"As a complete trip it was brilliant with many wonderful highlights. Until we got to Kulala the arrangements worked flawlessly. Only then did things begin to go wrong and these all happened on Wilderness Safaris' "watch". From then on the trip had an element of stress it did not have before since we constantly had to keep on checking things like whether they had packed fruit on the game drives for my wife instead of cake (on 2 days they forgot!). I know you have already been in contact with them and I await the outcome.

Thank you Expert Africa!" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"Lucy and Chris did a fine job working with us to plan the trip. All the arrangements went smooth as silk.

Thanks to all of you at Expert Africa!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari

"The holiday was everything that we could have wished for, and we loved every minute of it. Anna and Expert Africa are quite clearly highly regarded by the guides.

The one thing that did cause me some confusion were the various vouchers issued to us by Expert Africa, though ultimately it made no difference to our trip. One voucher stated that it was for a transfer from Lufupa Lodge to Lusaka, but in fact it was from Lunga River Lodge airstrip to Lusaka. The transfer vouchers for the second week while in North and South Luangwa were completely wrong. Though this caused me a lot of confusion, Remote Africa had worked it all out correctly, ignoring the vouchers, and everything was fine.

The issue of Tipping was a bit difficult for us, and definitely an area that I feel needs to be addressed in greater detail by Expert Africa. I had read somewhere that tipping is discretionary but that an amount of $5 - $8 per day per guest would be appropriate to pay to the guide. However, it is not only the guide that often deserves a tip, but also the staff at the various bush camps. I have no idea as to whether we were being mean or generous, but on average we were tipping our guides the equivalent of $40 - $50 for each day that we had with them, and a further $30 or so to the remainder of the staff at each camp per day (remembering that we are a family of five, and that we were usually the only guests at each camp).

Our guide for the whole of the first week was Brad from Wilderness Safaris. He was absolutely fantastic, extraordinarily knowledgeable about virtually anything that we wished to discuss, and seemed to possess a sixth sense when it came to spotting wildlife. He is such a nice person, and our 17,15 and 13 year old children all got on very well with him. He works tremendously hard and deserves a medal.

Would it have been possible for Expert Africa to give us advance notice of the identity of who we would be having as our guide? It would have been nice for us to have known his name in advance so that when we first met him we could have immediately realised what his role was.

Before we left the UK, I spoke with Anna and asked if it would be an idea for us to take out some spare clothing for the local villagers. She responded very enthusiastically and gave me a long list of suggestions as to what we could take, including any old clothes, shoes, toys, childrens books etc. When packing our bags we chose mostly old clothes that we did not wish to bring back to the UK at the end of our trip, and any spare room in our bags were then filled with other bits and pieces to give away.

At each camp that we stayed at we asked the camp manager whether it would be appropriate to give him some clothes and toys to distribute to his staff, and each time we received a very positive response. The staff may look well fed and clothed but their familes back in their home villages often own virtually nothing and we were assured that our meagre gifts would be gratefully received. Consequently we left quite a large volume of things behind in Zambia, and feel good that we have done our little bit to assist these people. Maybe Expert Africa could include some sort of guidance and suggestions in this area for any future like-minded travellers." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"Exccellent trip!!

Expert Africa did a super job;" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"People always say you'll be disappointed when you go back to somewhere you've been to and really enjoyed - they say it won't be as good as last time. Well we were amazed and delighted that it was even better - it exceeded every expectation or hope for the trip.

It is a fantastic place with really superb people at the camps we've visited. We'd like to try some other camps next time we go, but don't know if we'll be able to tear ourselves away from Remote Africa - I guess we'll just have to try to find some extra time!

Suggestions for improvement:

You really helped us decide against Botswana in an open and honest way. Having had such a great holiday we can't think of anything you could have done to improve it since we don't believe you can control the airport/flight aspect." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"This was a wonderful holiday - exceeding even our highest expectations. The mix of camps (from the family atmosphere of Tafika, to the exceptional game of Kaingo, to the luxury of Chiawa - worked brilliantly. We also thought Zambia a stunningly beautiful country, and hope its tourist industry continues to flourish - It deserves to become a must-visit destination.

I have selected Lucy as the expert africa team member who dealt most, but actually Maruska and claire did lots too (lucy was first though!) and the positive feedback applies to all of them (we were also very impressed with Maruska when we met her in Zambia)


p.s thanks again - we couldn't recommend Expert Africa highly enough. you've been great from start to finish." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"Felt like 5 holidays in one! For non-walkers we really enjoyed the walking safaris finding no difficulties with the pace, duration or distances involved.

Our best holiday since our last trip to Zambia in 2002!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"The overall experience of our trip exceeded our expectations - it was fantastic! The bushcamps were brilliant, we loved the way they were constructed - rustic but not primitive. They also blended into the environment, particularly Luwi which couldn't be seen from a few hundred yards away.

Game viewing was very good both from the trucks and on foot. Highlights whilst walking were being checked out by a huge bull Elephant, being within a herd of Buffaloes and hearing lions close by. The was best about the walks was the bird life and all the smaller things such as foot prints, insects and animal droppings. The guides were so knowledgeable about all things we encountered. We also felt extremely safe whilst out walking.

Whilst in the trucks we encountered all the big game including 5 male lions on a hippo kill.

As far as the camps go we loved the fact they all had different characters and construction. The hosts and staff were brilliant and the food top draw. The guides were excellent - very friendly and knowledgeable. Would we go again - definitely! Thanks to everyone." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"A very enjoyable experience. The itinerary covered a good variety of locations each proviing different experiences.

We were impressed with everyone we came in to conact with - their friendliness, helpfulness and their knowledge." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"We had a wonderful time. The weather was perfect, everything worked in a spledid fashion and the experience was magnificent.

Suggestions for improvement:

Not really - we were impressed.

We met a couple who had been with you before, which is why they were travelling with your company again. That must be the best recommendation: repeat business from satisfied customers. I am sure when we can afford it we will be contacting Expert Africa again.

Thanks Anna for all your help, and sorry we did not have time to have a longer chat in the bar at Kapani." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari