Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"We had been looking forward to this trip for ages, so the expectation levels were very high.

And we needn't have worried as the whole trip was all we could have possibly hoped it would be from the very beginning on arrival at the Avani in Zambia.

It was all organised so well with the smallest of detail included that would prove useful as we went along.

i.e. Knowing beforehand that we could buy a UniVisa in $ on arrival in Zambia & useful info on what to tip the parking attendants, etc
Tracy's idea of us not collecting the hire car on our arrival at night for what was our first time in Cape Town was an insightful choice.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None I can think of" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 3 on a Zambia safari

"Interesting and varied- the combination of flying and self-driving was the perfect choice for us. However, one does need to be prepared to drive long distances - often hours in endlessly flat, unchanging country.( A good, detailed map is essential - the Tracks Africa map is excellent)

Rather disappointing that Hoanib was the only camp that provided any educational/informative element- a very good film on the desert lions and a lecture by a visiting bat researcher!

More of that sort of thing would have much appreciated- especially where we stayed three nights in one place, (Most camps seem to be geared to two-night stays) Would have very much liked to know more about the different tribes etc- which we finally did on our last day at the National Museum in Windoek , which has seen better days, but is still very interesting.

We loved the ability to get away into some unspoilt and spectacular county -and avoid crowds of tourists. The exception to that was Sossusvlie, where there were far too many people and traffic .... a bit of a shock after the tranquility of Etendenka!

We worry that Namibia is about to OD on tourism and lose its unique appeal....." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip

"Once again, Tracy came up trumps! We had been spoiled on our previous trip, to Zambia and Namibia, and weren't expecting to be quite so blown away this time - but we were, thanks to the sheer variety of the package that Tracy put together for us. From our safari experience at Kwandwe, to the opulence of the Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town, we were stunned by the quality of accommodation and service we encountered throughout our trip. Thank you so much, Tracy!

We loved South Africa, and very much look forward to returning there in the near future.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service

None at all - our experience with Expert Africa has been just what we wanted, and we know we can trust you to put together the ideal holiday experience to suit our requirements. We look forward to our next trip with you!" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 21 on a South Africa trip

"We felt that the London Expert Africa people were following our trip in order to ensure satisfaction.

This included making arrangements for a helicopter lift out of one camp in order not to miss connecting flights (flooded runway).

Fortunately, Mack Air was able to make a short distance landing and takeoff with a regular plane. I'll be back.

Sarah offered two contrasting trip plans which allowed us to choose well in terms of budget and overall comfort. Well done." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Thank you again, Maruska. Everything went absolutely perfectly, exactly according to plan. We just could not have asked for more, truly a trip of a lifetime. We especially loved Primate Safaris in Rwanda and our guide Sura." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"The organisation and choices of places by expert Africa were outstanding. Everything went like clockwork. Because we spent time talking with Tom and because he listened, we got everything that we wanted from the trip. Expert Africa must be the best in their field. When we go again (and we will,), we will go for longer. Most sites could do with longer stays as there is so much to see.
I would definitely take a 4x4 with lockable cabinets in it.
The drives between sites was just about tha perfect distance and gave you a chance to appreciate the magnificent landscapes.
All the driving was very easy except for the sand road between Kipwe and Swapokmund which needed concentration
Never unlock your car doors in Windhoek.
I would unreservedly recommend Expert Africa to anyone wanting to see the stunning beauties of Namibia." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"As we usually travel indepenently it was nice to have everything arranged... the only irritation being waiting about for other guests and in one case being paired up with a couple (at Mwagusi) who had very different interests... this was resolved when we tactfully mentioned it to management...

Given our criteria, Expert Africa put together a varied and comprehensive package in Kenya and Tanzania, covering virtually all East African animals and a wide range of terrain and habitats....  Everything worked well, connections and drivers were all perfect....

I would recommend Expert Africa for excellent and worry free safari experience..." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari

"My only adverse comment is that we could have been warned before booking of some of the disadvantages of individual camps and lodges. I might have selected different locations, had I been in possession of the excellent Bradt guide before booking.

I also wonder whether the scarcity of game in the area of the Selous that we chose might be something that was predictable and about which we should have been warned." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"The trip consisted of two nights at Arusha plus a total of 15 at Asilia camps: Highlands, Namiri and Sayari. All were very different but with one thing in common: the guiding and staff were excellent.

We would recommend Asilia camps because you can expect high standards across the board and also in the knowledge that they are involved in and contribute towards local communities. They employ as many local people as possible: at Highlands for instance there are Masai community guides. Asilia also have impressive training programmes: while at Sayari we saw this in action as a new batch of trainee guides was being selected.

Overall the balance of the trip was very good: the camps were in very different landscapes and the wildlife viewing exceeded our expectations." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 16 on a Tanzania safari

"We started our one month trip in Zanzibar which is an ideal base to leave your main luggage before flying off on safari. Selous was our first stop.

Selous is in our opinion a very pretty park and in the right season you can choose between river or land Safaris. Our return trip this time showed the park and game to be in desperate need of rain. We encountered many hippo carcasses where the hippos had come out to graze and just did not have the strength to return to the little water that was about, it was easier to just lie down and die. All the animals were extremely thin and we have never encountered so many hippos trying to graze during the day.

Sadly we left Selous with the memory of so many painfully thin animals and dying hippos! However Selous will be remembered not just for this but it's flaming red lilies, leadwood trees in full bloom smelling so fragrant in the morning and night and lastly the amount of Bee Eaters that swooped in and around the vehicle catching insects disturbed by the vehicle.

Next stop was Ruaha where in the past we have seen 57 lions in one day! Not to be this time, there is a definite shortage of lions. The few we saw were very thin, even the poor cubs looked under nourished. Both of us were not only shocked but definitely sad at the distinct lack of animals in Ruaha compared with our 2 previous trips.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Completely satisfied with the service given and received." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari