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...

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  Colin Gibson

  DISCOVER NAMIBIA Lodge trip

  

  Written November 2012

  A journey that takes one through mountain landscapes to gigantic sand dunes and then on to one of Africa's best game parks. A photographer's delight!  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The incredible changing colour and shadowed expanses of Namib sand  sculptured in the early morning sunlight was unforgetteble.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Sam was a cheerful hard working leader who drove carefully and had super vision in spotting distant game.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Buy a solid rubber ring pillow for both the eleven hour flight and the long bumpy journeys in the truck. An excellent guide is by Chris McIntyre [Bradt, 4th edition, 2011]; this provides a lucid summary of Namibia's history, culture,  environment and animals; as well as local detail. Prices  are low compared to the UK; 1/2 litre of good local beer was around £1.25 and wine £7 a bottle in a restaurant [November 2012: Nam$ 13.5 = £1]. There are numerous exchanges at Windhoek airport, the city, and large towns (though not so many); and a better exchange rate than in the UK. Treat yourself to an excellent four course dinner in the magical old 'Beau Geste' fort at Namutoni in the Etosha National Park [about £15]. Don't buy bottles on the return flight - one faces brutal confiscation at Frankfort when changing planes.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The lodges during the hot summer time do generally provide welcome air conditioning and reasonable comfort. However, the condition of the hotel at Swakopmund would not be acceptable to the YHA. Bradt (in 2006 ed.) observes 'rooms are basic', and nothing has changed! Have not seen fly-papers hanging in a dining room since - well, long ago! Namibia is well worth exploring; the people are friendly and welcoming, the country offers great scenery. I enjoyed the journey (together with the geniality of my companions); and, hopefully, so will you.  

   
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  Emma Thomas

  DISCOVER NAMIBIA

  

  Written November 2012

  An excellent trip providing a snapshot of all the wonderful things Namibia has to offer. My expectations were exceeded on a daily basis and I ran out of words to describe the wonderful places, people and animals that were all part of this holiday. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Sitting by the waterhole in Etosha and watching a zebra family cautiously make their way round and in to drink; finding one lone elephant having a drink, only for him to be joined by the rest of his family, some giraffes, hyenas, jackals and warthogs; sitting by Sesriem Canyon and watching baboon families on the other side watching us as the sun went down; walking through the dunes to Deadvlei surrounded by the wonderful desert scenery to name just a few!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Ronney was very pleasant and helpful and knowledgeable about his country. He worked hard to make sure we got the most out of our holiday. The teamwork displayed by Ronney, Sam and Jonas was exemplary. They were so efficient setting up camp in the evening and striking camp in the morning while we just relaxed! A special mention must go to Jonas' excellent cooking!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  November in the desert is seriously hot - even at night!

  On the last day the market at Okahanja is not the nicest - there is serious pressure to buy and the stalls all seem controlled by one company so you do not feel that your money is going to the community. Check with your guides but depending on flight times you may have free time in Windhoek later that day. There is a community craft market in the centre of Windhoek which is a much more pleasant experience so if you know you will have time there just have a coffee in Okahanja and leave the shopping to Windhoek (the coffee shop in Okahanja served great coffee and cake!).

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  If game viewing is a priority beware travelling once the rainy season starts (November). We were lucky and saw most of the animals we wanted to but everywhere we went we were told it was going to be difficult to see animals as the rains had already started in Etosha and then they don't come to the watering holes as much.

  All in all though an amazing trip and a holiday I will remeber for a very long time.

   
• 

  Ross Paveley

  DISCOVER NAMIBIA

  

  Written September 2012

  The trip was well organized and an inspirational. We saw all we could have hoped for and more. It has certainly given me the bug and intend to book future holidays through Exodus.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  There were so many special memories but the highlights have to start with climbing Dune 45 at sunrise and walking through Dead Vlei, swiftly followed by 4x4 in the Dunes at sandwich bay. The stand out highlight had to be finding completely wild desert elephants in our camp at Brandberg. I woke up early to take pictures of sunrise only to find elephants moving through the camp site which was a wonderful sight. We saw every type of animal we could wish for in Etosha including giraffe, Zebra, Kudu, lions, cheetahs, various antelope and springbok. But the highlights of Etosha and herd of about 25 elephants which came right up to the truck crossing the road in front of us and a leopard which snarled and charged at the truck only to swiftly melt away into the undergrowth.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Sam our guide was excellent he was friendly, helpful and had an inexhaustible knowledge of all the animals, birds, culture and history of the Namibian people. He also made sure we got to all the sights and into the game parks before the other tours which made a real difference. I will never forget the drive to Dune 45 as well as walking and viewing the desert from the top of it.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The nights in the desert were quite cold so there is a need for a few warm clothes. However thing soon start to warm up once you get towards Swakopmund. I would also highly advise to the 4x4 desert drive in Sandwich bay which is a new optional tour as it was excellent fun driving up and then down the dunes, seeing where the sea meets dunes and digging for Geckos in the sand.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This is an excellent tour which has great variety. I was worried that 3 days of the game park at Etosha would be too little but we managed to see most of the major animals all on day one or beginning of day 2 as they all came to us at the waterholes!!! I would highly recommend it and the dunes are fantastic sight which all should see.

