Düsternbrook Guest Farm

I am always cautious to write a review for the mere reason that expectations and taste differ and what appeals to the one might not for the other. For one person food may be huge whereas for another not so. But there is just something about POV that steals my heart time and time again. It is the serenity of the environment. The staff. The rusticness. We've been there before. For months I had been planning and saving for the celebrations of my auspiscious 70 milestone and what better place to go to I thought. I am not going to say much more. I am going to let the photos do the talking and then you decide for yourself. A sure MUST do is the POV spectacular Skyview drive! My battery sadly went flat on our way up the mountain but the memory of that scenic trip with Christian will be ingrained in my heart and mind forever. The highlight for me believe it or not was what must be a night adder who we found basking in the dim light outside our chalet. Probably a sure vantage point for a meal I thought that was priceless. So best to take a torch along as you are reminded by nature that you are in the wild. A huge thank you to Johann Vaatz and his lovely team.

very nice area with beautiful main house and surroundings. Nice to see Teddy (leopard) and the hippo's!

We are disappointed with this guest farm. We booked the Chalet No. 1 because it says it has a hippo pool view which is correct. However, the chalet which is quite expensive is a very cheaply made building, very cold, Self-catering is very basic, not even plates nor pans, only a gas stove and coffee. Then, we had a problem with our car. There is no phone signal nor wifi, so we walked 3KM to catch up for the breakfast which is served only till 9am. Then, we asked if somebody could bring my husband to the chalet to help start the car. Luckily, without doing anything (perhaps the cold played on the batteries) it started by itself. By check out, we were informed that we have to pay NMB$100 for the car who brought my husband without any receipt. We find it really disappointing. We will never go back.

I've never in my 37 years received worst customer service. We set off to stay at the farm from Windhoek. Around 10km from the farm, we were met by a riverbed with above knee height water. We were unable to proceed due to not having a 4x4. When we called the farm to ask for advice, they said that their website says that you need a 4x4 and that they could maybe pick us up in a couple of hours. The tone of the conversation left a sour taste in our mouths, so we opted not to either a) go back to Windhoek and rent a 4x4 or b) wait for the lift that maybe would come. As we did not wish to spend any further money with the farm, as they were rude. Not only on this occasion, but also on another phone call when we were enquiring about what activities were on offer. When asking the farm if we could please have a refund as we were unable to access the farm and their website did not mention the requirement of a 4x4, I got an email that is beyond rude, starting with "Talking about responsibility." I appreciate that some locations in Namibia may need a 4x4 to access. However, we have used the VW polo to access many locations, including Okapuka (a few km from Dusternbrook) and Okambara. So it was (in theory wrongfully) assumed that if a 4x4 was required, this would be something that we would be informed of (either when making the booking, looking at the farm's Directions page on their website, or on the multiple times we spoke with the farm on the phone before booking). The final email received from the farm included this lovely caption "If I travel abroad I find the the same condition. How do you think other guests made it to the farm? How did they manage? Just by taking the right decision. Kind regards Johann Vaatz " Sounds like I should have taken the right decision and not assumed that a farm thats hard to access would make the effort to tell potential customers that a 4x4 is required. Horrendous customer service. Avoid.

10 of us did the four day Khomas Hochland hiking trail, starting and ending at Duesternbrook. A night at Duesternbrook was a perfect way to finish. Comfortable rooms, friendly staff, game drives, good feood. We couldn't have asked for more.

We stayed at the campsite for one night. All, including the washing house was very clean and good to use. All of the employees were very friendly. The tour (feeding leopard and hippos) was amazing. 10 out of 10, definitely! We will come back again!