Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"Tracy helped us put together a wonderful trip which we thoroughly enjoyed.

Her advice was invaluable, particularly for journey lengths and camp/lodge choices. This is the second trip she has arranged for us and was as enjoyable as the first.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We cannot think of anything that could have been done better - all arrangements worked perfectly" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"A wonderful trip! It was interesting to combine Tanzania and Zambia for the variety of wildlife sightings and changes in landscapes.

Many thanks to Claire Scott (EA) for organising it all, and especially for recommending Kigelia in Ruaha, it is an amazing place! Glad I visited Selous before Ruaha as it only got better! Chongwe River Camp in Lower Zambezi still remains my favourite camp. The team from Tours Africa in Lusaka airport also deserves a mention for being so helpful at arrivals and during transfers.

This trip was a fantastic experience from start to finish!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not sure you could raise standards any higher!

Third time I have used EA and have never been disappointed. Already looking forward to booking my next trip with your team in the future." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"Having enjoyed wildlife-oriented safaris in both Southern and Eastern Africa, we wanted to focus our adventures in Namibia on that country's breathtaking scenery.

Expert Africa personnel (first Martha Young and Chris McIntyre; and later Tracy Lederer) did a superb job organising our three-lodge itinerary . . . Little Kulala; Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp; and Serra Cafema. Namibian lodges do not offer over-the-top luxuries (unlike high-end camps in Botswana, South Africa, et al), but we were totally pleased with our accommodations at all three lodges.

Hospitality was uniformly top-notch, and all 18 meals we consumed at the lodges were imaginatively prepared and delicious. Wilderness Safaris, the local operator responsible for our travel arrangements in Namibia, offered seamless service, from the moment our plane landed in Windhoek to our departure to Johannesburg ten days later.

Likewise, we thoroughly enjoyed the Rwandan segment of our holiday. Our only complaint (a minor one) is Virunga Lodge's kitchen, whose offerings were mediocre at best. Every other aspect of our Virunga Lodge stay was entirely satisfactory.

Our local guide/driver did an excellent job "negotiating" gorilla treks that matched our physical limitations. With his help, we were assigned easier families to visit and, thus, completed both our treks around three hours. We were not displeased with our, but we did notice slightly newer and seemingly more comfortable vehicles offered by other companies.

Don't know the differential between their rates and the other companies' but, given the long drive from Kigali to the Volcanoes area and, in particular, the bone-jarring ride to Virunga Lodge, we might have been tempted with a more comfortable option." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"Overall, just what we wanted. It would have been nice to see more of the big 5 but my wife saw lots of giraffes and they are her favourite so its ok!

If you are looking to guarantee seeing all the big 5 (especially lions and rhino) then I guess there are better places to go. But if like us, you are looking for the whole authentic experience without hardly seeing another vehicle then this could be for you. Some very magical moments along the way.

The tree house whole experience was very special. Seeing so many animals together by the shores of Lake Manzi, seeing hippos run, meeting two by our path on the way to bed, turning the engine off and just watching troupes of baboons etc play, and so on. The giraffes in huge numbers. Too many things to mention.

Brilliant." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari

"A wonderful life changing experience to see the gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

I was impressed with how smoothly everything was organised from the moment we arrived at the airport. Our stay at Sabyinyo Lodge was a true highlight.

We organised a private guide for these travellers, who commented:

Our guide Patrick - Overall experience: Excellent

Patrick was a wonderful guide for our trip in Rwanda. Smart, funny, he kept us constantly entertained with stories about Rwanda and its people.

We threw a few challenges his way (such as an injury during gorilla trekking) and he managed everything beautifully. We knew we were always in good hands.

He also recommended a fantastic restaurant for dinner and made sure the chef came out to greet us personally." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Rwanda safari

"I absolutely loved Rwanda and couldn't recommend it highly enough.

I am a very experienced safari-goer, and seeing mountain gorillas - spending a full half-hour with a mother and her two-month-old and getting close to the magnificent silverbacks - ranks among any top sightings. But Rwanda is about much more than just gorillas: it's an extraordinary country, stunningly lush and beautiful, and with a dignified people that makes it even harder to comprehend the horror of the genocide. It needs tourist dollars, and that $750 gorilla permit is worth every penny if you can afford it. I urge everyone to consider it for an alternative trip to Africa. (Note: for safari lovers, there are game parks in the south and east that we, unfortunately, did not have time to visit.)" Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Rwanda safari

"A fantastic and memorable trip. A very big thank you to the team at Expert Africa but - of course - especially to Sarah Glyde who liaised with me throughout the planning of this safari.

Thank you Sarah for your patience and ideas and i must say, together we managed a trip of lifetime here.

Will ask my kids to upload some photos / videos as they really are special.

Thanks again Sarah." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 4 on a Botswana safari

"Whole trip was smooth, exciting, and a true taste of Africa, that we want to experience again. The organisation and help given to us was always first class, and Expert Africa were patient with our queries along the way.

Ruaha is a diverse and beautiful reserve, and you feel like a spectator in a wildlife documentary.

Mwagusi is superb, a five star hotel in a river bed I think that the bar is now set high and we look forward to visiting Africa again.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We cannot think of anything that could be improved that is within the control of Expert Africa." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari

"Everything was good. see other comments on Tongabezi.

Our first choice was a different lodge but it was fully booked and we could not be flexible.

We are looking forward to our next trip!" Read full review: 3 nights in Africa; 3 on a Zambia safari

"The holiday of a lifetime - such an amazing experience!

Met super people - local and other holiday makers. Took hundreds of photos. Have wonderful memories - would love to repeat the holiday in the future.

Botswana is in a class of its own for wildlife, birds and delightful people." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari