Blue Crane Safaris Namibia
- Located In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2010)
- Member Of:
- NTB & TOSCO
- Tour Types:
- Mid-range & luxury tours with set start dates and a fixed itinerary
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $138 to $1,105 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
AT
Email Karin | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Taking the time to arrange itinerary, accommodation, and a guide to meet our demands & expectations
We used Blue Crane for our visit in 2016. When we decided one trip to Namibia was not enough, we contacted Derek again; there was no need to 'shop around' as the service was exceptional, and the prices then, as now, provided exceptional value for money. Emails and calls are always promptly responded to, and our suggestions, changes or general questions are quickly answered.
On this visit, we wished to travel north from Windhoek, across the Zambezi/Caprivi region, to Victoria Falls, through the Okavango and back to Windhoek. Derek continued with waitlisting us for our desired accommodation and arranged fly-in and boat-in transport to off-the-track lodges. We had, except where the isolation offered only one hotel standard, exceptional quality lodges and hotels... and the food? Fantastic. Everywhere.
But of course, it was about the culture and wildlife, and here Namibia really shines!
It was a significant advantage to have a private guide the whole trip, hearing the names and behaviours of the wildlife and history, geology, and geography of Namibia from a true local, our guide, Me-Gusto, who also attended to all the logistics around our daily life.
Derek ensured we did not visit 'commercialised' cultural tourist events, choosing by-and-for locations, including the Living Museum of the Ju/'Hoansi-San. Similarly, we stayed (yet again, it is an unforgettable location) at Africat Foundation's accommodation, Okonjima Lodge. In addition to the range of free-ranging animals sighted there, including leopards and cheetahs, we were blessed to see herds of buffalo, elephants, crocodiles and hippopotamuses (my personal highlight) at Serondela Lodge.
Botswana was a new territory completely, and the Okavango did not disappoint. Our stay at Hyena Pan was 5-star, with only some slight irritations with the local guides (Me-Gusto could not escort us on this part of the stay). Leaving Botswana for the dunes and Sossusvlei, a breathtaking balloon trip over the desert (with Namib Sky, who have their own charitable foundation and support local artisans and school children), before leaving Windhoek after a fulfilling 21 days of touring.
As a final note, we had special needs on the trip, and as 'seniors', our pace may be somewhat slower than others may choose to travel. Derek took all this into account and was very patient with the numerous changes to dates, duration of stays, and even the number of passengers: we were ultimately joined by family from Australia, which meant changing the trip to ensure they got to see sights we had experienced before.
Blue Crane Safaris Namibia offers set package tours, and I am sure the same care and attention we received would also be offered to those clients.
Email Joanna S | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgettable experience
I just completed the 10 Day camping safari with Blue Crane and had the most amazing adventure.
The organisation was seamless and the itinerary was perfect. My favourite places were Damaraland and beautiful Naukluft Park. I saw everything I wanted (and more) in Etosha. All camping places on this tour were well located and of very good quality.
The guides (Me-Gusto and Tony) were simply the best. They cooked the best food, were super organised, knowledgeable and fun to travel with.
I would recommend Blue Crane and will be using them again.
Email Wendy Dallas-Smith | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Efficient, easy to deal with and well priced.
The planning and communication with regard to the 17 day escorted tour of Namibia I recently took was excellent. Some lodges exceeding expectations. Our driver Marcus was knowledgeable, friendly and efficient. His contribution was a most important factor of the overall success and I would recommend him unreservedly. I was happy with the cost, level of accomodation and activities. The only hiccup I incurred was paying into a Namibian bank account from a UK bank account. UK Banks don’t like this! It was difficult. Not the fault of Blue Crane but something they could look into to help future guests.
Thank you Derek and team for a very memorable holiday. I hope to return and would use your services again.
Email jaqui raimondo | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
We recently went on a fabulous discovery of Namibia which we booked through Blue Crane Safari's.
Derek at Blue Crane Safari’s was excellent at suggesting suitable itineraries for our 17 day trip. We were met at the airport and right through the trip until the end, we were looked after extremely well and our guide, Marcus went above and beyond what he needed to do to make sure we saw the very best of Namibia. I would thoroughly recommend this company when considering a trip to this amazing country.
