Reviews of trips to Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
930 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Swakop' & Walvis Bay.
Dr A & Mrs E
Berks
"All we could have wished for, and more!"
I visited Namibia between 15 Sep 2018 and 1 Oct 2018
"Really wonderful. Excellent choices throughout, with the exception of Safarihoek.
We would not recommend the detour via the Skeleton Coast, and 2 other groups had in fact been advised against it.
Also, distances on directions were not always accurate, and at Onguma, which we approached from the west, the gate was only 100 metres (not 500) from the park and was not signposted in that direction! We, as well as 2 other groups, ended up going past it for varying distances before turning back. Not good at the end of a day! We understand, however that a new sign is under construction.
We can recommend the one and a half hour Tour of Swakopmund Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, run by Charly'sTours. Really excellent, knowledgeable and intelligent guide with a good understanding of the wider African context.
Windhoek Airport is absolutely terrible and simply cannot cope with the increasing tourist load. It will only get worse, but is a terrible introduction and farewell to a beautiful country. Do pressurise the authorities on this. One working x-ray machine for baggage is ludicrous, and an hour and a half in a non-air-conditioned immigration hall on arrival rendered us dehydrated, dizzy and shaky!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
We would not recommend the detour via the Skeleton Coast, and 2 other groups had in fact been advised against it.
Also, distances on directions were not always accurate, and at Onguma, which we approached from the west, the gate was only 100 metres (not 500) from the park and was not signposted in that direction! We, as well as 2 other groups, ended up going past it for varying distances before turning back. Not good at the end of a day! We understand, however that a new sign is under construction.
We can recommend the one and a half hour Tour of Swakopmund Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, run by Charly'sTours. Really excellent, knowledgeable and intelligent guide with a good understanding of the wider African context.
Windhoek Airport is absolutely terrible and simply cannot cope with the increasing tourist load. It will only get worse, but is a terrible introduction and farewell to a beautiful country. Do pressurise the authorities on this. One working x-ray machine for baggage is ludicrous, and an hour and a half in a non-air-conditioned immigration hall on arrival rendered us dehydrated, dizzy and shaky!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Amigos
Spain
"My Sep 2018 trip"
I visited Namibia between 14 Sep 2018 and 1 Oct 2018
"We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Namibia and would definitely return.
Having undertaken a 17 night stay that involved 2600km of driving I think we would not do such an extensive trip again but it was a really good way to see the contrasting parts of the country and we know where we would spend more time in any future visit.
Every location we stayed at was good and even where we have comments regarding improvements this didn't really detract from our enjoyment. Generally service was very good and people very friendly.
As others have reported, driving is very easy and as a disabled driver using hand controls, I can confirm it still remains easy.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Very little to add as the overall experience was very good. We were very grateful for the time and effort Josh put in to help us arrange the hand controls on our vehicle.
Only one minor point is that the folder the trip material arrives in is a nice design, but unfortunately not that practical and it began to disintegrate early in the tour!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
Having undertaken a 17 night stay that involved 2600km of driving I think we would not do such an extensive trip again but it was a really good way to see the contrasting parts of the country and we know where we would spend more time in any future visit.
Every location we stayed at was good and even where we have comments regarding improvements this didn't really detract from our enjoyment. Generally service was very good and people very friendly.
As others have reported, driving is very easy and as a disabled driver using hand controls, I can confirm it still remains easy.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Very little to add as the overall experience was very good. We were very grateful for the time and effort Josh put in to help us arrange the hand controls on our vehicle.
Only one minor point is that the folder the trip material arrives in is a nice design, but unfortunately not that practical and it began to disintegrate early in the tour!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr A
Somerset
"My Sep 2018 trip"
I visited Namibia between 13 Sep 2018 and 27 Sep 2018
"SABINA PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT SERVICE
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
NO
I WAS DELIGHTED BY EVERYTHING EXPERT AFRICA DID FOR US AND WOULD CERTAINLY RECOMMEND YOU TO OTHERS - INFACT I ALREADY HAVE THREE TIMES!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
NO
I WAS DELIGHTED BY EVERYTHING EXPERT AFRICA DID FOR US AND WOULD CERTAINLY RECOMMEND YOU TO OTHERS - INFACT I ALREADY HAVE THREE TIMES!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs R
Aberdeen
"Expert Africa lived up to their name again"
I visited Namibia between 8 Sep 2018 and 4 Oct 2018
"We enjoyed everything about our long Namibia trip.
