NAMIBIA TREK: FISH RIVER CANYON

Our Clients’ Reviews

• 

  Keith Parkin

  NAMIBIA TREK: FISH RIVER CANYON

  

  Written August 2009

  I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and am happy to have some very pleasing photographs - which was my main aim. To my surprise the sand dunes were not the highlight I expected [partly due to less clear weather] but the Fish Canyon section and the final 'quiver tree' night more than redressed the balance. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Spending nights in the people-free section of the upper Fish River Canyon [which is trekked instead of the usual 'tourist' area] was superb. Lying in a bag on the sand watching the moon and Venus cross the sky, drifting off to sleep, waking to a red dawn, absolute silence: terrific. 

  The final sunset behind quiver trees was a  photographic dream.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Sadly he was not very enthusiastic about walking - wanted to get the walking part of each day over as quickly as possible to maximise time in camp. Was not sympathetic to taking time to absorb ambience and didn't appreciate photographer desires.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The trip notes were less accurate than usual. The camp sites were much better than basic - all had hot showers, excellent toilets and electricity. The food was also much better than suggested - all that was cooked by our team was fresh, there was a wide variety [including vegetarian] and the trek food was imaginative and copious. We were several times fed excellent meals in the lodges at some of the campsites. The walking itself was easier than expected - nothing that a peak district rambler wouldn't meet. There was, indeed, much less walking than the notes suggested [by several hours on some days]. The evenings were cold and some were windy - be prepared with good night kit.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Namibia is uncannily EMPTY. The population density is low and except in the few towns [themslves rare] we hardly saw anyone. Most unlike anywhere else I have visited in Africa.

   
• 

  Robin Dalton Holmes

  NAMIBIA TREK: FISH RIVER CANYON

  

  Written September 2008

  I am not convinced that the most satisfactory route is a series of episodic walks divided by significant driving. However it did offer a range of Namibian sights.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Emerging from the Fish River Canyon with a sense of achievement to cold drinks was a highlight

  What did you think of your group leader?

  George was an informed , entertaining and encouraging leader and cook. He did not wear a watch and his sense of time required for some driving and walking was a little awry especially a breathless dash to the airport despite all the party always being ready before his scheduled times of departure.

  He was very good about civilised pit stops when driving and helped everybody to get the most out of the trip enthusing his assistant and specialist guides. But to say 30 minutes drive for a 2.5 hour rough drive before the Canyon is not helpful

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The rather chaotic 3 versions of the trip notes would have benefitted from explaining the variances made and in particular the very different if sensible approach to to a different portion of the canyon.

  A packing list might have highlighted the need for warm clothes (Aus was chilly) and the availability of godd personal and clothes washing at all campsites would have reduced one's provisions

  The food issued to the Canyon Trek was probably 40% unused and again we were not in a position to challenge it so it was carried unnecessarily especially snacks. Also the much more freely available water came as a surprise.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The group was very evenly matched and I am very content about my ability to cope but I just wonder in the light of walking with others in Simiens/Ethiopia and some aspects of this trip whether Category 3 was sufficiently severe rating for either - 3*+

  I have not received a report form earlier or is this it?

  Exodus Response

  Dear Mr Dalton Holmes

  Thank you very much for your constructive feedback on your recent tour to Namibia, I am pleased that overall you had a great trip. Although the main focus of the tour is the Fish River Canyon, the itinerary is designed to walk some of the more interesting areas of the country and in order to do this it does invlove some long drives.

   I have passed all your comments onto our local operator and we apologise for the confusion with the delayed departure to the airport.

  We do believe that this rating is accurate for this trip, and we do try to give as much detail as possible about the terrain and difficulty.

  Thank you again for your comments

  Regards

  Karen

  I have also taken note of your comments for our trip notes and I will endeavour to include of all your suggestions for next year

  
  

  - Exodus Staff

   
• 

  Kevin Wallace

  Best beer ever

  

  Written September 2007

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Two days really stood out. The first was the day spent walking in the arid landscape of the Sossuvlei area. An early start saw us (in common with other groups) ploughing our way up the enormous Dune 45 to observe the sunrise. Clear sky. A balloon rising into the air as the sun appeared. The dunes turning red then gold.

  Later in the morning we walked to Dead Vlei, an evaporated lake basin occupied by the blackened relics of very old trees. Walking among them was a surreal experience!

  On the last full day we had driven from the FRC to camp at the Quiver Tree Forest campsite. You are surrounded by all these Quiver trees, which are actualy plants not trees (like the Joshua tree in California). One tree had a huge nest occupied by birds known as Sociable Weavers. Great name. The birds would go shooting into holes in the net with great speed and agility.

  The owner of the campsite had 4 cheetahs (in large enclosures) which had been reared from orphans. Magnificent animals.

   

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  What did you think of your group leader?

  The leader for most of the trip was a Namibian and pretty good. In the Fish River canyon a Zimbabwean, leading his first trip, took over while the other guy drove back to Windhoek. He was definitely inferior and not very informative. Some of the distances and times he would supply us with just didn't make any sense. 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  A good sunhat is crucial. We didn't see many clouds!

  Take a decent bivvy bag for the FRC. It CAN rain.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Walking the FRC was tough going. The going is arduous, lots of sand intermixed by large areas of big pebbles. The scenery within the canyon isn't exceptional, the days really blend together. But completing the trail in a good time was very satisfying. You end it by walking into the grounds of the Ai Ais resort. We went straight to the bar for several cold bottles of Windhoek lager - nectar!

  All in all this trip was very enjoyable. I definitely like Southern Africa.