Just wondering if any of you have stayed at the Safari Court Hotel in Windhoek. It looks decent from their website, is less costly than the Kalahari Sands, and offers free transportation to down town.

Mike, I stayed there 4 nights (2-trips, each way). It was nice, clean, good restaurant. Not "new", but okay especially when coming back from the bush. It's within walking distance of the domestic airport in Windhoek (Eros) which I needed for the trip to the Caprivi. Like you said, free shuttles to the international airport. Looking back, I paid 778N (= to Rand) a night, including VAT and buffet breakfast. Bill

Talked to Vaughan about a hotel and he recommended Safari Court. A freind of mine stayed there last August and liked it. Looked at several on line and both Hotel Safari and Safari Court seem like a happy medium between cost and quality.

Does anyone have a good grasp of how quickly these Hotels fill up? We will be needing a couple of nights stay over in late July. Should a person be getting their reservations made now or is there little hurry required in that regard?

How about the Villa Verde in Windhoek?

If you have your travel dates, I'd book now. Ask your PH to make the reservations for you. Sometimes they can get a better rate for you.

A friend of mine stayed at Villa Verde two years ago and was happy with it.

Wendell Reich has recommended Villa Verdi Guesthouse to me. I did a search on it and it looks nice. Will probably stay there in May.

John

In 2003, we stayed at Ongonga Hotel Pension. It was quiet, had a bar for an evening meal and a breakfast room. Also, very helpful staff. If we need to spend a night in Windhoek, we'll use their services again.

Mike,

I've stayed at the Safari Court in 2001 and 2002. It is gated and appears to be a pretty secure place. The rooms are what we might find in a private motel here in the states. Nothing special, but a hot shower and a bed(very basic). The resurant offers a very nice breakfast in the morning that is worth taking advantage of.

BigBullet

Joe,
Do you have any contact information on Ongonga Hotel Pension? Where it located in Windhoek? Close to downtown? Thanks!
John

quote:

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Originally posted by BigBullet:
Mike,

I've stayed at the Safari Court in 2001 and 2002. It is gated and appears to be a pretty secure place. The rooms are what we might find in a private motel here in the states. Nothing special, but a hot shower and a bed(very basic). The resurant offers a very nice breakfast in the morning that is worth taking advantage of.

BigBullet

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According to their website, they have 3 levels of rooms-standard, deluxe, and superior, plus suites, and of course, the presidential suite. Perhaps the upgraded rooms are nicer.

Oops, I guess it would help if I spelled the name right.

www.onganga.com/htm_eng/home.htm

Our stay was booked through Gracey Travel but you can book direct.

It's on the east edge of Windhoek and the pictures on the website make me remember sitting on the patio of the bar, eating pizza, petting the two dogs and watching the setting sunlight reflect off the mountains. Great way to "decompress" from the plane ride.

Mike, I stayed in the Suites, which are to "the left" when one drives in. The room was large, satellite TV, didn't have that "crisp" feeling (and smell) though. Just okay, convenient and a safe place to sleep, but not a "vacation resort". Thier email is: safari@safarihotel.com.na (Owen Fourie was the Front Desk Manager). Bill

Mike,

Perhaps you are right, I don't believe the room I stayed in was anything but standard. That being said, I arrived on both occasions after a long trip somewhere near 11pm local time and hit the sack and was out, good night. Woke early had a good breakfast and was on the road again by 8am. So the room was definately adequate for my purpose.

BigBullet

We stayed at Ongonga and it's a very nice place. It's close to the airport, very pleasant surroundings, and one reason why my jet lag wasn't so terrible. Bob

quote:

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Originally posted by BigBullet:
Mike,

Perhaps you are right, I don't believe the room I stayed in was anything but standard. That being said, I arrived on both occasions after a long trip somewhere near 11pm local time and hit the sack and was out, good night. Woke early had a good breakfast and was on the road again by 8am. So the room was definately adequate for my purpose.

BigBullet

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You know, it's funny, but every hotel I've stayed in all look the same once I'm asleep.