Question 1

What exactly is a trip review?

Accepted Answer

We go through your Namibia itinerary day by day. We check distances, road conditions, timing, accommodation choices, and overall route logic. Then we deliver a detailed written report with what works, what doesn't, and specific recommendations to improve your trip.

Question 2

I don't have a plan yet. Can you still help?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Our Full Trip Planning package is designed for exactly this. You tell us your dates, group, preferences, and budget, and we build a complete itinerary from scratch. If you want to talk options through first, book an Ask the Expert call in either a 30-minute or 60-minute format.

Question 3

Who does the review?

Accepted Answer

Your review is done by our team — a combination of experienced international travelers (who understand the planning challenges from abroad) and Namibian tour guides and locals (who know the roads, seasons, and camps from the inside).

Question 4

Do you book accommodation or cars for me?

Accepted Answer

No. We're an advisory service, not a booking agency. We review and recommend — you keep full control over your bookings. This also means we have no commission incentives, so our advice is genuinely in your interest.

Question 5

How fast do I get my review?

Accepted Answer

Written reviews are usually delivered within 48 hours of the completed briefing. During peak season (May–October), they may take up to 72 hours. Full planning takes 5–7 days, and Ask the Expert calls are booked into the next available 30-minute or 60-minute slot, usually within a week.

Question 6

What do I need to submit?

Accepted Answer

After payment, you'll fill in a detailed intake form where you can paste your itinerary, list your accommodations, describe your vehicle, and ask specific questions. The more detail you provide, the more specific our review can be.

Question 7

Can I ask follow-up questions after the review?

Accepted Answer

The Sanity Check includes the written report. If you want to discuss it live, The Deep Dive adds a 30-minute call. Ask the Expert is the standalone option, available as either a 30-minute or 60-minute call when you want conversation without a written review.

Question 8

What if my dates change after the review?

Accepted Answer

Not a problem. The review is about your route logic, not specific calendar days. If your dates shift by a few weeks, the recommendations still apply. If the season changes significantly (rainy vs. dry), email us and we'll add notes for the new window at no charge.

Question 9

Do you speak German? Can I get my review in German?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Half our team is German-speaking and we deliver reviews in either English or German — your choice. You can submit your itinerary in German even if you'd like the review in English, or vice versa.

Question 10

Are there any hidden fees?

Accepted Answer

No. The price you see is the price you pay. Flat fee, no subscriptions, no upsells. We also don't take commission from lodges, so there's no hidden incentive in our recommendations.

Question 11

What's your refund policy?

Accepted Answer

Fix-it-free guarantee: if our written review doesn't surface at least 3 things worth changing in your plan, we refund you in full. No forms, no friction. The guarantee applies to the written review packages.

Question 12

What if I'm not satisfied?

Accepted Answer

Beyond the fix-it-free guarantee, if you feel the review didn't address your trip adequately, reach out. We'll either redo the relevant section or refund the package — your call.

Question 13

Can I book just a video call without a review?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our Ask the Expert option is standalone, and you can choose either a 30-minute or 60-minute call. You do not need a finished itinerary, just the questions you want to work through.

Question 14

What's the right etiquette around wildlife — and how safe is self-drive really?

Accepted Answer

Stay in your vehicle in Etosha and any park where it's required, keep at least 30 m from elephants and 50 m from rhino, never get between a mother and her young, no flash on nocturnal animals. Self-drive Namibia is statistically very safe — the real risks are gravel-road crashes (slow down on bends and crests), dehydration (carry 4–5 L per person per day in remote stretches), and night driving (don't — wildlife on the road).

Question 15

Where do you actually eat and where should you stock up?

Accepted Answer

Stock up properly in Windhoek or Swakopmund — the major Spar, Checkers and Woolworths there are excellent. Outside the towns, fuel-station shops are limited and lodge food is often the only option. For meals out: Joe's Beerhouse in Windhoek, the Tug in Swakopmund, Solitaire for fresh apple pie on the Sossusvlei route. Always carry water, biltong and one meal's worth of food in the car.

Question 16

How should we behave culturally — especially around Himba, Herero and San communities?

Accepted Answer

Always go with a local guide for community visits — never just turn up. Ask before photographing anyone (and respect a no). Don't hand out sweets or money to children; if you want to give, give to the school or guide. Greet first before asking anything. Buy crafts directly from the maker where possible — your money goes much further.

Question 17

Is Namibia good for families with kids — and what changes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, very. But: shorter driving days (max 4 hours of actual road time), pick lodges with pools, and accept that long Skeleton Coast or remote Damaraland days won't work with under-8s. Etosha is the easy win — animals from the car, fenced camps, malaria-free in most months. Bring kid binoculars, snacks, sun hats, and a tablet for the long stretches.

Question 18

What do photographers need to know about light and logistics?

Accepted Answer

Two nights minimum at any spot that matters — Deadvlei needs sunrise from inside the gate, Spitzkoppe needs late-afternoon and dawn. Etosha waterholes are best at first and last light. Dry season (May–Oct) gives clean blue skies but harsher midday light; green season (Jan–Apr) gives dramatic clouds but afternoon storms. Bring serious dust protection and a polariser.

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