Reviews of trips to Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
908 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Swakop' & Walvis Bay.
"A month in 2015"
Wolwedans not worth the premium. Sossusvlei over-hyped.
Country excellent and the locals very helpful. Stunning scenery.
Africat / Okonjima, Etendeka and Skeleton Coast were highlights
Martha was a star. Shame she's not there any longer." Read full review: 30 nights in Africa; 27 on a Namibia trip
"Excellent and stress free organisation"
The information you provided before we left was excellent. It was easy to find the lodges and you told us what we needed to know about how things worked in Namibia. We also found the guidebook to be very helpful.
Just so you know, the bakery in Outjo has been knocked down and is being rebuilt. Also, there is now a petrol station at the airport which is not restricted to hire firms.
Also we found a gem of a place in Uis where we stopped for coffee. It's called The Cactus Coffee Shop and Garden Centre. The setting is idyllic and we wanted to stay all day. The coffee is very good, the gardens are attractive and there are bird feeders which attract the birds as you drink and eat. You sit in the shade and are soothed by gentle classical music. Bliss!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Perhaps offer alternatives to the Wilderness Safaris lodges? Perhaps offer slightly less luxurious but still comfortable accommodation to reduce the costs? With hindsight we would perhaps have preferred to spend more on the car and a little less on the accommodation." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"Our trip to Namibia"
We received excellent advice and support from Martha Young. What we loved about the trip was the flexibility it gave us while planning every day. At the same time the most stressful and time consuming things such as accommodation research, distances, etc were done for us. This approach let us enjoy every moment of our trip. The communication with us was excellent from the very first moment. We felt we were well informed; the brochures, maps, leaflets, baggage tags and the wallet for vouchers were a great idea.
If we decide to go to Africa once again, we will book a trip with Expert Africa for sure. Thank you!!!!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
You are excellent!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"The best trip we've enjoyed for many years"
However, you must enjoy driving off tarmac and be OK with being on unmade roads with very little traffic and longish drives. A 4x4 really is worth the extra in terms of comfort and is capable of withstanding the occasional miscalculation on dry riverbed crossings!
The countryside is stunning desert, big and empty - which may or may not be to everyone's taste, but Mad Max Fury Road had inspired us to go. The wildlife was amazing and unforgettable, all the people we met were friendly, knowledgeable and the service we had everywhere we stayed was as good as anywhere we have been in the UK.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We really don't. The whole booking experience was a joy." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2015 trip"
I suspect this is because of our discussions with Expert Africa staff who took the time to find out exactly what we wanted, and then planned the trip accordingly.
I cannot speak highly enough about the planning and organisation which had obviously gone into this trip. Thank you again Martha." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 24 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2015 trip"
We felt comfortable all the time, saw some fantastic wildlife and some had excellent food and wines. Everything was planned for us and went exactly to plan the accommodation throughout could not be faulted. It's given us some inspiration to plan another visit." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
"Trip of a lifetime (so far!)"
We first contacted you with a rough itinerary, which was much improved by Tracy's many suggestions and her acceptance that I was trying to keep costs down for the bulk of the trip. You booked us into 15 different places to stay and all were very acceptable, with most good/excellent." Read full review: 36 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2015 trip"
The only thing we would perhaps have changed was to get a 4 wheel drive or AWD drive vehicle to give us greater peace of mind driving on gravel or sandy roads. Our thanks to Maruska for her excellent suggestions for lodges and very rapid responses to all our queries." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"My Sep 2015 trip"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Be aware that Wilderness often have big tours at their sites. Also Erongo brochure says 2 hours to airport it is 3.
Namibia as a country is friendly and non threatening. Never felt unsafe." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
"A wonderful experience"
It was all a wonderful experience. Firstly I must put a word in for Mack Air as there didn't seem to be anywhere to put that. We were concerned and a bit anxious about the small flights but the service and professionalism from the pilots was excellent and made the whole experience fine.
All the places we booked were good, each different and interesting. Of course not having been to Africa before or been on a safari holiday before it is difficult to understand what it is going to be like even though we read all the information and listened to all the advice there is nothing like the experience of actually being there.
In no particular order we felt that the camps in Botswana seemed more geared up to 2 night stays and in fact 2 nights felt perfectly fine though before we went I thought 2 nights might feel a bit tight. In fact sometimes our 3 night stays felt as if the guides were looking for things to do. I loved Botswana, particularly the Okavanga Delta and would go back there.
Though we were a bit concerned about driving ourselves round Namibia as 2 women on our own in our late 50s and 60s, in fact it was very easy. We loved Cape Cross and Walvis Bay, both fine for 1 night stays. I would want to stay 2 nights in Okonjima in the Bush camp, a very pleasant place to stay. It was me who insisted on staying in Okaukeujo and it was fine though I think if I was advising someone else I would suggest somewhere smaller with better food.
I also would not go back to the Zambezi Sun, it was the only place we were disappointed with. Everyone is different but we both realised how important a breakfast and dinner view is for us and a view of the Zambezi rather than corporate hospitality is worth paying for.
We loved South Africa and will probably go back there sometime. All in all we loved it and love Africa, it is like no other place I've ever been to.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I cant think of anything. My sister and I did talk about how difficult it must be to advise people on where to stay and where to go. You did really well so thank you. The only thing that might have helped us not go to the Zambezi Sun was either us telling you the sort of hotel we usually stay in when we travel or you asking." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
Where 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.
Sam's Giardino
Welcoming, professionally run, and mildly eccentric, Sam’s Giardino lifts the level of hospitality in Swakopmund to unusual heights.
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 G'house
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.
Sandfields Guesthouse
Friendly Sandfields guesthouse is a cosy and inviting place to stay just north of Swakopmund town centre, and is particularly suitable for families with children.
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.
Sea Breeze
Just north of Swakopmund, the delightful Sea Breeze Guesthouse is bright and well-looked after with welcoming and helpful owners.
Organic Square
Organic Square is a modern guesthouse across two properties in the centre of Swakopmund.
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.
Intermezzo
In a quiet residential area just north of the town centre, Intermezzo Guesthouse is a comfortable and bright place to stay while in Swakopmund.
Zum Kaiser Hotel
Hotel Zum Kaiser (formerly Swakopmund Boutique Hotel) is fairly large by Swakopmund standards, but has a good location in the centre of town, near to the beach.
Oyster Box Guesthouse
Oyster Box Guesthouse is a small, modern and comfortable B&B, overlooking Walvis Bay Lagoon.
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.
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.
