US
Email Pauline | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Spectacular
We choose to visit Southern Namibia including the Kalahari Desert, Fish River Canyon, Kolemanskop, Luderitz, the colossal dunes of Sossusvlei. Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe and Windhoek. Each destination offered great scenery, wildlife, beautiful landscapes and wonderful experiences. Our private guided tour was expertly organized by Indigo Safaris of London. We had the best and most personable driver/guide assigned by their Namibian partner agency Namvic.
Email Phil Atkinson | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A wonderful few weeks in an extraordinary country. We will be back as much more to see
We booked very late really, early August but our tour organiser, Lilly of Great Explorations Namibia, pulled out all the stops to ensure we had our agreed car and accommodation which was great. Time is always an issue with trips as there is way too much to see so compromise has to be part of the trip. I have written this in the order that we drove around Namibia rather than by favourites.
The weather we experienced was varied, it was still winter so cold at night and in the morning inland but temperatures hitting 30C+ by mid morning. We felt safe everywhere although you need to be sensible and follow the same precautions you would at home or any other European City that I have been to.
We started with a quick overnight stay on the edge of the Kalahari, a great introduction. Even from that first night, we had sightings of assorted antelope, baboon, huge numbers of birds which was great.
We then drove across to Sesriem in the Namib desert. An interesting introduction to Namibia’s roads but great fun too. During our stay at Sesriem we had a early morning hot air balloon flight over the mountains and dunes, it was absolutely amazing, well worth the cost. We also walked on the dunes and visited Deadvlei, an unreal and almost spiritual location, early morning is best as it gets very hot later.
Our next stopover was Swakopmund, much cooler as it’s by the Atlantic. Great town, lots to see, very good restaurants and opportunities for many experiences. We did a 4x4 trip across the dunes to Sandwich Harbour, it was a combination of history, eco awareness and some amazing driving between the dunes and the sea as well as hurtling up and down them too. Surprised at the extent of the wildlife we saw on the trip too. A kayak trip around Pelican Point was ace, mobbed by curious Cape Fur seals and overseen by flamingoes and pelicans.
After a few days we drove up to Twyfelfontein through some eerily awesome scenery. We started by driving north along the Skeleton Coast with its shipwrecks and dunes then up into the high mountains through an area a bit like Monument Valley in my mind. Again, despite the barren nature of the countryside we saw lots of antelope, Oryx in particular, elephants, giraffe and birds aplenty. We had time to chill here, do some walking and exercise as well as go on a game drive along the Huab river to find desert adapted giraffe and elephants, which we did. There is a lot of art and history in this area along with odd geological features.
We then had a few days south of Etosha which were great. Plenty of game, great food, friendly locals and great views to enjoy. The bird life, especially birds of prey, was almost overwhelming and we saw zebra, elephant and giraffe regularly plus all of the local antelope including kudu, springbok, oryx to name but a few.
Etosha National Park was the highlight though. Self driving whilst viewing lion, giraffe, elephant, white and black rhino, and a multitude of plains game was amazing. We saw, at close quarters, a herd of 25 elephant walking across the road just metres from our car bonnet, two black rhino, a cheetah and her cubs as well as lions feeding on baby rhino. The bird life was prolific, many that I had never seen in my life. This whole experience was further boosted by night time visits to the floodlit waterholes at Okaukuejo and Halali, both within the Etosha NP. Staying in the park was fantastic as you could be on the road by around 7:00am until 7:00pm if you so desired. We spent four days in and around the park, amazing and relatively inexpensive.
On the way back to Windhoek we spent a few days at Okonjima Plains Camp, home of the Africat Foundation. We learnt about the problems of the overlaps between man and wildlife and also about the educational work being done with local people, fascinating. Also saw some more cheetah and had a very close encounter with a leopard, magnificent, before going for some self guided walks in the bush.
On top of all of that it was fascinating to learn about the history and customs of the different tribes in Namibia, the ecology of the place and last but not least, spend time in some of the most amazing and varied countryside that I have ever seen. One of the best trips of my life during which we drove over 3,000km in 17 days over dirt and gravel roads but it was a fantastic experience, capped by nice people, good food, beer and wine and just a great feeling.
CA
Email Bob | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A wonderfully interesting destination with lots of variety.
We spent a wonderful 10 days in Namibia with an outstanding guide (Lucky) The tour was organized by Nature Travel Namibia and the staff were responsive and helpful.
We managed to see a lot of game at the Erindi Game Reserve, including some more unusual species such as wild dog. Our visit to two organizations focusing on conservation (Naankuse Foundation outside Windhoek and Rare and Endangered Species Trust near Outjo) were highlights, especially REST's work with endangered pangolins. Our Living Desert tour near Swakopmund was fascinating as we were introduced to creatures living with no evident source of water.
The geographic features of Namibia are stunning, including the Brandberg mountains (and the fascinating cave paintings) and the red sand dunes of Sossusvlei.
Lodges and food were of a high quality. The people we encountered were welcoming and helpful. It was a wonderful experience and good value.
CH
Email Constantin May | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great Tour with very friendly and attentive guide
Based on the experience I made during a 3-day camp trip to Etosha, I would recommend this tour operator.
Tour guide Saari did an amazing job!
IT
Email Daniela | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Magic experience in Namibia
This was my first time in Africa...and I couldn't have chosen anything better than Namibia!
Everything was wonderful: landscape, wildlife, sense of peace...I will bring this experience in my heart forever!
Email Pravitha Naidoo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Most wonderful , exciting and adventurous 10 day Tour of Namibia
The tour company was very fast and efficient in communicating and arranging all our bookings. We were happy with most of the accommodation which were clean and comfortable. The weather was very hot but fortunately we travelled in a fully air conditioned vehicle so it was fine. Breakfast and dinner was included so we only had to purchase lunch which was very good. The scenic beauty in Sossusvlei in the desert was amazing. The highlight for me was climbing up the dunes and enjoying seeing all of the big 5 animals on all 3 nights spent in Esosha. The tour guide Rambo was extremely knowledgeable and went the extra mile to please us. We spent 2 nights in Damaraland and learnt about the indigenous Himba tribe. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Namibia and highly recommend wild Wind Safaris as an excellent tour operator.
CA
Email Lynn | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible!
Etosha provided an amazing experience. Our guide from Wild Wind Safaris (Rambo) was excellent and taught us about the animals and their behavior. We would have missed 90% of what we saw if not for his keen eyes. The scenery, accommodations, food and transportation was top notch. The trip was beyond my expectations.
IT
Email Luigi Iannetti | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome wildlife in Etosha
Very good three days - two night tour in Etosha with Wild Cherry Adventures, during the dry season. Lots of tours in the park with a very good guide. We actually spent our days and night in the park, with lots of wildlife sightings. Please note it is true camping (two-men tents), but they provide everything is necessary, including clean bedding. Just bring with you a flashlight and warm clothing, they are necessary during night and in the early morning. The tents are in a fenced campsite with bar, minimarket, toilets, very close to a waterhole where it is possible to see any species a few steps from the tents. During night we heard lions roaring! During day a very expert guide brougth us to different waterholes (every day one tour in the early morning and one in the afternoon): we saw practically everything, even lions preying on wildebeests! Simply wonderful
US
Email Matt Waymack | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent trip, great company
Namibia was an awesome experience. Partly due to the setting, partly the wildlife but all of it possible due to Gaynor, Previous and the folks at Nature Tours Namibia. They put together an awesome trip with hands down the best guide I’ve traveled with in any nation.
IT
Email Amerio Marco | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable trip in namibia
At the beginning of August 2019 together with my family (wife and two children aged 18 and 15) we organized a 12-days self drive tour in Namibia with the local agency Cardboard Box. Our journey started from the capital Windhoek where we rented the car and spent the first night. From here through initially paved and later gravel but still easy roads we entered the Kalahari desert, we crossed the spectacular dunes of Sossusvlei and we reached the nice city of Swakopmund, on the cold coasts of the Atlantic Ocean. After crossing the Damaraland region we reached the Etosha park where we could observe most of the animals in their natural habitat. We have been fascinated by splendid landscapes; the breathtaking sunsets and the star-studded sky will remain forever in our memories. The entire trip developed without any problem; the hotels and lodges booked through the agency were excellent as well as food and reception of staff. We would like to recommend to visit Namibia expecially the travel experience in self drive.
