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:
Mrs B
Oxon
"My June 2019 Trip to Zimbabwe"
I visited Zimbabwe between 26 Jun 2019 and 11 Jul 2019
"Really great trip, memorable for all the right reasons. My second time to Zimbabwe and would go on the same itinerary again."
Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs J
Oxforshire
"My Jun 2019 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe between 26 Jun 2019 and 11 Jul 2019
"We both really enjoyed our holiday, didn't quite know what to expect.
We were pleasantly surprised especially with the food & accommodation. Would thoroughly recommend to family and friends.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Overall advice was good, information paperwork helpful re clothing and vaccines to be considered and researched." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zimbabwe safari
We were pleasantly surprised especially with the food & accommodation. Would thoroughly recommend to family and friends.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Overall advice was good, information paperwork helpful re clothing and vaccines to be considered and researched." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs M
Weymouth
"Trip of a lifetime"
I visited Kenya and 4 other countries between 24 Jun 2019 and 7 Aug 2019
"We have been to Africa before with Expert Africa and we knew what we wanted to see this time.
We then spent a long time with Richard Trillo and his team discussing options and then left it to him to put together an extended trip to hopefully tick all the boxes on our wish list.
ALL BOXES TICKED, this was a fantastic journey through 5 African countries, we have seen and experienced so much, so a VERY BIG THANK YOU to Expert Africa for arranging this for us.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, just carry on doing what you're doing now - it would be very hard to improve what you're already doing so well." Read full review: 44 nights in Africa; 17 on a Kenya safari
We then spent a long time with Richard Trillo and his team discussing options and then left it to him to put together an extended trip to hopefully tick all the boxes on our wish list.
ALL BOXES TICKED, this was a fantastic journey through 5 African countries, we have seen and experienced so much, so a VERY BIG THANK YOU to Expert Africa for arranging this for us.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, just carry on doing what you're doing now - it would be very hard to improve what you're already doing so well." Read full review: 44 nights in Africa; 17 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Andy & Karen
Malvern
"Flavour of Zimbabwe"
I visited Zimbabwe between 24 Jun 2019 and 5 Jul 2019
"As Zimbabwe emerges from recent troubles we wanted to visit three of its classic locations of Matopo, Hwange and Mana Pools. We were particularly hopeful of seeing Painted Dog, although sadly this was not to be.
Matopo has some fabulous scenery, history and was a place to track rhino on foot - tick to all three. Rhino with calf was a highlight. It also gave us our best ever sighting of Elephant Shrew at Rhodes Grave! The National Park, however, has little game and incursions from cattle and humans are common. Locals roam the whole park on foot cutting grass for sale. It is still worth a visit and arguable needs more visitors to recover, so I’d still include it if you can.
Hwange with its pumped water holes and huge elephant population delivered more classic sightings, and a pride of lions with 6 cubs provided entertainment on all our game drives. Good antelope including Sable and Roan with huge buffalo herd of 500 plus were also a highlight. The open areas and mixed forest gave good variety to habitats.
Mana Pools was in drought in June so maybe not at its best. We were surprised at the number of self drivers and campers, some of whom are clearly not controlled effectively by the NP staff (much to the frustration of guides). No off road but you can off walk so great encounter with lions on a kill on foot was the highlight. If this is the jewel in the crown for Zimbabwe then it’s a little disappointing - at times it felt like a safari park - particularly as the unique environment offers so much.
Versus other neighbouring safari destinations, Zimbabwe still has some catching up to do if it is to return to its previous premier ranking. The amazing teams at African Bush Camps certainly warrant a visit." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
Matopo has some fabulous scenery, history and was a place to track rhino on foot - tick to all three. Rhino with calf was a highlight. It also gave us our best ever sighting of Elephant Shrew at Rhodes Grave! The National Park, however, has little game and incursions from cattle and humans are common. Locals roam the whole park on foot cutting grass for sale. It is still worth a visit and arguable needs more visitors to recover, so I’d still include it if you can.
Hwange with its pumped water holes and huge elephant population delivered more classic sightings, and a pride of lions with 6 cubs provided entertainment on all our game drives. Good antelope including Sable and Roan with huge buffalo herd of 500 plus were also a highlight. The open areas and mixed forest gave good variety to habitats.
Mana Pools was in drought in June so maybe not at its best. We were surprised at the number of self drivers and campers, some of whom are clearly not controlled effectively by the NP staff (much to the frustration of guides). No off road but you can off walk so great encounter with lions on a kill on foot was the highlight. If this is the jewel in the crown for Zimbabwe then it’s a little disappointing - at times it felt like a safari park - particularly as the unique environment offers so much.
Versus other neighbouring safari destinations, Zimbabwe still has some catching up to do if it is to return to its previous premier ranking. The amazing teams at African Bush Camps certainly warrant a visit." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Good
Mrs & Mr K
Florida
"Overall pretty good experience"
I visited Zambia and 2 other countries between 18 Jun 2019 and 6 Jul 2019
"In planning this big trip for five people, I enjoyed working with Maruska, who was patient, responsive and knowledgeable over the course of a year. The time zone difference was a minor inconvenience for communication.
We loved Anabezi, really enjoyed Somalisa Acacia, were disappointed by Lion Camp, and appalled by Splash Camp. We paid a lot of money for four nights at Splash and felt it was largely a waste of money, except for seeing painted dog pups.
While much information was supplied, some of it was unclear or inaccurate and I found myself doing research instead of asking Expert Africa again (i.e. WiFi at each camp; what kind of plugs were needed; what are the current baggage requirements). I would have liked more precision about logistics (i.e. there are multiple vehicles involved in some transfers). I also made myself a map of camps and airstrips that would be a nice touch from you.
