Reviews of trips to Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
909 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Swakop' & Walvis Bay.
"A dream trip"
It was only once we got there that we realised the extent to which that knowledge and experience had been used to shape our trip into something that worked well for us and gave us a much better experience than we could have put together for ourselves. The advice and guidance, with some small exceptions, covered everything we needed to know to make life easy.
The exceptions - for me they were the lack of any obvious guidance on driving on sand roads (it's in the guidebook but I didn't see that until we were stuck), the detailed instructions for finding the wrong Erongo Lodge and something on the ubiquitous car guards would have been useful. My husband would have liked advice on going faster on the gravel roads when they're in poor condition - that was the local advice we were given and it certainly made the bumpier stretches less painful.
I can see however that there are inherent dangers in that and that it is important that less skillful drivers recognise that anything over 60-80kph could have unfortunate effects.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Any omissions were very minor. I'd be happy yo use you again and have certainly been recommending you to friends." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia for the first time"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Can't think of anything other than already mentioned." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"Trip of a life time"
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
A little more information on the weather. Did not expect it to be so consistently cold every evening except for our first evening in Windhoek or to be so windy." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip
"Trip of a life time"
Never to be forgotton but will loose all our friends raving about it!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Hard to think how you could have improved it. I think it was a shame we did not listen to the advice regarding our last camp in Botswana and feel she should have told us how little wild life ther was at Selinda. She did inform us the wild life was not as good here but there was very little." Read full review: 33 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"A fantastic and memorable trip to namibia"
Our concern before we left was that we might have chosen too many places with too much driving inbetween. As it turned out, the journeys between places were some of our best experiences. We drove 2,300 miles in total and it was a pleasure. We would love to have stayed in places longer, but the itinerary really worked well.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just to try and ensure that the vegetarian information gets through to the chef! Easier said than done, I know.
I'm sure they must find it frustrating to find out they have to make something else when the guest is actually sitting at the table.
We did actually make sure we told each of the lodges when we checked in." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
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We saw so many animals, many more that I had hoped - and not just in the national parks." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"A Well Organised Trip"
The accommodation was excellent and staff everywhere were friendly and helpful.
A few tips for others. Don't believe time estimates for journeys given by locals. Add about 25% to get an accurate driving time. Unless you're sticking to tarred roads, it's well worth getting at least a high clearance 2WD vehicle, such as the Nissan X-Trails. There are a lot of large and sharp stones on many of the gravel roads. These are particularly bad around Palmwag and on the approach (from the south) to Wolwedans." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip
"self-drive trip through Namibia and Kgalagadi"
This year was our 9th fly-drive visit to Namibia and 2nd to the Kgalagadi. We still believe there is no better place to see wildlife than Namibia closely followed by Botswana. If there is an increase in retirement pensions in April we'll be booking another trip!!
Thank you Expert Africa. You're the best tour operator we've found - scrupulously thorough and helpful.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
How can you improve on perfection?" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
"The most memorable holiday we have had"
I can see why people return (we met one guy on his 10th trip)
We feel that we have been away for a month.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The only thing is perhaps to reiterate to travellers that the GWR lodges in Etosha are pretty basic compared to private lodges (at least Halali is - Namatoni looked rather better and that is the impression we got from other travellers and apparently another one is opening in the north of Etosha that is good too)
Also, I think that Uk drivers do need to understand that the gravel roads are very very different from tar roads. We found driving on them for hours an uncomfortable experience. Some of the D roads and those round Grootberg were terrible. Maybe they are good compared to most of Africa but not compared to Europe" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"Dream holiday"
We have fallen completely in love with Namibia. It was my present to my son for his 18th birthday (which we spent climbing sand dunes in Sossusvlei) and it is an experience he will always remember. We stayed in some wonderful places (with only one disappointment), ate some excellent food, met some lovely people.
It was a lot of driving (just under 2,800 km) on some quite scary roads and I would definitely get a 4x4 again, but it was never dull and the scenery was always spectacular, the roads were empty and well signposted. By the end of the holiday a five hour drive was nothing.
I will have trouble finding another holiday to match this one, so I'll start saving for my next trip to Namibia now. Sabina was very helpful and knowledgeable throughout and found us some wonderful places to stay.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I can't think of anything." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 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.
Oyster Box Guesthouse
Oyster Box Guesthouse is a small, modern and comfortable B&B, overlooking Walvis Bay Lagoon.
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.
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.
