Discover Namibia - Lodges

I really enjoyed getting to see all the animals you usually only see in books or Disney movies: Lions, meerkats, elephants, mongoose... the list goes forever. As if this wasn't enough, the Namibian landscape is varied and impressive with sand dunes, mountains and the ocean. This trip takes you to all of these, and offers unforgettable adventures, such as tracking rhinos on foot or flying over the desert in a helicopter! The pace of this trip is gentle enough that you will get some R&R in besides all the action, but is never boring - how could it be when there's so much to see and do?

We booked this trip to celebrate my 70th birthday, aware that it included some long days on rough bumpy roads and a couple of challenging walks. I am very fit for my age but did find the itinerary very intense, with numerous early morning starts (a 6:15 alarm felt like a lie in for us!) and little time for relaxation or recovery (apart from the free day in Swakopmund, when we declined all the optional activities). The walk in Brandberg was difficult underfoot, with lots of rocks to negotiate and boulders to scramble over, with the potential to twist an ankle with each step; we were rewarded by the sight of cave paintings dating over 2,000 years, which fascinated me but may not be to everyone’s interest. The walking trail at Waterberg is even more challenging, and nobody in our group completed it (one couple went part of the way up); most opted for a game drive that took us onto the plateau, and we were fortunate to come upon a group of giraffes at a waterhole / salt lick at close quarters, but otherwise there was little to see on the drive. I would have liked to have experienced and learned more about the history and culture of the country. Waterberg is a place of great significance in the Herero genocide and I think time could have been better spent exploring its historical aspects (there is a German cemetery there but we had no time to visit it), instead of the walking trail or the optional game drive. And the brief encounter with Himba and Herero people on day 7 was merely a photo and shopping opportunity (you had to pay to take photos - I declined - and nobody in our group bothered with the market stalls); I would have preferred to have spent time seeing their village and learning about their culture and history. That’s the negative aspects of the trip dealt with. On the positive side, Namibia is a country of contrasting landscapes, each of them impressive in its own way: red ochre sand dunes, lunar landscapes, vast open plains and grasslands, strange granite outcrops, desolate mountains, limitless horizons … and the grandeur of the Waterberg Plateau, a table top mountain fringed with bare granite and best appreciated from below and a short distance away. We saw a variety of wildlife along the way, and a good deal in Etosha, although the recent rains after a three year drought meant that game was hard to spot in the tall grass and vegetation that had sprung up; we saw no leopards, briefly glimpsed a few cheetahs (although we got up close to a group in the cheetah conservatory early in the trip), and spotted the head of a lone male lion resting in the long grass and watching us for a short moment. But we had some amazing encounters with elephants, giraffes, wildebeest and zebra, and saw many different antelopes and other fauna. Unfortunately the flamingos had left Walvis Bay, and the desert elephants were no longer in the valley at Brandberg, which was disappointing. Wildlife watching is mostly a matter of luck, and nothing is guaranteed.The best wildlife encounter was the rhino safari at the end of the trip, when we walked to within 20 feet of three white rhino at Eagle’s Rest; an unforgettable experience. There were many other interesting sights and experiences along the way: countless giant ground crickets, almost everywhere we went; walking through the Sesriem Canyon ; old German colonial architecture in Swakopmund; eating apple strudel and ice cream at Anton’s Cafe; the Zeila wreck on the Skeleton Coast; pet meerkats in Brandberg White Lady Lodge.

From sand dunes to rock piles to boat trips to game safaris, there is so much to see in Namibia, albeit separated by several hours of less interesting drives through desert scrub. But this trip managed to make it all interesting, splitting the longer drives up with short stops. The converted truck/bus ("Gogga") was comfortable enough, even though the AC had problems coping with the 35°C + heat. Accommodations were good, and vegetarians were accommodated well enough.

A packed and varied itinerary with desert landscapes, mountain walks and a chance to see a huge range of wildlife (we got to see the Big 5). Accommodation was good: big rooms, mosquito nets when needed, always a fridge and kettle, tea, coffee. Pretty good for vegetarians. Breath-taking skies and vast plains and mountains.

Fantastic trip, saw such a range of wildlife. Really great to go to so many different locations on this trip. Great guide, comfortable and spacious vehicle and some very nice lodges and hotels. Would highly reccomend this trip.

This was a well organised trip. Namibia is a vast country of great contrasts and spectacular scenery. Each area we visited was so different and fascinating and our guide (Shane Katjirua) was incredibly knowledgeable about the history, geology, people and wildlife of each particular region. This all contributed to a very interesting and most enjoyable holiday..

