Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"Overall it was jolly good.

We would not, however, choose to go with RPS again. The cars and boats were on their last legs. The outboard needed both fuel and oil refills to get up and down the river. Nkwali needs a thorough clean. Braston was excellent but Daudi was a very average guide. The overall standard was not up to Bushcamps in our view.

The service from Expert Africa was exemplary, especially the enormously helpful and professional way in which Claire Scott rearranged the home flights at a time of massive global uncertainty and pressure.

We were slightly apprehensive about going in the emerald season but it was fabulous. You see Africa in a totally different light" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"As mentioned, corona played in and we could not get the Malawi extension as planned - of course a disappointment.
The change of flights was costly and NO refund for not used flights were very disappointing.
The fact that things may change should be factored in when making bookings (Expert Africa feedback)

In total 11 night in South Luangwa is a few nights too many.
Game and bird viewing was better than expected - green season is nice, not to be underestimated.

Tour Africa support in Lusaka was excellent - especially upon our return to Lusaka airport." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"This was a very good 'Taster' of Namibia while en route to ZA. Its a big country and we didn't want to spend all of our time in the vehicle, our itinerary turned out well, but the dirt roads are long and dusty, probably not for the feint at heart. I worried about getting a puncture or breaking down, luckily neither happened. Its no joke given the remoteness and temperatures. SO its vital to have a well prepared 4 x 4 vehicle and good back up, if needed. We started in Windhoek and ended in Walvis Bay, flying direct to Cape town, ZA, this proved a great way of doing it and removed any need of retracing our steps. Air Namibia were bang on time and gave us great service in a modern aircraft.

Its a beautiful country, just magnificent scenery that changes frequently. Friendly people and a very different way of life. The corona virus started to emerge as we were there 2nd week of March 2020, it seemed a better place to be than Europe !" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"Excellent trip! To be honest, I can't recall an Expert Africa trip that wasn't, but this was right up there.

Both Lucy and your properties worked brilliantly with respect to Making it easy for Sheila's limited mobility. I think every property managed to put give us the closest room/suite/villa to keep distance down, and Sanbona allocated the front passenger suite in the land cruiser to Sheila.

Great combination of properties locations scenery etc. By the way, Bontebok Reserve was worth the visit - not lots of animals, but lived up to its bontebok moniker with plenty of good views of them.

I know Sanbona isn't one of your regular properties. So here's my perspective (having visited a wide range in the past - Addo, Kariega, Etosha, Selous etc).
Ok, so it doesn't compete with these for scale.
The scenery was great, if you like your geology on the surface (I do).
Limited numbers of antelope visible - a few kudu and not much else.
Great views of the big beasts (elephants, rhino, giraffe - and the white lions are truly special).
The guide was very good, and I think did a great job with a group of people who were only there overnight and therefore a focus on seeing the big ones. I'm sure we would have seen more of the smaller animals if we'd been there longer. We also didn't have time to spend around the dam and lake, so there would be plenty to see over a longer stay.
It's very dry, and unsurprisingly it's some time since they've operated boat trips (still showing on their publicity) - not a problem but worth noting in case someone's heart was set on it.
The accommodation/suite was fabulous. I imagine the Dwyka Tentedd camp would be similarly amazing.

So, pretty much as we'd discussed with Lucy, if you'd more time and the inclination to head to the Eastern Cape, the Addo / Kariega option is the better bet. But if not, Sanbona is definitely worth one or two nights for anyone interested in a safari (and even for those who've visited much bigger safari areas).

Ok I think that's about it for feedback - other than a huge thank you to Lucy and everyone's go contributed for putting together a great trip.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Nah, it's brilliant.

I hope the current virus problems don't impact you and your partners/properties too severely, and indeed you all keep safe." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 8 on a South Africa trip

"The whole trip was very enjoyable, with some excellent wildlife sightings, good accommodation and delicious food.

It met all our hopes and expectations for going out on foot, driving after dark and generally being flexible with the activities on offer.

As Oliver Twist might say, please can we do it some more?

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No, the service is more than satisfactory." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari

"Everything worked very well. We were met and well looked after wherever we went.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No. We hope to travel with you again in the near future." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zanzibar holiday

"We had another terrific time despite the weather being a lot wetter than we had imagined for the time of year.

The late rains had obviously had an greater impact on the terrain and this made for some very challenging driving conditions for the guides but we were never not able to go out. Given the various difficulties that this weather brought the fact that we had some superb sightings is very much down to the expertise of the Silver guides employed by Kicheche.

Both camps were excellent and provided exactly what we expected, comfortable, great guiding, fantastic food and great craic!!

Many thanks to Richard for yet again putting together an excellent trip to Kenya.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Maybe give some thought to your advice re visas for Kenya. Maybe we were unlucky but we queued for well over an hour and a half to get our visa while those who had got their e-visa in advance just sailed through immigration." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari

"We have travelled to Africa several times. This is the first time that we have used Expert Africa.

Our experience was extremely positive. Everything was very well organised and effectively executed. The arrangements on the ground (e.g. Safarilink and Southern Cross) were flawless. This made for a relaxing and worry-free trip.

The Expert Africa website is the best that we have ever encountered.

We loved the new travel wallet!

We would definitely book with Expert Africa again. Thank you Claire!" Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Kenya safari

"In my view, the Mahale chimpanzees are one of the great wildlife experiences and Greystoke is one of Africa's very best camps - an unbeatable combination.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Olivia was excellent: I've been an Expert Africa client for many years, and she was one of the most helpful and efficient team members I've dealt with." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"Another great trip organised by Expert africa" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 2 on a South Africa trip