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Mica Prazak
Etosha
Chad seemed to have the magic touch, because we managed to see all the animals we could have expected and some we didn't. He was patient, helpful and was a really good listener. He truly loves this country and this geography; as he said, Namibia makes sense to him, and that realization really enhanced the tour. He loved seeing these wonders unfold as much as we did.
Desmond was awesome. He remained in the camp, prepared the meals and the sleeping arrangements, and had wonderful localized advice. If there was a mysterious noise in the middle of the night, he would tell you exactly what it was in the morning. I really liked him, and was invaluable to our experience.
The park was both expansive and compact. I will explain.
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The permanent campground (Wild Cherry is the only tour company that offers this) is surrounded with everything one would need. A charging station for your camera batteries and electronics. A food vendor, bathroom facilities, a restaurant, and for the hotter afternoons a swimming pool. But for me what made the location incredible, were the vantage points at perimeter of the camp. Firstly, at the southwest corner of the camp is a hidden and unmarked observational gem. Basically you are standing in shaded bush, but you can watch very closely as all the animals pass only metres in front of you on their way to the water hole. If you are patient and quiet, they won't even notice you. Of course, the Water Hole is a sight too. At any given moment, 24 hours a day, you will see a parade of coexisting animals quenching their thirst. The elephants were the big showboats, and the rhinos seemed to be nocturnal.So that is the element of the 'Etosha Dream' that is in your control. Once you get in the back of the truck, Chad had a pretty instinctual sense of where to go. A viewing platform above the truck sits nine people, and comes with comfortable seating and blankets for the cold mornings (we went in August). The roads wind endlessly through the massive park, and from your vantage point you can observe from higher up. This allows you to see giraffes poke their heads up curiously, and Gnus, Zebras, Impala, and Springboks weaving through the landscape.
With Wild Cherry's 3D/2N tour you get to have two morning and two evening game rides. We seemed to see more animals in the evening, but our rarer sightings (lions, hyenas, and leopards) were all in the morning. And in between, the water hole is always at your disposal in camp. Basically, if you really wanted to, you could be observing animals 24 hours a day. Just don't miss Desmond's meals. He has mastered hearty food on the barbeque.
Final Thoughts
My experience with Wild Cherry was wonderful. Things were done at a very comfortable pace and the itinerary was ideal. Etosha is a quiet and epic place, and the employees at this company embrace that spirit on the game rides. A little information is given, but there is a joy in the quiet wonder shared by everyone. Chad, Sydney, and Desmond really want you to enjoy your experience. And with Chad at the wheel you are going to find unbelievable moments.
TIPS
-Bring a tripod on the game rides. If you are using a phone or digital camera, bring a bean bag or a resting pad (a beanie works well too) to test your camera on for smoother shots
- To capture intimate moments of animals who are closer to the car, remember that you often have a better vantage point than Chad does at the wheel. Just knock on the roof and he will happily stop. Remember, it's your safari and it may be your only one.
- Don't try and take selfies with the animals behind you. You will be shaded and they will be in bright light and the image will be awkward and disjointed. Take the best photo possible of the animals in their habitat. That's what your friends and family will want to see.
- Start some conversations with strangers at the water hole. Too often, these camps become really independent; many of the people around you have rather amazing stories and backgrounds. Yet, you happen to be in the same spot at the same time. That is neat.
- I recommend bringing about 800-1000 Namibian currency.
- You have to pay for WiFi. But really, just put it away. It was so enjoyable to be away from it all, watching and hearing animals; also the sunrise, sunset, and night time sky is far more impressive than anything on your phone.
I had an unforgettable experience. I will be sure to recommend Wild Cherry if any friends or family end up in Namibia.
Heather Johnston
CA
Visited:
February 2019
Reviewed: Mar 5, 2019
Email Heather Johnston | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We have been on safaris but a good guide makes all the difference!
The lodges booked for us were fantastic. Beautiful locations, design and comfort.
We were met by our guide at our hotel in Windhoek. We had an air conditioned 4x4 to ourselves. We took the 8 day classic tour but the company was open to adapting as we were alone. We knew nothing about Namibia so it was a great intro.
Previous is a birder so we now know more about birds than ever before.
My highlight was climbing the dunes in Soussevlei at dawn. My husbands was the massive seal colony at Cape Cross.
February is low season because the animals don't have to come to the waterholes in Etosha because of the rains. We did not have rain, and there were no crowds,
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which was great. We saw all kinds of wildlife, and Previous knew so much. He was also fun!Other highlights were the Little Six tour in Swamkupmund, and prehistoric rock etchings in Twyfelfontein. These were side strips with other guides. We recommend dinner at The Jetty in Swamkupmund. Make reservations.
All of this was arranged seamlessly by the tour company. They were very responsive and I would highly recommend them. Nick, one of the owners, was born in Namibia and is also a vet.
Erika Santana
BR
Visited:
March 2019
Reviewed: Mar 27, 2019
Email Erika Santana | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Once in a life time experience
We loved our trip to the Sossuvlei Desert. It is a unic place with scenic views and a good energy. It seams that Namibia is still evoluing in the tourst business. I think that the service given on the trip is too expensive for what they offer, but it is still worth. I would do it again.
