Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"As first time visitors to Namibia we enjoyed our trip overall and we would return but only to specific areas, ie the north Etosha, the central Erongo, and Okonjima areas. We would not bother going back to Swakapmond as we found it quite chilly and uninspiring. Although we enjoyed seeing the flocks of flamingos and we took a scenic flight over the namib desert rather than drive all the way down there. Highlights for us were Etosha, Erongo Mountains and Okonjima. We saw pretty much all the types of wildlife we hoped to see, and more. We enjoyed the challenge of driving on the harsh roads once we became accustomed to this - taking it in turns to take the wheel. We plan to return at some stage in the future and maybe next time spend a bit longer in Etosha. We would also recommend Expert Africa as trip planners." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"This trip was the most exciting, inspiring, rewarding trip of my life. Namibia is vast and spectacular, desolate and beautiful - and the people are warm and friendly. I'd been dreaming of visiting the Namib desert for some years, and the experience was more stimulating than I imagined - it is a captivatingly beautiful, otherworldly place, and my mind keeps wandering back to those huge, fluid honey-coloured sand dunes... The driving was tough at times, but the thrill of adventure and discovery was worth it. Overall, we found the lodges and camps to be very well-organised, with good food and great service.

I'd go back in a heartbeat (as soon as the bank balance allows).

Expert Africa exceeded my expectations of a travel agent - Tracy and Elizabeth helped create a bespoke trip for us that met our wishlist and our budget. Prior to our departure, Josh happily gave time to us, talking through our self-drive route in detail and advising on how to manage the long drives to help us plan and to allay our nerves (we'd never done anything like this before!).

They also went above and beyond to help resolve a last-minute glitch with the car hire company, which truly saved our trip!

Thank you!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The only thing I can think of is clarity about the drivers of cost during the quotation process - I ended up going back and forth a bit early onto understand what was driving costs up - but overall, you guys were consistently professional, helpful and truly expert." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"Returning to the country after 6 years, we hoped that it had changed and there was certainly evidence of more tourism. The camps have invested in staff and premises and the safari trade there (hopefully) looks to have a bright future

Excellent game and bird viewing. Hospitable and professional camps. Would return in a heartbeat...." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zimbabwe safari

"Visiting the mountain gorillas was a fantastic life time experience . We had chosen to do two treks. On our first trek we saw the gorillas within 45 minutes. We turned a corner, and there in all his glory was a silverback munching away six feet away from us.

Our second viewing of a different family took us 2 hours of trekking to find them.Although billed as an easy trek, this group were particularly active and were continually on the move going up the mountain. There had also been heavy rain overnight, making walking conditions difficult. Although this trek proved to be a challenge, we felt we experienced more the true environment, in which these mountain gorillas live. Also we were rewarded with a 10 second glimpse of a mother holding in her hand a 4 week old baby, before disappearing into the bush.

Mountain Gorilla trekking is a must do experience. Although expensive to do ,when you see the gorillas ,you feel you cannot put a price on what you have witnessed." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Rwanda safari

"Other than the reservations noted above regarding 3 of the camps, we were very pleased with the holiday.

We would however warn anyone with similar plans, that the drive through the Caprivi strip is long and rather boring. We would not chose to do that part of the trip again.

Mundulea was a new highlight . We only wish that we had visited there on earlier trips." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip

"My overall feeling about the trip is very positive, notwithstanding the occasional (probably inevitable) minor niggle, referred to in individual sections.

Everything was organised extremely well, with no problems of logistics, and the experience I obtained of Namibia was varied and consistently interesting. All the lodges were of a very good standard, with comfortable facilities and good quality food - as, indeed, I would have expected, given the overall cost.

The constant moving around was, inevitably, somewhat wearing by the latter stages, but this was an unavoidable element of this type of trip which attempts to cover a significant amount of ground. And, by the end, I felt I had acquired some satisfying insight into the country and its cultures, even if a trip of this nature can never hope to do much more than scratch the surface." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"Our trip to Zambia was great.

The only things I would do differently next time would be to specify which guide (now that I know them) I wanted at Chongwe (Troy) and Shenton camps (Patrick), and I would not go to Tafika again." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 17 on a Zambia safari

"EA had organised the majority of our trip and we were very happy with our choice of accommodation and the arrangements made." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 7 on a South Africa trip

"Our first trip to Kenya as a family was some 25 years ago when we had 12 nights on the beach at Mombassa and a couple of nights in Tsavo East. We visited a couple of times since but couldn't imagine ever wanting to return. My husband wanted to do the migration so it was a decision between Kenya and Tanzania but the time of year suited us best for Kenya.

On our last day in the Mara we were lucky to see not only wildebeest crossing the river in their hundreds if not thousands and a lioness picking them off as they came up the bank. She took three down and went for a fourth but failed. What a spectacle!

But the Toyota Migration was something else! Way too many vehicles, too much speeding and too many vehicles (probably unlicensed) out from Nairobi with their customers. We came across one vehicle who'd got stuck in mud. The driver didn't even have a tow rope.

The Naboisho Conservancy was much quieter without the crowds, the beach divine. Yes, we've fallen back in love with Kenya." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 17 on a Kenya safari

"We had a lovely trip, with special fondness for the Kwando Camps.

Oh my goodness, they go out of the way to make the guest experience special. The best guides and staff we've had.

Not crazy about Wilderness Safaris and will try to avoid them the future.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

You are wonderful and I'm looking at a 2020 trip to Kenya and Rwanda.

I'll be in touch!" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 14 on a Botswana safari