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 Steve S | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Amazing 18 day private tour
In October my wife and I went on an amazing 18 day private tour with Blue Crane Safaris and we couldn't be happier.
From the first contact when we were initially looking at small group tours through to the final booking of what became a bespoke private tour, Derek was always prompt in his responses and patient with my many questions.
Our tour covered both the south and north of Namibia over 18 days and we travelled 4,500km including Windhoek, Intu Afrika Kalahari Game Reserve, Fish River Canyon, Luderitz, Namib, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Twyfelfontein, Palmwag, Etosha National Park and Otjiwarongo.
We enjoyed beautiful scenery, had some great experiences and saw spectacular wildlife. The accommodation was very good and included some amazing properties.
The safari vehicle was very clean, comfortable, spacious and well air-conditioned with sliding windows and a pop-top roof for 360 degree views and photos.
Our driver/guide Frank was exceptional - a skilled driver, with detailed knowledge of the country and its wildlife, a great sense of humour and a lovely guy.
Thank you Derek and Frank we had a great time.
We highly recommend Blue Crane Safaris.
IT
Email Andrea S. | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Highly professional and very competent
The trip, the car, the overall organization and above all the performance of our guide Me-gusto, as well as the beauty of Namibia, were simply exceptional. I have seen more than half of the world, but this trip was truly memorable. The knowledge of Me-gusto about Namibia, his discipline, sense of responsibility, and his ability to connect with my family, were definitely one of the many highlight of our trip.
Thank you Derek and the team at Blue Crane Safaris!
IT
Email Silvia Corbani | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Best agency. Magic country
We are an italian couple. We did 10 days Namib desert Skeleton Coast Etosha and Waterberg. Simply amazing i asked Derek for a customize tour included Pelican point kayaking to meet the guys who save the seals from plastic debrits it s an amazing experience sourrandig by seals and dolphins do that highly recommended. Etosha also is amazing thanks for conservation for Rhynos is a hope. Derek suggested us best lodges and best trip, Frank the guide and driver was extremly professional and polite. They included all the meals and service, best value for money. When we met they gave us a water bottle to refil: we appreciated a lot to reduce impact of plastics. Best agency go with them.
Silvia
IT
Email Alessandro Caiusi | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Excellent
The experience with Blue Crane, has been positive from the beginning.
Mr Derek answered to all my question in a timely manner, with accuracy and transparency.
The strength of Blue Crane was the program. Extremely detailed and exhaustive. Every step of the day was clear from sunrise to sunset, as well as what was included in the price and what not.
The tour (21 days) fully confirmed my first impression.
On top of that, the Guide (Sammy), has been extremely kind and helpful.
Always available and an endless source of information !
Strongly recommended !
US
Email Jeff | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
High Quality Namibia Adventure with Blue Crane Safaris
Recently returned from a fantastic 12-day luxury safari in Namibia with Blue Crane Safaris. From the earliest stages of trip planning to our final drop-off at the airport, Blue Crane Safaris exceeded expectations. Overall their communication, service, value for money, and reliability were all top notch. Our amazing guide and driver John helped insure an unforgettable experience from start to finish. His deep knowledge of the flora & fauna resulted in multiple mind-blowing wildlife encounters in Etosha National Park that we would have otherwise never experienced. Could go on and on with praise for this company and our experience with them, but let's just say that i would be very, very surprised if you have any regrets in booking your safari experience with Blue Crane. A huge thanks to Derek and John for making a long-held bucket-list dream come true, you guys rock.
CH
Email Louise Debetaz | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Professional, friendly service throughout the booking process and on the tour.
We had a fabulous 13 day tour of Namibia and Botswana with a final day at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The booking process and communication with Derek was first class with very prompt responses to emails and answers to questions. Our guide John was fantastic; very experienced, knowledgeable and friendly. He was an exceptionally careful driver, with an extraordinary ability to see game and birds no matter how well hidden! The perfect companion for our trip! The accommodation and food (I'm vegetarian) was excellent and staff were welcoming and really did their best to make our stays even more enjoyable.
The tour itself involves quite a lot of driving, but we got to see so much in a short time. Both Etosha and the Okavanga delta are extraordinary places to observe wildlife and we absolutely loved the whole experience. The tour was well worth every penny and we can thoroughly recommend Blue Crane Safaris!
CA
Email Ilian | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great trip in Namibia and S. Africa!
This past September we (a group of 12) had a great trip in Namibia and S. Africa with Blue Crane Safaris. Windhoek - Walvis Bay (with Sandwich Harbour tour), Sesriem/ Sossusvlei, then on to the Namibian part of Kalahari, Quiver Tree Forest, then crossed the border with S. Africa and spent 4 nights on safari in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, flight to Cape Town and 3 days there + Cape Peninsula. It was a nice mix of accommodated and camping safari, we had more comfort on some places and some adventure on others.
I have done several safaris with them in Namibia, S. Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe and have always been very pleased with the experience.
We used two vehicles, two guides and a camp hand, two of them friends of mine from previous trips, so for me personally they are one of the reasons to come back to these places. Guides are always accommodating and flexible when circumstances allow for the latter. Usually people are commenting on quality of food etc. This is not the greatest concern of mine, while on safari, but, yes, the food is always good. Not mentioning the planning of the trip, since it has always been easy with this company, I have just started to take things for granted with them.
I would recommend Blue Crane Safaris to any prospective visitor to Namibia and the neighbouring countries without any hesitation.
I am already planning another trip with them to Spitzkoppe, Etosha National Park, Caprivi Strip and Victoria Falls next year.
Thank you for everything, guys and see you again next September!
US
Email Marc Anthony | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Most comprehensive well-organized safari ever taken
Bluecrane organized a city tour and safari for some VIP visitors. The planning and organization of the trip was superb. They were both efficient and reliable and that's exactly what you want on a good tour. I've been on a lot of safaris but this is by far was the best. Derek and his staff are knowledgeable, courteous, professional and provided exceptional customer service. We lacked for nothing. The entire group enjoyed everything about Bluecrane without exception. Highly recommend without any reservations whatsoever. You can't go wrong with Bluecrane.
US
Email Karen D | 65+ years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
I highly recommend Blue Crane if you are considering a Namibia safari.
Blue Crane’s safari guides were the best! They made sure everything was perfect. Great driving skills, organized, always put us in the best position to get an amazing photo and the safari vehicles were clean, comfortable and air conditioned. Their knowledge of the animals was informative and interesting. They were just fun to travel with! If I ever am fortunate enough to visit beautiful Namibia again I will definitely go with Blue Crane! Highly recommend them.
