Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary
Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary
4
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Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
19 reviews
Excellent
12
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2
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0
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2
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3
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Gotthebluesforred
Sydney, Australia233 contributions
Jun 2019 • Solo
Located approx. 45 mins from Windhoek, Naankuse is a large farm with an Activity Centre offering experiences for day trippers as well as on-site lodging.
Overall, the Caracal walk was thrilling, however it was everything else that made this experience feel lacklustre.
I had booked the Caracal walk several weeks prior from Australia and asked about transfers from Windhoek. I received an email stating they don’t offer transfers but try this taxi service. I emailed the taxi service and never heard back! Next, I received an email from Naankuse stating I would have to pay in full prior to arriving. No problem, I set up an account with OFX and transferred the funds the same day. Several days later I received a confirmation from Naankuse.
On arrival at the Activity Centre, after organising a private driver from Windhoek, the staff were cordial but far from welcoming. I was asked to fill in a form and then arrange payment immediately. I explained I had already paid and provided the email confirmation. A short time later, the staff informed me I had overpaid so I organised for the driver to enjoy a coffee while I was out on the walk. Then I was directed to watch a PR video on Naankuse before heading out with the Ranger.
The walk itself was fabulous! Misty, the caracal, was a fascinating creature, curious and alert. I was blown away by her features and those ears are extraordinary. It was a wonderful 1.5 hour walk learning about this unique animal.
It’s important to get the whole experience right, not just the main attraction ie the Caracal walk.
Overall, the Caracal walk was thrilling, however it was everything else that made this experience feel lacklustre.
I had booked the Caracal walk several weeks prior from Australia and asked about transfers from Windhoek. I received an email stating they don’t offer transfers but try this taxi service. I emailed the taxi service and never heard back! Next, I received an email from Naankuse stating I would have to pay in full prior to arriving. No problem, I set up an account with OFX and transferred the funds the same day. Several days later I received a confirmation from Naankuse.
On arrival at the Activity Centre, after organising a private driver from Windhoek, the staff were cordial but far from welcoming. I was asked to fill in a form and then arrange payment immediately. I explained I had already paid and provided the email confirmation. A short time later, the staff informed me I had overpaid so I organised for the driver to enjoy a coffee while I was out on the walk. Then I was directed to watch a PR video on Naankuse before heading out with the Ranger.
The walk itself was fabulous! Misty, the caracal, was a fascinating creature, curious and alert. I was blown away by her features and those ears are extraordinary. It was a wonderful 1.5 hour walk learning about this unique animal.
It’s important to get the whole experience right, not just the main attraction ie the Caracal walk.
Written June 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samantha B
Stafford, UK76 contributions
Jun 2019
This place blew us away. They say no wild animal should be kept in captivity but due to circumstances or injury they provide as natural as possible a home for animals which can't be released into the wild treating them with dignity and respect. It's not a zoo animals which can be are rehabilitated in private and released quickly. They work with farmers to gps collar big cats to prevent them being shot proving they aren't killing lifestock and moving them if they are. They provide free medical care including trips to hospital by air or ambulance for the very neglected bushman tribe running a school and paying for the kids through their full education. They employ the bushman tribe in centres and as guides etc. They all stop their cars on the reserve to collect litter if they see any and go above and beyond to look after the wildlife there. They are a great bunch of people passionate about what they do fun and very appreciative of the volunteers who go to help. I can't wait to go back!
Written August 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jadedtravelista
Lusby, MD114 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
We did not stay at the lodge, we drove out from Windhoek (about 45 minutes) to go on the cat feeding tour. We were able to get very close to leopard, lions, cheetah, baboons and wild dogs. The guide was very knowledgeable about the various species and had been on the preserve for some years so he knows all of the animals and their history very well. Even though they are in enclosures, the animals all come up to the fence and will hang around to socialize until the meat is tossed in. Great photo opportunities! These animals were all rescued as babies and raised in captivity or were brought in due to conflict with local farmers. The lions were especially exciting to see, the male was clearly not pleased to have us in his space. You can walk with the cheetah on a separate tour, but you are not allowed to touch them. Well worth the trip, the countryside is lovely !
Written January 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mingfatsai
Grand Island, NE4,446 contributions
Sep 2022
Though we stayed at Omaanda, the Cheetah Walk takes place at their sister resort, Naankuse. To walk with cheetahs is an utterly amazing experience and an event you will never forget. It was one of the highlights of our Namibia trip. Omaanda did not make us aware of this option on our first visit, but one of our fellow Omaanda guests told us about it before we left. On our return Omaanda stay prior to departing Namibia, we requested the activity. I think the cost was about $150 per person, but it is so worthwhile and the money supports animal research that occurs at Naankuse. How often do you have the opportunity to walk side by side with a beautiful predatory cat? This is a thrilling, must-participate activity when staying at Omaanda.
