Travel reviews by Wallington from UK
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
23
Excursions taken
0
My Apr 2023 trip
Namibia between 9 Apr 2023 and 9 May 2023
"This is the 2nd time we have used Expert Africa to organise a holiday in Namibia. As on the first occasion, they suggested the itinerary and arranged car-hire and accommodation.
It all went very smoothly and was generally very enjoyable.
I feel that all required information and documentation was provided, in good time. Chris's book is excellent.
Because nothing went wrong I can't comment on your problem resolution.
It was useful to to have wilderness safaris available at the airport."
It all went very smoothly and was generally very enjoyable.
I feel that all required information and documentation was provided, in good time. Chris's book is excellent.
Because nothing went wrong I can't comment on your problem resolution.
It was useful to to have wilderness safaris available at the airport."
Arranged By Tom Morris
Villa Violet
"Villa Violet review"
1 night
Arrived
9 Apr 2023
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Good
Service
Average
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Average
Food
Average
Kalahari Anib Lodge
"Kalahari Anib Lodge review"
1 night
Arrived
10 Apr 2023
"Convenient location for travelling south. Rooms and food fine. Decent pool. Pleasant walking tracks.
Seems to cater mainly for tour groups but this didn't impact on us.
Very understaffed when checking out. We were delayed by approximately 15 minutes."
Seems to cater mainly for tour groups but this didn't impact on us.
Very understaffed when checking out. We were delayed by approximately 15 minutes."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Average
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Fish River Lodge
"Fish River Lodge review"
3 nights
Arrived
11 Apr 2023
"Very well-run. Exceptional views from the rooms, dining area and pool.
Took a very enjoyable, if hair-raising, trip to the canyon floor, including rock-pool swimming and a barbeque.
Good walking trails on the canyon rim."
Took a very enjoyable, if hair-raising, trip to the canyon floor, including rock-pool swimming and a barbeque.
Good walking trails on the canyon rim."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Nest Hotel
"Nest Hotel review"
2 nights
Arrived
14 Apr 2023
"Standard hotel room with pleasant sea view.
Breakfast was fine, but we didn't eat any other hotel meals.
The swimming pool had not been cleaned for some time and was unusable."
Breakfast was fine, but we didn't eat any other hotel meals.
The swimming pool had not been cleaned for some time and was unusable."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Service
Average
Facilities
Average
Kanaan Desert Retreat
"Kanaan Desert Retreat review"
1 night
Arrived
16 Apr 2023
"Beautiful views from the tented chalet and the dining room/bar.
The tent was perfectly comfortable, with mosquito nets. In the morning oryx, springbok and large flocks of sand grouse descend on the small waterhole beneath the chalet verandas.
It is a steep descent from the car park and restaurant to the chalet, which would not suit the infirm.
The swimming pool was welcome and cold."
The tent was perfectly comfortable, with mosquito nets. In the morning oryx, springbok and large flocks of sand grouse descend on the small waterhole beneath the chalet verandas.
It is a steep descent from the car park and restaurant to the chalet, which would not suit the infirm.
The swimming pool was welcome and cold."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Service
Good
Dead Valley Lodge
"Dead Valley Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
17 Apr 2023
"Very comfortable tents with adjoining bathroom. Tent windows were kept shut to maintain temperature so the view was limited from inside, although the patio faced a dune.
Breakfast was fine, dinner less so.
Note that the Lodge is situated in the National Park, so park fees have to be paid for the entire stay (we stayed 2 nights so paid 2 days fees although only visited the dune area for one day)."
Breakfast was fine, dinner less so.
Note that the Lodge is situated in the National Park, so park fees have to be paid for the entire stay (we stayed 2 nights so paid 2 days fees although only visited the dune area for one day)."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Food
Average
Cornerstone Guesthouse
"Cornerstone Guesthouse review"
3 nights
Arrived
19 Apr 2023
"A pleasant guest house, conveniently situated to stroll into town.
Very helpful (new) owners."