All logistics worked efficiently and all our accommodation was excellent. We always seemed to be in the best rooms at the best lodges and again we were lucky with our game viewing.
Yet again Expert Africa exceeded our expectations. Thanks to Tracy
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
A warning about the problems that people with UK mobile phones with service suspended on outgoing calls.
A lot of people are having this problem" Read full review: 26 nights in Africa; 24 on a Namibia trip
All logistics worked efficiently and all our accommodation was excellent. We always seemed to be in the best rooms at the best lodges and again we were lucky with our game viewing.
Yet again Expert Africa exceeded our expectations. Thanks to Tracy
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
A warning about the problems that people with UK mobile phones with service suspended on outgoing calls.
A lot of people are having this problem" Read full review: 26 nights in Africa; 24 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr D.
Chelmsford
"My Sep 2018 trip"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 7 Sep 2018 and 4 Oct 2018
"Overall an excellent trip which showed off the diversity of Namibia
The only aspect of the trip that was poor was Windhoek airport - a disaster area with no concept of care for travellers - particularly immigration Not a good advertisement to encourage travellers!" Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip
The only aspect of the trip that was poor was Windhoek airport - a disaster area with no concept of care for travellers - particularly immigration Not a good advertisement to encourage travellers!" Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Family A
Scarborough
"My Sep 2018 trip"
I visited Namibia and 3 other countries between 5 Sep 2018 and 2 Oct 2018
"This was our third trip with Expert Africa and our biggest. I had planned this trip over a couple of years to celebrate my retirement and was not disappointed.
I would change a few things, with hindsight.
Erongo deserves at least two nights. Trust me.
Zimbabwe was a challenge. Getting in took ages. We did not feel at all welcome. I would advise staying in Zambia and travelling in to see the Falls.
As a general rule, lodges where you are able to go off road are better. The exception this rule is Chobe, just because of the scale of the wildlife experience that you are exposed to.
In future (God willing), I would transit through Jo'burg faster.
See you in a coupe of years, God willing.
I would be tempted by a lodge with perhaps more water based activities in the delta.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No.
Keep doing what you are doing." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
I would change a few things, with hindsight.
Erongo deserves at least two nights. Trust me.
Zimbabwe was a challenge. Getting in took ages. We did not feel at all welcome. I would advise staying in Zambia and travelling in to see the Falls.
As a general rule, lodges where you are able to go off road are better. The exception this rule is Chobe, just because of the scale of the wildlife experience that you are exposed to.
In future (God willing), I would transit through Jo'burg faster.
See you in a coupe of years, God willing.
I would be tempted by a lodge with perhaps more water based activities in the delta.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No.
Keep doing what you are doing." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
W Midlands
"Simply a wonderful trip"
I visited Namibia between 4 Sep 2018 and 15 Sep 2018
"We cannot praise Expert Africa highly enough. All your recommendations were spot on, there were no hiccups, and there were some little personal touches, such as marking up the locations of our lodges on the map, which we had no right to expect.
We did not see all Namibia has to offer but enough to appreciate how much it has to offer and be able to confidently recommend others to go. We would also recommend others to opt for the larger car. The driving was a joy. Although the distances varied each day we reached our destinations by 2 pm every day except the last and this allowed us to relax and, from Hohenstein, enjoy a swim,
Indeed the quality of the lodges (accommodation and food); their locations and scenery; and the chance to experience the cool freshness in the early morning and relax with a drink as the sun went down; were probably as important in our enjoyment as seeing the amazing dunes and the rich variety of game animals.
So, a huge thank you
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We are lost to think of anything" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
We did not see all Namibia has to offer but enough to appreciate how much it has to offer and be able to confidently recommend others to go. We would also recommend others to opt for the larger car. The driving was a joy. Although the distances varied each day we reached our destinations by 2 pm every day except the last and this allowed us to relax and, from Hohenstein, enjoy a swim,
Indeed the quality of the lodges (accommodation and food); their locations and scenery; and the chance to experience the cool freshness in the early morning and relax with a drink as the sun went down; were probably as important in our enjoyment as seeing the amazing dunes and the rich variety of game animals.
So, a huge thank you
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We are lost to think of anything" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs Braddock
UK
"Namibia Trip"
I visited Namibia between 4 Sep 2018 and 20 Sep 2018
"I have always said that I would set foot on all seven continents before I was dead and gone and although I had been to Tunisia and Eqypt and therefore have set foot on the African continent it was never the "Africa" that comes to mind. But the seventh continent under our belt I never really considered a safari seriously until some friends went to Namibia with Expert Africa. They were full of praise for their experience with Expert Africa and Namibia in particular and so we gave it a go and how very VERY glad we did!!!!
We have fallen in love with Namibia, a beautiful vast country with helpful friendly people wherever we went and not just in the Lodges. The vast distances to travel over also do not detract from the experience but indeed add to it making me certainly feel I have travelled and experienced Africa to the fullest.
This trip has certainly eaten into my soul and that of my wife dictating that we will return to not just Namibia but also to neighbouring countries to see more of this fabulous continent and experience the wildlife up close and personal. As a photographer it has been a dream and trawling through my photographs I am longing to return!!!!!
Thank you Africa, Thank you Namibia, Thank you Expert Africa and Thank you Josh Flatman for your valued help and patience in arranging such a wonderful experience...............do you need a mystery shopper to go out for you to check on the Lodges?????????
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Absolutely none!!!!!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
We have fallen in love with Namibia, a beautiful vast country with helpful friendly people wherever we went and not just in the Lodges. The vast distances to travel over also do not detract from the experience but indeed add to it making me certainly feel I have travelled and experienced Africa to the fullest.
This trip has certainly eaten into my soul and that of my wife dictating that we will return to not just Namibia but also to neighbouring countries to see more of this fabulous continent and experience the wildlife up close and personal. As a photographer it has been a dream and trawling through my photographs I am longing to return!!!!!
Thank you Africa, Thank you Namibia, Thank you Expert Africa and Thank you Josh Flatman for your valued help and patience in arranging such a wonderful experience...............do you need a mystery shopper to go out for you to check on the Lodges?????????
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Absolutely none!!!!!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
A and A
Cossington
"My Aug 2018 trip"
I visited Namibia between 30 Aug 2018 and 16 Sep 2018
"Namibia was wonderful - so much more colourful than we expected.
The typical Namibian lodge we stayed in was in a good location (a bit of a drive from the main road), had well appointed rooms with a view, a warm welcome, a sundowner spot or drive, a 'signature' activity, and a nice dinner and breakfast. Service in general was good everywhere. 2 night stops in most locations worked well - we generally needed a full day to do whatever the 'signature' activity was.
Our highlights were Fish River canyon - it's a long, long drive south, but really worth it, Tok Tokkie Trails - sleeping under the stars, and Etosha - Okaukuejo camp facilities weren't great, but the water hole made it so much better than staying outside the park.
4WD car essential, together with an ipod for the long drives and in September in the south the nights were very cold - need jacket and a hat!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Can't fault anything about the trip.
We had a couple of problems - delayed bag, forgotten Kindle, on both of which we were helped by the local team - thank you!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
The typical Namibian lodge we stayed in was in a good location (a bit of a drive from the main road), had well appointed rooms with a view, a warm welcome, a sundowner spot or drive, a 'signature' activity, and a nice dinner and breakfast. Service in general was good everywhere. 2 night stops in most locations worked well - we generally needed a full day to do whatever the 'signature' activity was.
Our highlights were Fish River canyon - it's a long, long drive south, but really worth it, Tok Tokkie Trails - sleeping under the stars, and Etosha - Okaukuejo camp facilities weren't great, but the water hole made it so much better than staying outside the park.
4WD car essential, together with an ipod for the long drives and in September in the south the nights were very cold - need jacket and a hat!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Can't fault anything about the trip.
We had a couple of problems - delayed bag, forgotten Kindle, on both of which we were helped by the local team - thank you!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Dr D & Prof H
UK
"Namibia August/September 2018"
I visited Namibia between 27 Aug 2018 and 15 Sep 2018
"Our trip was absolutely outstanding in every way. We didn't want to leave and we are already planning our next visit. From picking up our hire car at Windhoek airport to our last stop in Okonjima the whole trip ran smoothly and without a single hitch. Self-driving was a dream - much more relaxing than driving in the UK/Europe. The landscape and wildlife are stunning.