Written February 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pp21401
Annapolis, MD230 contributions
Nov 2022
I was dealt with very unfairly, I would say bordering of fraud, first, they told me the price in scarves was mismarked and they were twice as much. I was skeptical but since it was a nonprofit I bought 3 anyway.
Then, when I was about to leave they told me me I owed 1200 ND for transportation which had already been paid. The employee insisted until I insisted we call the travel agency when she backed off and said she would handle it later. She said there was no reason to bother me about it and she would handle later.
The feeding was great as was the game drive….I am just left with a bad taste in my mouth. Ne in guard.
Then, when I was about to leave they told me me I owed 1200 ND for transportation which had already been paid. The employee insisted until I insisted we call the travel agency when she backed off and said she would handle it later. She said there was no reason to bother me about it and she would handle later.
The feeding was great as was the game drive….I am just left with a bad taste in my mouth. Ne in guard.
Written November 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gilad J
London, UK55 contributions
Oct 2019
We arrived here from the Harnas Wildlife Foundation, where we had a thrilling and soul-uplifting stay of 2 days, filled with activities, which helped change our perspective on how people and animals could live together in harmony. With such a great experience at Harnas, we wanted to end our 2-week tour of Namibia with a visit at Naankuse, that is run by the daughter of the founder of Harnas, to experience more activities with the wildlife and prolong the good taste that we enjoyed at Harnas. We were cautioned that Naankuse puts more focus on tourism vs. the focus on wildlife conservation at Harnas (where tourists are few and far between). Unfortunately that proved true. We called Naankuse to inquire about available activities and make a booking, but they did not have that readily available, and said they would call us back but never did. When we arrived at the Naankuse gate after several hours of driving, we wanted to start with lunch at the lodge but were told it was sold out for lunch. We were directed to the activity center which is also serving lunch. It turned out that the activities were also sold out, and they didn't make an effort to accommodate us somehow, being that we were already there. All afternoon activities were set to start at the same hour so it was not possible to combine several activities (not the case with Harnas) or choose an activity that begins later on. Left without any good options for activities, we decided to have lunch at the activity center. But we were left with a poor taste, literally, as it was a very mediocre lunch, one that we would not recommend to anyone. we didn't get a chance to experience the Naankuse lodge or its activities so this review should be taken with that consideration in mind. Maybe we missed the experience of our lifetime and it could have been secured by booking several weeks or months in advance. However, we didn't like the hospitality and attitude that we encountered. So on our next visit to Namibia, we will be returning to the wonderful oasis of Harnas and skipping Naankuse.
Written November 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jules75
68 contributions
Sep 2019
The Carnivore tour is an absolute must! Our guide Virgil was so knowledgable and interesting and told great stories about the animals and gave such great explanations about their care and about each species in particular. We also greatly enjoyed the restaurant for lunch. When visiting Namibia be sure to make this a priority on your list!
Written October 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matkaresatrip
23 contributions
Aug 2019
We booked the San Tribe cultural tour for our family. When arriving at the Activity centre, we asked the lady at the reception in order to reconfirm how long the tour was going to last. She said about 2 hours. The whole thing including the initial video took 75 minutes BUT it does not deliver what they promise. The San did not present how they hunt, they did not tell tales, they did not present their singing nor dancing as promised in the tour programme. Upon return, there was nobody in the reception to complain to. We made a written claim afterwards and this place did not even answer to it. The feeling left behind is between a rip-off and cheating us. Just don´t fall for the same mistake we made with this establishment.
Written August 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sylvia Sawahenga
Windhoek, Namibia12 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
If you have a half day in Windhoek and dont know what to do near Windhoek then Naankuse is the ideal option to visit. One can do a Cheetah Walk, Horse Riding, Ancient San tour and carnivore feeding tour. Dont miss out on their lunch and they can do all transfers too.
Written February 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simone A
7 contributions
Jan 2024 • Solo
Simply magnificent. I went to the Lodge for a midday meal and took advantage of the wonderful swimming pool. while sunbathing I saw a baboon minding his own business.
I stayed in the farm camp as a volunteer, everything was magnificent.
I stayed in the farm camp as a volunteer, everything was magnificent.
Written February 16, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
At what time in the morning does the ‘behind the scenes tour with Marlice start? Arriving at Windhoek airport at 8:00 and wondering if it would at all be possible to still make it for this morning tour?
Written February 24, 2019
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