Very helpful (new) owners."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Spitzkoppen Lodge
"Spitzkoppen Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
22 Apr 2023
"Spectacular location amongst orange granite outcrops. Lodge a long, but pleasant walk from the carpark and restaurant, although golf-carts were available if required.
No restrictions on moving around the property or the greater park. Great views from the in-rock swimming pool and plenty of dassies to provide amusement."
No restrictions on moving around the property or the greater park. Great views from the in-rock swimming pool and plenty of dassies to provide amusement."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Doro Nawas
"Doro Nawas review"
2 nights
Arrived
24 Apr 2023
"Very friendly and amenable staff, as mentioned in most reviews of the property.
Excellent guide who made the desert elephant tracking very enjoyable.
Great fun sleeping and showering under the stars on the veranda."
Excellent guide who made the desert elephant tracking very enjoyable.
Great fun sleeping and showering under the stars on the veranda."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Khowarib Lodge
"Khowarib Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
26 Apr 2023
"Interesting tented rooms overlooking a small brook, with plenty of bird-life.
Not many activities and both management and staff seemed a little uninterested, although efficient.
I'm not sure there is much point in staying unless en-route to the North."
Not many activities and both management and staff seemed a little uninterested, although efficient.
I'm not sure there is much point in staying unless en-route to the North."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Average
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Grootberg Lodge
"Grootberg Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
28 Apr 2023
"Spectacular views from the hub and the individual chalets.
Food fine, although we were a little jaded by constant game steaks by then.
Elephants and giraffes were seen close by."
Food fine, although we were a little jaded by constant game steaks by then.
Elephants and giraffes were seen close by."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Hobatere Lodge
"Hobatere Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
30 Apr 2023
"A good place from which to visit the West of Etosha, which is quieter than the centre or East.
Accommodation was in a row of rooms, a bit soul-less but perfectly comfortable.
The food was fine, good view of water-hole from the restaurant.
It was a bit disappointing that it is not possible to walk or drive around the property except on organised activities.
We were recording a birthday message to a relative when the staff decided to sing their version of "Happy Birthday" for our video - very well sung and a lovely spontaneous touch.."
Accommodation was in a row of rooms, a bit soul-less but perfectly comfortable.
The food was fine, good view of water-hole from the restaurant.
It was a bit disappointing that it is not possible to walk or drive around the property except on organised activities.
We were recording a birthday message to a relative when the staff decided to sing their version of "Happy Birthday" for our video - very well sung and a lovely spontaneous touch.."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Okaukuejo Camp
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
2 May 2023
"As everyone points out, this is run by the state and is only stayed at for the central location and the magnificent water-hole.
Breakfast was chaotic, and this is the only place we decided to cook our own dinner.
They also ran out of diesel, which necessitated a detour to fill up.
Despite all this, we enjoyed the stay."
Breakfast was chaotic, and this is the only place we decided to cook our own dinner.
They also ran out of diesel, which necessitated a detour to fill up.
Despite all this, we enjoyed the stay."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Good
Service
Poor
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Average
Food
Poor
Mushara Lodge
"Mushara Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
4 May 2023
"Very much the feel of a country club. Excellent staff, food and grounds.
We used this as place to recharge the batteries and hardly strayed from the pool area, although it would be ideal to use as a base for Eastern Etosha. Highly recommended"
We used this as place to recharge the batteries and hardly strayed from the pool area, although it would be ideal to use as a base for Eastern Etosha. Highly recommended"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Okonjima Plains Camp
"Okonjima Plains Camp review"
2 nights
Arrived
6 May 2023
"This was our second visit to Okonjima, as we had enjoyed our first visit. There is a great Savannah view from the standard room, with a large picture window.
Little has changed and we had an excellent leopard tracking activity.
HOWEVER, Okonjima is a cheetah santuary. When we asked about cheetah tracking, we were advised that they have all been eaten by the leopards.
Don't laugh."
Little has changed and we had an excellent leopard tracking activity.
HOWEVER, Okonjima is a cheetah santuary. When we asked about cheetah tracking, we were advised that they have all been eaten by the leopards.
