Reviews of Cape Cross Lodge
Wildlife sightings and reviews
63 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Cape Cross Lodge and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Mar-2019, 6 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Cape Cross Lodge.
Brown Hyena
0% success
Meerkat
0% success
Oryx
0% success
Mr V
Netherlands
"Cape Cross Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 28 Aug 2008
"Very friendly and helpful staff ! They even washed the dirt off our car without being asked and helped us with our flat tire.
The lodge is right on the beach - great location - and the room is fantastic, in marine-style and with a view on the wide ocean. Perfect!" See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
The lodge is right on the beach - great location - and the room is fantastic, in marine-style and with a view on the wide ocean. Perfect!" See all these reviews: 9n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Jacana family
Bristol
"Seas, sand, surf and strolls"
2 nights Arrived 26 Jul 2008
"We spent two days at Cape Cross and thoroughly enjoyed it. Arrived mid-afternoon after kayaking trip and were greeted with coffee and cakes (delicious). This was the nearest to a "conventional" hotel that we encountered on the trip. Nice sitting area with fire at night, good bar service and lovely dining room. Patio has breakfast time visits from jackals drinking from water bowl. Sea front rooms fairly basic, but nice views of sunsets. A great place to chill out for a day after earlier long days on the road and early starts.
We walked cross to seal colony, entering by main gate, but were given permission to return to hotel using short cut along beach. Total walk an easy 9km with plenty of wildlife to see on way. Spent prolonged period photographing colony. In afternoon walked along beach in northerly direction.
Scenery fascinating, but curiously unsatisfying to do a walk in the knowledge that the scenery will look pretty much the same however long one walks. Had been attracted to Namibia by adventure stories of the skeleton coast, but was very grateful for advice from Expert Africa not to spend too much time exploring this area." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
We walked cross to seal colony, entering by main gate, but were given permission to return to hotel using short cut along beach. Total walk an easy 9km with plenty of wildlife to see on way. Spent prolonged period photographing colony. In afternoon walked along beach in northerly direction.
Scenery fascinating, but curiously unsatisfying to do a walk in the knowledge that the scenery will look pretty much the same however long one walks. Had been attracted to Namibia by adventure stories of the skeleton coast, but was very grateful for advice from Expert Africa not to spend too much time exploring this area." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Average
Food:
Excellent
Pangolin family
UK
"Cape Cross Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 19 Jul 2008
"Excellent location for exploring the Skeleton Coast and a short distance from the seal colony, though mercifully without the smell.
Rooms have a cool nautical feel although the beds are a bit squeaky. The lounge area is comfortable and cosy around the fire. Staff were welcoming and helpful - it felt a very friendly place.
Everything, including the water, has to be brought in and the high standards are remarkable in the circumstances." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Rooms have a cool nautical feel although the beds are a bit squeaky. The lounge area is comfortable and cosy around the fire. Staff were welcoming and helpful - it felt a very friendly place.
Everything, including the water, has to be brought in and the high standards are remarkable in the circumstances." See all these reviews: 12n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Suricate family
Hale
"Cape Cross Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 10 Jul 2008
"An entirely acceptable stop-over, ideally situated for the seal colony and the Skeleton Coast, with dramatic sea views and sunsets from bedroom balconies. Would be LOVELY in warmer weather."
See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Facilities:
Average
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Sitatungas
Sterling
"Cape Cross Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 28 Jun 2008
"Great location on the beachfront and close to the seal colony. The building is modern and makes no concessions to 'safari' style, but then it has to withstand the coastal climate. Facilities and food were excellent, and a walk along the beach near sunset a break from the desert inalnd.
One issue may be the construction of holiday apartments close by, which must detract from the setting. They are in compatible style and probably developed by the lodge itself . The environmental impact of more developoment here could be negative." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
One issue may be the construction of holiday apartments close by, which must detract from the setting. They are in compatible style and probably developed by the lodge itself . The environmental impact of more developoment here could be negative." See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Mr P & Mrs C
UK
"Cape Cross Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 6 Jun 2008
"The food was excellent"
See all these reviews: 19n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Photographer
IOM
"Cape Cross Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 19 Feb 2008
"Excellent decor. They did really well to serve such good food in such a remote location."
See all these reviews: 14n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Mr & Ms Rockjumper
UK
"Cape Cross Lodge mixed experience"
1 night Arrived 16 Feb 2008
"We had booked a room without a sea view (to save a bit of money) but that was the wrong decision. These rooms had no views at all and were subjected to noise from the generator while it was on. We were puzzled why such rooms were offered at all, especially at these prices.
In any event, we swapped for a sea view (and paid the extra), and the room and the view were excellent. The communal facilities were like a luxury hotel but they had an odd feel because there were very few guests. Also - and in our view this is a serious crime in a place like this! - they had piped music in the dining and bar areas. I can't imagine any guest would ever want to listen to this and I would really recommend that they don't turn it on.
Our dinner was fine, though rather elaborate and fussy for our tastes. Breakfast was good.
Our only reason for staying there was to be close to the seal colony and that worked fine. However, next time we would probably aim to get to the seal colony earlier and then move on to stay somewhere else." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
In any event, we swapped for a sea view (and paid the extra), and the room and the view were excellent. The communal facilities were like a luxury hotel but they had an odd feel because there were very few guests. Also - and in our view this is a serious crime in a place like this! - they had piped music in the dining and bar areas. I can't imagine any guest would ever want to listen to this and I would really recommend that they don't turn it on.
