Reviews of trips to Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
909 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Swakop' & Walvis Bay.
"Total success!"
"A wonderful experience"
The accommodation was well chosen, the information supplied was second to none, (maps, routes and instructions on how to get to the accommodation).
Suggestions for improvement:
Because of the time of year, it was suggested that a 4X4 would be a good idea. The extra cost put the overall price over our budget so we opted to go earlier. We had no need for a 4X4 but the state of the roads, with severe 'washboarding' meant that a small saloon, with its firm suspension, was very tiring in some places. We could not maintain more than 30 Kph in some places, whilst being passed, at speed, by larger cars with bigger wheels and softer suspension. I cannot suggest a cure for this other than to let future clients read this comment.
On a lighter note, it was worth having a second spare wheel for the peace of mind and the fact that having a second meant that we never needed either of them! We met many people who had had punctures.
An anecdotal word of warning :- One couple had a puncture, jacked the car up and found the second wheel was the wrong size, got out the original spare which turned out to be flat. Hire company not known." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
"My Namibia"
The dunes are breathtaking and should not be missed by any visitor. The countryside is very diverse, the people are so very friendly, the standard of accommodation is first class, the game viewing is as good as anywhere in Africa.
It is a refreshing experience for anybody who loves Africa.
Suggestions for improvement:
Expert Africa are a pleasure to deal with as they know the country, the lodges and how best to advise travellers. I am very pleased to have become a traveller with the team and hope that Tracy will be around to advise me the next time.
I think that possibly a better vehicle could have been brought to my attention as the dirt roads are very ridged at the moment. We only saw two graders the whole time and travelling nearly 3000 ks is quite a lot in a little car." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"We are so glad we visited Namibia!"
Just one thing : we found the saloon car inappropriate for some of the roads we used. Upgrading the car in Swakopmund was the best thing we did." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
"Magnificient"
Namibia has surpassed our best expectations in many ways. Once again its our trust that smaller camps are always preferable to large scale operations.
Wilderness Safaris have completely disappointed us as we were expecting a higher service level. Guests are treated as numbers and not as individuals. While perusing their operational brochures we became aprehensive of their magnitude and the size they have attained on these last 5 years of operation. I am afraid that they will loose all the African flair we "guests" look when going to Africa.
Their lodges are good but possibly due to immediate success they are relaxing on quality of service.
Thank you for a wonderfull experience/ holiday." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip
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However I do disagree that the gravel roads can be used by normal car. We had a 2x4 and struggled at points, I personally could not drive on some of it. I would advise people paid the extra for 4x4.
Dora Nowas & soussi Dunne Lodge said that only 'brave' people do not use 4x4. If I were advising simeone else I would advise they flew to the main attraction & did the activities or hired a driver.
African people are wonderful.
Suggestions for improvement:
I would suggest you promote the flying to destinations & not using ordinary cars" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"A memorable holiday"
Namibia is a very interesting and diverse country and we would like to think that we will have the opportunity to return and visit the parts we didn't have time to do this trip.
We drove over 2500 miles and were glad that we had been advised to have 2x all terrain vehicle. The gravel roads we drove for the majority of the time were not as good as we had been led to believe by the guide books. People we met who had "normal" saloon cars all said they were struggling.
A 4x4 is not necessary but the extra ground clearance of our Hyundi Tuscan was an advantage.
In our exprience the service of Expert Africa helped us plan just the holiday we wanted." Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip
"Namibia & Botswana 2008"
After that Botswana was a slight anti-climax and appeared very over-priced by comparison with what we had experienced in Namibia. With the benefit of hindsight we also felt that 9 days of game drives was too repetitive.
Our poor experience at Kwara we feel was entirely due to the poor manager and housekeeper and could not have been foreseen by Expert Africa." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
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One big plus was that we stopped off on the way in order to meet some local people, who gave us a real insight into the pleasures and problems of living in Namibia.
The one hiccup came at Cape Town airport when the car failed to materialise. We therefore had to take a taxi to the vineyard.
Can I send you the receipt for reimbursement?" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip
"Namibian safari trip"
Suggestions for improvement:
The feedback on the web site is very helpful in choosing the right place to stay.
Gwynneth was great for suggesting Mushara outpost rather than staying in Namutoni rest Camp, 3 nights at Namutoni would be a lot less pleasant than 3 nights at Mushara! Mushara was a very comfortable lodge.
I would strongly suggest though that you reccommend 4 wheel drive cars for 4 guests travelling together in future. The cost is a lot more, but we would gladly have paid it for the peace of mind. As you know, areas in Damaraland etc are extremely remote, and I dreaded breaking down there, and it was a real concern for us. At Etendeka we met a couple, also with a Toyota yarris, who were also having a lot of trouble driving on the gravel roads." Read full review: 14 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.
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.
