Travel reviews by Ms J & Mr S from USA
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
12
Excursions taken
0
Great 3 week trip, thanks to Expert Africa
Namibia between 14 Sep 2011 and 4 Oct 2011
"We had a wonderful trip.
If doing the trip again we might change a few things but overall we were very happy with our experience. The materials provided by Expert Africa prepared us well for the trip. The highlighted map showing our route and lodges was great.
However, more detailed driving directions would have been helpful. (Before we started our trip Steve put together a set of detailed driving directions using Google maps, lodge websites and other online information.)
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We had an excellent experience with Expert Africa and can highly recommend the company and its services to others. Our only suggestion is the one given above about detailed driving directions."
If doing the trip again we might change a few things but overall we were very happy with our experience. The materials provided by Expert Africa prepared us well for the trip. The highlighted map showing our route and lodges was great.
However, more detailed driving directions would have been helpful. (Before we started our trip Steve put together a set of detailed driving directions using Google maps, lodge websites and other online information.)
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We had an excellent experience with Expert Africa and can highly recommend the company and its services to others. Our only suggestion is the one given above about detailed driving directions."
Arranged By Sabina Hekandjo
River Crossing
"River Crossing review"
1 night
Arrived
14 Sep 2011
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Okonjima Plains Camp
"Okonjima Main Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
15 Sep 2011
"Our cheetah and leopard tracking game drives were very interesting. We were lucky to see a female cheetah stalk and kill a steenbok and carry it away in her mouth.
Our guide then tracked the leopard to a tree where she was sitting high in the branches with her prey.
The food was very good. The staff members were friendly and professional."
Our guide then tracked the leopard to a tree where she was sitting high in the branches with her prey.
The food was very good. The staff members were friendly and professional."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Mushara Bush Camp
"Mushara Bush Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
17 Sep 2011
"Our first afternoon we tried to rest in our tent because Steve was not feeling well. However, it was much too hot in the tent.
Luckily the next day we were able do wildlife viewing from our air conditioned vehicle.
One night we had a special outdoor dinner with singing afterward by the talented staff. A lovely evening. However, on our final morning there was no one available to help us with our bags. Next time we may want to stay even closer to Etosha National Park or within the park."
Luckily the next day we were able do wildlife viewing from our air conditioned vehicle.
One night we had a special outdoor dinner with singing afterward by the talented staff. A lovely evening. However, on our final morning there was no one available to help us with our bags. Next time we may want to stay even closer to Etosha National Park or within the park."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Average
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Halali Camp
"Halali Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
19 Sep 2011
"The rooms were basic but had air conditioning, hot showers and other amenities. The food was what would be expected at a place that makes meals for hundreds of guests. However, we would stay here again due to the excellent location within Etosha National Park.
We did not spend much time at the water hole but heard that a leopard had been spotted there."
We did not spend much time at the water hole but heard that a leopard had been spotted there."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Food
Average
Rooms
Good
Facilities
Average
Okaukuejo Camp
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
21 Sep 2011
"The fantastic waterhole was conveniently located a few steps from our chalet. We could check to see what was happening at the waterhole several times per day.
The room was comfortable. The staff nicely accommodated my food preferences by preparing fish for dinner when only game and red meat were being served."
The room was comfortable. The staff nicely accommodated my food preferences by preparing fish for dinner when only game and red meat were being served."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Huab Lodge
"Huab Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
23 Sep 2011
"Our hosts Jan and Suzi were delightful and interesting people. Huab Lodge's facilities are beautiful and tastefully decorated. Our bungalow was wonderful. The food was wonderful and the family-style meals enjoyable. Steve's vegetarian meals were the best of our three week trip, thanks to Suzi.
We participated in sunrise walks and nature drives led by Jan. The location is somewhat remote but the area is beautiful and serene. Wildlife included oryx, kudu and steenbok but desert-adapted elephant sightings are rare. We enjoyed watching a pair of yellow-billed hornbills doing a courtship display in a tree."
We participated in sunrise walks and nature drives led by Jan. The location is somewhat remote but the area is beautiful and serene. Wildlife included oryx, kudu and steenbok but desert-adapted elephant sightings are rare. We enjoyed watching a pair of yellow-billed hornbills doing a courtship display in a tree."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Erongo Wilderness Lodge
"Erongo Wilderness Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
25 Sep 2011
"The weather was very hot when we were at Erongo Wilderness Lodge. After the morning walk (starting at 6:30 or 7:00 AM) and breakfast there was nothing to do until the temperature started cooling off around 5:00 p.m. We either read books in our hot tent or sat in the dining room during the day. Also there were lots of mosquitoes. The tents did not keep out the mosquitoes due to velcro closures that didn't close properly.
We did enjoy the lovebirds that gathered in the trees near the dining room every morning around 7:00 a.m."
We did enjoy the lovebirds that gathered in the trees near the dining room every morning around 7:00 a.m."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Average
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Barkhan Dune Retreat
"Barchan Dune Retreat review"
1 night
Arrived
27 Sep 2011
"A nice place for a one night stop. The setting was lovely.
We enjoyed watching Coco (the dog) and the meerkats. We did not have time to do any activities."
We enjoyed watching Coco (the dog) and the meerkats. We did not have time to do any activities."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Wolwedans Dune Camp
"Wolwedans Dune Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
28 Sep 2011
"The scenery around Wolwedans is spectacular with pale silvery green grasses, dark green acacia trees and the deep orange sand of the Namib desert.
We enjoyed the sundowner drives and a 9:00 a.m. nature drive with our good guide Usko. We would like to have had the option of doing an early morning drive (leaving around sunrise) for more photographic opportunities. The food was excellent.
Our tent (in the Dune Camp) was luxurious but a bit noisy in the wind."
We enjoyed the sundowner drives and a 9:00 a.m. nature drive with our good guide Usko. We would like to have had the option of doing an early morning drive (leaving around sunrise) for more photographic opportunities. The food was excellent.
Our tent (in the Dune Camp) was luxurious but a bit noisy in the wind."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sossus Dune Lodge
"Sossus Dune Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
30 Sep 2011
"After a rough start when we had trouble finding the reception area from the parking lot and encountering a unhelpful employee, our experience improved.
We signed up for an early morning guided trip to Dead Vlei lead by Paul. We had a very enjoyable morning despite the fog that obscured sunrise. Paul helped arrange for early shuttle service for us the following morning so that we could have another chance of seeing Dead Vlei and Sossusvlei in the sunlight.
Being inside the gates was essential for early morning photography. (People with 4 x 4 vehicles have the best access to the Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei areas.)"
We signed up for an early morning guided trip to Dead Vlei lead by Paul. We had a very enjoyable morning despite the fog that obscured sunrise. Paul helped arrange for early shuttle service for us the following morning so that we could have another chance of seeing Dead Vlei and Sossusvlei in the sunlight.
Being inside the gates was essential for early morning photography. (People with 4 x 4 vehicles have the best access to the Sossusvlei and Dead Vlei areas.)"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
"Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch review"
1 night
Arrived
2 Oct 2011
"We spent only one night here so didn't have time to take part in any activities except for being taken to see the meerkats.
Our view chalet was lovely."
Our view chalet was lovely."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Olive Grove
"Olive Exclusive review"
1 night
Arrived
3 Oct 2011
"We got upgraded from the Olive Grove to a new Olive Exclusive Premier Suite, open only 2 months. The suite was very spacious and luxurious. The food and service were excellent.
As we did not stay at the Olive Grove we cannot grade aspects of the Olive Grove."
As we did not stay at the Olive Grove we cannot grade aspects of the Olive Grove."
Excellent
The staff members were helpful and the food was excellent."