Discover Namibia

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 54 reviews.

Alydia Seidell

DISCOVER NAMIBIA

Written November 2010
the trip to Namibia was absolutely great. The best way to experience the country is by camping. You are so close to nature and a good group dynamic is nice; with your fellow travellers, the tour guide and helpers.... you're one big happy family. I was pleasantly surprised that with 50 years I was amongst the "youngsters"The country is enormous but even the long trips through the desert were inspiring. However, after many hours on gravel roads one gets a bit shaky, but all that was quickly forgotten after a nice lunch or a fantastic dinner prepared by our helpers Joseph and Tuhafeni.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
the sand dunes, the vast and empty spaces..... but the most inspiring...... the waterholes by night in Etosha...... it is one breathtaking opera. For an enthusiastic amateur photographer like me it was sheer paradise; evening sunsets with giraffes posing as cardboard cut outs in front of your camera. I could have spent weeks just at these waterholes.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ronnie our group leader has eyes that see 360 degrees and 50km distance. No bird or animal escaped from his eyes. His knowledge was also impressive. We saw and knew so much more about animal and bird life.
What I really liked that Ronnie, Joseph and Tuhafeni had great respect for the environment. No food was ever thrown away but discreetly given to locals and animals were King.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go camping in Namibia!!
Jonathan Grice

DISCOVER NAMIBIA

Written November 2010
A great trip, from the hot barren desert and dunes to getting up close to the wildlife we really were discovering Namibia. Although I may have had doubts about camping at first this was definitely the best way to make the most of the experience.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
They kept coming as the trip went on, first climbing Dune 45 in time to see the sun rise over the dunes and desert. Giving way to a bull elephant as he crossed our track. Parked up a few feet from a pride of lions with curious cubs padding up to look at us! Sitting in silence as the sun set and stars came out at a waterhole and loosing count of the animals that came down to drink. Finally our leader getting a call and rushing us to a clear view of a leopard in a tree with his springbok kill. So many to choose from!
What did you think of your group leader?
Ronney and his team were excellent, dealing with punctures on the vehicle with efficency and good humour as well as managing the camps and meals. Ronney's knowledge seemed unexhaustable and his ability to spot and identify wildlife including birds in trees while driving at some speed over rough terrain was very impressive.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't worry about the camping aspect of the trip, this is the best way to get the real experience and the facilities at the camps were very good. I would recommend including a good pillow in your luggage!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would ask Exodus to look again at the implications of switching to the later flight from Jo'burg to Windhoek. By the time we had got through immigration, changed money (very slow processes) and repaired a puncture on the vehicle just as we left the airport it was very late when we got to the first camp at Melrose Farm and the crew still had to erect the tents and cook a meal. It would be better to have the first night in Windhoek itself as there are places to stay that cannot be much more costly than that camp.
We had 5 puncures/breakdowns (4 in the first week) and it seemed that our vehicle was not in as good condition as that used for the Exodus Lodge trip that accompanied us around Namibia. This did lead to delays in arriving at camps with the knock on effect on setting up and meal times. It is important that the camping trip has a reliable vehicle so that we can arrive and set up camp in good time to relax after the long drives.
Stoping at the 'craft village' on the way back to Windhoek at the end was not a pleasant experience due to the pressurised selling attitude. When we got to Windhoek we found, as recommended by someone on the trip, a craft cooperative operating in the old brewery centrewhich was much more relaxed. We would havepreferred to forgo the fist stop and spend more time (and money) here as we also felt it was more beneficial to the locals producing the goods.
These points did not signifcantly detract from our enjoyment of the trip but would have improved it and I include them as recomendations for future consideration.
Exodus Response
Dear Jonathan,
Many thanks for your detailed review of this trip. It's really great to hear that there were so many highlights during your time in Namibia! For the 2011 itinerary we are using the later flight to Windhoek to avoid the possibility of missed connections at Johannesburg airport. We have also added a night in Windhoek to allow for an easier start to the trip. Thank you for your suggestions and recommendations, we always appreciate customer feedback to enable us to improve our service.
Kind regards,
Vicky (Trip Manager)

