7 independent reviews for Namibia on a budget
Reviews for Namibia on a budget
IAN D MACFADYEN review 8 Oct 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
There were several highlights. Our arrival at the Kalahari Namib Lodge where we were greeted with the sight of game around a water hole right outside, then taken to our tent which was secluded and looked out onto the desert. While we were in Swakopmund we drove up to the seal colony at Cape Cross. Personally I found it amazing, it was smelly but I didn't care, I was in my element with the animals, literally hundreds of them, very close. Entering Etosha N.P. was exciting, but the water holes were good distances apart, so what with the rough corrugated gravel road we never managed to get to more than three water holes during the entire day spent in the park.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Contrary to what we read or told before we went, we found that EVERYWHERE took credit & debit cards. This made everyday budgeting problem free. We took cash too but used it only for tips for services we paid for with a card, eg. petrol. One thing to be aware of, for anyone who has an HSBC Global card or equivalent, (loaded with a particular currency), whilst ZAR is accepted everywhere on a 1:1 basis with the Namibian $, none of the card machines would take the Global card loaded with ZAR, so it remained unused.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
It most certainly benefitted local people, we were quite generous with tips! Not sure that's necessarily a good thing, for example lads in the petrol station filled the car up for us but hung around afterwards clearly waiting /expecting a tip. When leaving one of the lodges, the gate was opened by a girl who did likewise just for letting us leave. I can't see how our vacation would in any way have reduced environmental impact, although I imagine requisite western standards might perhaps have a positive influence on hygiene and cleanliness. It would have benefitted conservation having visited a number of National Parks.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Great, nothing negative to say about it. Very well organised, everything we anticipated it might be.Karen Elcock review 15 Oct 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The opportunity to see animals in their natural environment2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Understand the driving conditions on most of the roads.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Karin Tieche review 30 Sep 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Everything ! The organisation, the landscape, the people, the food.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Get lip balm, eye drops and body cream ! And enjoy the ride!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I hope tourism has, somehow, a positive impact on the employment. I found Namibia very clean with very little littering4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
It was perfect. We were just unlucky in Grootberg. The conjunction of freezing day, wifi down and the presence of a lion made the day very longANDREW WRIGHT review 4 Oct 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Just being in such a strikingly different environment with the family ages 10-72. and wildlife spotting usually from our own roomy vehicle. The lodges were all great and well-appointed and the grandchildren loved the swim pools. Etosha with its waterhole was amazing.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Given the long distances between stops and the dirt roads I think this type of vacation is more suitable for children over the age of 10. A 2 night stop over at the lodges were welcomed and made the experience more relaxed.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We like to think so! The local travel agents used would have considered these issues and local people were employed and hopefully benefited from this style of tourism. There was much stress on animal welfare and conservation. We found all the people we interacted with were friendly and helpful and happy to welcome visitors.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had a fab family vacation just at the right time for our grandchildren. Our only accommodation glitch was quickly sorted thanks to the agent in Windhoek. We would highly recommend this trip.ANDREW WRIGHT review 12 Sep 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Just being in such a strikingly different environment with the family ages 10-72 and wildlife spotting usually from our own roomy vehicle. The lodges were all great and well-appointed and the grandchildren loved the swim pools. Etosha with its waterhole was amazing.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Given the long distances between stops and the dirt roads I think this type of vacation is more suitable for children over the age of 10. A 2 night stop over at the lodges were welcomed and made the experience more relaxed.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We like to think so! The local travel agents used would have considered these issues and local people were employed and hopefully benefited from this style of tourism. There was much stress on animal welfare and conservation. We found all the people we interacted with were friendly and helpful and happy to welcome visitors.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had a fab family vacation just at the right time for our grandchildren. Our only accommodation glitch was quickly sorted thanks to the agent in Windhoek. We would highly recommend this trip.Janice Denyer review 2 Nov 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The animals were the highlight.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for long drives.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. Namibia is still suffering from the impact of Coronavirus and the lack of visitors. We hope our visit will assist in their route back to normality.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent.Julie Peterkin review 20 May 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Seeing all the animals in their natural environments.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for the gravel roads - can be hard work & take longer than you think.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We were given environmentally friendly bags & drinks containers to use to reduce plastic use. Many of the lodges were completed self-sufficient in terms of water & solar powered electricity. Lodge owners were happy to discuss local initiatives to stop poaching and were committed to training & employing local staff.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent - we had an amazing time giving us memories to last a lifetime. There were small issues, but nothing that diminished our enjoyment.Holiday Reviews
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