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Solo Trip to Namibia
Mrs Jillian Schellenberg, 14th March 2013Dear Adam and all at Mahlatini I can't thank you enough for arranging my wonderful trip to Namibia (14 - 20 March 2013) It surpassed my wildest dreams and expectations and I only wish that I could have had longer in that fascinating country. But you had suggested three very different locations which gave an excellent introduction to Namibia. I had three excellent, knowledgeable and passionate-about- their-country guides (Christophe in Kulala Desert Camp, Nester in Damaraland Camp and Rio in Ongava Tented Camp) who were all helpful and sympathetic to my limited mobility. The staff in all three camps were delightful - warm and welcoming and friendly. You did well to suggest the tented camp in Ongava as the level terrain suited me perfectly. And I found it very exciting to hear the lion roaring outside my "tent" during the night! The small Cessnas used to transport me between venues were such fun and I was totally thrilled with the balloon flight from Kulala, majestically rising above the Namib as dawn lit the skies. Loved the "Champagne Breakfast" (pilot John opened the fizz with a sabre!), a sumptuous spread all laid out below the dunes on a crisp tablecloth. Loved the evening tours with my guide and sundowners in some beautiful locations, also with the tablecloths and camp chairs and cold drinks and snacks. I saw wonderful game of every kind, went rhino-tracking, loved the diversity of bird and plant-life. I will certainly recommend your company and if I am lucky enough to find time to visit Namibia again, you will be the first people I call. Best wishes and thank you. Jilly Schellenberg
Countries Visited
Namibia
“The amazing variation in the landscape I visited; the history of the country
Flying low over the breaking waves and recumbent seal colonies en route to Skakopmund (just a brief stop to refuel. want to go back there)
The clear night skies and brilliant stars
The Dawns
Balloon flight and breakfast
The warmth of all the people - never had so many hugs from any staff at any UK hotel!
Interesting plantlife - the Welwitshia
The big old dusty landrovers from which I saw so much
The commitment of Wilderness Safaris to the conservation and preservation of all that is good and precious in Namibia
Just being there and falling in love with a very special country”
Accommodation Visited
Kulala Desert Lodge
“Very comfortable and a great bed. Decor reflected the rich coloours of the dunes. Staff friendly and welcoming. Delicious cold drink (home-made ginger beer on arrival) Surprise performance after dinner - great singing and percussion. Enjoyed the food most at this camp. Balloon flight fantastic experience. Attention to detail was impressive - briefed on arrival. Christophe my guide was excellent. Liked the pool and its surroundings and the swallows dipping all around me as I enjoyed a cooling off swim. crunching noises during my first night had me wondering what was in the roof above my bed but hoofprints and poo deposits identified the culprit as an oryx, possibly cleaning his teeth on the upright wooden poles”
Damaraland Camp
“Also extremely comfortable and the wecome here too was warm and felt so very genuine and unforced. All the staff were delightful and my guide Nestor very knowledgeable and took good care of me especially when Rhino tracking and negotiating the steep decline to Sesriem. the communal dining here was very much enjoyed and loved the menu delivered almost as a performance. (The Namib "click version") Again the decor reflected the terrain with rocky/sandy colours and sweeping curves of the roughly plastered walls. And all the wood was very sympathetic - as in all camps I stayed in, even if it was not local wood it seemed to be weathered to natural colours. Pleasant and tempting pool here too. Mosquito net here effective - and as in all 3 camps had emergency buzzer and repellant spray and also the natural toiletries in the bathroom were of very good quality. Guineaufowl nattering about busily in front of my balcony”
Ongava Tented Camp
“I was the only person staying but ALL the staff were again very friendly and spent a lot of time socialising - and I was shown a special dvd about the bushmen and their history. I was not left to eat dinner on my own - a guide or lovely Nandi and fiance Wilhelm took care of that. I loved this place and it was certainly the most amazing and brilliantly constructed tent one could imagine. How impressive and very comfortable. Iced coffee the special welcome drink this time. Guide Rio knew so much about Birdlife (and all else|) and kindly let me use his very superior binoculars. The lion wandering about my first night, grumbling away as he called for his pride, was amazing especially as I felt so safe and secure. All in all a wonderful experience and once again an after dinner performance which featured a handsome couple in their victorian Herero dress.”
Staff Review
“Exceptionally helpful, especially as I have mobility problems and the camps chosen reflected this”
