Ai Ais Spa — Attraction in Karas

What a shame. We've been going there literally since I was a baby and it was the first time in 5 years that we were able to go. Wanted to show my husband the place that I have so many fond memories with. Unfortunately it was not the experience we envisioned at all. Water was cold. Pools were filled only 3/4 full and kids bombing the entire place. When we were small there were rules and parents used to have to keep an eye and there were kiddies pools. There used to be order to noise complaints etc. I mean, you go there for nature and now there are no rules with noise or music - campers partied all night even through our complaints. We won't bother going there again. We will rather travel much less far and go to our local hot springs in SA. Better service. Better pools and rules against music and parties after 10pm. You can actually go and enjoy quiet nature there. We don't appreciate traveling that far and paying RIDICULOUS amount of money to camp for one night and have the facilities be like that. There was no toiletpaper or soap to wash your hands with in the restrooms. Unfortunate. It used to be my favourite place. NWR overall has let Namibian tourism down....

Stayed here September 2022. This lodge has clearly seen better days, and could do with a significant update. The dining room felt almost like a works canteen from the 1950s! However, the (few) ladies on both Reception and who served in the restaurant did a magnificent job, were friendly, and could not have been more helpful: thank you! I handed in my washing late on the evening of our arrival and it was ready by 9.00 a.m. the next morning, as promised. The food was actually quite acceptable.

However, there was some sort of box meant to contain a klaxon or alarm of some sort in the bedroom, which was (a) loose on the wall, (b) was empty, and (c) - most notably - placed in a dangerous location where someone could easily hit their head or shoulder, especially if going to the bathroom in the dark (see photograph). This is a 'health & safety' issue, and the hotel should immediately remove it or at least move to a safe place. These are probably in all of...

Unique camp site with self catering accommodation and spa famous for its hot springs. The site is well managed and maintained by the Namibian tourism board but the pool and ablution facilities have a worn out look and could do with some improvements. The old world character however fits in with the general feel of the place in the rugged and dusty Fish River Canyon. The 80km Canyon Trail ends here, but many hikers also use the camp site to prepare for their departure, and there is no better place to relax after the trail than in the large outdoor pool in Ai Ais. The restaurant has well priced a la carte meals, friendly service, a small shop and a bar, but there is no wifi. For a fee of R20 you can, however, make a call to South Africa from the office. Otherwise buy a...