NAMIBIA: Our self drive 3 weeks tour, please comment or tips welcome!

hi aruso
i have been to goche ganas and its a lovely place, the best about it is the setting, in the middle of nowhere, with great sunsets (you can book sunset game drives, where you wont get to see much wildlife, but still recommendable for the view and the sunset) and sunrises. the spa and indoor swimming pool are also great, and the outdoor pool offers fantastic views. namibia is great for "star gazing" as there is so little light pollution, and on some evening in goche ganas you might join an astrology talk. its also nice to go to the open-air bar at the top of goche ganas after dinner, this is also good place to sit, have a drink, and watch stars. gg is too far out of windhoek to drive into the city for dinner.

la mirage is a bit surreal, 3 small "castles" in the middle of the desert, about 20km from the sossusvlei entry gate. i did quite enjoy la mirage, the rooms are nice (the only thing i didnt like so much are the open toilets (no door between the toilet and the room) and offer great views. the "sunset drink area" is also good, its like a small platform with couches and great views of the desert. drive off early in the morning, so that you are the gate when it opens. i didnt believe it myself untill i experienced it, the best time to drive from the gate to sossusvlei is as early as possible (its a matter of light and shadows on the sand dunes). sossusvlei lodge (which is very close to the gate) is a nice place for lunch, good and not expensive buffet, with outdoor setting and views on the desert.

no special recommendation for swakopmund. if you like seafood, a great place. we even got oysters offered for breakfast (i do love them, but not for breakfast).

i did stay in the epache game reserve, in eagle lodge. this is very nice, luxury tents on the top of a hill, with amazing views. epacha game lodge "down below" is more luxurious, with a big spa, but i prefered eagle lodge. havent been to the other place you are looking at, so cant compare.

in windhoek central (when you stay at the hilton), i recommend the restaurant at heinitzburg for a dinner. its not cheap and you should make a reservation. the location is great, on a hill, with panorama windows and great views of the city, and tasty food.

have a lovely trip to namibia !

Thanks a lot Nathalie! I hope other people here will react as well!

Onguma - the Fort - WOW, I am envious. Would love to stay there but can't afford it. We stayed at Onguma Bush Lodge which is at their lower budget end of offerings at Onguma and the professionalism, food and service etc were wonderful, so what you are in for at the Fort will be LUX and something to look forward to.

I would stay closer to Etosha on the other side. We stay at Etosha Safari Camp which might be a bit more budget than you want but they also have a lodge on the same property. http://www.gondwana-collection.com/?id=68

You really need to get into the park as early as possible to maximise your game viewing chance of success IMHO. The lodge above is close to the gate.

Also think Halali area deserves more than one night. Have a great trip.

ok thanks

and any tips of what to visit or not to visit in our route??