The little gift of luggage tag and passport holder was thoughtful but not very well designed!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari
We loved Anabezi, really enjoyed Somalisa Acacia, were disappointed by Lion Camp, and appalled by Splash Camp. We paid a lot of money for four nights at Splash and felt it was largely a waste of money, except for seeing painted dog pups.
While much information was supplied, some of it was unclear or inaccurate and I found myself doing research instead of asking Expert Africa again (i.e. WiFi at each camp; what kind of plugs were needed; what are the current baggage requirements). I would have liked more precision about logistics (i.e. there are multiple vehicles involved in some transfers). I also made myself a map of camps and airstrips that would be a nice touch from you.
The little gift of luggage tag and passport holder was thoughtful but not very well designed!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Good
Mr & Mrs L
Hinckley
"Victoria Falls, Hwange and Mana Pools"
I visited Zimbabwe between 13 Jun 2019 and 25 Jun 2019
"I suspect that if we had not had many years experience of safaris, I would have been (Very Satisfied). However, although there were several truly wonderful times, overall, the game viewing was "average" for much of the time .... long hours driving seeing not a great deal. Whether this was due to the time of year/local climate/bad luck ... who knows. This said, the guides were excellent, the camps comfortable and we were lucky to have a vehicle to ourselves for much of the time. Victoria Falls was lovely and as dramatic as expected."
Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Good
The H family
Sweden
"Wonderful people, exclusive experiences"
I visited Zimbabwe between 20 May 2019 and 29 May 2019
"We had a great trip in Zimbabwe.
Always felt very safe and welcome. Met wonderful people in camps, cities and along the roads.
Felt like we got the privilege of experiencing the wilderness almost completely alone with our hosts. And got interesting openhearted stories about everyday life in the country." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zimbabwe safari
Always felt very safe and welcome. Met wonderful people in camps, cities and along the roads.
Felt like we got the privilege of experiencing the wilderness almost completely alone with our hosts. And got interesting openhearted stories about everyday life in the country." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Bod
London
"My May 2019 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe between 14 May 2019 and 20 May 2019
"A very good introduction to safari. Choose expertafrica simply because Tom was very knowledgable and spoke convincingly from firsthand experience. Made us keen to go back again and again."
Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs W
Georgia US
"May 2019 Africa Trip"
I visited Zimbabwe and 1 other country between 9 May 2019 and 21 May 2019
"We knew we needed someone knowledgeable to help us with our first trip to Africa. Claire was fantastic! We were so pleased with all of her suggestions and everything she planned for us. Everything went exactly as planned and we had no concerns during our trip about our plans.
We’ve already passed Claire’s name along to a colleague and she is working with him and his wife now on their upcoming trip. We definitely want to return to Africa, probably as soon as next year, and will plan to contact Claire to see about helping us with that trip as well." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
We’ve already passed Claire’s name along to a colleague and she is working with him and his wife now on their upcoming trip. We definitely want to return to Africa, probably as soon as next year, and will plan to contact Claire to see about helping us with that trip as well." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms K.
DC, USA
"I turned 50 in Southern Africa!"
I visited Botswana and 3 other countries between 30 Apr 2019 and 9 May 2019
"My adult daughter and I agree that Somalisa was the best camp with Waterberry a very close second. Her favorite experience was the meerkat climbing on her. I found so much of it awesome it's hard to describe.
In trying to explain the experience to people the closest I can get to accurate is "something amazing happens and then something else amazing happens, etc." I can't compare the rush of seeing lion doing their thing against seeing the rush of Victoria Falls. I can't compare how it feels to be in the vast desolate Makgadikgadi Pans to seeing the vastness of the southern sky's blanket of universe. Being comedically entertained by the meerkat, mud wallowing warthogs, running ostrich, and hippo grunting are experiences like no other. It's completely absurd that neither my daughter nor I were afraid of the 7 white rhino we walked to and stood amongst. It was pretty clear to me when the 1st bush flight landed scaring away zebra and an ostrich from the airstrip that Africa suits me. I guess that's why I didn't blow the air horn when the elephant tried to join my shower.
To close this out - I've lived and worked on 3 continents and know a 4th extensively but there is nothing like Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The process was long for both me and everyone that had to interact with me. Now that I've done it I hope to not be so high maintenance in the future.
One of the reasons I chose EA was because when my plan went from Zambia only I was handed to another person with more expertise in the new regions. I appreciated that. No one at EA tried to "upsell" me either. That is why I dropped the other company I had begun inquiry with.
I'll be emailing the wildlife sightings. We wrote in a lot." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari
In trying to explain the experience to people the closest I can get to accurate is "something amazing happens and then something else amazing happens, etc." I can't compare the rush of seeing lion doing their thing against seeing the rush of Victoria Falls. I can't compare how it feels to be in the vast desolate Makgadikgadi Pans to seeing the vastness of the southern sky's blanket of universe. Being comedically entertained by the meerkat, mud wallowing warthogs, running ostrich, and hippo grunting are experiences like no other. It's completely absurd that neither my daughter nor I were afraid of the 7 white rhino we walked to and stood amongst. It was pretty clear to me when the 1st bush flight landed scaring away zebra and an ostrich from the airstrip that Africa suits me. I guess that's why I didn't blow the air horn when the elephant tried to join my shower.
To close this out - I've lived and worked on 3 continents and know a 4th extensively but there is nothing like Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The process was long for both me and everyone that had to interact with me. Now that I've done it I hope to not be so high maintenance in the future.
One of the reasons I chose EA was because when my plan went from Zambia only I was handed to another person with more expertise in the new regions. I appreciated that. No one at EA tried to "upsell" me either. That is why I dropped the other company I had begun inquiry with.
I'll be emailing the wildlife sightings. We wrote in a lot." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
204
reviews of Hwange by travellers since August 2007
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