Reviews of safaris to Hwange National Park
We have always listened to our travellers, and now you can learn from them also. Below are links to feedback from recent trips - these are their views, not ours! See what they think of us, and about our trips to Africa:
Peacocks/LC
USA
"Our Safari to Zimbabwe and Zambia"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 28 Aug 2012 and 10 Sep 2012
"Excellent trip.
Claire Scott was careful to not overstate any details, and we are already beginning to plan next year's safari." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
Claire Scott was careful to not overstate any details, and we are already beginning to plan next year's safari." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs W
Toronto
"My Aug 2012 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe and 1 other country between 25 Aug 2012 and 8 Sep 2012
"Trip was extremely well put together. Claire was very efficient and could not have been more helpful.
We had an issue with the transfer from Kaingo to Rukomechi. With hindsight had we realized it would take over 11 hours we would have probably made a different decision about the combination of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Secondly, there was a mix-up between Executive Air (Safari Logistics) and the booking for the transfer from Mana Pools Airstrip to Hwange. The plane arrived at 11:00 AM, which was his scheduled arrival according to his sheet but was an hour before we were expected to be picked up. Luckily the pilot waited for us and the two other passengers. We arrived at Hwange Airport at 2:15pm and there was no vehicle there from Camp Hwange. Again the pilot waited as he did not want to leave us at a closed airport building with no means of contacting the Camp. Finally a vehicle arrived at 3:15 pm.(the driver said he had been told to arrive for 3:30pm). The pilot Janade Krarim left with the other two passengers bound for Victoria Falls. Without the kindness of the pilot we could have been stranded." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
We had an issue with the transfer from Kaingo to Rukomechi. With hindsight had we realized it would take over 11 hours we would have probably made a different decision about the combination of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Secondly, there was a mix-up between Executive Air (Safari Logistics) and the booking for the transfer from Mana Pools Airstrip to Hwange. The plane arrived at 11:00 AM, which was his scheduled arrival according to his sheet but was an hour before we were expected to be picked up. Luckily the pilot waited for us and the two other passengers. We arrived at Hwange Airport at 2:15pm and there was no vehicle there from Camp Hwange. Again the pilot waited as he did not want to leave us at a closed airport building with no means of contacting the Camp. Finally a vehicle arrived at 3:15 pm.(the driver said he had been told to arrive for 3:30pm). The pilot Janade Krarim left with the other two passengers bound for Victoria Falls. Without the kindness of the pilot we could have been stranded." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
N family
Netherlands
"Great experience"
I visited Zimbabwe between 28 Jul 2012 and 5 Aug 2012
"The experience was great.
We will definitively contact Expert Africa next time we travel in this region.
A special mention for Claire who has been both very helpful and very patient. Thanks!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari
We will definitively contact Expert Africa next time we travel in this region.
A special mention for Claire who has been both very helpful and very patient. Thanks!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
E & D
New Mexico
"My Jul 2012 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe and 2 other countries between 11 Jul 2012 and 29 Jul 2012
"Fantastic.
Malawi and Zimbabwe proved to be two great countries to combine on this trip. There were many similarities. We found the staff in the camps and the people we met along the way to be very friendly, helpful and interested in us. The high standards of our guides impressed us, from Chris the manager at Mkulumadzi who personally took us on a walk and on a boat up the Shire River, to Richard Chamwala at Mvuu who delighted in sharing all things big and small with us. In our book you can always tell the best guides when they like finding the little birds and bugs to point out, not just the hippos fighting 30 feet away from the boat, both of which Richard did.
Our guide Nduduzi Ndlovu at Camp Amalinda in Matobo Hills was great at listening to us and discovering our interests, as evidenced by the wonderful day we spent with him driving through the park and the local communal lands, visiting a school, and hiking up to a cave with ancient paintings. He not only knows 7 languages but also knows where to find a zonkey!
Even our drivers that took us from one camp to another (or to an airport) were excellent, like Mike from Wilderness Safaris who stopped the car several times so we could see and talk to people and who also helped me buy a tchenge (those colorful traditional fabrics that woman wear as a wrap) in a roadside market.
We went to both countries in the hope that our visit would encourage and support the conservation of wildlife and wild areas. We also came to really appreciate the people of these two countries, where life has not been easy but there is a great determination to carry on and do better.
Claire at Expert Africa, with assistance from Chris, shared many insightful comments from personal experience so that we came up with this list of places to visit that really suited us. As usual, all details were handled and executed perfectly on the ground. This is really saying something because we gave quite short notice of our desire to travel.
And next time I will really believe you when you say that it gets cold in July at night!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
Malawi and Zimbabwe proved to be two great countries to combine on this trip. There were many similarities. We found the staff in the camps and the people we met along the way to be very friendly, helpful and interested in us. The high standards of our guides impressed us, from Chris the manager at Mkulumadzi who personally took us on a walk and on a boat up the Shire River, to Richard Chamwala at Mvuu who delighted in sharing all things big and small with us. In our book you can always tell the best guides when they like finding the little birds and bugs to point out, not just the hippos fighting 30 feet away from the boat, both of which Richard did.
Our guide Nduduzi Ndlovu at Camp Amalinda in Matobo Hills was great at listening to us and discovering our interests, as evidenced by the wonderful day we spent with him driving through the park and the local communal lands, visiting a school, and hiking up to a cave with ancient paintings. He not only knows 7 languages but also knows where to find a zonkey!
Even our drivers that took us from one camp to another (or to an airport) were excellent, like Mike from Wilderness Safaris who stopped the car several times so we could see and talk to people and who also helped me buy a tchenge (those colorful traditional fabrics that woman wear as a wrap) in a roadside market.
We went to both countries in the hope that our visit would encourage and support the conservation of wildlife and wild areas. We also came to really appreciate the people of these two countries, where life has not been easy but there is a great determination to carry on and do better.
Claire at Expert Africa, with assistance from Chris, shared many insightful comments from personal experience so that we came up with this list of places to visit that really suited us. As usual, all details were handled and executed perfectly on the ground. This is really saying something because we gave quite short notice of our desire to travel.
And next time I will really believe you when you say that it gets cold in July at night!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms B
San Francisco
"Wonderful safari! Thank you, Expert Africa!"
I visited Zimbabwe and 1 other country between 30 Jun 2012 and 14 Jul 2012
"Claire Scott helped me plan this safari and she did a fantastic job.
I was very pleased with everything to do with the logistics, the flights, the camps, etc. The transfers went off without a hitch and it was a lot of fun.
When planning another safari, I would definitely use Expert Africa and Claire again." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari
I was very pleased with everything to do with the logistics, the flights, the camps, etc. The transfers went off without a hitch and it was a lot of fun.
When planning another safari, I would definitely use Expert Africa and Claire again." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr L
Austin
"Our June 2012 Trip"
I visited Zimbabwe between 14 Jun 2012 and 19 Jun 2012
"The biggest glitch were the transfers. These were sub-contracted so many times that who was coming when was almost always uncertain. Those who were to come did not always know that they were supposed to.
There's no getting around the fact that Vic Falls airport is a pain in the bum. Long delays and a completely unhelpful immigration staff." Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zimbabwe safari
There's no getting around the fact that Vic Falls airport is a pain in the bum. Long delays and a completely unhelpful immigration staff." Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr T & Mr L
Amsterdam
"Great trip. Pretty much faultless"
I visited Zimbabwe between 29 May 2012 and 4 Jun 2012
"Loved the trip. Reminded me how much I like Hwange which was looking great and almost empty of other people (which was lovely for us but not so good for the Zimbabwe economy). Loved the flexibility and guiding at Camp Hwange and plan to return and perhaps do some more walking too.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Keep on doing what you're doing." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Keep on doing what you're doing." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Hampton
"A fabulous holiday."
I visited Zimbabwe between 11 Apr 2012 and 24 Apr 2012
"We came back relaxed and rested from a wonderful trip. We would love to return if the oportunity arises."
Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr M & Ms C
Dublin
"Zimbabwe"
I visited Zimbabwe between 12 Nov 2011 and 23 Nov 2011
"Great experience to check out Zimbabwe. People everywhere were really pleasant and friendly.
In Amalinda while we were there, there were six people involved in the tourist industry in Botswana. They all had high praise for Expert Africa. Someone, somewhere else, had high praise for Claire.
So well done to all of you. Doing a super job." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari
In Amalinda while we were there, there were six people involved in the tourist industry in Botswana. They all had high praise for Expert Africa. Someone, somewhere else, had high praise for Claire.
So well done to all of you. Doing a super job." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs K
Maidstone
"Trip Review"
I visited Zimbabwe and 1 other country between 30 Oct 2011 and 20 Nov 2011
"No more comment necessary
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Cannot comment on the web site as I only refer to your brochure and telephone discussions with staff. I also have extensive knowledge of many of the areas we go to." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zimbabwe safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Cannot comment on the web site as I only refer to your brochure and telephone discussions with staff. I also have extensive knowledge of many of the areas we go to." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
206
reviews of Hwange by travellers since August 2007
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