Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"Without Megan Green's advice, I would have given up on going on my long time dream of going to the Okavango Delta.

Her proposal, while expensive, was one third the cost of a competing proposal from the travel agency I use sometimes for other travel. The other camps might have been more luxurious but this was a very comfortable and exciting trip.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No" Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari

"Your staff was VERY helpful. This was our first trip/safari.

I wish I could of discussed more options of costs. Seems as though there is some kind of confidentiality of lodging costs that prohibits better financial planning of a trip." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Namibia exceeded our expectations and that credit can be attributed to Expert Africa and the very attentive and super patient Sabina.

We had corresponded with Sabina for some months before finally and very late confirming an itinerary. This was due to our schedule and various decisions that we were waiting on before being able to commit, therefore our itinerary was amended multiple times due to availability of lodges and car hire.
We have no complaints at all with the service of Sabina and Expert Africa, and have no hesitation in recommending or in using Expert Africa again to book a trip.
We encountered no problems with our reservations, paperwork or logistics and felt the coordination with Wilderness Safari,s was exceptional.

The recommendation of the Sandwich Harbour trip with Turnstone Tours was superb and one of the highlights of our trip. Highly recommended for other travellers.

We live in Nigeria so the ability to drive ourselves in an African Country was fantastic and we throughly enjoyed Namibia, the scenery, the accommodations and warmth of the people.

I have written fairly extensive reviews of our various experiences and sincerely hope that these are taken in the constructive manner that they are intended and not as direct criticisms.
We have lived in numerous Countries, some more challenging than others and are well aware of the often difficult balance of customer expectations, staff training and the logistics of the environment.

On a side note I became unwell towards the last two days of our trip, thankfully when back in Windhoek, and from our point of view when we were still in Namibia and not back in Lagos where we live as this would have necessitated medical evacuation.

On the day of our departure I was admitted to MediClinic in Windhoek and that afternoon underwent emergency surgery for acute appendicitis. After four days in hospital I joined my husband at The Hilton and after a further check the following Saturday with the surgeon (the thoroughly lovely Manoj Kamble) we flew later that day.

I can only add that my medical emergency did nothing to dampen our love of Namibia and its people, and I can assure other travellers who may have a concern about an unexpected medical emergency that I received superb first class care from the Hospital, surgeon, nurses and all the medical and administrative and ancillary personnel, and at no point did we feel that I was receiving anything but exceptional care.

As I was admitted on a Sunday there were some administrative issues with contacting our Insurance Company (International SOS) so we opted to pay and claim which was not a problem for us as we are very familiar with our insurance and know this option to be fine, however it is fair here to note that an unexpected hospital stay can be costly and so therefore some sort of insurance provision is mandatory.

At this point I would like to add that Bidvest car rental were very cooperative with our unexpected circumstances when my husband went to return our rental car on the appropriate day, and with finding us another suitable small vehicle for local use.

We had some issues with changing our flight with SAA but this was more to do with the SAA staff who were uncertain how to manage our changes. This was resolved eventually but had we needed to we would have contacted Expert Africa/Wilderness Safari for assistance.

Whilst you obviously did not request feedback for the Hilton Hotel I will add that my husband stayed there seven nights and me for two as a result of my hospital stay. It was well located with all the standard facilities and amenities that you would expect from The Hilton chain. Room service was good and they had a fantastic roof top bar which I managed to enjoy before we left.

My husband became very familiar with Windhoek during our unexpected extended stay to the point where his beer was poured for him without asking on arrival at the bar at Joe's Beerhouse.

We both sincerely look forward to another visit to Windhoek in the future and hopefully to explore the Caprivi Strip and the Falls,

Many thanks to Sabina and all who helped make our trip very special with wonderful memories.
You are a credit to your organization.

Sincerely,
Anna & Malcolm

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None at all - Superb service from our very first enquiry to booking and returning home." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 22 on a Namibia trip

"Our trip to Namibia was memorable, Expert Africa gave us excellent tips, they are by far the best travel agency we used to travel to Southern Africa (we are regular travelers to this part of the globe).

They are very knowledgeable, professional and responsive." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip

"Fantastic trip with more leopard sightings in a few days than in combined ten previous trips. Enjoyed the camps, experienced my first bush walk, my first canoe safari. Having lunch in the Zambezi river and dinner in the Lower Zambezi NP under moon light were exciting highlights of an already spectacular trip. Well taken care off by all camps and Expert Africa before and during the trip!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"One of our best trips in Africa, self driving is a must.

We loved every experience, big thanks to our trip organizer Maruska" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"This was a carefully planned holiday to Kenya where we have visited many times before.
Our 3 favourite places are Samburu, Masai Mara and Diani Beach.

We had already decided on Little Governors Camp as this is a family favourite. Richard helped us choose Saruni and Kinondo Kwetu.

The entire trip was a fantastic success. The lodges/hotel complimented each other perfectly.

They were all different but the overall trip included 2 different, both fabulous, safari locations and a wonderfully relaxing beach location.

I can't fault it, its a trip we all loved and will remember for a long time.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No, I really can't think of anything!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari

"Fantastic trip organised by Freddie Sutton. I am delighted Freddie suggested Zimbabwe as it turned out to be an excellent destination. As always, Freddie listens to your preferences and carefully recommends the best places to suit your tastes. I had a fantastic time in Mana Pools, with privileged experiences as a solo traveller and the only guest at Little Vundu. The sightings in Hwange were plentiful with very good guiding. And keeping the best until the end of my trip, I truly enjoyed every minute of my stay in Chongwe River Camp, Lower Zambezi, Zambia. The level of knowledge and efficiency of Expert Africa's team makes every trip they organise a wonderful holiday." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari

"This was our thirteenth safari, but after a gap of 10 years. Our expectations were high, but they were surpassed and we thoroughly enjoyed our trip.
I wanted to go to small, “rustic” and family run camps. These were good criteria and worked well for us. All were in excellent locations, but with hindsight it was a mistake to go back to the one we had been to before, which now has new owners.
We particularly loved Old Mondoro, mainly because it had:
- More activities, the river outings and it was the only camp, which could accommodate our wish for a two hour walk

- The view from our room over the siesta period was absolutely amazing with all the comings and goings of different animals and birds.
Mwamba was a very close second
The leopard sightings at Kaingo were spectacular, with guide, Yoram and excellent at Mwamba and Old Mondoro.
We also liked your concise travel documents and wallet." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari

"It was an excellent trip, very well planned by Expert Africa and well carried out by all service providers.

Was impressed that there was a meet and greet at the airport but felt that a bit more training needs to be done - we should have been given something to drink and perhaps a short introductory talk. The service person was very obliging but didn't actually offer anything. it is a great idea but a little more planning needs to go into it" Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 4 on a Namibia trip