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 We waited with our trip to Namibia until the kids were big enough and eventually the right time was there to go for it. We checked lots of travel catalogues but realized that it would be difficult and costly to book accommodation in Namibia from Germany. So we looked for a tour operator that would not only do the bookings but also give tips and advice where to go. A quick search in the internet took us to African Desk, who not only considered our wishes but also recommended some changes so that finally we had a perfect itinerary.
Due to several contacts of African Desk we not only got good prices but also nice and comfortable rooms. Especially the lovely bungalow in Okaukuejo in Etosha - situated directly at the waterhole - will be unforgettable for us.  There were also highlights during our 3-weeks-stay, like the township tour to Mondesa and the trip to the ocean in Swakopund as well as the vastness and loneliness of the desert. The children really enjoyed the trip - most of all of course the animals - up until today they are still talking about lions and leopards. And the dune boarding was really fun!
Bernd Volkmer and family
August 2006
Höhenkirchen, Germany
 It was important for me to trace a travel agent that also considered children's needs. When I surfed the internet I discovered a photo of a African sitting on a dune with a laughing baby - this was a crucial moment to go for African Desk. Elizabeth's cheerful way of communicating in her e-mails convinced me right away. Everything was organized and prepared without any problems. It was only later that I found out from a travel guide that she has been in the travel business for quite a long time. Floyd - who accompanied us as a tour guide - is definetly one of the nicest and even-tempered persons I ever got to know. Even our children (four and six years old) were enchanted. Asking them what they liked most about our holiday in Namibia, they said: "Running with Floyd". On our way to the Namib desert we experienced a very unusual side of Namibia at the end of a rainy season with heavy rainfalls - an endless open space, full of green and with swarms of butterflies - something I was not expecting at all in Namibia.  Whatever we expected - it was topped in every respect.
What became clear after all: It is easy going to travel with small children in Namibia. Usually I tend to be a bit overprotective with my children - but Floyd even carried my daughter on his back up to the Waterberg. Never would we have made a trip to Namibia as part of a big group - that would have meant lots of stress for the children. I was considering doing a self-drive-tour but in the end I was glad to enjoy the trip from the front seat passenger's position. Apart from that - a 24-hours service gave us the last bit of safety on such a trip. What I should also mention: For travellers who are used to paying with credit cards it might be unusual to make a pre-payment for a trip via bank transfer to a foreign country - with African Desk there is no reason to worry - every single cent arrived and was booked accurately.
Stefan Kümmel and family
Germany
March 2006
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 Quote from a letter to GEOSaison - a travel magazine in Germany:
...another tip that the magazine should follow up is the travel office African Desk in Swakopmund. It is run by Elizabeth de Beer who strives to bring international tourists and black Namibians closer to each other - with lots of enthusiasm, friendliness and professionalism. I booked some hotels via e-mail with her from Germany and everything went off without a hitch. Elizabeth considers individual demands and also gives practical advice for self-drive-tours. In addition, she has complete itineraries in her programme and short trips that can be booked separately. For instance our Katutura Township Tour was one of very special outings (25 Euro per person, 3 hours). The appointment was made with Elizabeth, then we were picked up from the hotel by Diana and Shappa (the driver) and spent an unforgettable afternoon in Katutura. Usually such a trip begins with a sightseeing tour through Windhoek but since we knew this already we went straight to the black township Katutura. Diana and her brother Floyd, who is working as a tour guide for African Desk, were both born and raised in Katutura - and they are still living there. So we got an authentic and individual insight into an African's everyday life in a quarter that is usually hardly visited by Europeans. We were deeply impressed by the hospitality, openness and cordiality of the people we got to know. Diana and Shappa did a very good job und it would be something if people abroad knew about this! Another absolute asset is that Elizabeth as well as Diana and Floyd all speak German!
