Travel reviews by The Baobabs from Kirk
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
8
Excursions taken
1
A thoroughly enjoyable trip
Namibia between 13 Feb 2008 and 29 Feb 2008
"A thoroughly enjoyable trip; Tracy successfully matched our interests and preferences with the accommodation and avtivities she recommended. She had advised a 4WD vehicle as we were travelling in the rainy season; advice we recalled on the 3 occasions we got stuck (but in sandy river beds / approaches on D-roads, not in deep water). The Yaris we had was basically too low-slung to the ground. Luckily we received help each time but it did make driving in some of the remoter areas rather nerve-racking wondering what was at the bottom of the next dip! in the roadl.
We found the Namibian people welcoming and friendly and hope that, in the places where we stayed, profits remain to benefit the local communities. We did see and hear some evidence of this but were not always sure. It was fun occasionally bumping into people we'd met before, as they tended to follow similar routes.."
We found the Namibian people welcoming and friendly and hope that, in the places where we stayed, profits remain to benefit the local communities. We did see and hear some evidence of this but were not always sure. It was fun occasionally bumping into people we'd met before, as they tended to follow similar routes.."
Arranged By Tracy Lederer
Kulala Wilderness Camp, Namibia (this camp has since closed)
"Memorable trip to the dunes"
1 night
Arrived
14 Feb 2008
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Zebra River Lodge
"Spectacular canyons and home-from-home"
2 nights
Arrived
15 Feb 2008
"A delightful friendly place with great walks and wonderful hospitality amid the most spectacular scenery and wonderful birdlife. Rob and Marianne's enthusiasm for the area is infectious , and Rob is keen to impart some of his vast knowledge of all the various "ologies". The area is famous amongst paleontologists for rare fossilised algae.
In the evenings the guests are encouraged to mix so enjoy excellent wholesome food in interesting company. The routine was flexible to fit in with guests activities and wishes. Rob helped us plan the route to our next stop, suggesting many fascinating areas to visit on the way.
This was defintiely one of our favourite places; we would like to return to to explore more of the many and varied hiking possibilities."
In the evenings the guests are encouraged to mix so enjoy excellent wholesome food in interesting company. The routine was flexible to fit in with guests activities and wishes. Rob helped us plan the route to our next stop, suggesting many fascinating areas to visit on the way.
This was defintiely one of our favourite places; we would like to return to to explore more of the many and varied hiking possibilities."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sam's Giardino
"Beautiful gardens in a town setting"
2 nights
Arrived
17 Feb 2008
"A relaxed, friendly setting with good food, helpful staff and lots of lovely reference books to browse through. A good place to stay in Swakopmund.
Turnstone Tour day trip - Our guide, Ernst, and our friendly and interesting companions, made this a very special day. Ernst's knowledge and enthusiasm, and the way he managed to accommodate the many diverse interests of our group, were admirable. The whole area is so beautiful ,with a fascinating history from whaling to beef canning, and absolutely amazing birdlife. We had a wonderful long walk, and watched dolphins swimming by as we enjoyed a lovely brunch, and never met another soul."
Turnstone Tour day trip - Our guide, Ernst, and our friendly and interesting companions, made this a very special day. Ernst's knowledge and enthusiasm, and the way he managed to accommodate the many diverse interests of our group, were admirable. The whole area is so beautiful ,with a fascinating history from whaling to beef canning, and absolutely amazing birdlife. We had a wonderful long walk, and watched dolphins swimming by as we enjoyed a lovely brunch, and never met another soul."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Coast and Sandwich Harbour
"A simply perfect day"
18 Feb 2008 • All-day excursion
Our guide, Ernst, and our friendly and interesting companions, made this a very special day. Ernst's knowledge and enthusiasm, and the way he managed to accommodate the many diverse interests of our group, were admirable. The whole area is so beautiful ,with a fascinating history from whaling to beef canning, and absolutely amazing birdlife. We had a wonderful long walk, and watched dolphins swimming by as we enjoyed a lovely brunch, and never met another soul.
Excellent
Doro Nawas
"A fortress on a hill"
2 nights
Arrived
19 Feb 2008
"The main building is a rather forbidding castle like structure, which does however fit in with the surrounding rock. Iinside though is very pleasant and well laid out with an area on the roof for stargazing. The staff are incredibly friendly and open; we had a lovely waitress who announced the menu in the Damara language, with all the clicks.
We specially enjoyed the accommodation, large individual units with private patio, wonderful views, complete with outdoor shower and gheckos. We appreciated the opportunity of talking with the local staff and learning about the area from them. We thought the activites in general, apart from the early morning guided walk, were very expensive so we visited Twyfelfontein in our own car, and had more time with our own guide at a fraction of the cost!."