Jessica Krepper
SE
Visited:
March 2019
Reviewed: Apr 14, 2019
Email Jessica Krepper | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Amazing and perfect!
We had a perfect 6 day trip, we were really lucky with our tour guide Rudolf. Rudolf is probably the best tour guide in Namibia! Would really recommend this trip to whoever, friends, family or couples. The scenery was amazing, the accommodation was an experience, good food and transportation. Recommend recommend!
di Cosmo Iolanda
IT
Visited:
April 2019
Reviewed: Jun 6, 2019
Email di Cosmo Iolanda | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Top! Approvated! 5 stars! The driver Kk is fantastic!! Thanks a lot
My guide KK is fantastic! The tour is nice and accomodations are beatiful.
Thanks a lot
Debbie Payne
GB
Visited:
June 2019
Reviewed: Jul 4, 2019
Email Debbie Payne | 65+ years of age | Experience level: first safari
Dream come true!
Our trip to Namibia turned out to be be far better than we imagined. Everything went smoothly apart from an onward delayed flight with Namibian Airways. Our guide Rudy was a star throughout our tour of Namibia. He had a passion for his country and its peoples and wild life which he shared with us throughout our trip. We always felt safe in his care, and he went out of his way to help us enjoy our first visit to Africa. His knowledge of his country was extensive and we were sad to see our trip
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come to an end. Rudy kept our mini bus clean and we always had plenty of water on board. He drove safely, even when the days were long and the drive was hard. We had plenty of room in the bus as we chose to have a small group, so we shared with three other people. Expect very bumpy roads and long days, with early starts but it was worth every bump to experience such diversity. The landscape is stunning and so diverse.Th accommodation was spot on. We decided we didn't want to use tented accommodation, and so the lodges we stayed in were very clean and comfortable. The food was delicious with lots of choice at the evening buffet. It was good to try Springbok, Kudu, Oryx, Impala and Zebra! Most of which were very tasty. Breakfast was also plentiful, with fresh cooked eggs etc if you wanted it.
We were so lucky to come across the Desert adapted elephant on our trip, and to see lions, zebra, impala, springbox, rhino, giraffe and water buffalo. Couldn't ask for anything more!
Thank you Ines, from Indigo Safaris who organised our extended trip to include Victoria Falls and Botswana. ITs been an amazing Trip. Your help and guidance made it happen?
Donna And Larry Kaplan
US
Visited:
July 2019
Reviewed: Aug 1, 2019
Email Donna And Larry Kaplan | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
our 8 days in etosha were fantastic!
we are donna and larry kaplan, adventure travelers since the late 60s, who are reaping what we sowed by living very simply for many years. we now have the cash to book these pricey tours.
safaribookings.com was a great site to find. we wanted a week in etosha and nothing more. wild wind safaris was the only one doing a week in etosha so i reached out to them. david at wild wind handled our correspondence and booking and monitored our tour the entire week. you could not ask for a better person to do that for you. he was efficient, knowledgeable, professional and prompt with his responses. he tweaked wild wind's tour to provide us with our week in etosha. david delivered in everything he promised including providing a 40 gallon water tank to refill our reusable liters.
come on people. stop using single use plastic water bottles. it is immoral.
a tour organizer is crucial but the guide/driver is the main part of the
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tour. a great guide means a tour could be great. a so-so guide can really dim the luster. i hope namibians continue to pursue the guiding profession. i hope tour organizers compensate them well.our guide was abel kuyonisa and we could not have asked for more. all the adjectives i used for david apply to abel. he was efficient, knowledgeable, and professional. abel was always early and always courteous to all we encountered. abel truly cares about his clients. he is personable and a good story teller. we highly recommend abel to guide you anywhere in namibia and beyond.
sincerely,
larry kaplan
Donna
CA
Visited:
August 2019
Reviewed: Aug 31, 2019
Email Donna | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Majestic sand dunes,hundreds of thousands of sea lions,diverse game viewing in Etosha and lots more
We loved our Oshili Tour and Travel trip.Our guide,Granville, was very attentive to our needs.Food and accommodations were excellent!!
We saw an amazing diversity of wildlife especially in Etosha,and our son was ecstatic about quading amongst the dunes.The desert landscapes were stunning and we got some exposure to a some of the tribal cultures in the North. We were overwhelmed by the numbersof sea lions along the Skeleton Coast ..I could go on and on about our adventures!! Truly awesome!!!
Anne Mbugua
TZ
Visited:
February 2020
Reviewed: Apr 12, 2020
Email Anne Mbugua | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing safari.....totally enjoyed it. Awesome country!!Loved
Lovely scenery with a lot of wild life and the weather was great. Most memorable accommodation with super cooking. Transportation was top notch, guide was knowledgeable and very professional. l would definitely return for another visit anytime.
Wonderful Experience!
The scenery was beautiful and the accommodations were exquisite in the Nambia desert regions.