Our Office
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:
- $83 to $1,105 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
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Reviews
CA
Email Susan Pairaudeau | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
A fantastic trip that far exceeded our expectations.
We were a group of six, myself and my husband in our mid 70s, our daughter and husband in their late 40s (who live in another country) and their children, a girl aged 9 and a boy, 7, on a 27 day (including the days of arrival and departure) trip through Namibia in late July through August 2015. The intention was to hire a self drive 4x4 vehicle and have a family holiday while we were still able to travel and our grandchildren would be old enough to remember it. However, I was unable to find a vehicle with six seats using the major operators. With time running out (about six weeks before we were due to arrive) I emailed multiple companies I found on the internet and received an almost immediate reply from Derek Jacobs at Blue Crane Safaris. He explained that we could do the itinerary I had sent him with a 2 wheel drive and suggested a van and trailer combo which he could supply but also offered to organise the whole trip with a driver and cook for a very reasonable price. We decided to take him up on the fully organised trip and after numerous back and forth emails an itinerary was settled and I sent a deposit. Then cold feet set in. I knew nothing about this company and could only find two small reviews on the web and I started to worry that the very reasonable price was, in fact, too cheap and that the whole trip was going to be a disaster. So it was with great relief and delight that everything went like clockwork. We were met and debriefed on arrival by Derek's charming mother-in-law Troudy. The next morning we were picked up by our driver, Rusten, and cook, Job, both of whom also guided, and then met the ebullient Derek, reviewed the itinerary and we were off.
What followed was a really fantastic trip - magical day following magical day, all of us enthralled by the scenery and the animals. We had a roughly 60%/40% mixture of camping and hotels, mostly small, simple hotels though some were more luxurious than others but all were very clean and pleasant and had everything we needed and the campsites were very well equipped with clean flush toilets and hot showers. We had good tents with thick mattresses and camp cots if wanted; the sleeping bags were rather thin but we had two each which we needed as nights were cool. A large camp table and chairs were provided and a camp kitchen.
The vehicle was quite new and in excellent condition with good seat belts for every seat and we pulled a trailer for the camping equipment. We had only one flat tire despite many gravel roads, some quite rough.
But the best part was our great crew, Rusten and Job, who are friends and work really well together, so there was never any tension and always a lovely atmosphere. Rusten is an excellent, careful driver with great decision making skills so we had complete confidence in his ability and judgement. He knew the country and the routes very well and was also able to give us many insights into Namibia and its peoples. Job cooked up good, tasty food every day while we were camping; cereals and eggs for breakfast, nice crispy rolls with cheeses and cold meats and salads for lunch with an occasional hot dog much to the delight of our grandchildren. For dinner, grills or very tasty big, one pot stews with rice or pasta - all on a wood fire so we had the added delight of a camp fire to sit around at night. Both Rusten and Job were excellent spotters so we saw lots of wildlife all over the country. They were also really good with the children, both of whom became very attached to them and were sad to leave.
Our trip was a counterclockwise circuit from Windhoek - Waterberg Plateau, Etosha, Opuwo, Sesfontein, Palmwag, Twyfellfontein, Skeleton Coast at Terrace Bay and Cape Cross, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Sossusvlei, Luderitz, Orange river, Fish River Canyon, Mariental and back to Windhoek. The extra side trips that Derek had suggested over and above those I had requested, turned out to be some of the best of the trip - a 4x4 day trip up a dry river valley from Sesfontein in search of desert elephants, and a walk in the bush with the San people, speaking their click language. He was also very accommodating when I made a couple of last minute changes the day before the trip started - no problem!!
In summary, it all turned out to be a really well organised but very relaxed trip through an amazing and very beautiful country which far exceeded our expectations in every respect.
DE
Email Ursula Raimann | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nice, friendly, well organized and experienced team. Customer friendly & excellent service
My husband and me did two tours in Namibia. One in 2010 and one in 2015. Both tours were booked and organizied by Blue Crane Safari. The whole team is well organized and experienced. From our guide we learned a lot about the nature, history and the differnent cultures. They know the right places, the most beautiful lodges and included customer spezific extra tours if possible. We highly recommend Blue Crane Safari for your next trip to Namibia.
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.
Email Claudia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very flexible and always available
I was on a 14 days tour - I enjoyed the Safari, we saw not only zebra, impala, elephants, lions, cheetahs but also lepards, rinos, dik-dik...
They prepared lovely food for us every day - we enjoyed it a lot. If there was one question, the guide always had an answer. His knowledge is huge and the way he explained it was very clear.
We got an instruction on the evening for the next day so we were best prepared.
I never had such a comfortable camping situation - the mattress was on a frame.
To put all into a nutshell: Highly recommended.
SI
Email Igor | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great African experience with Blue Crane Safaris
Great trip in Africa ! Our 14 days Self drive trip from Windhoek to Victoria Falls has ended a few day ago and we had to write this review to share the great experiance we had. After we had checked a lot of offers for our holidays - traveling through Namibia to Botswana and than Victoria Falls we had chosen Blue Crane Safaris and that was for sure the best possible decision. They offered good price, they responded to all of our emails in very short term, they suggested what to visit, which roads shall we take and many many more. They had really helped us a lot. When my son was sick almost in the middle of the desert they gave us all the informations about the nearest doctor and helped us organize meeting with the doctor. The next thing is the car we get... It was almost brand new car. Really great car for driving across gravel roads. Not to mention accomodations which was all above our expectations. We choose medium price level accomodations but that were in our opinion almost all luxurious level and consequently the food was great and there was plenty of choice every day. So a brief summary, You have to book you holidays with Blue Crane Safaris and you will be amazed with all the beauty that Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and other parts of Africa has to offer. A big thanks again to our agent Mr. Derek Jacobs who helped us organizing that outstanding vacations, and we will for sure meet again one day.
Igor
BG
Email Georgi Haralampiev | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
From the dunes to the falls - these are the right choise!
Me and group of friends were for 13 days with you guys (Sedny, Sebe and Tony) - you rocks! For all the work that you do (driving, cooking, guiding us and etc.) i'm amazed! All the way from Windhoek to Victoria Falls (camps, lodges, hotels - perfect mix) there were'nt any problem that you cant solve, even a lots of stops for drinks (and the fridge in the vehicle was perfect) ;). Great spend time with you and hope to see you again around the camp fire or in amazing Ngepi Camp. Namibia is very friendly and clean country - good understanting in english, nice shops with good prices. Dellicious dishes and amazing views. Thank you Blue Crane Safaris - you're the best!
Email Catherine Compton | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Absolutely excellent
Megusto was the best guide I have ever traveled with. ( I have been in the industry for 40years)
Each day was detailed of where we were going on a map. The night before Megusto would mention what activities we were doing and then what the temperature would be and what we would need for the next day. When there was a sighting of say a herd of elephants then he would move the bus so all members of the bus (7 seater)could see easily not just those in the front. Each room was check by Megusto each night to make sure everything worked.
As for the tour it was excellent saw so much more than expected. I do a lot of research before I choose a company and Blue Crane was the best for places visited, time travelling in the bus, and value for money. Namibia has such a diverse range of scenery and wildlife it is a special country. The standard of accommodation exceeded my expectations. We stayed at the Gondwana chain which were excellent something special about each one. The food that was included was also excellent, we even dined in a beautiful seafood restaurant by the pier one night in Swakopmund. The tour far exceeded my expectations.
US
Email Wei | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Awesome operator and customized tour in Southern Africa
My evaluation is based on destination, communication, cost efficiency, well-coordinated excursions, upscale accommodation, and overall service quality. Namibia is a beautiful country with varieties of colorful landscape (ocean, desert, mountain) and wildlife (dolphin, whale, flamingos, big 5, and more). Bluecrane Safari checks all these criteria with one extra, emergency handling. Additionally, their tour guides are very attentive to clients, try the best to accommodate reasonable requirements, and always talk professionally even if some might treat harshly. I definitely will return to Namibia with Bluecrane Safari.
Bluecrane Safari hosted a 13-day Southern Africa tour for my group of Aug- Sep 2024. We had a great time until Sep 1, our day 2 in Namibia. One of our vehicles crashed and some got medium to significant injuries. During the long and intensive rescue process at a very remote site, we did observe that our tour guides are professionally trained to handle emergencies. Fortunately, we had brand new and solid-built safari vehicles. Otherwise, it would be much worse.
The sad accident was no one's wish and hopefully no one will ever have to deal with this. However, accidents do happen. Remember travel insurance, tightening seat belt, front sitter be alert of road and driver's condition, practice basic crash self- protection procedures, and seek best medical facilities if emergency happens for future travel reference. Our lives and wellbeing are priceless.
US
Email Jean F. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Bluecrane Safaris is terrific!
My husband and I took a 13 day safari in Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. It was absolutely wonderful. Our guide, John, was very knowledgeable, accommodating, and fun to be with. The lodgings were terrific, and the price was very reasonable. Best of all, we saw so many wonderful animals! Bluecrane Safaris took care of all the details, so all we had to do was enjoy the trip. We saw people on safaris from other tour companies who were not so lucky; they had problems with transportation, lodging, etc. Our trip was as smooth as could be. I highly recommend Bluecrane Safaris.
IL
Email Mary & Avi | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Highly recommended!
Dear Derek,
Mary and I would like to express our worm gratitude for the adventure we had in Namibia. It was wonderful! Thank you for agreeing to postpone the trip for a full year, considering the compulsion to cancel at the last minute in October 2023. Spesial thanks to our gide and driver John that made our trip expctionly pleasent.
Thank you,
Avi