Email Sam | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional tour operator created a fantastic trip
Thank you for the excellent tour you organised for us, we thoroughly enjoyed it. Communication with the office team was always prompt and professional. Whilst this type of holiday is generally expensive, the tour was good value for money, especially when compared to quotes from other operators. Most of the lodges booked by Blue Crane exceeded our expectations, with excellent service, lovely accommodation and memorable experiences. Frank was a brilliant guide, ensuring that the whole trip flowed seamlessly with no stress on our part. He happily accommodated our wishes, whilst answering all of our questions. We will definitely recommend Blue Crane and Namibia to our friends and family.
EE
Email Kevin Probert | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Superbly organised 15-day Safari
We chose the 15-day Safari which gave a good balance between culture, history and nature. We discovered that Namibia is very varied, even the climate - we travelled from the cooler, even foggy climate of the coast to baking temperatures in Damaraland. Taking this trip, bear in mind that there will be a lot of driving, but even the long road journeys were interesting. Our guide/driver Markus was very informative and looked after us well. When we were planning the trip, Derek in the office communicated with us promply and effectively. Blue Crane Safaris are not cheap, but we feel our money was well spent. Accommodation was upmarket. Food was excellent and exceeded our expectations. At the coast, try the oysters! We have always lived near the sea, but never had so much good seafood. Inland we were able to try a variety of game meats. We felt really spoilt on this trip.
CA
Email Sergio & Carmen | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Fantastic Adventure in Namibia
My wife and I completed the 11 day accommodated Namibia Experience with Blue Cranes Safaris this May (2024).
We are experienced travelers and have done safaris in Africa before. All our expectations were exceeded in every single way with this tour. Namibia is a beautiful country with wonderful people. We were able to explore this magnificent place the way we wanted with this tour. Sammy, our guide during the entire tour, is a professional with many years of experience doing his job. He has great knowledge of his country and enjoys sharing the information he has. He's very patience and has a great sense of humor. We truly enjoyed his company during this tour.
We selected Blue Crane Safaris because their formality and professionalism since the first time I contacted them. They had all the answers to my questions and were upfront in all details. We did not have unpleasant surprises at any time.
All the selected accommodations were excellent (very clean, very comfortable and with very good attention). The food was consistently great in all the lodges we stayed at.
Our trip to Namibia was a fantastic adventure with Blue Crane Safaris.
IT
Email Mikrotour - Elena | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The best partner for a trip to Namibia, reliability and professionalism assured!
No words will ever be enough to thank Blue Crane Safaris Namibia for organizing the best private tour of my life!
Everything was more than perfectly organized! As a travel agent, I am very happy to have found Blue Crane to be the ideal partner for future trips of my clients as well, as their personalized and tailor made service can meet the needs of any traveler
From the first moment I contacted them, I felt that I was dealing with a truly knowledgeable and competent staff; in particular Jamie, in the early stages of trip design, was very attentive, thoughtful, and quick to understand our needs.
I am convinced in saying that this tour to Namibia was by far the one that gave me the strongest emotions.
Besides the wonders of a spectacular country, I am sure that the presence of the fantastic guide Sebe was decisive.
He is a very knowledgeable, attentive and caring guide, as well as a guy with a heart, helpful and full of humanity. We are truly grateful for having him accompany us. I arrived in Namibia as a tourist and left as a friend.
His friendliness really overwhelmed us!
On a practical level, the tour was perfectly organized; the vehicle was comfortable and our guide took great care to make sure we always found it clean and tidy. The accommodations that were recommended to us were spectacular, very comfortable and in dream locations.
The experience with this tour operator was vastly above expectations I can do nothing but 100% recommend it for your next trip to Namibia.
US
Email Michele | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Blue Crane Tours is an excellent tour operator with a professional, attentive and experienced team.
I went on the 15 day Namibian Highlights tour - everything went very smoothly. Jamie in the front office promptly answered my queries as I booked the tour and Frank our tour guide was very knowledgeable and attentive to the group. There is a lot of time in the car but there are frequent activities and a diverse landscape to keep you entertained.
US
Email Sharon Chan | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Detail service
Marcus is very wonderful, concerning details and very acknowledge guide. Five of us love him and he is very responsible and on schedule for everything.
Marcus is highly recommend as your tour guide in Namibia!