Divava Okavango Resort & Spa

After a 10 hour drive from Etosha we were excited to finally reach Divava Lodge. We were greeted with drinks at reception. We also had help with our luggage from porter from our vehicle to our room as we had arrived right when it started drizzling. The room itself had the most gorgeous view of the river. The room itself was clean, the bed was comfortable, and the view from the bathtub was amazing. We had a quick lunch at the restaurant which was a simple Tosti while it started pouring and thundering. When we came back we noticed a couple leaks in the roof but decided to stay in the room since the leaks were in areas that weren't frequented (They did offer for us to switch rooms but the views from ours was just too good). The food at Divava is nothing to write home about. Luckily we had snacks and you can't go wrong with a sandwich. The lodge also advertised cake and coffee between lunch and dinner but when we went the staff had no idea about it and offered cookies instead? So not sure why reception told us about this if the rest of the staff didn't know about it. They also said that there is WiFi available at the main building but it never worked since the day we arrived. We booked a Game Drive to the nearby Bwabwata National Park Mahongo Core Area and got Viro Links who was our awesome driver for the morning. We also booked the River Cruise to see Hippo's. Our captain was Joseph who is from the northern area. Both activities were the highlight of our trip :) The day of checkout is where everything went wrong. Because the WiFi wasn't working there was no way for us to pay the bill via credit card. The proper thing to do would have been to tell us from the night before (especially given that the WiFi wasn't working properly for days) so that we could have looked for an ATM to get cash. The manager's suggestion was to go to the ATM in Divundu and come back with the money (even though we had an 8 hour drive in front of us and wanted to leave as soon as possible and this would have thrown our schedule off). In the end they sent someone to drive with us to an ATM in Divundu (but imagine that ATM wasn't working either then what would have been the solution!?). A little more communication from staff would improve the service

From the welcoming, room service and restaurant everything was wow. And the environment is very friendly.

Divava is Picture Perfect Divava is a lovely well-kept Lodge. Rooms had beautiful views the Bath is to die for, food was very good well-presented compliments to the chef. Staff at the Spa were very professional and the view from the spa is stunning. Only complaint was the boat trip which was on a tiny boat with a tiny seat which was 2.5 hours long and it is not a cheap trip you would expect a decent chair.

As a travel agent, I have had the opportunity to stay at a lot of hotels and lodges, and regularly book for my clients. Divava Lodge, although set in a beautiful setting, was quite a let down. Service was extremely slow or non - existent. Lots of staff, but they where always "vanishing" somewhere. A lodge like this, should have staff that is constantly checking on you, asking you if you would like to have a drink. Bar service was slow. We always had to go and order something, or first find someone to find the bar man. The staff was however extremely friendly. That one could not fault. As there is not much to do here, having better service would have changed the dinamic of our stay and I'm sure would definately up their revenue. It also seems that the managers kids where staying at this lodge. They where constantly playing music and dancing and we often had to ask if they could change the music. Housekeeping took 3 hours one day to clean our room, as they where waiting on bedding, which meant we could not go in our room to get ready for the day. I would rather stay at the lodge next door. MUCH better service and even their spa is half price.

I really found it difficult to do a booking. The telephone number for Divava was not answered during a period of 4 days. My emails to the lodge was only answered once. The alternative telephone number provided, in Windhoek, was also very difficult to reach, it was rarely answered. Emails sent to the address in Windhoek, provided on the website, was also poorly attended to. I was on the brink of booking alternative accommodation when I was finally answered. We were invited for tea and cake on the deck from 15h00 to 17h00, there was no cake served. When I asked about this, I was told that the kitchen did not bake any cake. No problem if they do not want to serve cake and coffee, it should then not be advertised as available. The food was very good, I just did not appreciate margarine served with the breadrolls. A really beautiful setting with lovely chalets, the service just need some attention. The treatments provided at the spa were very good.