Reviews of trips to Windhoek

"This was our second visit to Namibia, combining some new areas with revisits to previous haunts.

The new area was the Skeleton Coast, on the 4 day Schoeman's flyng safari. This was a truly spectacular journey with 4 busy days way off the beaten track in this amazingly varied wilderness - a trip brought to life by the knowjledge and enthusiasm of Andre Schoeman.

After this, we revisited Etosha, staying at Okaukuejo and The Fort at Onguma Plains. Wildlfie viewing as excellent, particularly in eastern Etosha. The heavy rains this year meant that there was still water in the Pan which made it look completely different. We finished with night a Okonjima on the way back to Windhoek.

This trip was not inexpensive and it is difficult to talk in terms of "value". However it was a superb trip and the Skeleton Coast element in particular was truly memorable and unlike anything we have ever done before. However we may do it again - we're thinking about doing it again in 2013 (probaly a new trip that the Schoeman's may start based at their new Leylandsdrift camp).

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No suggestions!!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"This trip was one of surprises and unexpected discoveries. We loved it!" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 22 on a Namibia trip

"Let's leave Budget car-hire to one side as that is not within your control or responsibility.

What can I say? Absolutely wonderful holiday. Brilliant, spectacular, excellent.
Everything was very good - from the initial help and assistance with deciding on a route, through booking, and the comprehensive information provided beforehand.

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None whatsoever" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"Well thought out trip - excellent recommendations based on evident local knowledge & adapted to our requirements which were wide-ranging. We were after more than a safari experience - desert, dunes, activities, culture & Victoria Falls were all on our 'list'. Kept us up to date on waiting lists which eventually got us into Sossus Dune & Nxamaseri Lodges - both excellent. Overall, the lodges, accommodation & game viewing trips were good to excellent.

Thanks to Angela & all the team who helped for a first class trip.


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No" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"Highs- Has to be Etendeka, Kayaking, game viewing, Vingerklip.

Lows- Let down by River Crossing and Etosha Aoba lodge.

Car hire still needs improving, your advice booklet was useful.

This was an enjoyable and exciting adventure in a beautiful country full of contrasts." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"Absolutely fantastic trip!

From start to finish everything went smooth and was great. Our best trip so far (out of seven trips to Africa).

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No idea. It's already so close to perfection." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"We all had the most woderful holiday imaginable, and all want to go back.

There were only 2 places that we would not want to revisit, Palmwag and Camp Kwando, our comments have already been recorded.
We had some trouble in Rundu, when a rucksac was stolen from the car, despite 1 of our men sitting in the car! We feel it would be helpful, if in future people going near Rundu, are warned to take extra care, not to leave cars unattended, and even if stationary in the car, lock all doors and windows.

At Ndhovu, we were told Rundu is a bad place, with handbags stolen from cars with people sitting in them, being distracted. There was a lot of noise and activity there making the opening of a car door, silently, relatively simple. (The people at Ndhovu put a lot of blame on people coming from Angola)

200 Rand notes do now seem to be accepted.

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Tracy has been superb to deal with, very helpful at all times, guiding me in directions that were needed, and meeting all the needs of the 6 of us who travelled together. Sabrina took over very efficiently when Tracy went on maternity leave.

I would not hesitate to recommend Expert Africa." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip

"The trip as a whole was wonderful. Everything went smoothly despite being in Africa!!

Driving in Namibia is really straightforward and the distances were not a problem at all.
Everybody very friendly.

We went mainly for the scenery and landscapes and were not disappointed.

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We stopped at Tsumeb by chance which was a lovely town. Maybe you could make suggestions to your clients for 1 or 2 hr stops in nice places along their route to wander around or for lunch.

I know we needed to stop at / near Swakopmund because of length of journey from Sossus to Kipwe but apart from the kayaking which we enjoyed the town did nothing for us. So easy to be wise after the event but 1 night here and an extra one at Wolwedans or Okonjima would have been a much better use of time for us." Read full review: 26 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip

"Initially even we thought we were slightly bonkers with this ambitious itinerary but after extensive and detailed planning everything went smoothly (with the exception of Elegant Farmstead cancelling our booking at the very last minute in favour of a large group; if this is typical of their attitude maybe they're not suitable for EA's independent travellers).

We had a FANTASTIC time!!!! Whilst some drives were long they were perfectly manageable with two drivers, a flask of coffee and our trusty MP3 player to entertain us. The roadside picnic stations provided good places to stop and eat a bit of lunch – there are plenty of supermarkets in the towns to buy provisions, including a 5 litre bottle of water. Most lodges charge for water (about N$13 for a small bottle) so it makes sense to buy a big one in a supermarket (about N$20) and top up your little bottles from it. There seemed to be far fewer parking guards about than on our previous trips and, we were surprised to see, even petrol station attendants don't seem to expect tips any more.

Garden Lodge provided a gentle start to our marathon trip with good company, tasty food, an excellent boat trip and lots of cats and dogs to play with. Kasane is an interesting little frontier town, buzzing with activity though not the place to stock up for a long trip. Don't be surprised to see a warthog trotting across the road in the middle of town.

The brand new Ngoma lodge is excellent (see review) with loads of animals to see, excellent food and great staff. We highly recommend it. It is one of the few places that provides free water – we promised to take our Ngoma bottles all the way to Cape Town; after many refills they finally met their demise at security in Cape Town airport!

We returned to Garden Lodge to have our car delivered and set off for the border next morning. Crossing the border into Namibia is no problem at all and after stocking up at a supermarket in Katima Mulilo we set off across the Caprivi strip. Roads in the Caprivi are, as Chris's book says, long, straight and can be quite tedious though you need to keep an eye out for wandering cows, goats and dogs (and the occasional human).

Arriving at Ndhovu in the early afternoon, we spent a couple of hours on our deck on the river bird-spotting. Next day we took a trip across to Buffalo (suggest pre-booking if you want to do this) and then drove ourselves to Mahango in the afternoon.

It was a long drive to Ghaub the next day but switching from 'Caprivi time' meant we gained an hour; we had been debating whether the hour was going backwards or forwards and it was only when the guard at the vetinary gate greeted us with a cheery 'Good Morning' that we were certain! After two nights peaceful rest we set off to Okaukeujo. We arrived at Etosha in good time and managed to visit several good waterholes on the drive across the park.

We spent most of the next day in the park and then moved on to the big surprise of the trip; Taleni. We'd wanted to spend two nights at Okaukeujo but had been unable to get a room despite booking very early. Taleni is just outside Etosha and we loved it. It does attract some large groups but the staff use the different dining areas to give couples or family groups privacy and peace.

A comfortable morning's drive brought us to Gocheganas, just south of Windhoek, which proved an unexpected pleasure. We had been booked to stay at Elegant Farmstead but they had cancelled our booking at the very last minute (after we arrived in Namibia). As it turned out Gocheganas fitted in with our itinerary much better and we thought the place was excellent. Thanks to Sabina for organising the change for us; in the days before BlackBerrys and the internet this could have been a major problem but in this case was (almost) painless.

The drive to Bagatelle, for some reason, took longer than anticipated; the roads were good and we'd calculated the distance but it just took longer! However we arrived in comfortable time and enjoyed watching the waterhole, excellent food and company and, of course, the meerkats!

Next, off to Fish River Canyon. Until Keetmanshoop the B1 is a good tar road but you then have to venture onto gravel. The road is bumpy and undulates with the landscape, which is beautiful, and you may even meet a train! The canyon itself is fantastic and there are few people about; such a contrast to its rival in the USA!

We left Canon Lodge in the sunshine and headed for the border with South Africa. The crossing itself was painless though there was a notable diminishment in friendliness of immigration staff on the South African side. Heading down the N7 the weather turned and we found ourselves in rain and/or cloud. As we had plenty of time we went down to Skilpad to see the flowers with which we were disappointed. However, driving back over the mountains they were lovely.

It absolutely tipped it down overnight (not ideal in a room with an iron roof!) and we set off for the marathon drive to Cape Town with some trepidation. Driving over the mountain passes in heavy cloud was 'entertaining' to say the least (particularly when we were held up by major roadworks – waiting time at least 20 minutes). We stopped off in Clanwilliam which we thought a lovely town.

The sun came out as we arrived in Camps Bay. We'd arranged our own accommodation here; there are lots of good guest houses .
The place has clearly been spruced up since the World Cup and there are some excellent new restaurants. We ate at The Codfather – excellent but shellfish is very expensive, Ocean Blue – just as excellent but less pricey, and The Kove – best steak Martin had all trip and great staff. Tuscany Beach was also highly recommended by our guest house.

We did the tourist bit – open top bus tour (don't forget to use the vouchers printed on the back of the ticket!) boat trip and lunch at the V&A – recommend The Greek Fisherman and City Grill Steakhouse – then the bus back to Camps Bay. The following day we drove (yes we hadn't had quite enough!) down to Cape Point where there seemed to be bonteboks around every corner (even on the beach) and few other visitors about.

Finally off to Hermanus and the whales. You really can see them from the coastal path, though the boat trip out to sea is well worthwhile too. The town is lovely and there are some excellent wineries to visit nearby.
Overall, a wonderful trip which we'd wanted to do for years. What's next???????

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If only travel to Africa was less expensiver!

The name says it all - you are the Africa Experts and although we do shop around we come back time and time again.

Perhaps a minor point is that you should consider regular travellers' previous trips before saying they can't do something" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"Fantastic. Brilliantly well organised by Angela. All went like clockwork, and we had a wonderful time.

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No" Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip