Andre
CrissCross Namibia Safaris
- Office In:
- Size:
- 1-5 employees (Founded in 2003)
- Member Of:
- NTB & TASA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $350 to $800 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
CA
Email DTeoh | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A review of the Lodges and Company
My husband and I went on a 21d overland Safari with Crisscross. We were accompanied by Thinus himself. Rather than going into details about where to go, I would like to review CrissCross as well as some of the lodges we stayed at rather than Namibia itself which is a must do location for Safari.
Communication with this company and their response time is superb, especially when you consider that when Thinus is on the road, wifi is sketchy and that he may be limited in how often he could see to business. I found this company to be highly responsive and excellent in providing several options and listing suggestions. I am an avid researcher and all their suggestions were what we were looking for after. Kudos to the support staff as well as the organization that they maintain. Please understand that in Namibia, as well developed in infrastructure for an African nation it is, there are still small barriers that would make it difficult towards organization but this company overcomes this well.
A criticism I would have of the company is that during the organization part there isn't a clear idea of the amount of driving and time required in a vehicle. Distances that are covered at highway speed in developed nations take much, much longer. As such, much of my distress during our safari was the amount of time spent cooped up in a vehicle. I would have appreciated knowing in advance the approximate time it would take to journey from one destination to another. I find being stationary in a car exhausting (more so than a very active day) so would have really appreciated either a few extra days to recoup. The car is a comfortable 4x4 and was very reliable for our long journey. However, now knowing the distances that need to be covered and the very straight, unfortunately repetitious scenery (not many villages or natural sights) I think I would have changed my safari and included some flights instead.
The Lodges presented as choice were amazing. Paying more to stay at certain locations are definitely recommended. In my opinion places to "splash out" include (in order of importance): 1. Mowani camp in Dmamaraland (this is a must! I would never think of staying anywhere else and when I sleep I wish to dream of the scenery here), 2. the Premier Waterhole room in Okaukejo (too bad there wasn't room service! food here was terrible but the Waterhole is superb!), 3. Hoodia Lodge in Sossusliev (unless staying in the park which is also a nice option).
Other highly recommended lodges or trips for interest and for uniqueness: 1. Senyati (very hot rooms but a real introduction to Elephant herd behavior...did you know they line up for water? so polite); 2. Ndhovu (Hippos outside your tent...need I say more? Yes because they have a resident Hippo named Chomp who is adorable); 3. Tenting in the Okavango.
CrissCross managed to find us an outfitter (maun_backpackers.com) that did camping in the Okavango Delta (Botswana side). This was by far my favourite part of this entire safari. We're talking about real camping here, not a lodge and I loved it. I would highly recommend this over any other tour if you love to camp. Elephants, hyenas, the possibility of wild dogs, tracking a black rhino, swimming in the Okavango... all experiences that I wouldn't have thought possible unless you camp.
Finally, I would like to recommend Thinus as a guide. He is an excellent source of information for history as well as provides a unique view and opinion on the Apartheid movement that I had not considered before. I did initially have an issue with Thinus smoking while we were on game drives, but after letting him know of this, he desisted. It would have been nice if he opted first not to smoke around us nonsmokers rather than needing me to bring this to his attention. In addition, please be aware that your guide is with you the entire time, even for meals. If you're looking for a romantic holiday or special time with your significant other to reconnect, you may want to tell your guide. We asked to have several dinners by ourselves just to give us time to spend together as a couple. A suggestion I have for the company is to clarify expectations with your guests regarding smoking and meals at the start of the tour. It would have made some uncomfortable situations less of an issue.
The strengths of this company lies in its organization as well as ability to provide guests with a variety of tour options at various price points. I would recommend CrissCross Namibia.
IT
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best tout I have ever made
I thanks Thinus for his wonderful job with us. He menaged everythink in a perfect way, patience and helpful in every situation.
CH
Email Annemarie + Roberto Geneva | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
5 star treatment highly recommend this company
We had a great time during our 3 weeks journey through Namibia. Everything was planned perfectly well. The choice of the accommodations, the parks and all the animals that we managed to see in their native environment. Also the seaside and dessert was a marvelous attraction.
The driver was excellent and he explained very well the history of the country and their wildlife. We had a five star treatment! It will remain our most memorable trip of our live.
Thanks a lot
Annamarie +Roberto from Geneva
CH
Email Patrick H | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Wonderful experience from start to finish and very well organized!
Can recommend Namibia to anyone for Safari's and or tours , its safe , clean , friendly and scenery you will not see anywhere else in the world. Our Tour operator Crisscross made it wonderful from start to finish , well organized and with a fantastic guide .
CH
Email Robin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent trip exceeding expectations.
