South Africa: reviews from our travellers

"Visiting Africa was an experience unlike any other. We saw and learned a lot. We are already talking about our next visit and seeing gorillas will be on the itinerary.

Everything came off without a hitch. All transfers were on time and uneventful. (Except when the plane at Mana Pools started rolling backwards with no one in it. We were able to stop the plane about ten feet from the pick up vehicle, avoiding a collision.)

I will not hesitate to recommend Expert Africa." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari

"Having looked forward to the trip for 18months expectations were high!

Although overall the trip was highly enjoyable, we can now say that we have been to Botswana but will not be returning as it seemed to miss the wow factor. This was mainly down to the game viewing.

We appreciate that it is nature and so cannot predict these things and are already looking forward to our next African adventure" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"Excellent

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Very happy with the trip.

Re feedback from - a problem in that I can't preview what I wrote and I may not have changed some overall ratings from the ""excellent' default so they won't match my comments. please check this and contact me if there is a discrepancy." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"We have come to expect wonderful holidays when organised by Expert Africa and once again we were delighted. From our first chat to Tracy until we got this form our holiday was all we expected it to be.

We only wish it could have been longer - a couple of days more at Bushman's Kloof (to take advantage of their 4 nights for the price of 3) and an extra night at Augrabies Falls. We wonder if staying inside Etosha is not for us anymore as standards do not improve - although the accommodation was fine in both Dolomite and Okaukuejo.

Thanks Tracy we had a fantastic holiday!" Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"A fantastic trip to Botswana, Zambia and Tanzania (my fourth safari); the three weeks flew by. Everything ran smoothly, and was as expected. A few flights were inevitably delayed, but not significant enough to adversely effect the itinerary.

My preferences/interests had clearly been passed onto the camps, and acted upon, which was much appreciated.

An awful lot of work goes into organising a 3-week long trip, and Ellie was most knowledgeable. At times when I contacted her she was very busy and hence there were sometimes some delays in her responses. But everything came together perfectly, and I had a terrific time. I'll be back!" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"Expert Africa delivered, as always.

We arrived at an interesting and diverse itinerary, and all of the logistics worked well. We would thoroughly recommend a trip to the Kgalagadi, especially if you have been to Africa before and seen the usual animals, and now want something a little different in terms of the scenery and wildlife." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 15 on a South Africa trip

"The trip of a lifetime!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Maruska was wonderful: very knowledgeable, helpful and she built an amazing itinerary. All details were covered.

I've been recommending her to people at home!" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"Tanzania safari company is excellent and will use them again.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
You were kind enough to send us the Bradt guide on Northern Tanzania book to read. This was very much appreciated and not expected. But since we booked a safari for 12 days in Rwanda, it would have been nice for you to include the Bradt guide to Rwanda also. We purchased it on our own." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"It was a good experience, although we did find some of the gravel roads quite hard work, but became more used to them. Perhaps we should have gone for a 4 wheel drive car.

However the landscapes and the wildlife were stunning, the lodges generally very comfortable and it was certainly a truly memorable holiday." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"Thanks to Maruska for handling so many details and planning out a memorable experience for us. Maruska thought of absolutely everything and was so responsive to our questions. In all cases she got back to us within hours of receiving an email. I would not hesitate to have her plan future trips.

I have already recommended Expert Africa to friends.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really. Everything was amazing! Only place I would skip is Halali and spend more time at Ungomo, which I think Maruska tried for but wasn't able to get for us.

I would have preferred to be told exactly what to tip and to prepare envelopes in advance. the tipping protocols were somewhat overwhelming.
Here's an example: the literature told us to tip at b and b places at the end of the trip, using the tip box. But when someone carried our bags, it was clear that they expected a tip. this left us awkwardly fumbling for change and trying to figure out local currency on the spot.

Don't know how to fix this." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip