Reviews of safaris to South Luangwa National Park
896 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include South Luangwa.
Ms E
Wisconsin
"Zambian dream vacation"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 1 Oct 2016 and 14 Oct 2016
"This was an amazing vacation! The camps/food/game viewing were excellent.
Thanks again Maruska for all your help in putting this trip together.
You are always a pleasure to work with.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Passport check for Chris took three hours in Johannesburg. I'm not sure if Expert Africa arranged the representative for us in Lusaka, but it made our arrival/departure a breeze. Thank You! We checked our bags to our destination on the departure as to avoid the nightmare in Johannesburg.
I hoped to visit the shops at the main entrance to the park on the way to the airport. Unfortunately, due to our early flight they were not open. Had I known, we could have made arrangements at the start of the trip. Not a big deal --- there's always next time ... just mentioned it in case other guests had the same idea." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari
Thanks again Maruska for all your help in putting this trip together.
You are always a pleasure to work with.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Passport check for Chris took three hours in Johannesburg. I'm not sure if Expert Africa arranged the representative for us in Lusaka, but it made our arrival/departure a breeze. Thank You! We checked our bags to our destination on the departure as to avoid the nightmare in Johannesburg.
I hoped to visit the shops at the main entrance to the park on the way to the airport. Unfortunately, due to our early flight they were not open. Had I known, we could have made arrangements at the start of the trip. Not a big deal --- there's always next time ... just mentioned it in case other guests had the same idea." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
UK
"A memorable trip - the safari was brilliant"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 28 Sep 2016 and 12 Oct 2016
"A brilliant holiday.
We wanted a mix of safari and relaxation which was exactly what we got. The choice of Kaingo and Mwawba was perfect given my interest in photography and really is a top quality location. On reflection we should have spent more time there - 4 days at each would have been good but that was our fault as we only wanted 6 days on safari we will know better next time.
Pumulani was lovely but 7 nights was a bit long, 4 would have been ideal.
All the connections and transfers worked well and the level of service in both locations was really good.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not that I can think of." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari
We wanted a mix of safari and relaxation which was exactly what we got. The choice of Kaingo and Mwawba was perfect given my interest in photography and really is a top quality location. On reflection we should have spent more time there - 4 days at each would have been good but that was our fault as we only wanted 6 days on safari we will know better next time.
Pumulani was lovely but 7 nights was a bit long, 4 would have been ideal.
All the connections and transfers worked well and the level of service in both locations was really good.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not that I can think of." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Cornwall
"My Sep 2016 trip"
I visited Zambia between 20 Sep 2016 and 7 Oct 2016
"We enjoyed our Zambian safari, experiencing areas we hadn't visited before and seeing cheetah again! On reflection we could have done with 3 nights less, as the heat became quite debilitating but then we wouldn't have wanted to miss any of the camps as they were all so contrasting. Happily the tsetse flies in Kafue were not as bad as we had feared.
In hindsight we did seem to spend (waste) far too much time transferring between parks. The Kafue to Lusaka road transfer was a mistake and not worth the cost saving. The Jeki transfer got us to Lusaka far too early for the Emirates connection, although there wasn't a later alternative. In short, we saw far too much of Lusaka airport (a dire environment) - not the best use of time." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari
In hindsight we did seem to spend (waste) far too much time transferring between parks. The Kafue to Lusaka road transfer was a mistake and not worth the cost saving. The Jeki transfer got us to Lusaka far too early for the Emirates connection, although there wasn't a later alternative. In short, we saw far too much of Lusaka airport (a dire environment) - not the best use of time." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
S & J
Herefordshire
"Our September 2016 trip"
I visited Zambia between 18 Sep 2016 and 28 Sep 2016
"All in all, a wonderful trip. More than achieved all our hopes. We were able to walk a lot, which was the main point, apart from a minor hiccup at Nsefu in the afternoons. Game viewing was brilliant, including everything we expected and several superb sightings of wild dogs and leopards. The guides were first class. The camps were most comfortable but still managed to feel as if they belonged in the bush (with slight reservations about Nsefu, see above). Food exceeded expectations, especially the lunches which were absolutely excellent. Wines and other drinks also surprisingly good. Everyone who looked after us at the camps and on the walks and drives was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. We shall certainly plan to do another trip to Zambia, perhaps at a slightly different time of year or in a different area but would particularly like to return to Luwi and Tena Tena. Nsefu would be for one night only as a jumping off point for a mobile camp."
Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Dr E
Pennsylvania
"My Sep 2016 trip"
I visited Zambia between 11 Sep 2016 and 24 Sep 2016
"Initially Megan and then Ellie when Megan took maternity leave.
Same review would apply to both.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
This was one of the best planned and orchestrated trips we have taken. We were met and guided within all airports.
The guides for the safaris were the best we encountered on any of our trips and were uniformly friendly and helpful. We were so impressed, we would like our children to use your services.
The only thing I would consider doing differently if the trip had to be 2 days shorter (for our family or friends on a limited timetable) is one less day in Chongwe river camp and dropping the fly camp ." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari
Same review would apply to both.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
This was one of the best planned and orchestrated trips we have taken. We were met and guided within all airports.
The guides for the safaris were the best we encountered on any of our trips and were uniformly friendly and helpful. We were so impressed, we would like our children to use your services.