A truly great trip. Namibia is a big country and that becomes apparent very quickly. You can drive for hours on dirt roads without ever seeing any sign of civilisation. There's a whole lot to see you won't be disappointed.

A truly magical, memorable tour experiencing all Namibia has to offer. The scenery is spectacular with wide open skies inviting you further. The wildlife sightings surpassed my expectations thanks to our fabulous guide Ronney.

This was a great trip overall. You really got to see the country, including the amazing red sand dunes, the Skelton coast and of course wildlife in Etosha National Park. This did mean that there were some long drives, but this all felt part of the adventure. We had a fantastic group and the accommodation was spot on in all places.

A well paced trip through Namibia taking in the main highlights.

Fully enjoyed this trip. I have been on 8 exodus trips and this is one of the best. Always the guide is critical to the success of a trip and our Guide was the best ever. A brilliant country which is a shining example to the rest of Africa. It was an honour to visit it and enjoy their spectualar scenery and amazing wildlife and lovely friendly people.

This was my first trip with Exodus and it has left me hungry for more! The whole experience from start to finish was excellent and professionally managed. I have come away with so many wonderful memories, from the vast landscape of the Namib Desert, the beautiful orange/red sand dunes to the skeleton coast and then Etosha National Park The ever changing scenery was just fantastic and then there is the wild life! There was eleven of us in total on this trip in July, guessing 35 - 70yrs, we gelled on day one and had a fantastic time. The lodges and food were excellent, and very friendly staff. The Tour truck was comfortable and well maintained. There were some long days and early starts, these are necessary and well managed with lots of breaks to stretch the legs.

Namibia is a beautiful country of amazing contrasts.

This was my first trip with Exodus and it has left me hungry for more, I have returned with a lifetime of memories. (It has taken me a couple of weeks to back to reality :( ) We were a group of eleven, that gelled from the offset and that was the icing on the cake. Such a wonderful, magical country with fantastic scenery from the Namib desert to the skeleton coast to Etosha National Park. Lots to see, lots of wildlife , excellent accommodation, good food, and very friendly people. Some early starts and long drives in the tour truck, that was quite comfortable. There was lots of stops where you can get of and stretch the legs, that breaks up the journey. I truly enjoyed every minute!

I took my mum to Namibia to celebrate her birthday. We were with other 9 fellow travellers and our excellent lead guide Shane. The trip was quite comprehensive and we traveled almost 3000 km, exploring some of the most beautiful and picturesque parts of the country. The truck used for the trip was quite comfortable, with large windows and operable roof. Although we traveled long distances we made frequent stops and the landscapes were always fascinating. We explored the magical desert, the skeleton coast and ship wrecks, the Etosha natural park with its wildlife and the majestic mountains/plateaus. Truly memorable. Our guide Shane was knowledgeable, kind, funny and patient. He could also spot hidden animals easily (he spotted a chameleon while driving the truck!!). Really good trip

A 2 week tour to a beautiful country. Everywhere we went we saw spectacular scenery, met interesting and friendly people and stayed in lovely lodges. I won't forget the elephants, pronking springbok, dancing ostriches and roaring lion.

Just back from a wonderful trip to Namibia. There was 10 people on the group. We travelled on a truck through this amazing country. Our guides Ronnie and Chef Rueben where amazing. They were so professional and efficient,they actually made the holiday. Long drive days but these were made easier by Ronnie the driver's flexibility. Loo stops and photo stops where never a problem. Fantastic hosts and Reuben is an amazing chef. Thank you....i put on 3 3lbs last 2 weeks haha.

Stunning country Trip was very sedentary. More hiking options would have been welcome

I returned from this trip having experienced many moments which will last a lifetime, from seeing numerous animals in the wild or at watering holes to seeing the vastness of the Namib desert and the changing colour of the sand dunes. It really is a trip that is a photographers dream as you want to capture each and every moment. We were a group of 12 with ages ranging from early 20s to 70s and we all got on very well. Yes there were lots of long drives but these were broken up well. Accommodation was good and food often excellent. It certainly is a trip of a lifetime.