Our dinner was fine, though rather elaborate and fussy for our tastes. Breakfast was good.
Our only reason for staying there was to be close to the seal colony and that worked fine. However, next time we would probably aim to get to the seal colony earlier and then move on to stay somewhere else." See all these reviews: 16n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Mr T & Ms M
W Molesey
"Cape Cross Lodge review"
1 night Arrived 17 Dec 2007
"First time visit to this lodge and it was a good choice for a one night stay.
Very friendly and helpful staff." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia
Very friendly and helpful staff." See all these reviews: 18n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Good
Service:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Mr Sand Martin
UK
"Cape Cross Lodge review"
2 nights Arrived 21 Oct 2007
"The lodge is situated a long way from anywhere - the only thing nearby is the Seal colony, but for people wanting to visit the seal colony then this lodge is an excellent place to stay. There is a water supply outside which attracts jackals and the occasional brown hyena to drink.
My only concern is that if Namibia continues to cull so many seals then the colony which is already a fraction of the size it was 6 years ago when I last visited, will simply cease to be worth visiting and this lodge will then struggle." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
My only concern is that if Namibia continues to cull so many seals then the colony which is already a fraction of the size it was 6 years ago when I last visited, will simply cease to be worth visiting and this lodge will then struggle." See all these reviews: 17n in Namibia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Average
Service:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Feedback Response
We are aware that seal culling/harvesting is practised in Namibia. Whilst we don't agree with the practice, we are assured that Namibia is doing this in a sustainable way – and we believe this to be the case.
Historically, seal culling was at its height here when Namibia was a colony! Since then, the largest number of seals recorded along Namibia's west coast was in 1993, shortly after independence. The latest scientific information (from Namibia’s Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resources) suggests that Namibia’s overall seal population is in a very healthy condition, with an increase in the number of pups and also new colonies along the coast in the last decade.
Visitors to Cape Cross (or any of Namibia’s other colonies) should note that the numbers of seals found at the colony vary substantially with the breeding and feeding seasons of the seals. They come ashore to breed, but spend many months feeding and migrating at sea – so it’s quite possible to come once and find the colony packed full, and back six months later to find far fewer animals. This doesn’t necessarily reflect the overall population, and may be a perfectly normal fluctuation.
Although we are not in favour of seal harvesting, Expert Africa will continue to support Namibia and the many positive wildlife, conservation and community projects which are thriving there.
Historically, seal culling was at its height here when Namibia was a colony! Since then, the largest number of seals recorded along Namibia's west coast was in 1993, shortly after independence. The latest scientific information (from Namibia’s Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resources) suggests that Namibia’s overall seal population is in a very healthy condition, with an increase in the number of pups and also new colonies along the coast in the last decade.
Visitors to Cape Cross (or any of Namibia’s other colonies) should note that the numbers of seals found at the colony vary substantially with the breeding and feeding seasons of the seals. They come ashore to breed, but spend many months feeding and migrating at sea – so it’s quite possible to come once and find the colony packed full, and back six months later to find far fewer animals. This doesn’t necessarily reflect the overall population, and may be a perfectly normal fluctuation.
Although we are not in favour of seal harvesting, Expert Africa will continue to support Namibia and the many positive wildlife, conservation and community projects which are thriving there.
"Africa Specialist"
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Other lodges in Skeleton Coast & Kaokoland
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Hoanib Skeleton Camp
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp is actually situated 42km inland in Kaokoland, this said they offer a superb guided day trip to the coast.
Terrace Bay
Terrace Bay is bleak. However, those that stay here come to experience the remote and inhospitable nature of the Skeleton Coast.
Serra Cafema
The luxurious Serra Cafema is in the most remote corner of Namibia - at the north end of Hartmann's Valley, across the Kunene River from Angola.
Skeleton Coast Safaris
Skeleton Coast Safaris is a small, family-run operation that has organized trips here for 20 years.
Hoanib Valley Camp
The intimate and remote Hoanib Valley Camp offers a rare chance to explore this dramatic corner of Namibia and to search for its sparse desert-adapted wildlife.
Shipwreck Lodge
The only property on this desolate stretch of coastline, the extraordinary Shipwreck Lodge opens up a new section of the Skeleton Coast National Park
Opuwo Country Lodge
Opuwo Country Hotel provides comfortable accommodation is well situated for a night's stop before travelling into remote parts of Kaokoland.
Epupa Camp
Epupa Camp is a welcoming oasis set on the palm-fringed banks of the Kunene River in north-west Namibia and close to Epupa Falls.
Kunene River Camp
Used exclusively on Schoeman's Skeleton Coast Safaris, Kunene River Camp occupies a pretty location on the banks of the Kunene River.
Okahirongo Ele. Lodge
Tucked away in Namibia's far northwest Okahirongo Elephant Lodge offers luxurious chalets, with stunning views and plenty of activities.
Leylandsdrift Camp
Used exclusively on the Schoeman's skeleton cost safaris, Leylandsdrift Camp is a great place to track desert elephant.
Kuidas Camp
Kuidas Camp is usually the first-night stop on a Schoeman's safari. It is a very simple camp with stunning views of the Huab River Valley.
