Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"From the planning stage to the real journey, everything went well. It was a real pleasure to plan the trip with Eleanor, she is professional in all aspects from giving advice to handling the bookings.

Gorilla trekking permit was expensive and originally, we thought of doing it for one day. Eleanor recommended us to do 2 treks and it was a very good advice as both experience were different. The local operators, camps and hôtels that was recommended are of very high standard.

We could not wish for more." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari

"This was all what we wanted, resting a couple of days in Tafika, seeing plenty of game, then a bit more exercise in Mwaleshi, with some unique experience." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"On returning to the UK many people when they asked me about my trip to Zimbabwe wanted to know if it was safe. Yes it is, and the local people are very keen to encourage more tourists to visit. Most of your money goes to ordinary Zimbabweans, and only a small amount to the government.

You will be welcomed wherever you go, especially should you visit any junior schools. More and more lodges are forming partnerships with local people to develop conservancies and concession areas that help to protect wild animals and to provide benefits for local communities." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari

"We had an amazing trip. Thank you to Martha for putting it together for us. Book useful for finding lunch places and info on each area. A lot of driving but all manageable as stops well planned. Would recommend Expert Africa to anyone.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Be aware that Wilderness often have big tours at their sites. Also Erongo brochure says 2 hours to airport it is 3.

Namibia as a country is friendly and non threatening. Never felt unsafe." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"Nearly all the arrangements for our holiday were perfect. In particular we were very pleased that we decided to go for the private guide option, rather than self drive in Namibia, as we would definitely have missed out on a lot, particularly on bird recognition and other aspects of the Namibian culture.

One point of ambiguity arose in that our package stated "local beverages at each establishment(water, beers, ciders, juice, soft drinks, house wines and local spirits)" were included. However, it was not until our arrival at Andersson's Camp that this was clarified and agreed with Ultimate Safaris after we had been purchasing our own drinks for four nights." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Now we have had our holiday I feel I understand what I would do next time.

It was all a wonderful experience. Firstly I must put a word in for Mack Air as there didn't seem to be anywhere to put that. We were concerned and a bit anxious about the small flights but the service and professionalism from the pilots was excellent and made the whole experience fine.

All the places we booked were good, each different and interesting. Of course not having been to Africa before or been on a safari holiday before it is difficult to understand what it is going to be like even though we read all the information and listened to all the advice there is nothing like the experience of actually being there.

In no particular order we felt that the camps in Botswana seemed more geared up to 2 night stays and in fact 2 nights felt perfectly fine though before we went I thought 2 nights might feel a bit tight. In fact sometimes our 3 night stays felt as if the guides were looking for things to do. I loved Botswana, particularly the Okavanga Delta and would go back there.

Though we were a bit concerned about driving ourselves round Namibia as 2 women on our own in our late 50s and 60s, in fact it was very easy. We loved Cape Cross and Walvis Bay, both fine for 1 night stays. I would want to stay 2 nights in Okonjima in the Bush camp, a very pleasant place to stay. It was me who insisted on staying in Okaukeujo and it was fine though I think if I was advising someone else I would suggest somewhere smaller with better food.

I also would not go back to the Zambezi Sun, it was the only place we were disappointed with. Everyone is different but we both realised how important a breakfast and dinner view is for us and a view of the Zambezi rather than corporate hospitality is worth paying for.

We loved South Africa and will probably go back there sometime. All in all we loved it and love Africa, it is like no other place I've ever been to.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I cant think of anything. My sister and I did talk about how difficult it must be to advise people on where to stay and where to go. You did really well so thank you. The only thing that might have helped us not go to the Zambezi Sun was either us telling you the sort of hotel we usually stay in when we travel or you asking." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"This trip was fabulous from the first call to Megan to my arrival home I could not complain about anything.

I want to do it again.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Nothing to add , it was all perfect" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"We had much looked forward to our North Botswana and Vic Falls trip, and we found it one of our best and most memorable holidays ever ! Botswana is a truly great safari destination, if you are passionate, as we are, about viewing and photographing wildlife.

The Okavango delta is among the most stunning wild places we have visited on this planet, both from the air and on the ground. The length of our stay (10 nights on safari in total, in 4 different camps) might seem a bit long at first, but we were very pleased with it, as it allowed us to take a more relaxed pace and we didn't mind the odd "non eventful" game drive too much. Indeed, the big five do not hide behind every tree or bush in these huge concessions, and we soon learned that good sightings require skillful guides and trackers, but also a good deal of patience !

We found the way in which our trip was planned, ideal for what we wanted to see during this trip and for our length of stay: i.e. first the Kwando area in north Botswana, followed by the Okavango Delta, and the magnificent Vic Falls at the end.

We were also absolutely delighted with the very smooth organization of our trip: every single aircraft (big or small) or road transfer we took left on time; we were always welcomed by friendly staff upon arrival; rooms/tents were always ready for us upon our arrival... Top marks ! We would like to add a special comment for Mack Air here as well: flights over the Delta were a great experience !

Finally, although in our reviews per camp, we have mentioned some smaller points for improvement where and when we found it as needed, but we honestly can't think of anything that we would have wanted to add to our trip, that would have made it even better than it already was. This trip has made our love for Africa even greater, and we can not wait to return to explore more of this marvelous continent!!

Special thanks to Megan, who was extremely helpful in organizing our trip, and really went out of her way to answer our many questions before departure ! Truly top service !" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"We have travelled to Africa quite a few times but this one was exceptional in that we stayed in some great hotels & camps & we saw some wonderful game in Zambia. We believe that the expertise of 'Expert Africa' helped in making our trip that much more rewarding & enjoyable!

Claire's suggestion that we travel to Zambia in early September was absolutely correct as it was already getting very hot.

It was also a bonus meeting Chris McIntyre & his wife at Mfuwe Airport at the end of our trip!!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"We very much enjoyed the Seychelles. Many people think of this as a beach holiday destination but it is an awful lot more. The wildlife was superb.

Giant fruit bats in the sky and trees, Hawksbill turtles in the sea, tenrecs among the forest leafs and myriads of different crabs along the shoreline. The tortoises were, of course, in pens - but watching them mating was something else.

The birdlife was great with the bright red Madagascar Fody everywhere. A kestrel used our balcony as a look out spot. And we hiked the trails to see the rarer Black Parrots, Blue Pigeon and Paradise Flycatcher (on La Digue). Officially, we went in dry season (September) but it rained almost constantly for first 7 days! That was a bit disappointing but it didn't stop us doing anything.

And the last 3 days in the sun were great for a spot of warm water swimming in the Indian Ocean.

All arrangements went smoothly and the accommodation (including food) was great.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Nothing really - unless you are able to stop the rain!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 5 on a Seychelles holiday