Gondwana Travel Centre
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 1993)
- Member Of:
- Namibia Tourism Board
- Tour Types:
- Self-drive mid-range & luxury tours
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $65 to $1,358 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
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Email Sean | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Broken head and eyeglasses, downgraded to poorer accommodation, standard scams with optionals etc...
We encountered:
- one broken head and eyeglasses
During the exit from the 4x4 vehicle at DINE 45, the driver opened all doors that could rotate 180 degrees and did not secure them. The back door curved and hit the head of my colleague who had already come out of the vehicle and then crash his glasses and he got hematoma on his head. This only happened due to negligence of drivers and guides. We have seen other drivers unloading passengers and holdin the doors in place so that a similar problem would not happen.
- downgraded to poorer accommodation
When we booked the trip, they confirmed our stay (2 days) at Namibia Desert Lodge and instead we were in a campsite with no internet in anything that looked like a tent.
- standard scams with optionals
During the trip we went to a lodge where we were told we could go and watch some wild animals in the cage. They did not let us know that we had to pay for it. Only later, they asked us to pay about $ 10 per person. Everybody in the group was surprised and the guide later said he warned us that we could watch animals "only if we want." But he did not say that if we want we have to pay for it and that this activity is not included.
- a minibus that was constantly drowned
They have been late for more than 1 hour when taking over the hotel for the first day. Explanation: Vehicle problem. I do not know what they did in those hours, but the vehicle we were on for 6 days and over 2000 km was a permanent breakdown and it was not pleasant to stay in the middle of the road with a broken vehicle and the first village 100 km away.
- we were stolen money from the minibus while there was no one around the minibus, only the driver
The last day, only a 2 hours before the end of the trip, we stopped at a lodge for lunch. Until then, the drivers (who is also the guide) was always sitting during the lunch and the dinner with us (group of 7) at the same table. This time not. We were alone in a restaurant inside the lodge, there were no people around. The driver moved away from the group. We left inside the minibus a bag with my colleague's wallet. The money was stolen from the wallet: not all the money was stolen, but only a few large banknotes. We realised this when arrived to the hotel.
I asked the agency to give me an explanation on these issues (and many other things I did not even mentioned here) but they mostly refuse responsibility. I demanded a refund and I told them that if they decided to make a refund, that would be to the account of the humanitarian organisation I will indicate to them. I do not want a refund, but someone who has accomplished this kind of service needs to bear responsibility for it. Apart from the agency I will write more reviews on the internet, it is even more a responsibility of the tour operator (SWA SAFARI).
Sorry for my bad english but I will write other reports on Italian and Spanish (my mother tongues).
Email Carol | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Once-in-a-lifetime-self drive trip to Namibia
I cannot thank Allison enough; she was SO helpful and always pleasant. All the advice really helped us to have a fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime holiday. We are a retired couple and it would have been a difficult trip without all of her suggestions and advice. Nothing was too much trouble.
No negatives at all about the arrangements. Every place was expecting us and had the correct details, car hire was in place as well. I was particularly amazed to receive the information pack at the Avis counter, the personalised map was so useful. And even a sim card for Namibia! I have posted a rave review on TripAdvisor and have told anyone who is thinking of an adventure to get in touch. Thank you!
Email Gail | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Epitome of excellent service - Completely recommended.
We tried to book our self drive tour independently about a year in advance. It is important to book in advance if you have particular places you want to stay - Namibia is becoming popular especially in peak season. September was an excellent month to visit. We didn't find Etosha crowded and the wildlife viewing was mind blowing. I wasn't able to get bookings confirmed independently and UK travel agents couldn't offer me what I wanted and the prices were ridiculous. So turned to CBTS and the service we received from Allison was amazing. Advice given was spot on ( as noted during actual trip), emails were prompt and professional. All bookings went ahead as planned and we were given a detailed itinerary and a great map (all you need) on arrival in Windhoek. Allison even helped us out with some shopping as we arrived on a Sunday and left early Monday am from Windhoek so the shops weren't selling alcohol. We had one problem with Avis ( def not the fault of CBTS) and I was able to ring the Travel agency to help me make sure it was sorted out. And it was sorted. We hope to return to this area and will use CBTS again. Allison is a star. We stopped in on the way back to the airport and was very impressed with the glamourous offices as well.
Email Tim Dawkins | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent customer service from first enquiry to end of trip
As a party of 6 we all had special requests for sites and areas we wanted to visit. We could not find an advertised trip that covered everything we wanted to do. A quick email to the Cardboard Box shop and Alison came back with an itinerary that worked for everyone. From the first correspondence everything was well organised. we had no experience of Namibia and Botswana but the selection of accommodation and trips worked perfectly for all of us. Every communication and question we had was promptly answered by Alison, the travel pack left for us at our first nights accommodation was very useful, this contained a copy of all our bookings, some specialist information on driving, safety etc.. There was also a detailed map with the accommodation, petrol stations and banks highlighted to help us on our trip. I don't think we could have put this trip together ourselves as the vast experience they have on all the accommodation ensured we had a comfortable stay wherever we were.
Email Dave | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Friendly, professional, efficient - an example to all safari operators!
The booking was handled incredibly efficiently. Allison replied to all our questions and altered/formulated our itinerary as often and as much as we needed. She was always quick to answer emails - even when I thought the office would be closed! She is a total and utter credit to your company... we stopped by on our last day in Windhoek to personally thank her for such a fantastic job. We couldn't have asked for a better helping hand in planning our self-drive trip and plan to use them again next time!
Email Gina, UK | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
A true gem in the travel industry
I cannot recommend Cardboard Box Travel Shop highly enough. My travel consultant was Lily. It started with a brief phone call (UK to Namibia !) and Lily suggested I detail my needs in an e mail so she could review and respond. Lily was outstanding. She was quite simply one of the best travel consultants I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. She worked quickly and efficiently on all our requests. More importantly she was pro active rather than just reactive... a rare quality.. We had a brilliant trip - we will certainly use them when we are next visiting Namibia.
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Email Katy | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
ECCELLENT when you plan all the details of your holiday and also if you need any help during it.
The internet isn't as good as in EU, so the car navigator could stop working: it's better to have a very detailed map.
I also suggest to buy a mobile pre-paid card (there is a box Office into Windhoek Airport); MTC Tango Prepaid is good.
Remember to fuel your car at every petrol station because you might not find any for many many miles.
Lastly, buy a lot of water to take into your car.
Email Peter | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent service - highly recommended
We recently returned from a trip that included 2 weeks in Namibia. Cardboard Box Travel were very helpful in suggestions and bookings. Sonja, the contact there, did a great job. We decided on a self drive tour. The 4x4, accommodation and suggested route were all excellent. I highly recommend the organisation.
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Email Arne | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Excellent services!
Have used the Cardboardbox for my arrangements for many years, very staisfied with them! Good communication, quick responses and the they provide and set up your travels ass desired! They provide accomodations after excactly what you want. Good knowledge about places you want to see/do. Set up an itenirary that will suit the days you will spend! Highly recomend them if you are travelling in Namibia or Botswana!
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Email Daniele | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Incredible adventure in Namibia!
We booked two weeks self-driving tour in Namibia and we experienced a great organization from the first day till the end. The tour has been properly planned in all details and we've got all the information in an easy and clear way.
All days have been easily planned with enough time for transferring and sightseeing a nice counrty as Namibia is.
All lodgeges and hotel we staid offered great service, nice rooms and delicious food!
First day we had a very nice introducion meeting with the staff who provided us all the maps,information and suggestion for driving and visiting safely all the counrty.
Absolutely well done !!