The advice we received at Expert Africa was second to none and Tom always allowed us as much time as we wanted to ask numerous questions; we never felt rushed into making a decision. We'd have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Expert Africa to friends and family.
The highlights of our trip were, without question: (i) our stay at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge - we can't wait to go back there; (ii) the rich and diverse wildlife we saw from our base in Namutoni, Etosha; (iii) our stay at Okonjima Bush Camp. On reflection we wouldn't return to Okaukuejo Camp - sadly the accommodation is in need of an upgrade.
In short, 'out of this world'." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
The advice we received at Expert Africa was second to none and Tom always allowed us as much time as we wanted to ask numerous questions; we never felt rushed into making a decision. We'd have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Expert Africa to friends and family.
The highlights of our trip were, without question: (i) our stay at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge - we can't wait to go back there; (ii) the rich and diverse wildlife we saw from our base in Namutoni, Etosha; (iii) our stay at Okonjima Bush Camp. On reflection we wouldn't return to Okaukuejo Camp - sadly the accommodation is in need of an upgrade.
In short, 'out of this world'." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
930
reviews of Swakop' & Walvis Bay by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
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Inspire meWhere to stay in Swakop' & Walvis Bay
Our suggestions for places to stay in Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
Cornerstone Guesthouse
Cornerstone Guesthouse is a small friendly B&B in a peaceful residential area. It's just a short walk from Swkopmund's waterfront & amenities.
Strand Hotel
One of the larger hotels in Swakopmund, the Strand is well-placed on the seafront with good access to restaurants and the centre of town.
The Stiltz
Not your typical guesthouse, The Stiltz occupies a glorious location over the Swakop River on the edge of Swakopmund.
Villa Margherita
Villa Margherita is a beautifully renovated B&B in the heart of Swakopmund, with comfortable, well-appointed rooms, and friendly and attentive staff.
Beach Lodge
Right on the sea front, Beach Lodge offers good standard accommodation and its own restaurant, 15 minutes’ drive from Swakopmund.
Lagoon Lodge
Lagoon Lodge is a quirky little guesthouse located right on the edge of Walvis Bay Lagoon, a good spot for watching the flamingoes that frequent the area.
The Delight
Colourful and contemporary in style, The Delight is a relatively large hotel within a short walk of Swakopmund's waterfront, restaurants and main attractions.
Swakopmund Guesthouse
Swakopmund Guesthouse is a family-run B&B, boasting comfortable and high-quality rooms with a maritime touch.
Brigadoon
In a quiet residential location, Brigadoon is conveniently located for the Swakopmund waterfront and amenities.
Hansa Hotel
With a very central location in Swakopmund, the traditional Hansa Hotel is reliably good, though it is quite formal.
Secret Garden
Secret Garden Guesthouse is well located in the centre of Swakopmund not far from the sea. With a seaside feel, it has its own small restaurant and bar.
Desert Breeze
Not your typical Swakopmund guesthouse, Desert Breeze occupies a glorious location overlooking the Swakop River and the desert beyond.
Cornerstone Apartments
Cornerstone Guesthouse’s three self-catering apartments, each in its own unique location, work well for families or groups of travellers seeking space & privacy within a comfortable, contemporary setting.
Pelican Point Lodge
Pelican Point Lodge sits on a remote peninsula offering panoramic views of the ocean and is only accessible by 4WD or boat.
Namib Guesthouse
The Namib Guesthouse is a small, modern B&B, set in Swakopmund's peaceful Kramersdorf area. It's just a short walk from the coast and many amenities.
Oyster Box Guesthouse
Oyster Box Guesthouse is a small, modern and comfortable B&B, overlooking Walvis Bay Lagoon.
Pearls Beach Pods
With a beachfront location, superb sea views and easy access to the amenities of Swakopmund, The Pearls Beach Pods combine privacy with a high standard of luxury.
Swakopmund Sands
The relatively substantial Swakopmund Sands Hotel lies in a quiet area of the town, close to the beach yet within walking distance of tourist amenities.