Don't laugh."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Feedback response
Okonjima and Africat built its reputation as primarily a cheetah a conservation organisation/destiation. However, over the years this has changed and evolved. While it’s true that the cheetah populations here have been supplanted by leopards, the team here think that quite a bit has been lost in translation and will be speaking with their guides to try and rectify how these changes are explained to guests. That said, it is worth noting that Okonjima isn’t currently the place to come if you wish to track cheetah.
Systems Manager
Villa Violet
"Villa Violet review"
1 night
Arrived
8 May 2023
"A repeat visit as per the beginning of our trip."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Windhoek- Caprivi - Livingstone
Namibia and 2 other countries between 4 Apr 2018 and 18 Apr 2018
"I bought this trip for my wife's 60th birthday and it was an inspired choice. We usually back-pack so this was exceptionally easy - especially the transfer at the Botswana - Zambia border. Note that the driver told me that I couldn't get a KAZA visa at this border crossing, mentioned in the very good Bradt guide you provided. This was not correct and we were issued one when I enquired. Great choice of lodgings and really loved Okajima, River Dance and Garden Lodge.
Josh clearly explained to me the type of trip we were booked on, particularly that we were not including some of the major game parks, so we were very clear on what we would be experiencing and he sent me a new map free of charge when we found a minor mistake on the first one.
I'm impressed with the service by both Expert Africa and your local agents. Your instructions/information are excellent.
Minor points are raised where applicable in the accommodation reviews, but they in no way spoilt our trip.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Other than the points raised above, no."
Josh clearly explained to me the type of trip we were booked on, particularly that we were not including some of the major game parks, so we were very clear on what we would be experiencing and he sent me a new map free of charge when we found a minor mistake on the first one.
I'm impressed with the service by both Expert Africa and your local agents. Your instructions/information are excellent.
Minor points are raised where applicable in the accommodation reviews, but they in no way spoilt our trip.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Other than the points raised above, no."
Elegant Guesthouse
"Pleasant"
1 night
Arrived
5 Apr 2018
"Clean, helpful, decent breakfast. Bed and breakfast only.
A good stop for our first night in Namibia. Plunge pool very welcome.
No adverse comments."
A good stop for our first night in Namibia. Plunge pool very welcome.
No adverse comments."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Okonjima Plains Camp
"Great game drives and room."
2 nights
Arrived
6 Apr 2018
"We found everybody extremely helpful for a commercial operation like this. They were also very good in forwarding a bikini my wife had left behind.
Standard room had fantastic view of the bush.
I'm sure you know all about the place - but a special mention of our guide on the game drives - Daniel. Great knowledge and friendly."
Standard room had fantastic view of the bush.
I'm sure you know all about the place - but a special mention of our guide on the game drives - Daniel. Great knowledge and friendly."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Ghaub Guest Farm
"Beautiful location"
1 night
Arrived
8 Apr 2018
"A very friendly welcome. I've forgotten the name of the manager, but a lovely man.
We liked the option of Namibian food at breakfast.
Unfortunately it rained heavily during our one night stay so we were unable to walk the bush trails that we had been looking forward to."
We liked the option of Namibian food at breakfast.
Unfortunately it rained heavily during our one night stay so we were unable to walk the bush trails that we had been looking forward to."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
River Dance Lodge
"Beautiful location"
2 nights
Arrived
9 Apr 2018
"The rooms are beautifully positioned above the Okavango. About half an hour drive to the local game reserve, with an abundance of animals.
Owners very friendly and enjoy constructing original (very tasty) menus.
Although I enjoyed the sunset river cruise, there really wasn't a lot to see compared to the Chobe a few nights later - a couple of hippos and a crocodile.
However, it is a wonderful place to spend a couple of nights."
Owners very friendly and enjoy constructing original (very tasty) menus.
Although I enjoyed the sunset river cruise, there really wasn't a lot to see compared to the Chobe a few nights later - a couple of hippos and a crocodile.