   
• 

  L Hamilton

  DISCOVER NAMIBIA

  

  Written September 2012

  A good all round trip covering a large part of Namibia. The waterholes at Etosha mean that animals congregate there during the dry season so viewing them there is easy if that is what you want; Swakopmund provides opportunity for other activities. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Seeing several rhinos and groups of oryx. The unnexpected events such as seeing an aardwolf on the night drive, or the sun coming out at Swakopmund, where I was able to take photos of flamingos in flight for the first time, the male kudu on the footpath at Waterburg plateau.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Compared to other guides, maybe a bit too relaxed, particularly about making late departures from the campsites which reduces the opportunities for seeing animals at first light and seemed to mean some fast driving. Ok if you prefer a lie in when you are on holiday.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take SA rand with you. It is used interchangeably with the and avoids the problems experienced by some of our group when changing money at the airport on the way in. Also, you are allowed to bring it back out again. The Namibian dollar can't be brought out and Windhoek dutyfree charges about 3x the high street price.

  A lot of viewing in Etosha is done by standing on the seats to look out through the roof. If you are less than about  1.65m (5'5") it makes it difficult to use a camera and if you stand on the floor you are going to be looking between the legs of those who are a bit taller. If you are taller than that, then no worries - it gives you a better view than the people in the land cruisers.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Great bakeries and cafes at Swakopmund and along the way (especially at Outjo). 

  Giant sand dunes! I've been to both the Hidden Vlei and the Dead Vlei and don't think there is much to choose between them. Be prepared for basic toilet facilities at dune 45. A bee swarm was attracted to the toilets when we were there. Water is generally fit to drink but you might want to take a water bottle with you.

  Take plenty of memory cards rather than waste time and battery on review and deletion. Recharging seemed to take longer at some sites than others, but was possible at most of them.

   
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  Catherine Whitfield

  DISCOVER NAMIBIA

  

  Written September 2012

  Excellent introduction to exodus, would certainly use them again! Enough variety to keep you occupied. Excellent tour guide/driver & wonderful food served straight from the fireside. Several hours of driving gave a wonderful overview of the country. Camping made the whole experience natural and magical.   

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Climbing up a sand dune for the morning sunrise, I didn't quite get to the top before the sun but magical all the same. As we bounced down the side of the dune we were met by a wild oryx at the bottom. Exceptional and once in a lifetime moment, at one with the natural world.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Fantastic! Knowledgeable. Friendly. Happy. Proud of his country. Would recommend to anyone visting Namibia.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Take a warm sleeping bag (as it gets quite cold at night and in the early morning), a good camera & plenty of sunscreen. Take a movie camera as animals don't stay still for long! Also, stay by the waterhole at night as you will get a wonderful view of the local wildlife, one night we saw 6 rhinos at once, amazing!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  On our trip we were the only couple, all the others were single travellers, something that made the trip varied, everyone was included. Don't miss out on the oportunity to experience Namibia if you can't find anyone to accompany you.

   The night drive at Etosha N.P. was a great extra as you saw the animals in a more natural setting, behaving as the would if you weren't there. Don't be scared of the dark, its another world but worth the late night!

   The camping was a great way to experience Africa. Quality tents & fresh local homecooked food. It was so peaceful and quiet, worlds away from city life. The night sky was not covered by western light polution, an atronomers dream.

   The craft market was a great place to get African knicknacks, be warned that the stallholders are persistant and can be pushy if there are not many tourists around.   

   
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  Margaret Baker

  DISCOVER NAMIBIA

  

  Written August 2012

  What an amazing place, such a varied landscape from enormous liquid sand dunes to endless salt pans and staggering rocky sided plateaus with exceptional wildlife. A wow factor again and again. Put this country on your 'to visit' list right now! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  So difficult - was it the quad biking on dunes stretching as far as the eye could see for 360 degrees, or spending time watching the pride of lions playing and interacting almost within touching distance of the truck, or watching the sun rise after climbing a huge sand dune or scrambling on all fours up the Waterberg plateau? Each day brought a new experience and a significant challenge bringing its own thrill of achievement.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  When the trip notes say the temperature can get down to freezing at night in August, they were not kidding - make sure your sleeping bag can cope in a tent- or bring lots of thermal undies!

  Water is all drinkable - great.

  Travel was often very long, often on gravel roads, not for tender behinds! Take a good guide book to read and to make sense of the amazing landscape and wildlife

  Can't always promise it but there were no nasty beasties biting us at this time of year.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  A wonderful holiday, a hidden gem of Africa. Just 2 million people inhabit the huge land so traffic was not a problem even in the capital.

   
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  Katie Brown

  DISCOVER NAMIBIA

  

  Written August 2012

  A truly wonderful holiday with spectacular scenery and animals. The camping was great fun and the whole group were able to gather around a fire in the evening and chat. The food was suberb eventhough it was cooked entirely over a fire in a few large pots. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  We were able to be just feet away from 'wild' cheetah on foot, and in the truck saw elephant, rhino, zebra and giraffe, amongst others, closer than I ever imagined. The views from the top of the dunes at Sessriem were also breathtaking.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  The group leader and camp assistants were wonderful. They were friendly, helpful and a joy to be around.

   

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