Travel reviews by Ms R & Mr G from Hants
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
25
Excursions taken
0
Wonderful
Namibia and 1 other country between 25 Jul 2009 and 2 Sep 2009
The planning was perfect - we had been closely advised by Expert Africa and found the timings to be spot on - no stay in one place was too short, no stay too long. We were priviledged to have 40 days and the luxury of being able to enjoy two countries, we felt, at our leisure."
Arranged By Tracy Lederer
Elegant Guesthouse
"The Elegant Guesthouse review"
Kalahari Anib Lodge
"Kalahari Anib Lodge review"
We loved the 'introduction' of the menu and the wonderful entertainment that followed it. This was an experience that we felt others could learn from, as the entertainment came after the meal!"
Central Lodge
"Central Lodge review"
We ate in the resturant where the food was acceptable, but staff kept walking in and out, leaving doors open and it was freezing!"
Molopo Kalahari Lodge
"Molopo Kalahari Lodge review"
The restaurant was very disappointing - there were very few people eating and the menu was 'fast food'. Not learning from our experience, we ordered lunch packs to take the next day - they turned out to be a cold hamburger and a cold piece of chicken, both of which had been put on bread when hot! The result was not good and we had paid N$ 70.00!"
Kielie Krankie Wilderness Camp
"Kielie Krankie Wilderness Camp review"
The views were stunning and to have our first experience of waking to the sunrise was beautiful."
Twee Rivieren Rest Camp
"Twee Rivieren Rest Camp review"
We had expected something far more basic, and yet everything we needed was provided, it was good to be cooking our own food and the AC was so powerful, we were really warm at night.
The next morning we discovered that we had a puncture, and several adept men who were waiting for their parties to take them into the Kgalagadi stepped forward to help."
Augrabies Falls Restcamp
"Augrabies Falls Restcamp review"
We also undertook the 'Dassie' walk which was most informative and enjoyable, however, there was no information on display at reception and luckily we knew of it through Chris' guide"
Annie's Cottage
"Annie's Cottage review"
Our reception was good and our hostess showed us to our room. We were enchanted by the weaver birds who were nesting in a big tree just outside our room - there was a small veranda in the sun which was very relaxing after our journey.
The one draw back to the location is that it is right across the road from the hospital which can be a bit noisy early evening and lots of lights on through the night, though the curtains are thick and block out most of it."
Ndedema Lodge
"Ndedema Lodge review"
At breakfast, there were four of us, the array was dazzling and included scones, jam and cream, as well as the usual cereals, cold meats and cheese, rolls, jams and toast. Then there was a choice of eggs, sausage, bacon, mushrooms and tomatoes, followed by a 'knickerboker glory' of yoghurt and stewed fruit laced with honey - the follwoing day we had grapefruit laced with passion fruit, all picked from their trees."
Ocean Eleven
"Ocean Eleven review"
The breakfast was beautifully presented, a table full of prepared fruit, grapefruit, passion fruit, blueberries, strawberries, pineapple, melon, kiwi fruit, mango, guava, pawpaw looked delicious and was delicious - again a plentiful supply of yoghurt, cereal, cold meats and cheeses. The most amazingly orange egg yolks and the toasted bread 'popped' in your mouth.
The room was large, modern and tasteful with a TV and armchairs as well as a fridge. Patio doors opened out on to the swimming pool, a restricted sea view which they apologised for, but we were very happy!"
Constantia Uitsig, South Africa (this camp has since closed)
"Constantia Uitsig review"
However, we ate in both restaurants where the different food was equally delicious - we thoroughly enjoyed being pampered - and the location was beautiful as were the views from the second restaurant."
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Annie's Cottage
"Annie's Cottage review"
They were, however, very busy at the start of the flower season and hopefully many of the other rooms please as much as our first! Breakfast was as good as ever."
Canyon Lodge
"Canyon Lodge review"
We went on the sundowner walk to the top of a small hill, not all those who set out completed the walk because for the elderly, it was quite challenging, but for those of us who did, our guide was knowledgeable and amusing and the views were spectacular.
Supper was accompanied by roaring fires and very attentive service. By the second night the accommodation continued to amaze, please and exceed expectation, and we were greeted by hot water bottles!!"
Desert Horse Inn
"Desert Horse Inn review"
For the first time a cooked breakfast was not 'custom made' so we went without one as we didn't fancy the pre cooked food which was being kept warm. However, there was plenty of lovely fruit salad, seed bread and cheese and ham.
We decided on the 10 k hike which revealed a far more interesting terrain than driving had done. Dinner on the second night was better, on the first they had run out of potatoes and presented us with hard ones - we would have prefered to have been told that there weren't any!"
Dabis Guest Farm
"Dabis Guest Farm review"
The farmer's enthusiasm for their farming methods, water extraction, the climate, their family history, their hopes and fears for the future was truely infectious. We enjoyed every moment of our drive.
The accommodation was delightfully presented and the swimming pool was for swimming as the tennis court was for playing on."
Sossusvlei Lodge
"Sossusvlei Lodge review"
We were disappointed to realise that we couldn't reach the dunes by sun rise, so we decided to take a guided tour from the lodge. We were very pleased that we had done so, as our knowledgeable guide left us feeling that we had seen things (a black chested eagle, a vulture, a white dancing spider) and learnt facts that we would otherwise not have done. We also felt confident climbing a dune other than Dune 45 which was covered in people!
However, the people selling the trip should have warned us about the freezing temperatures in the morning, made even more intense by the wind chill factor of driving in an open jeep - by the time we came back, it was warm enough for a dip in the pool. But all 6 of us were frozen, in spite of the blankets, on the way out."
Zebra River Lodge
"Zebra River Lodge review"
However, it was cold and the windows wouldn't shut and, for the first time, no AC that could be used as a heater. The fire in the dining room was very welcome but was not lit in the morning which was also cold.
We walked into the canyon, having been driven the first 6 ks - the drive was amazing and I learnt what a 4x4 can really do - driving across river beds full of boulders, up impossibly steep slopes and at one point up what could only be described as steps! The walk to the spring was challenging but very worthwhile.
On our departure, the new owners, in recognition of our disruptive experience, did not charge us for our activity, which we thought was most generous of them. However, the accommodation has been neglected and is now quite run down. The food was good and the staff expressed their sorrow, through song, at the departure of the previous owners. It is going to take a lot of hard work on everyone's behalf to achieve the level of excellence that we came to expect from the accommodation."
Cornerstone Guesthouse
"Cornerstone Guesthouse review"
Ideally placed for a stay in Swakopmund."
Doro Nawas
"Doro Nawas review"
The food was excellent - unsurpassed salads, crisp vegetables, delicate puddings.
We joined an afternoon drive to see the desert adapted elephants - was a bit disappointed that the drive around the property is no longer part of the deal (as described in Chris' book) - and were delighted to come across 13 of them and observe them for some time. Our guide was knowledgeable as was the person who pointed out the stars to us on the roof that night."
Etosha Safari Lodge
"Etosha Safari Lodge review"
Bonus was that they serve breakfast early, so you can be at the gate to Etosha as it opens."
Okaukuejo Camp
"Okaukuejo Camp review"
Halali Camp
"Halali Camp review"
The food in the restaurant was adequate, but the fact that they BBQed in doors both in the evening and for breakfast meant that it was very smelly.
The floodlit waterhole was well worth the visit and is well designed to accommodate a number of people."
Onguma Forest Camp
"Etosha Aoba Lodge review"
It might be better for the staff to perfom their welcome after the meal, as those of us who had spent the day in Etosha were ready to eat at 7.00.
There are 2 entrances to the lodge, both have a drive of about 10ks - we managed to mis the one just outside the Etosha gate on the right as the name of the 'company' is more prominent than the name of the lodge."
Erongo Wilderness Lodge
"Erongo Wilderness Lodge review"
The timing of the guided walks means a late breakfast (10.30am) so that the delicious sweet and savoury snacks at 3.00 just bridge the gap before dinner which is served after sundown. The restaurant was perched above the waterhole and visited by various animals including porcupine.
The swimming pool was a very welcome place to relax in the afternnon as was the verandah which had a wonderful view of the sunset."
Kleines Heim (Not currently featured by Expert Africa)
"Kleines Heim"
The swimming pool was not yet ready for swimmers but was being worked on. Reception staff were very welcoming, but I was surprised that there was no offer of help with the luggage.
Breakfast was adequate, but the cooked element was freshly prepared"
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
The accommodation was very elegant, the swimming pool was well placed and although far too cold for us, there were loungers for the brave."