- Exodus Staff
Nicola Gowan

NAMIBIA LODGE ADVENTURE

Written October 2010
An excellent trip and a great way to experience incredible wildlife sightings and impressive scenery in comfort.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing all the wildlife and in particular watching the enormous herds of elephants drinking and bathing at the waterholes.
Visiting the fur seal colony at Cape Cross - astonishing!
Taking the scenic flight over the Namib desert and Skeleton coast.
What did you think of your group leader?
Samora was an excellent leader and dealt efficiently and patiently with all the problems that he faced including the non arrival of our luggage and at one point a puncture. He had a great knowledge of the wildlife, especially the birds and I very much appreciated the fact that once he realised I was interested in birds he would take the trouble to point out all the ones we saw along the way. He and his assistant Jonas were also great fun.
One or two of the evening meals they provided were a bit disappointing - tasty but rather tough meat!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for a variety of temperatures. When we were there (October) it was quite cool on the coast but very hot inland.
Take a 3 round pin adaptor although some of the lodges had plug sockets to suit any country's plug. You will also need a torch particularly in Etosha.
The water is quite safe to drink.
Don't worry too much if you forget something. There are good supermarkets in the towns.
Namibia is very dusty so make sure you bring a bag to protect your camera equipment.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
The accommodation was generally excellent especially in Etosha. The air conditioning there was most welcome. Most places had a swimming pool so don't forget your cossie.
This was my first trip to sub Saharan Africa and it certainly lived up to expectations and made me want to explore this area more.
shaun syron

DISCOVER NAMIBIA

Written October 2010
The trip was excellent I thoroughly enjoyed the travelling and camping including the great food. A fascinating and totally different country.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Etosha - watching the animals at the waterholes in the evening. The dunes at sunrise, hard work walking up but worth it.
What did you think of your group leader?
Ronney was very good, friendly, a great guide and driver and didn't go over the top trying to impress, he just did a very good job
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Buy a pillow when you arrive, my best buy of the trip.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The website itinerary said the last night would be in a hotel, I think for a final group night out this would have been a better option than camping.
Richard Allen

DISCOVER NAMIBIA

Written October 2010
Wanted to do this since seeing programme about desert elephants years ago. Emphatically not disappointed!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Daylight elephant viewing at the first glimpse of the waterhole......didn't expect it to be that close or instant
What did you think of your group leader?
Great guy, difficult job. Driving all day, in charge all the time, brilliantly knowledgeable about all the wildlife.
Able to spot a lions whisker behind a blade of grass 500m away whilst driving at 70kph!!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take swimming costume. Almost all of the sites have a) cold beer b) swimming pools. Both unexpected and most welcome
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Where to next?
Gareth Williams
NAMIBIA LODGE ADVENTURE