The only thing I would consider doing differently if the trip had to be 2 days shorter (for our family or friends on a limited timetable) is one less day in Chongwe river camp and dropping the fly camp ." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
G'ford Traveller
UK
"My Sep 2016 trip"
I visited Zambia between 11 Sep 2016 and 21 Sep 2016
"Expert Africa arranged a great experience for us. We did not really know what to expect of a holiday in Zambia. Too little is said about this wonderful country and its game parks. In South Luangwa Park we had spectacular drives and walks. We saw so many animals and some of the most spectacular birds in Africa. Our trip was so well organised with great attention to detail. There was never a moment of uncertainty. At airports we were met as promised and escorted to our next flight. All aspects of our journeys were well planned and glitch-free.
We had done our research and we had decided to build out trip round Robin Pope camps. We contacted several specialists in this type of holiday. Expert Africa offered good advice and came up with a good package. It was good to work with just one adviser - we felt comfortable with him and we had confidence in his advice. That confidence was not misplaced.
The Robin Pope service was truly excellent. Imagine a hotel where everyone knows your name, where everyone greets you as a friend, where you are welcomed back each day as one of the family. Staff are clearly trained to provide a great personal service with professionalism and style. Everyone, without exception-managers, guides, cooks, waiters, night watchmen added charm to the service they provided.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
As you will have read we really cannot fault the organisations involved in the trip. It would be nice to think that the Robin Pope organisation continues to keep this balance of professionalism and personality." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
We had done our research and we had decided to build out trip round Robin Pope camps. We contacted several specialists in this type of holiday. Expert Africa offered good advice and came up with a good package. It was good to work with just one adviser - we felt comfortable with him and we had confidence in his advice. That confidence was not misplaced.
The Robin Pope service was truly excellent. Imagine a hotel where everyone knows your name, where everyone greets you as a friend, where you are welcomed back each day as one of the family. Staff are clearly trained to provide a great personal service with professionalism and style. Everyone, without exception-managers, guides, cooks, waiters, night watchmen added charm to the service they provided.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
As you will have read we really cannot fault the organisations involved in the trip. It would be nice to think that the Robin Pope organisation continues to keep this balance of professionalism and personality." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs Y
PA
"Zambia is a jewel in Africa not to be missed"
I visited Zambia between 11 Sep 2016 and 24 Sep 2016
"Trip exceeded our expectations in every way possible. I would highly recommend it to anyone."
Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs E
Belgium
"My september 2016 Zambia safari"
I visited Zambia between 11 Sep 2016 and 17 Sep 2016
"Amazing! Loved every minute of it! The people of Zambia are incredibly welcoming and hospitable. They are truly very nice people. And it really enhances a trip tremendously!
We loved the landscapes of South Luangwa, absolutely gorgeous! Of course the wildlife was plentiful!
This trip was the stuff that dreams are made of! Absolutely wonderful!" Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zambia safari
We loved the landscapes of South Luangwa, absolutely gorgeous! Of course the wildlife was plentiful!
This trip was the stuff that dreams are made of! Absolutely wonderful!" Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Dr D
Salisbury
"Holiday of a lifetime"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 5 Sep 2016 and 18 Sep 2016
"Expert Africa is truly expert and the organisation was exemplary. Everything ran like clockwork with no glitches and the attention to detail was astounding - at no time were we left unsupported throughout the entire booking process and the trip itself.
We were also very impressed with Robin Pope Safaris - each of their lodges was very different tin feel but shared the same ethos and attention to detail. The guiding was particularly good in all the camps." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari
We were also very impressed with Robin Pope Safaris - each of their lodges was very different tin feel but shared the same ethos and attention to detail. The guiding was particularly good in all the camps." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr C & Mr K
Oxon
"Excellent return trip to Zambia"
I visited Zambia between 5 Sep 2016 and 23 Sep 2016
"There was no-one to meet us at the airport when we arrived at Lusaka. We scoured the airport and found someone from Tours Africa but he said that they had not been asked to pick us up. After speaking to what seemed to be everyone in the Airport the Tours Africa rep came back and apologised and said it was entirely their fault and then took us to the hotel but we wasted over half an hour.
Tsetses were an issue, as we can both react badly to them. Much worse in South Luangwa than last time and we had one particularly bad Tsetse walk in North Luangwa. We were expecting them in Kafue - Musekese was better than expected, Busanga Plains much worse. All the camps were free of tsetses.
Disappointing that information on the Expert Africa website is inaccurate. Overall service from Expert Africa was very good, as usual. However......although the wallet is better than the old one, I still think it is daft to give people a wallet every time they travel - I won't use it again and it will join the other 2 wallets in my desk drawer. A shirt would give Expert Africa free advertising as well as being useful for the recipient (I've mentioned this before but it fell on deaf ears!).
I also think you should ask if people want a copy of Zambia before you sent it. When I got mine I thought it was a new edition but found it was identical, so it went straight to recycling." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 18 on a Zambia safari
Tsetses were an issue, as we can both react badly to them. Much worse in South Luangwa than last time and we had one particularly bad Tsetse walk in North Luangwa. We were expecting them in Kafue - Musekese was better than expected, Busanga Plains much worse. All the camps were free of tsetses.
Disappointing that information on the Expert Africa website is inaccurate. Overall service from Expert Africa was very good, as usual. However......although the wallet is better than the old one, I still think it is daft to give people a wallet every time they travel - I won't use it again and it will join the other 2 wallets in my desk drawer. A shirt would give Expert Africa free advertising as well as being useful for the recipient (I've mentioned this before but it fell on deaf ears!).
I also think you should ask if people want a copy of Zambia before you sent it. When I got mine I thought it was a new edition but found it was identical, so it went straight to recycling." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 18 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
896
reviews of South Luangwa by travellers since August 2007
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