This holiday was a great adventure in a magnificent country that I fell in love with. We went during Namibia's Winter and as a result there was an abundance of wild animals throughout our trip. Lodges were more than adequate, WIFI was more widely available than I had predicted ( only needed to send gloating photos back home!), Most major places such as supermarkets, lodges and activities took either cash or credit/debit card and food although very meat centric was still complemented by lots of vegetables so didn’t come back too much heavier than we went!

this was about my 10th. adventure holiday with Exodus and just as rewarding as the past ones. You will cover a lot of miles, travelling on most of the time bumpy un-maid up and dusty roads. During that time you will see and visit many interesting things. Varying terrain, cultures and a wide variety of the countries wild life. You will hear about the history of the country, from its early inhabitants through its colonial period to its more modern period when independence was granted from South Africa. You will travel aboard a custom vehicle for 16 people and get to know you fellow travellers/adventures. Enjoy some fantastic road side meals. Every day brings something different.

The trip itself was excellent. Run by a local company (Malabiu) the guide (Shaun) worked extremely hard and his side kick cook (Jona) were both very profesional and knowledgeable. Geology information was a bit sparse, but customs and culture info was very good. The small group gelled together well. Be warned they is a lot of travelling with many miles on Namibia style roads - basically very dusty and stoney dirt tracks. Food and drink is cheap in Namibia and the lodges are comfortable if basic. The main down side was the company (Exodus) which did not respond effectively to queries asked. Also did not pass on important information to the group guide which meant that arrangement were compromised. For 10 of us in the party there were five different group flights - not their finest hour. Overall, I would certainly recommend this trip to others.

Some wonderful but stark scenery and plenty of wildlife. Expect some long drives on bumpy roads though.

What a fantastic trip. Our wonderful guide Ronney and his assistant Jonas who both knew all the best spots to spot wildlife (leopard inside a roadside sign) (Pride of 10 lions at a kill) but could also produce 5 star lunches at the roadside under the shade of a tree, effortlessly change rooms to suit my disabled husband, drive with the utmost skill on bumpy roads and have none of us complain and generally do their job at 110% Highly recommend a trip to this most interesting country.

This was a wonderful holiday in a beautiful country. Having been to South Africa and Kenya before, we had some idea what to expect from a holiday in Southern Africa, but if anything Namibia exceeded our expectations. The country is, of course, very dry and the land is beautiful in a stark, rather than a pretty, way. The holiday in general was well planned, with the first part concentrating on the deserts in the south, a break in Swakopmund on the coast, and a final few days on safari in Etosha. This gave a variety of environments and activities.

A truly stunning country - vast open spaces, wide skies, sunsets, stars, sand dunes, and a national park crammed with animals and birds. We stayed in some wonderful lodges with huge views, saw the desert from above and came back with many memories, and even more photos.

I cannot describe how amazing this trip was, Namibia is a stunning country, with wonderful scenery - 2nd most sparsely populated country in the world so there is lots of open space (and lots of driving) but the desert, the night sky, the ancient rock art and the animals at Etosha are so worth it

I always hope that my annual holiday will deliver a "wow" moment. This trip delivered three. Firstly, the trip from Sessriem to Walvis Bay was astonishing, passing through several radically different environments in one day - from the fringes of the Namib desert, via plains and mountains to the sea; then the incredible views from Vingerklip - reminiscent of California; then best of all the proliferation of wildlife at Etosha - we had 40 elephants young and old playing at the waterhole just yards from where we were sitting at Okaukuejo. Then there were the walking lions, the sleeping lions, zebras, springbok, kudu and a dozen giraffes at another waterhole. Oh, we finally got to spot a family of wild cheetahs after a long game drive near Namatoni. Mustn't forget Dune 45 and Dead Vlei and the fact that often ours was the only vehicle on the road.

Discover Namibia - Lodges, is a well organised and good value tour, taking in the main tourist locations of mid to north Namibia. If you are prepared for some long travel days on dirt/salt roads and go with an open mind about the sights and scenes you will encounter, you will not be disappointed. It is accurately marketed as a low to moderate activity level, even the ascent of Dune 45 at Sossusvlei. Accommodation is in 2-3* lodges, all of a satisfactory standard for 1 or 2 nights, some even memorable. Transport in a specialised safari truck with a push up roof provided the opportunity to view the landscape and game in relative comfort and from a high position. The driver/guide (Ronney) and his assistant (Jonas) were first class, very knowledgeable and took excellent care of our party.

This trip combines the highlights of the Namibian landscape with game viewing in the parks.

The country is large, the roads are long and bumpy, however not an inch should be missed. Etosha and the dunes are particularly magnificent.

This trip combines the highlights of the Namibian landscape with game viewing in the parks. It did not disappoint!