Written September 2010
I was anticipating a great holiday and I was not disappointed! There was so much variety within the trip that it was sometimes hard to believe you were still in the same country. Namibia and its people are a joy and I would heartily recommend this trip to any avid Exodus traveller.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It would be obvious to say that Etosha National Park held many of the trip highlights as we encountered so many wild animals up close, much closer than I previously imagined.
The wildlife highlight for me was at the evening waterhole in Okaukeujo when a herd of approximtely 40 elephants trundled in for their nighttime liquid refreshment. The range in size and age of the elephants was awe inspiring and the obvious connection between them all was truly amazing. This was exemplified when a big cat attack was made on a young calf towards the rear of the viewing area and the older maternal cows stampeded into action to protect one of their young. The ensuing duel was both tense and heart rending as we all watched to see if the elephants would see off their attacker. Triumphantly they did and it was a special moment seeing them all traipse off slowly into the distant darkness, once again safe within their extended family herd. I felt very priviledged and humbled to have witnessed such a scene.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our tour leader was Sam and he was keen to make sure that we fully absorbed all we could about Namibia's history, geography, wildlife and culture in the space of two weeks. He was obviously prepared to within an inch of his life and he never failed to answer a question raised by the group across a variety of subjects.
One moment in the trip exemplified Sam's dedication to the job more than any other. A member of the group inadvertently wandered off from the prescribed trail (as instructed by Sam) whilst we were walking over one of the highly impressive dunes in the Sossusvlei region. Sam literally leapt into action and after 45 minutes of worry and concern for the rest of the group, particularly for the lost man's two teenage sons, Sam found him and called for back up. Fifteen minutes and a lot of scrambling later, two of us helped Sam and the driver to literally drag this man up a steep, very sandy and slippery, red hot dune and finally to saftey. It was unnerving to see how quickly the desert heat had affected the lost man and doubtless without Sam's quick actions things could have ended up a lot worse. That gentleman has a lot to thank Sam for!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The only major problem on the trip was the flight on the way out and specifically the connection in Johannesburg to join the flight to Windhoek. The initial flight from Heathrow to Jo'burg was slightly delayed but because the connection time of just over one hour in Jo'burg was so tight every member of the group missed the scheduled flight to Windhoek. We all eventually arrived at our final destination safe and sound but via different flights and arrival times. This is clearly not an ideal start to any trip, especially after you have been travelling for almost three-quarters of a day.
I would advise anyone to check with Exodus what the connection time is in South Africa in order to avoid the unfortunate circumstance we all found ourselves in. If enough travellers check and demand a minimum time of, say, 90 minutes then Exodus will be obliged to fulfil traveller requirements. I would imagine enough people from my group mentioned this on their feedback form and that Exodus are already fully aware of the situation we found ourselves in.
Other tips: make sure you take binoculars, a wide brimmed sun hat and plenty of patience - sometimes the animals prove to be a little elusive and seem to be playing a game of hide and seek.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would definitely advise anyone to go on this trip. I had never been on safari before and the 4 days game viewing certainly whetted my appetite for more in the future. However, the holiday was so much more than just animal spotting and bird watching:
The dunes and salt/clay pan at Sossusvlei are truly inspiring and somewhat eerie, a genuine classic photo opportunity;
Swakopmund on the coast has some excellent facilities and I went quad biking across the dunes just outside the town, which was sensational and made me feel like a kid again. Watching the waves roll in along the beach seemed very strange having travelled through a desert landscape the previous few days;
The sheer size of the seal colony at Cape Cross is beyond what any of us imagined......along with the smell;
The cheetah conservation centre shows a different side to the big cat population and makes you realise how lucky we are to have such a variety of animals to watch and admire;
The outstanding views from the top of the Waterberg plateau, worth all the effort of the 20 minute climb.
Overall you should go, it is worth every penny. I doubt anyone returns from this trip disappointed and you experience so many aspects of Namibia it is hard to believe you were there for only a fortnight. Check it out and see what you think for yourself.
Linda Adams

DISCOVER NAMIBIA

Written December 2009
It surpassed my expectations in all aspects. The scenery, the game and the people.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing a leopard in the wild. It has taken over 35 years and countless game drives!
What did you think of your group leader?
Ronnie was fantastic. Motivated, knowledgeable, accommodating, and fun.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for all weathers. I expected the desert to be cold at night, the possibility of rain at anytime, and some wind, but not for it to be cold during the day and the ferocity and persistance of the wind.
Having said that, it all added to " the desert experience ".
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was my first experience of this type of holiday, going it alone as it were, but after only a few days I felt I belonged to a family!

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Our Clients’ Reviews

DISCOVER NAMIBIA

DISCOVER NAMIBIA

Exodus Response

NAMIBIA LODGE ADVENTURE

DISCOVER NAMIBIA

DISCOVER NAMIBIA

NAMIBIA LODGE ADVENTURE

DISCOVER NAMIBIA