Anne Spelmans
Xanten, Germany
June 2006
 Together with two friends I made a tour through Namibia which was organised by the African Desk travel agency. African Desk is based in Swakopmund and run by Elisabeth de Beer. As time fails me I herewith include a profile of African Desk from which it becomes clear that this travel agency and its staff has a very high potential where it comes to tourism with environmental and social benefits. In less than two weeks my friends and I were able to gather a deep knowledge of what moves the people in Namibia, what the problems are that the country has to deal with, the possiblities and impossibilities of future development. Thanks to our guide Kavazembua Hambira (Floyd for us) we have met many different people on our trip. As Floyd speaks the different languages of the Namibian tribes we were able to change views in a more elaborate way than just the usual exchange of civilities.
African Desk proves itself to be a travel agency with a heart and mission to make the people of Namibia as well as the country in a broader sense benefit from its connections with the world. Namibia is not one of the more popular tourist countries in the Netherlands. But I will do my best to tell my surroundings about the prescious and unique experience that I had thanks to African Desk. I hope that I will be able to warm the hearts of my friends in the Netherlands for the country and the people of Namibia.
Christina Kimmler
Amsterdam, Netherlands
August 2005
 I started organising my trip to Namibia for Easter 2004 in summer 2003. I mailed the itinerary to 13 travel agents in Germany, Austria and Namibia and asked them for a quotation for reservations and bookings. Flights and car rental I organised myself. In fact, it turned out that the price for the same accommodation differed up to 200 Euro per person! African Desk was the travel agent with the most favourable prices. My mails with all my persistent questions were answered promptly and in September 2003 I opted for African Desk to take over my travel arrangements. Everything was organised perfectly - thanks Elizabeth! In Windhoek we got all the vouchers as well as travel documents and the trip was a big success. We also met Elizabeth personally in Swakopmund and found her a very charming personality. I can only recommend to have a trip organised by African Desk!
Andrea Pilgram, Vienna
Austria
April 2004
 We were highly satisfied with the trip that Elizabeth from African Desk organized for us. Floyd was a very knowledgeable tour guide and his German was superb! In addition to that, we got to know him as a very kind character with lots of humour. His tour assistant Steven was also a nice companion to travel with. Even planning and preparation of the trip was fun and highly effective since we could talk over everything with Elizabeth via e-mail and always received fast replies. Payments were handled correctly and accurately. We especially appreciated that she really committed herself to our individual wishes: All the accommodations were carefully selected - starting with Okapuka Ranch in Okahandja, Sea Breeze in Swakopmund or Weltevrede Lodge in the Namib Desert. We wish Elizabeth and African Desk all the best and lots of luck for the future!
Arno und Rita Lasch
Overijse
Belgium
January 2004
 We got in touch with Elizabeth in autumn 2003 after having searched the internet for some time and it turned out that she was able to make happen what we had in mind about a trip to Namibia. Elizabeth answered all our e-mails on the spot and considered all our wishes with excellent organizational skills. Finally we went on our trip with our tour guide Floyd in January 2004. We especially enjoyed preparing barbecues together with him in the evening hours. We spent the first four days on safaris in Etosha and saw a variety of animals: zebras, rhinos, lions and several antelopes and hyenas. We even discovered a python at the waterhole in the evening. In Swakopmund we eventually got to know Elizabeth - she invited us for a picnic at the beach and we had lots of fun! The next stop was "Weltevrede" giving the impression of the Wild West: electricity was only from 19.30 to 22.00 hours - later on there were candles to light the rooms. Here we could really relax, enjoy the quietness and we would have loved to stay a bit longer.
 Our highlight, however, was the trip to Sossusvlei. Floyd spontaneously decided to climb "Big Daddy" - at 350 meters this is the highest dune of the world. It was an adventure taking us to our physical limits but it was worth it having successfully conquered the top of the dune, feeling joy and the triumph of a victory. The view is fantastic and descending the dune and arriving at the bottom again we found some gnarly old camelthorn trees. We can highly recommend booking through Elizabeth to experience a very individual trip to Namibia. And we could not have had a better tour guide than Floyd - we would certainly do another tour with him!
Daniela and Andreas Pirali
Kassel, Germany
January 2004
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