Discover Namibia camping was great to do over Christmas. We saw diverse wildlife and landscapes with unexpected early rains and a sandstorm but this added to the experience!

This was our first camping tour and we really enjoyed the camping aspect of this trip. Jonas and Happy looked after us superbly, making sure that the tents were set up and cooking was underway each evening. The toilet and shower facilities were fine and the tents were big enough for us to have space between us for our big bags and room at the top or bottom for daypacks etc. This trip covers a lot of ground and the vehicle and roads do not always make for a comfortable journey. However, the route and schedule compare favourably with other options and the fact that it is " full service " camping helps a lot. We were very lucky with the composition of the group. Everyone got on and looked out for each other and the spirit of co-operation made the trip most enjoyable.

A great trip. Very varied landscapes and great wildlife viewing.

I travelled to Namibia in the dry season (October). The weather was very, very hot on a couple of days the temp reached 100+. The schedule was gruelling - up 05:00/06:00 every morning but I enjoyed every minute of it. Every day brought a new experience. There were a couple of long travel days but the truck was reasonably comfortable, stocked with cold drinks and guide books plus plenty of photo/toiler stops along the way.

I've always heard great things about Namibia and it didn't disappoint, so much to see and do. Very friendly people, great weather and plenty of wildlife!

This trip exceeded our expectations. The itinerary provided a much more varied experience than many 'safari' trips - from sand dunes in Sossusvlei to safari in Etosha via dolphins and seals in Swakopmund, there was something for everyone!

I've done many group trips as well as a lot of independent travel but this was simply one of my best travel experiences. A fantastic group and wonderful leader team obviously helped but even without those this is an amazing country with spectacular vistas, ever surprising and wonderful wildlife and all under the bluest of blue skies. There is some amazing variety from the dry salt pans to the mountainous shifting dunes, huge landscapes that reach past the horizon, the strange charm of the coast and Swakopmund, the ever smiling people, the ease of travel, the facilities at the campsites and the wildlife...seeing the waterhole in the Etosha camp for the first time was a hairs on the back of the neck moment.

A fascinating kaleidoscope of scenery, climate and nature. From daunting, towering sand dunes, long desert roads, breezy Atlantic coast to exciting, animal filled plains. Always something to watch and thrill!

This trip highlights many geographical areas of Namibia from huge sand dunes, to the west coast, to Etosha, and the Waterburg Plateau. It's a full but not grueling schedule with a little bit of down time built in. Namibia's landscape is amazing during the dry season when we travelled and it would be fascinating to see how it's different in the rainy season when the riverbeds have water and the Etosha Pan is full. It's a well thought out itinerary with clean camping facilities and a couple of hotel nights thrown in. Namibia is well set up for a self-drive vacation, but the tour provides experiences that are slightly off the beaten track and informative. Every day was interesting - and not to worry - you'll get to see plenty of wildlife at Etosha! The staff was knowledgeable, super outgoing, attentive to individual needs and generally very enthusiastic as well as proud of the country. Overall a great trip - absolutely recommended!

Namibia has it all. Wonderful diverse nature, with desert, mountains, sea and safari. Incredible number of animals including birds, and flora to match.Everywhere was clean, the people friendly and the food delicious. We experienced it all and the tourist industry is not overly developed so you got the impression of genuine life of the people.They have enjoyed a relatively stable government post independence, which helps.A great memory experience I will treasure .

A fascinating kaleidoscope of scenery, climate and nature. From daunting, towering sand dunes, long desert roads, breezy Atlantic coast to exciting, animal filled plains. Always something to watch and thrill!

This trip highlights many geographical areas of Namibia from huge sand dunes, to the west coast, to Etosha, and the Waterburg Plateau. It's a full but not grueling schedule with a little bit of down time built in. Namibia's landscape is amazing during the dry season when we travelled and it would be fascinating to see how it's different in the rainy season when the riverbeds have water and the Etosha Pan is full. It's a well thought out itinerary with clean camping facilities and a couple of hotel nights thrown in. Namibia is well set up for a self-drive vacation, but the tour provides experiences that are slightly off the beaten track and informative. Every day was interesting - and not to worry - you'll get to see plenty of wildlife at Etosha! The staff was knowledgeable, super outgoing, attentive to individual needs and generally very enthusiastic as well as proud of the country. Overall a great trip - absolutely recommended!

Explored namibia with great guides, dunes, sea shore, fabulous wildlife. A wonderful country of varied scenery, good accomodation, wonderful meals all at a reasonable price.