We specially enjoyed the accommodation, large individual units with private patio, wonderful views, complete with outdoor shower and gheckos. We appreciated the opportunity of talking with the local staff and learning about the area from them. We thought the activites in general, apart from the early morning guided walk, were very expensive so we visited Twyfelfontein in our own car, and had more time with our own guide at a fraction of the cost!."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Average
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Okaukuejo Camp
"The search for wildlife"
2 nights
Arrived
21 Feb 2008
"A very nicely laid out camp with plenty of space and good accommodation. It was nice having a fridge and kettle. Being a large place it lacks the intimacy of the smaller lodges, but has a lovely pool area with plenty of space to relax. The food was good, seved in a very pleasant dining area (inside and out) with friendly staff. The response to a leak we had in the bathroom was rapid and efficient; every effort was made to be helpful.
The shop was adequately stocked for self caterers cooking an evening meal but short of anything suitable for a lunchtime picnic. We drove ourselves around Etosha so cannot comment on the game drives offered by the camp. As it was the rainy season, the waterholes were often almost devoid of wildlife, but having to search made it more rewarding. We saw plenty of smaller animals and many amazing and fascinating birds."
The shop was adequately stocked for self caterers cooking an evening meal but short of anything suitable for a lunchtime picnic. We drove ourselves around Etosha so cannot comment on the game drives offered by the camp. As it was the rainy season, the waterholes were often almost devoid of wildlife, but having to search made it more rewarding. We saw plenty of smaller animals and many amazing and fascinating birds."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Onguma Forest Camp
"Friendly lodge in the middle of the bush"
2 nights
Arrived
23 Feb 2008
"We very much enjoyed our stay in this superbly situated intimate lodge with lovely pool area. Here again guests are encuraged to mix; our first evening dining outside with very diverse and interesting company was magical. The staff made every effort to ensure all our neeeds were catered for.
The accommodation in individual thatched cottages was excellent and the food very well presented. We would have appreciated more salad and vegetables, also brown bread for breakfast, but realise that the logistics, particularly food supply, of running a lodge in secluded areas must be unimaginably demanding. As we spent our time in Etosha we cannot comment on the organised activities."
The accommodation in individual thatched cottages was excellent and the food very well presented. We would have appreciated more salad and vegetables, also brown bread for breakfast, but realise that the logistics, particularly food supply, of running a lodge in secluded areas must be unimaginably demanding. As we spent our time in Etosha we cannot comment on the organised activities."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Okonjima Plains Camp
"Okonjima Main Camp review"
1 night
Arrived
25 Feb 2008
"We were late arriving as we had explored the lovely little town of Tsumeb, but arrangements were made for us to join the evening activity, feeding some of the rescued cheetahs, which was unnatural and rather "stage managed" . Similarly viewing porcupines who get a bucket full of food every evening to attract them. Not really what we were looking for / expecting.
The following morning it was tracking tagged leopards in a vehicle, far more difficutl than one would imagine, with the guide so intent on actually finding a leopard there was hardly opportunity to learn about many of the other interesting animals and birds in the area. We do however realise that the big cats are the main attraction here and it was thrilling to eventually catch a glimpse of a leopard .
The camp area is very pleasant with inviting gardens and the food excellent. We enjoyed the informal relaxed atmosphere."
The following morning it was tracking tagged leopards in a vehicle, far more difficutl than one would imagine, with the guide so intent on actually finding a leopard there was hardly opportunity to learn about many of the other interesting animals and birds in the area. We do however realise that the big cats are the main attraction here and it was thrilling to eventually catch a glimpse of a leopard .
The camp area is very pleasant with inviting gardens and the food excellent. We enjoyed the informal relaxed atmosphere."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Average
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Erongo Wilderness Lodge
"The perfect end to our Namibia trip"
2 nights
Arrived
26 Feb 2008
"Another superb setting for a camp though not suitable for anyone with diffulties in walking as there are lots of steps and often long wooden walkways connecting the individual tents with the restaurant and main areas. The truly amazing granite rock formations, formed by volcanic action, invite one to explore on foot. For those enjoying hiking and birdwatching, as we do, it's a great place. We also experienced 2 spectacular thunderstorms!
The food was good the staff helpful and friendly. The 2 guided walks we did were enjoyable and informative, with plenty to see and learn about, but we cannot comment on outings further afield. In the nearby town of Omaruru is a cooperative where wonderful animals are carved out of tree roots."
The food was good the staff helpful and friendly. The 2 guided walks we did were enjoyable and informative, with plenty to see and learn about, but we cannot comment on outings further afield. In the nearby town of Omaruru is a cooperative where wonderful animals are carved out of tree roots."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
The dune trip was amazing; we had an excellent guide in Jonathon, who had, and was eager to transmit , a vast understanding and knowledge of the area- its flora, fauna and geology. 1 night is not really sufficient to enjoy the special setting of this camp."