Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"Overall, this was a great experience, with many memorable sightings and some superb lodges.

Out of the whole trip, there was just one unsatisfactory lodge, which was Little Kwara in Botswana. We travelled in late September-early October, which is a very, very hot time of year, and on some of the afternoon drives the animals were still sheltering from the 38 degree afternoon heat.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

One idea would be to give in your advice, and in your camp descriptions, details of where and when you might see some of the rarer animals.

So, for example, we wanted to see eland, sable and roan, but this was not possible at any of our camps, but we had not thought to ask about it specifically before we went." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"This was our fourth visit to Namibia and the third time we have driven ourselves, using Expert Africa to organise our trip. Booking experience as usual was efficient and timely with costings and confirmations of accommodation quickly achieved.

Comprehensive pack provides all the information you need for your trip.

Bidvest hire car provided an added bonus this year - we would definitely recommend a Ford Ranger to cope with the gravel roads.

Accommodation exactly as we expected, Etendeka Mountain Camp however was an exceptional experience and Mushara Bush Camp and Olive Exclusive did not disappoint.

Etosha in the dry season provided excellent wildlife viewing with hundreds of elephant, seven black rhino, lion encountered every day including sightings of males fighting and a kill by a waterhole. We were also lucky enough to follow a leopard for thirty minutes one morning.

We sighted just under a hundred different birds, including fifteen different raptors.

Would not hesitate to recommend this as a safe, self drive destination and price-wise, very cost effective compared to other African countries (which are priced in dollars)." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"As ever Sabina prepared everything in detail.

I had wanted to drive the Skeleton coast, which we achieved. I must say the experience is not one I would really want to repeat, but I'm glad I did it just to discover what real desolation looks like.

People every where so friendly. Swakopmund is an interesting spot, but damned cold when we were there in Sept.

I preferred our trips to the Etosha, and the Fish river, but one can't fairly compare with this trip. Experiences were totally different" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"We cannot stress enough what a fantastic holiday we have had in Namibia due in no small way to all the staff at Expert Africa in particular Tom, and Chris.

The organisation is superb and the customer service outstanding. To have the MD call you on a Sunday morning after BA delayed our flight for 24 hours to see if he could help was amazing and we were very grateful. They could teach BA what customer service really means.

Namibia is a beautiful country, safe ,with spectacular scenery and wildlife.. All the places we stayed were excellent with welcoming staff, very good food and some amazing views. We have fabulous memories." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip

"Overall the trip was excellent.

Tracey was very helpful throughout and her choices were sound.

3 lodges in close proximity in the Etendeka area were perhaps unnecessary, although all did bring something different.

The few days layover in Swakopmund at the end were just the thing." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 25 on a Namibia trip

"Maruska and Expert Africa were terrific. Very knowledgeable and helpful.

After listening to my interests, she recommended camps which we felt covered good variety of environments and experiences. I think starting in Hwange and finishing in the Delta was ideal as our Hwange guide was very educational and the wildlife at Kwara particularly superb. If we ended at Hwange we would have felt 3 nights probably sufficient, though were lucky enough for my son to spot a leopard and see a pride of 14 lions in our last 24 hr.

It was also great to have all the arrangements and transportation taken care of." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"Had a wonderful time.

The best part of the stay was our safari. Our safari guide, Banana, was wonderful. We saw so many animals and events with him. He was also informative and informational without overloading too much, and was very sensitive to our individual needs.

Would definitely recommend him as a safari guide for our friends and family. He definitely made me want to recommend Asilia to others who plan on traveling to Tanzania. Overall, had a wonderful time with this tour company in Tanzania." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"We thought our whole trip to Victoria Falls and Namibia were top notch. Expert Africa did a great job and nothing went even slightly wrong the whole way round. The pre-trip information covered everything we could have asked for and Maruska was excellent!

Namibia is very varied and friendly and easy to drive around by yourselves. Everywhere we stayed were really comfortable and luxurious and the whole tourism industry feels very professional and well run. We have and will continue to recommend both Namibia and Expert Africa to others considering a varied, exciting holiday in Southern Africa.

One recommendation: Rent a bigger car than a Renault Duster. The roads are quite bad and there is a lot of driving to do!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"Overall we are very happy with our trip. This may well be our only trip to sub-Saharan Africa, but if we plan to go back we will certainly use Expert Africa. We saw all the animals we had hoped to and more, while enjoying the freedom of a self-drive trip. Namibia was a spectacular country." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"Incomparable experience in an incomparable country. Perhaps Schoemans could work a fraction on their dinner menu - anyone can manage a decent stew, after all.

But if this was my only gripe, I am surely doomed! Whizzing over the country at no more than 150ft in the air one stays in touch with the land, but gleans a unique perspective.

Guided by Bertus’ infinite knowledge of his land, it’s possibly our most riveting African adventure yet." Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 5 on a Namibia trip