Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs L from Birmingham
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
14
Excursions taken
0
My Oct 2022 trip
Namibia between 1 Oct 2022 and 18 Oct 2022
"We really enjoyed our trip to Namibia getting to see more of the country and its fantastic and varied scenery.
We are glad we followed the route we did, getting the bad roads out of the way first and finishing with the better tarmac roads and animal spotting.
We will definitely be seeking your advice and guidance for our next trip to Africa."
We are glad we followed the route we did, getting the bad roads out of the way first and finishing with the better tarmac roads and animal spotting.
We will definitely be seeking your advice and guidance for our next trip to Africa."
Arranged By Maruska AdyeRowe
Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch
"Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch review"
1 night
Arrived
2 Oct 2022
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
1 sighting
Oryx
2 sightings
White Rhino
1 sighting
Wolwedans Desert Lodge
"Wolwedans Desert Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
3 Oct 2022
"We really enjoyed our trip to Wolwedans which had a roomy tent with both indoor and outdoor shower & toilet and large decking area with different seating options & a chiller pool.
We opted for the all day excursion and would definitely recommend this as it means you get to see far more of the varied and beautiful landscape. You have a picnic lunch in a shady rocky area at a proper table with chairs and there is a proper toilet with the best view! Our guide, Jake, was brilliant - very knowledgeable and engaging and Lulu the Landrover did us proud on our outing.
The following morning we did a bushman’s walk which was very interesting identifying different animal tracks and discovering the smaller creatures making a home in the dunes.
Breakfast and lunch (when you’re at base) are at individual tables on decking with wonderful views and the evening meal is at a big table with other guests.
The waiting staff tend to be trainees and all did a good job taking it very seriously, although more smiling would have worked. The food was very good, however, it would have been nice to be asked how you would like your steak cooked."
We opted for the all day excursion and would definitely recommend this as it means you get to see far more of the varied and beautiful landscape. You have a picnic lunch in a shady rocky area at a proper table with chairs and there is a proper toilet with the best view! Our guide, Jake, was brilliant - very knowledgeable and engaging and Lulu the Landrover did us proud on our outing.
The following morning we did a bushman’s walk which was very interesting identifying different animal tracks and discovering the smaller creatures making a home in the dunes.
Breakfast and lunch (when you’re at base) are at individual tables on decking with wonderful views and the evening meal is at a big table with other guests.
The waiting staff tend to be trainees and all did a good job taking it very seriously, although more smiling would have worked. The food was very good, however, it would have been nice to be asked how you would like your steak cooked."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Oryx
10+ sightings
Zebra
4 sightings
Hoodia Desert Lodge
"Hoodia Desert Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
5 Oct 2022
"Very enthusiastic welcome from Thomas, one of the owners with a lovely home-made iced tea. We were booked for a day trip to Sossusvlei and Thomas sat us down to go through any food allergies and what drinks we would like during our outing, something that I particularly appreciated as I usually end up with water because I don’t like alcohol or carbonated drinks.
The trip itself was great (although a long & hot day) and it was really nice that we weren’t automatically taken to the most popular dunes for the sake of it, going instead to a dune where it was just us climbing it but the view at the top was worth it. The guide was really informative and also provided a really useful commentary about which toilets were the best to go for!
The picnic lunch was amazing, both for the scenery and the fact that we had a full table and chair set up complete with table runners, different size glasses and full china and cutlery!"
The trip itself was great (although a long & hot day) and it was really nice that we weren’t automatically taken to the most popular dunes for the sake of it, going instead to a dune where it was just us climbing it but the view at the top was worth it. The guide was really informative and also provided a really useful commentary about which toilets were the best to go for!
The picnic lunch was amazing, both for the scenery and the fact that we had a full table and chair set up complete with table runners, different size glasses and full china and cutlery!"
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Oryx
10+ sightings
Strand Hotel
"Strand Hotel review"
2 nights
Arrived
7 Oct 2022
"We were really lucky to find we had been upgraded to the presidential suite, which was fabulous with a really long balcony. The location is ideal, on the sea front and an easy walk to the local shops. We ate at their fish restaurant our first night and the food was excellent.
The breakfast was the biggest we came across variety-wise and good quality.
The hotel are happy to arrange trips for you and we went for a half-day dune driving which included checking out the flamingos at Walvis Bay. It was good fun with plenty of stops for the views."
The breakfast was the biggest we came across variety-wise and good quality.
The hotel are happy to arrange trips for you and we went for a half-day dune driving which included checking out the flamingos at Walvis Bay. It was good fun with plenty of stops for the views."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Good
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Camp Kipwe
"Camp Kipwe review"
2 nights
Arrived
9 Oct 2022
"Although it’s listed as including drinks and laundry, it doesn’t and as there’s an engraved sign on the bathroom mirror that they’re not doing laundry due to water shortages, it’s clearly a long-term plan.