However, it is a wonderful place to spend a couple of nights."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Average
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Kazile Island Lodge
"Great location but slightly unsatisfying"
2 nights
Arrived
11 Apr 2018
"Funny one this. The location is delightful and the tented rooms are fine. However, the staff seem somewhat undertrained and seem to be going through the motions, needing reminders on more than one occasion.
Guests should be aware that once they are on the island, they are pretty much there for the stay and that there is no-where to walk outside the property and not a lot to do - no pool.
The boat/truck game drive was enjoyable. and the guide was helpful but not exceptional.
* one big point - your directions to the property says that it is signposted from the road. It is not. As they are aware of this but have not rectified it, I'd speculate there may be some local difficulties. Please provide exact mileage from Kongola to assist people - there is a black and yellow sign to Samudumu Campsite at the turn-off."
Guests should be aware that once they are on the island, they are pretty much there for the stay and that there is no-where to walk outside the property and not a lot to do - no pool.
The boat/truck game drive was enjoyable. and the guide was helpful but not exceptional.
* one big point - your directions to the property says that it is signposted from the road. It is not. As they are aware of this but have not rectified it, I'd speculate there may be some local difficulties. Please provide exact mileage from Kongola to assist people - there is a black and yellow sign to Samudumu Campsite at the turn-off."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Good
Service
Average
Activities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Average
Facilities
Average
Feedback response
We have heard back from the lodge regarding your comments on the staff and the service and they have taken this on board and commented that they employed all of their staff from the conservancy adjacent to Kazile as per their joint venture agreement, including the manager. Training individuals with absolutely no experience takes time and requires commitment. They have decided to bring in a new management couple as of late May and they are confident that they will have strong leadership in place in Kazile and that their program to continue the training and maintaining of standards will be successful.
Thank you for informing us of the error in our directions, we were under the impression that Kazile Campsite was signposted from the road, which indicated the turn off. However after contacting the lodge it is indeed the Samudumu Campsite which is signposted from the road and that plans are in place to erect a specific Kazile Island Lodge sign. We have updated this in our documentation to assist future travellers.
Thank you for informing us of the error in our directions, we were under the impression that Kazile Campsite was signposted from the road, which indicated the turn off. However after contacting the lodge it is indeed the Samudumu Campsite which is signposted from the road and that plans are in place to erect a specific Kazile Island Lodge sign. We have updated this in our documentation to assist future travellers.
Chobe River Lodge
"Brilliant place"
2 nights
Arrived
13 Apr 2018
"Both game drive and boat cruises were excellent. The Guide, John, is eager to share his extensive knowledge of game and birds and the owner (Gabi, I think) and the manager were engaging.
We very much liked sharing a dinner table with them and the other guests.
A bonus to have hippos on the lawn at night.
A great stay, so action packed that we didn't even have time to walk into Kasane.
* Our booking stated that we had a thatched cottage, (I only noticed this after we left), but were put into a terraced room. I can't say it made any difference to our enjoyment, just thought I'd mention it."
We very much liked sharing a dinner table with them and the other guests.
A bonus to have hippos on the lawn at night.
A great stay, so action packed that we didn't even have time to walk into Kasane.
* Our booking stated that we had a thatched cottage, (I only noticed this after we left), but were put into a terraced room. I can't say it made any difference to our enjoyment, just thought I'd mention it."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Feedback response
Thank you for informing us about our room type description, I have updated this to avoid further confusion in the future.
Avani Victoria Falls
"Prime location"
2 nights
Arrived
15 Apr 2018
"I would put average, but you go there for access to the falls, which it delivers. Good pool and grounds.
Food and staff not brilliant except for the concierge. She was very helpful with flight check-ins and boarding pass printing - at no charge.
To be fair, the breakfast was fine. For dinner, very little of the menu was available and the standard was variable."
Food and staff not brilliant except for the concierge. She was very helpful with flight check-ins and boarding pass printing - at no charge.
To be fair, the breakfast was fine. For dinner, very little of the menu was available and the standard was variable."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Average
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Poor
Convenient for Joe's Beerhouse."