Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"Our overall trip way exceeded our expectations but we didn't know what to expect as we hadn't done a safari before. It was certainly expensive but I think we got value for our money. We loved all our guides and found Ruth in Nsefu specially pleasant.

The animals were on parade for us and we were very lucky to see almost everything the first day and could relax after that and just enjoy the drives for what turned up and plenty did. We didn't get to see the wild dogs but that will be our reason to return

The only sour note in the entire trip were the staff on the SAA flight from Joburg to Heathrow who appeared to think that the customers were there just to get in their way, they were so rude & unhelpful that we have sworn to never fly with them again!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

That's a difficult one!

We are struggling to think of anything but have come up with nothing.

We would definitely use Expert Africa and recommend you to our friends. But most of them are wimps and wouldn't appreciate hippos against the tents and frogs in the bathroom but we loved every second!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari

"Apart from the long drives between lodges, and the comments made about a couple of the places that we stand at, a fantastic trip which was very much enjoyed by my wife and I." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"We are huge Africa fans, and once you get away from their shambolic cities and airports, you get to see the best of the continent.
Our experiences at Nairobi airport, both with Coastal and Kenyan Airways/immigration sadly tainted a great trip.

I would probably not repeat the mobile camp stays, which in loo and shower terms were not satisfactory.
The quality/experience of guiding in Serengeti and Ngorongoro was not a patch on Selous Impala and Ruaha in Southern Tanzania, nor compared to Robin Pope camps in Zambia.
Our guide at the crater was lazy and not motivated - probably due to lower absolute level of tips from only two clients.
Lamai was a unique setting and well set up.

Pole Pole had a fantastic location, but was let down by poor maintenance of the showers - no hot water in that climate, and at that price is not good news. The staff were friendly, but not nearly as professional as at Kaya Mawa in Malawi. The Dive and watersports centre made our visit to Mafia memorable, in particular the fish BBQ on the sandbar after snorkelling at the reef." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari

"We loved every place we visited. We even enjoyed the 2 long drives we had.

It was one of the best holidays we have had.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We have no suggestions we have used Expert Africa 3 times." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a South Africa trip

"We had an outstanding trip with so many memories of stunning landscapes and wildlife that we will never forget. Both fully lived up to our hopes and expectations. We did find the driving in Namibia to be gruelling at times due to the condition of the mainly gravel roads and the necessity to drive relatively slowly, making for some long journeys - in particular the journey between Swakopmund and Twylfontein.

Our itinerary in Namibia took us to a variety of places and experiences that were all very different from each other, and each worth the visit. In Botswana it was mainly about the wildlife, though we also enjoyed the beautiful setting of the Okavenga Delta and meeting lots of Botswanans, who without exception were friendly and welcoming.

Finally, except for not getting the type of vehicle we were expecting (though Bidvest & Tracy from Expert Africa did contact us to offer to change, which we decided against) every aspect of the organisation of the trip went without a hitch. We were also impressed that the company paid the difference in flight prices between Windhoek & Maun after Air Namibia cancelled all these flights from the beginning of November and we had to be rebooked onto SA Airways." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"We had a fantastic trip. Our thanks to Maruska and Expert Africa for putting together the itinerary - we felt we saw so many wonderful things and had a real flavour of the different beauty of Namibian scenery.

We were particularly lucky to see so much game. The area around Nautomi in Etosha is world class for game viewing." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip

"Thanks to Claire for selecting such wonderful hotels for us, The scenery is stunning. The fynbos fascinating. There can't be a better country for a road trip.

And returning to such lovely welcoming hotels each night made the whole holiday a real treat." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 21 on a South Africa trip

"Another brilliant trip to Tanzania. Thanks for all of your help in making this trip possible.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really as everything was just perfect." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari

"On the whole the trip was very good, apart from the problems with the flights out. Fisherman's Tours were reliable and efficient in transferring me from place to place. The people I met were charming, friendly and helpful.

The excursions seemed expensive, but I did enjoy them. I had a very good guide from Fisherman's Tours who took me on a tour of Stone Town and a boat trip to Prison Island.

I didn't do as much snorkelling as I would have liked as it was not feasible to snorkel at low tide. At high tide it would have meant swimming out quite a way to get to the reef. I did try near the shoreline, but could only see sea urchins and seaweed and the wind was churning up the sand making visibility poor." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zanzibar holiday

"We were very pleased with our trip.

Some people may think it odd to spend the visit in one park, but it gave us the chance to see the different environments in a leisurely way, something we enjoy immensely.

It's impossible to pick one favourite camp due to this, and all gave good value for money." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari