Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"Our overall trip experience was excellent. The decision to book the trip with Expert Africa was to a very large degree due to Sabina's advice, responsiveness and enagement to make sure I had all the necessary information and also to answer all my questions. Sabina was very good at providing the various tour options and accommodation combinations and subsequently at organising the whole tour once we had settled for an itinerary.

Sabina was in contact with me and/or available before departure and well as throughout the whole trip to help or provide advice. This was very good as a first traveler to Namibia as we felt that there was always someone available to help us with any unexpected situation. Sabina is very personable and also very good at what she does. I felt 100% comfortable dealing with her and receiving her advice.

The literature, advice and information provided was also comprehensive and very good. The map, itinerary and instructions were also very good and also the logistics and communication with the various lodges. They were all expecting us and checking in and a fast service was never an issue.

In particular the advice regarding the following points was useful:
- Purchase local Super Aweh SIM card at the airport
- Exchange EUR/USD at Maerua Shopping Mall in Windhoek/withdraw cash at Cash Machines along the trip (roughly 100 EUR per day on a self-drive tour to provide for fuel, food, entrance fees and payment for extra activities at the various locations)
- Covid tests in Windhoek (Rennies Travel)
- Payment of the tour quote in USD with Euro credit card (everything worked well with this)

The quality of all the lodges/accommodation was very good, except for Halali as already explained, and I also understand the reasons for it.

Doing a self-drive tour was also a good experience and luckily we did not experience any negative issues on the roads and also not with Herz the car rental company upon returning the car (Isuzu 4x4).

We were also lucky to meet another family with teenagers during out trip, which we coincided with at two locations during our trip, and so this was a very good experience for us and for our kids to get to know other people.

We would be very happy to book again another tour with Expert Africa and with Sabina in particular.

Damaraland Petrified Forest: One minor negative comment...
On the C39 road, a couple of Kms. from the crossing of the D2612 and the C39, on the right hand-side of the road there is a hand written sign for the Petrified Forest, we did not realised this is not the "official" site after driving into the side road a few hundred meters upto a parking and agreeing to pay N$100 per person to a "local community". The locals were very friendly and did show us some pertified trees lying on the ground in addition to some Welwitschias. This was only maximum 20 Minutes visit or so, it was interesting, however, it was clear that this was not the official site. All other archeological/official attractions provide an official fiscal receipt upon payment. We did not make an issue of it, however, were disappointed to be tricked into this site. Because of this experience and the time that we had already spent, later a few Kms. along the road we did not stop to visit the "official" Petrifed Forest." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"This was a last minute safari holiday which suddenly became an option when South Africa was put on the UK's Red List of banned countries and we wanted to fly back to the UK without going into hotel quarantine.

We were already about to fly to Kenya when we contacted Olivia and gave her a list of our requirements, including quite detailed covid concerns. She did an absolutely brilliant job organising a trip to Hemingways Ol Seki which delivered everything that we had requested despite having next to no time to arrange it. We travel a lot and regularly go to Africa.

This was our first experience of using Expert Africa and they absolutely lived up to their name and we will be in contact before our next trip." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 4 on a Kenya safari

"An incomparable vacation. Nothing can top it and from now on every safari can only be a downgrade. Why? Because I want to enjoy the animals and nature in peace. This is never possible in normal times because then at every animal observation several vehicles surround the animals. In this vacation I have seen in five different camps a total of fewer vehicles than usual in one day.

Who does not care will certainly have a nice experience otherwise. But then I can also go to a zoo." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 17 on a Tanzania safari

"Kenya was the most genuine, helpful, kind, place I have ever visited. It was like stepping into another world. Everyone was wonderful, Kenya has definitely taken conservation and hospitality to the next level. I believe that Kenya is the best place to visit in all of Africa. Definitely something that nature lovers have to put on their bucket list.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
When Richard organized this trip, he used the word "bespoke". We had no idea what that meant. We do now and will be forever grateful. He did an amazing job. I have done planned tours before where I felt that I could have planned the same trip and saved money. But on this one, I was quite certain that I could never have done what Richard did, and it was absolutely magical. We looked at economy, budget, comfort and the luxury Expert Africa tours. At the beginning of the process I was quite sure that we could not afford the high end. But after seeing the packed economy tour vans, and experiencing Africa the Expert Africa way, I would never even consider anything else. It would be like going to Disney Land and staying in the parking lot.

There is nothing that can substitute for experience and knowhow." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari

"Don’t let C-19 put you off travelling. Kenya - its wildlife and people - need you.

Work out what tests and paperwork you need to get into the country (there is a lot of information on various websites), JKIA entry is very efficient and tests can be arranged for departure with no fuss.

If plans change (as mine did whilst there) Expert Africa sorted everything with no fuss." Read full review: 42 nights in Africa; 56 on a Kenya safari

"Our trip was fantastic and it felt like it was so well deserved.

Not only because of the Covid situation, which made the planning so complicated und uncertain, but also because it was our honeymoon and the first time back in Africa after a long break. We won't wait so long to be back again :)

Thank you so much, Olivia, for not giving up when the planning got really tough with all the changes and uncertainty due to Covid.

It was definitely worth going and we would not have made it without you!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Just keep it up :-)

We are looking forward to our next trip!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari

"Chris and Megan brilliant as ever." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 4 on a Seychelles holiday

"Our trip to Africa was truly a dream come true! We planned this trip two years in advance, and due to Covid needed to replan the trip again, with endless back and forth to ensure we got the itinerary to a place that met the regulations and restrictions of each country.

Our trip exceeded every expectation, and while we initially thought it was going to be a once in a lifetime trip, we are already talking about when we will return. Richard helped to organize the trip and make the endless changes for us. While he was generally patient, I couldn't help but feel like he was sick and tired of me in the final months of planning.

Perhaps there's a difference between how Americans communicate and how the British communicate, as I found that getting on the phone helped tremendously. Overall, the trip was one we will never forget and we are beyond grateful to Richard and Expert Africa for all of their assistance in planning." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari

"What was special for me on this trip, my second to Kenya and fifth to Africa, was the opportunity to see more of the country at eye level. Meaning that in driving ourselves around we could more easily stop in little towns and villages along the way.

Kenya, like much of Africa, is bustling with people walking to and from work in the larger cities and towns, or shuttling a goat to market on the back of a motorbike, or working a corn field with a hoe. The individual sellers in a street stall or market are invariably friendly and, they are always happy to show you what they've got and encourage you to negotiate if you like something. The park rangers and guides love sharing their knowledge of the plants and animals.

These are what earn Kenya the nickname, the warm heart of Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I WAS SUPER IMPRESSED AND THANKFUL THAT RICHARD CAUGHT A MISTAKE IN MY FLIGHTS which gave me time to correct the oversight. I ran into a snafu with my outbound flight that caused me to have to rebook on a different airline and would not have noticed the error on the return flight until I got to the airport, potentially either missing my flight or losing my last day of the trip.

So kudos again, Richard, for your thoroughness!

[Ed: This traveller booked her own flights. As is our usual practice, we'll always try to bring any flight issues the the attention of our travellers as/when we become aware of them, even if our travellers have arranged their own flights.]" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 12 on a Kenya safari

"Thank you Expert Africa for yet another fabulous trip to Africa during Covid-19 times!" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip