also great to have been out with two of Namibia's top guides Vincent and Bruno.

The trip had been extremely well planned and a lot of effort went into it making it such a wonderful trip. However we discovered that there was no need to stay in Walvis Bay on the last night as Swakopmund is just as easy to get to the airport. We felt it would have been better to have spent the last night at Swakopmund and to have dropped the car off at the Budget Office there, with an airport transfer as we had on arrival.

We look forward to planning our next trip with Sabina's help and we are very grateful for everything she has done so far. Plus Vincent and Simpson should get a nomination for guide and camp assistant of the year.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We have nothing to add as we can not think of any possibe improvements that are within your control. Other than to put pressure on Budget to improve their service." Read full review: 26 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"..." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip

"Without doubt one of if not the best hollidays we have ever had.

There are so many highlights it is difficult to specify in particular, but Africat stand out.

Apart fron Halali the lodges where all of a very high standard, with friendly efficient service being the norm.
We cannot wait to go again.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

A minor niggle we had was over the use of 200 Rand notes, after being told they would not be accepted we changed most of ours to lower demoninations, when we got to Namibia we found that everybody accepted the ones we had left over, even the craft stalls and filling stations.

Apart from this one thing we found Exprt Africa to be superb, Sabina organised a fantastic holliday for us." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"This was a fairly last minute trip that I decided upon between leaving one job and starting the next and was designed to draw a line under the former and refresh me in preparation for the latter. It worked a treat.

The arrangements through Expert Africa were simple despite a change of schedule due to availability, communications were easy - mostly email with the occasional phone call, and everything went to plan whilst I was there, with all transfers working perfectly.

I normally plan and book my own holidays directly but as this was my first time in Africa, I wanted some local knowledge and expertise, and Expert Africa provided this to make it all painless. I don't hesitate to recommend them." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari

"This trip was a fantastic experience and everything we hoped it would be. Aside from all the normal sights you would go to Namibia for, this was a very easy, convenient and hassle free holiday.

Everywhere we went we almost unfailingly experienced friendly, smiling people happy to help us (staff or others). The advice and assistance in planning the trip from Expert Africa was very good." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip