Travel reviews by Suricate family from Hale
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
8
Excursions taken
0
Grindrod Namibian Safari
Namibia between 4 Jul 2008 and 20 Jul 2008
While the wild life was incredibly exciting, it was what we had expected - only even bigger and better.
I don't think we could have anticipated the fantastic beauty and variety of the landscapes and the speed with which they change - the drive from Solitaire to Walvis Bay is just one example. Nor is it possible easily to convey the space, the distances, the emptiness,and the enormous skies - particularly on a moonless night.
We followed your suggested itinerary with one variation - we kept to the coast road from Cape Cross to Torra Bay and then cut across to Dora !Nawas. We were glad to experience that much of Skeleton Coast and thought the rest of the run more than rewarding , would in fact RECOMMEND it.- we'll have to fit in the Brandberg next time.
Now our one beef. We followed all of your advice re clothing - Kate, thank goodness even packed her long johns! - but simply were not prepared for the intense cold we ran into at Bullsport. Nor, according to the locals, was this particularly unusual. This being the case we think more thought should be given to heating the rooms and beds, and more blankets carried on drives at Bullsport. The temperatures at Kulala were not so different, but both these matters had been more effectively addressed.
Finally on this point we think that your advice should be beefed up to read - "and just to be on the safe side tuck in a pair of gloves, a scarf and a woolly hat" !
PS - Sabina, I have submitted our "report" on the trip but have, inevitably, thought of 2 comments I have forgotten to include! Firstly, how impressed we were by all aspects of the Wiiderness Safari operation with which we came into contact - not just the high standard of training, friendliness and professionalism of all the staff, or the imaginative design and comfort of the Lodges, but also their policies of community development and, perhaps in particular, their approach to HIV - AIDS.
Secondly we were very aware of the the positive approach generally to the AIDS problem - young people in "leadership" and "meet the challenge" T-shirts etc. However, nowhere could we find any means of making any direct contribution in support - and we mean specifically support which would be directed to Namibia, rather than to one of the umbrella Africa charities. We discussed this situation with Beula at Erongo and she was going to take it up thro' her management but I wonder whether you can give us any guidance and, more generally, if it is something to which Expert Africa might like to give some thought as I am sure there must be many of your clients who would also like to give more focussed help.
Again many thanks for your personal contribution to a wonderful holiday, Kind regards, Michael"
Feedback response
Recommending local charities should be an easy things to do – although finding ones that are both good, and geared up to take individual donations from overseas, can sometimes be tricky.
Perhaps the most practical general thing that we can suggest is for you to look at the excellent Stuff your Rucksack website – which aims to tell travellers what small, local projects and charities need, so that they can bring these things with them.
Arranged By Sabina Hekandjo
BullsPort Lodge and Farm
"Bullsport Guest Farm review"
Kulala Desert Lodge
"Kulala Desert Lodge review"
The guide on the early morning drive to Sossusvlei was excellent - as was brunch - and the same was true for the afternoon walk"
Sam's Giardino
"Sam's Giardino review"
Sam also provided us with first class directions for an amble round Swakopmund where we found the museum, and particularly the section devoted to the peoples of Namibia, to be first class and well worth a detour - and perhaps more than a passing mention in Bradt."
Cape Cross Lodge
"Cape Cross Lodge review"
Doro Nawas
"Doro Nawas review"
The potentially outstanding visit to Twfelfontain was somewhat let down by an unsatisfactory - apparently totally bored - guide called Honey. We registered this at Twfelfontain and Dora !Nawas but you might also like to follow up.
The visit to Burnt Mountain is not really worth while under the full sun. Compensation was an extended viewing of desert - adapted elephants! The guide put in an effort beyond the call of duty to ensure this.
The roof top telescope was an unexpected and much appreciated bonus!"
Okaukuejo Camp
"Okaukuejo Restcamp review"
Given the number of visitors being catered for, both standards of food and service were entirely acceptable - tho' prices in the shop took advantage of the captive population. We found that staying in the park - not least at opening and closing times -
more than outweighed the attractions of perhaps more salubrious accommodation elsewhere.
Three nights good, four even better."
Waterberg Camp
"Waterberg Camp review"
We found the staff friendly and helpful, the views superb and the rooms comfortable. The baboons, admittedly, were a nuisance.
We had been warned that the after noon drive on the plateau was likely to be far more concerned with flora than fauna.
In the event we saw white rhino, sable antelope and buffalo as well as the more normal suspects! We were certainly lucky, but Waterberg should not be too readily talked down."
Erongo Wilderness Lodge
"Erongo Wilderness Lodge review"
The "easy" sundowner scramble stretched our older members to their limit, - tho' a G & T sitting in the " throne" made it more than worthwhile!
The guides were informed, patient and helpful and the overall operation thoroughly professional and friendly. We very much enjoyed our last overnight stay."
The game/farm drives with Ernst were interesting and instructive and the hike down Quivertree well worth while - even if a bit demanding for septuagenarians! Bullsport is also ideally situated for the Naucluft and we were able to sample Waterkloof en route to Kulala.
Accommodation was, as outlined, fairly basic but would, in normal circumstances, have been perfectly adequate. At minus 4 degrees, even with a butane heater going full blast we were not comfortable - and there was no heat at all in the bathrooms. Hot water bottles, which we met elsewhere, would have been some help! Likewise, temperature accentuated by a significant wind chill factor, the edge was very much taken off the latter stages of the afternoon and early stages of the morning drives.
We comment later on pre-tour kit advice, but inadequacy of cabins to cope with conditions which we were told were not abnormal pulls down our overall rating"