The road to the camp is horrendous and it was a relief to arrive with the car in one piece & very glad we were in a 4 wheel drive! There were no activities planned on the first day, which was actually quite nice as it gave us a chance to chill.
The bungalows are quite sweet and we had a separate deck with chairs looking towards the west for sunset. The bathroom is all outside & it’s surprising to feel a little chilly in the shower when the temperature outside was so high.
The nature drive the following morning was great and we saw plenty of elephants as well as giraffes. We also did the afternoon drive to see the rock carvings and enjoyed that more down to the quality of the guide."
The road to the camp is horrendous and it was a relief to arrive with the car in one piece & very glad we were in a 4 wheel drive! There were no activities planned on the first day, which was actually quite nice as it gave us a chance to chill.
The bungalows are quite sweet and we had a separate deck with chairs looking towards the west for sunset. The bathroom is all outside & it’s surprising to feel a little chilly in the shower when the temperature outside was so high.
The nature drive the following morning was great and we saw plenty of elephants as well as giraffes. We also did the afternoon drive to see the rock carvings and enjoyed that more down to the quality of the guide."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Elephant
4 sightings
Giraffe
2 sightings
Ongava Lodge
"Ongava Lodge review"
2 nights
Arrived
11 Oct 2022
"The lodge has an amazing view from their restaurant over a water hole which meant we ate our lunch on arrival watching a bull elephant before going down to the hide for a closer look. The chalet was very roomy with a nice decking area. On our afternoon drive on the Ongava reserve we were really lucky and saw 2 lionesses with 4 cubs between them which I would have been happy to watch for the rest of the afternoon & when we got back there were 2 black rhinos at the water hole. Watching what was going on there was far better than a TV!
We had been to Ongava before and loved it in the tented camp. The biggest advantage of the Lodge is the view of the watering hole, whilst the tented camp feels more exciting but would be happy to stay in either again."
We had been to Ongava before and loved it in the tented camp. The biggest advantage of the Lodge is the view of the watering hole, whilst the tented camp feels more exciting but would be happy to stay in either again."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Black Rhino
2 sightings
Eland
3 sightings
Elephant
2 sightings
Giraffe
5 sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Oryx
3 sightings
Roan antelope
3 sightings
Sable antelope
3 sightings
Spotted Hyena
5 sightings
White Rhino
2 sightings
Wildebeest
3 sightings
Zebra
4 sightings
Mushara Outpost
"Mushara Outpost review"
2 nights
Arrived
13 Oct 2022
"Nice to have air-con in the tent and the jar with lavender shortcake to go with your tea & coffee. Whilst they don’t do afternoon tea, you can ask for a piece of cake and we sat on the terrace eating tasty carrot cake watching some warthogs eating the grass of the lawn.
A drum summons you to the evening meal if you are not already sat around the fire pit."
A drum summons you to the evening meal if you are not already sat around the fire pit."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Sightings report
Eland
1 sighting
Giraffe
4 sightings
Lion
2 sightings
Oryx
3 sightings
Roan antelope
3 sightings
Sable antelope
2 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Wildebeest
2 sightings
Zebra
4 sightings
Okonjima Bush Camp
"Okonjima Bush Camp review"
1 night
Arrived
15 Oct 2022
"The thatched chalets were beautiful with the main chalet having 2 double beds and the bathroom with plenty of windows in the front half overlooking the plains and a small water bath for birds.
On the other side of the path to the front door is a second chalet which is your open air living room with 2 comfortable looking stretch chairs looking towards the front, drink making facilities and fridge. There is also a container which has a jar of bird food which you can throw out to get a flurry of Guinea fowl visiting.
Having said all that, we were only there for one night and were barely in our room (beyond sleeping) which made it seem a bit of a waste.
We went for the leopard tracking both in the afternoon and the following morning and were successful each time."
On the other side of the path to the front door is a second chalet which is your open air living room with 2 comfortable looking stretch chairs looking towards the front, drink making facilities and fridge. There is also a container which has a jar of bird food which you can throw out to get a flurry of Guinea fowl visiting.
Having said all that, we were only there for one night and were barely in our room (beyond sleeping) which made it seem a bit of a waste.
We went for the leopard tracking both in the afternoon and the following morning and were successful each time."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Eland
1 sighting
Giraffe
2 sightings
Leopard
3 sightings
Oryx
2 sightings
Sable antelope
1 sighting
Zebra
1 sighting
Naankuse Lodge
"Naankuse Lodge review"
1 night
Arrived
16 Oct 2022
"This was more basic than our other accommodation but was clean and whilst the restaurant was reminiscent of a school canteen the food was good quality, even though there was a power cut part-way through the evening meal.
It’s a handy location for the airport and they are happy for you to hang around after check-out if you don’t need to go straight to the airport."
It’s a handy location for the airport and they are happy for you to hang around after check-out if you don’t need to go straight to the airport."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Activities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Average
Lodge not featured by Expert Africa
Great introduction
Namibia between 4 Oct 2019 and 16 Oct 2019
"Thoroughly enjoyed our first trip to Namibia and definitely want to go back.
We deliberately only covered a relatively small area so we didn’t have to drive more than 4.5 hours a day and are glad we did this to ensure we had the time to properly see what we wanted.
Will definitely use you again for our next trip!"
We deliberately only covered a relatively small area so we didn’t have to drive more than 4.5 hours a day and are glad we did this to ensure we had the time to properly see what we wanted.
Will definitely use you again for our next trip!"
Arranged By Maruska AdyeRowe
GocheGanas
"Good introduction to Africa"
2 nights
Arrived
5 Oct 2019
"A stand out moment was driving down the gravel track towards the entrance & there was a giraffe at the side of the road (within the reserve). Lovely way to start our trip - being met with wet towels & a welcome drink. Everyone was very friendly & we timed it very well in arriving in time for afternoon tea!
A good morning game drive on our first morning with a good selection of animals seen & having a drink with 2 rhinos on the other side of the fence was fabulous.
Good facilities & lovely back massage at a very reasonable price."
A good morning game drive on our first morning with a good selection of animals seen & having a drink with 2 rhinos on the other side of the fence was fabulous.
Good facilities & lovely back massage at a very reasonable price."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Eland
2 sightings
Giraffe
4 sightings
Oryx
2 sightings
White Rhino
1 sighting
Wildebeest
1 sighting
Zebra
3 sightings
Erongo Wilderness Lodge
"Something a little different"
1 night
Arrived
7 Oct 2019
"Fantastic location within the rocks, although it was very hot.
Superb guide (Deon) on the couple of nature walks we did."
Superb guide (Deon) on the couple of nature walks we did."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Mushara Lodge
"Good location near Etosha"
2 nights
Arrived
8 Oct 2019
"Air conditioning in the room was most welcome, as were the home made cookies!
This was our least favourite of the places we stayed, although it was still really nice. Didn’t like the fact that the evening meal was at the same time for everyone - playing the jungle drums to call you there but not everyone showed up at the same time so you have to wait & it was 20 minutes before they then served the starter. Also, there was no choice, although it was better the second night when they did a barbecue.
Staff not as friendly here in comparison to the others where everyone was happy to say good morning. Only place that didn’t do afternoon tea."
This was our least favourite of the places we stayed, although it was still really nice. Didn’t like the fact that the evening meal was at the same time for everyone - playing the jungle drums to call you there but not everyone showed up at the same time so you have to wait & it was 20 minutes before they then served the starter. Also, there was no choice, although it was better the second night when they did a barbecue.
Staff not as friendly here in comparison to the others where everyone was happy to say good morning. Only place that didn’t do afternoon tea."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Eland
2 sightings
Elephant
1 sighting
Giraffe
6 sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Oryx
2 sightings
Wildebeest
3 sightings
Zebra
5 sightings
Ongava Tented Camp
"Amazing"
2 nights
Arrived
10 Oct 2019
"Our favourite place - being greeted by 2 giraffes at the watering hole when checking in was awesome and getting a 4am alarm call from a lion on our last morning is not something we’ll forget, even if we didn’t actually get to see one!
The attention to detail here was second to none & even though we didn’t do as well with the wildlife spotting we thoroughly enjoyed it."
The attention to detail here was second to none & even though we didn’t do as well with the wildlife spotting we thoroughly enjoyed it."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Eland
3 sightings
Elephant
2 sightings
Giraffe
5 sightings
Oryx
3 sightings
White Rhino
2 sightings
Wildebeest
3 sightings
Zebra
4 sightings
Okonjima Plains Camp
"Leopards spotted!"
2 nights
Arrived
12 Oct 2019
"Great room overlooking the plain.
Enjoyed both the drives we did although sponsorship for was rammed down your throats a bit too much but can put up with that to then see the cheetahs.
The morning leopard tracking drive was fantastic in that we saw both a male and female leopard."
Enjoyed both the drives we did although sponsorship for was rammed down your throats a bit too much but can put up with that to then see the cheetahs.
The morning leopard tracking drive was fantastic in that we saw both a male and female leopard."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Brown Hyena
1 sighting
Eland
2 sightings
Giraffe
3 sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Oryx
3 sightings
Wild dog
2 sightings
Wildebeest
2 sightings
Zebra
3 sightings
We were in a dune chalet which had lovely comfy chairs on the decking where we could sit and watch the wildlife both at the water hole it overlooked and the kudu wandering past eating the bushes.
The main building has one of the best shops we came across with plenty of variety of both souvenirs and more practical items such as hats for sun protection.
There was a barbecue the night we stayed with a good variety including 3 different meats which were all very tasty.
We did the cheetah feeding which is you in the back of a truck watching the guides get out and feed the cheetahs (who cannot be released into the wild) & it was both informative and a good way to see these beautiful animals up close."