The suggested trip covering Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia covered all highlights regarding wildlife, landscapes and people. Markus, our guide, was very knowledgeable and knew the countries like his pocket. Very enjoyable company too. Had the time of our lifes.
CA
Email Lucy Willcox | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Knowledge of a Local
I had the pleasure of seeing Africa - Botswana and Namibia for the first time with my travel buddy. It was adventurous, and fun, with lots of laughs and what turned out to be an intimate and emotional experience seeing the varied landscape of Namibia and its animals. Thinus was instrumental - hearing his stories and experiences, sharing his knowledge of the different areas, and knowing when and how to see the animals up close and personal. Our tour was customized and focused on suggestions made by CrissCross and incorporated our own wish list. They were flexible, quick to respond, and knowledgeable. I appreciated we were put first and every effort was made to meet our travel goals. Note, we are experienced travelers but, you don't need to be. I loved my first experience with Africa and wouldn't hesitate to go again and book through CrissCross - it was an emotional goodbye - we will see you again.
CA
Provided an Exhilarating Experience
We had aproximately 25 days in Namibia including our wonderful time in the Chobe River where Thinus met us at Kasane airport in Botswana,
We immediately when on a game drive within 15 min of our lodge and saw most of the big 5. Our adventure in Namibia after Botswana continued through Etosha Park, (we loved the tents camp right outside the lodge with a watering hole in front of our luxurious tent)
We loved Damaraland with its stunning rock formations and night sky. We also adored the Skeleton coast and the colours in the sand and the dunes. We had also an amazing jeep ride along the coast line during low tide with the waves crashing in under us, followed by an amazing drive up and down the enormous dunes. You can do this from Swapomund or Walvis Bay . ( I would suggest hiring your own private guide for this)
Thinus was a great driver and knows how to handle the gravel and sand roads and booked great accomodations for us. We also enjoyed the company of Marcus who was a wonderful and knowledgeable guide while Thinus took a few days off. We loved this trip....it was one of a lifetime and we do plan to come back when time allows. We saw every living creature in Africa and the scenery is spectacular.
trisha from Vancouver
BG
Email Polya | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Everything was perfectly organized!
Really, really good organization! We made self drive around Namibia. 3000 km for 10 days. Our trip was a combination of B&B and camping in a roof tent on the top of a Toyota car. Thinus has chosen really amazing lodges - small and charming places! Our camping was so beautiful place!
We met Thinus on the day of our arrival. He was very kind. Thinus gave us a marked road map, gave us really helpful advices - about the roads, about the fuel, places to eat, about the camping.
Wе wanted to met Thinus on the last day of our trip to say THANK YOU but we didn't get to see each other one more time. So see you next time, Thinus!
Thanks for everything!!!
Gratefully,
Your first guests from Bulgaria
TH
Email Chris and Tingting | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Thinus, the tour operator was honest, forthright, and engaging. Full of interesting information.
From our arrival in Windhoek to our departure from Victoria Falls, CrissCross Namibia did an excellent job building the itinerary for my wife and me, with stops at numerous fascinating destinations. We travelled with a guide/driver who arranged all the details of the program and left us with the opportunity to follow our curiosity. The lodges and camps where we stayed ranged from high-end five star to quirky, but comfortable. The food was ample and delicious and out local guide, Markus, was extremely well-informed about the natural history, wild mammals and birds. Some of the drives were long, but the driver was skilled and stops were well-timed. The program combined fascinating wildlife encounters with a significant cultural component. We travelled in Namibia for two weeks, Botswana and Zimbabwe for one week. If I could make any changes, it would only be that to spend more time at several of our destinations.
Initially, correspondence with CrossCross Namibia was hampered by difficulty between our respective email servers. So the amount of discussion pre-trip was less than I would have preferred. But the important points were covered. And any uncertainties we had coming into the program evaporated as soon as we arrived. Experiences exceeded our expectations on almost every level. We especially liked the diversity of Namibia: the dunes and coastline of Namib Desert, the cultural legacy of Damaraland, and the stark beauty and abundant wildlife of Etosha National Park. Next time, we would love to visit the southern part of Namibia.
Highest marks to Thinus, Markus and the Namibian people for an exceptional tour.
IL
Email Dana and Shimshon | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
WELL PLANNED ITINERARY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
We just came from 12 days self drive safari tour in Namibia organised by CrissCross.
We choose the company on previous online reviews and they did not disapoint.
They organized the tour in a record time and answered promptly to any inquiries we had.
Accommodation and food on the trip were excellent. The lodges (3-5star) were fantastic- interesting locations and unique styles.
We enjoined every minute of our trip.
We already discused with Thinus about next trips in Namibia and neighbouring countries.