Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"The trip was absolutely fantastic.

It was really well planned out and our travel coordinator, Martha, gave us a very personal service. The children loved every minute of the trip... even the driving in between camps!

I would strongly recommend Expert Africa and the advice they give you with respect to locations and activities." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip

"Fantastic trip. So pleased with what we saw and experienced.

We got great advice from Megan to go to Chitabe if we liked leopards!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"Very well organised by Expert Africa and I would recommend Tafika and Mwamba. Rare to see other vehicles in this part of the valley." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"Trip of a lifetime

Loved all the camps in different ways but preferred the Kawando Group because it is locally owned and the staff seemed more genuine and accommodating. Just a different and more relaxed atmosphere than the corporate owned.

Flying from camp to camp was so relaxing unlike our previous trip to Tanzania where we were on bumpy roads most of the day

Everything went so smoothly with no delays and the camps were even more impressive than we ever imagined

It was simply the best in every way

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not one thing and I will recommend you to all my friends." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"Thank you Expert Africa. Logistically it was perfect with zero hiccups and we realise that there could've been many. You certainly get what you pay for and it was a trip of a lifetime.

The safaris, food, ambience and accommodation - all absolutely spot on and thank you so much for the help in organising everything for us. We will definitely be back in Africa over the next year or so, and when we plan it we'll be in contact. Thank you Chloe for being someone who knew the countries we were visiting inside out - so often you do the research yourself, then speak to someone at a company who then knows less than you do. This certainly wasn't the case here!

We have some fantastic wildlife (especially bird photos) from the holiday (taken with professional Canon lenses) so if you want any for the website/future Bradt travel guides please let us know.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No, not at all. However, as Richard is a birdwatcher (and bordering on OCD keen) he did spot a mistake in the Bradt travel guide that you could pass on! The Spoonbill photograph is actually an African Spoonbill (Platalea alba) and not Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) as per the book!" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari

"A friend and I had always wanted to see gorillas in the wild. Being limited on the time we had for holidays, we decided we would try and make the trip a long-weekend over the bank holiday. It turned out to be one of the most wonderful holidays I've had. We could have headed to either Uganda or Rwanda and, based on recommendations, including a discussion with Ellie at Expert Africa, we chose Rwanda and I am so pleased we did. Arriving in Kigali on a Saturday (at the cleanest and calmest airport I've ever been in), we were met by Sura, our local guide who showed us round Kigali and, in particular, took us to the Genocide Memorial Centre. Having only a limited knowledge of what happened, this proved a really good way of getting to understand a lot more about the background to events and how the country is dealing with the aftermath. From there we headed to our lodge and, talking to Sura on the journey, began to appreciate how friendly and proud Rwandans are of their country. We trekked to the gorillas on two consecutive days - we were graded as 'young' (very flattering) so were assigned to family groups that required a quite arduous trek to get to - but it definitely added to the spirit of adventure - we took porters both days - and decided that this was definitely the right thing for us to have done - not only did they carry our bags but they also helped us up the steep and slippery parts of the trek (and, in addition, you are providing a day's work in an area where it is important for conservation reasons for the local people to be able to make a living from the park). Both days we had brilliant 'sightings' - spending an hour with the gorillas. The set up at the Volcanoes National Park, the guides, the trackers and the rangers were all excellent. We also fitted in a visit to the cultural village - being true Brits we found it slightly awkward (the Americans staying in our lodge thought it was great) - but, it was something we agreed was worth doing because it was an additional contribution to the conservation effort and we did find parts of it very interesting. Both of us have travelled quite a bit in Africa and kept coming back to what a remarkable country Rwanda was - we felt safe the whole time we were there and they are doing an amazing job with respect to conservation and democracy (what you get if 63% of your parliamentarians are women!). On Tuesday (when it was raining all morning making us realise we were so lucky to have had fine days both of the days we trekked), we headed back to Kigali and flew home - back in the office on Wednesday morning having had a trip of a lifetime!" Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 3 on a Rwanda safari

"Well organised
Good advice .
No hiccups
No complaints
Memorable trip!!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Be a bit more specific as to what is included/excluded in the all in price.
Eg """"Imported drinks """"in my book are drinks not made in Namibia.
After 4 days I realised that this wasn't so!!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"The trip was wonderful. We clocked over 100 new bird species and all the animals we could imagine except rhino. Loved the night sounds--hippo and lions plus others!

We liked all 4 lodges very much. Best were Xigera and Vumbra Plain. Little Vumbra needs a bit of spiffing up. Sandibe was amazing...a bit wierd, but VERY comfy and attractive. Beds everywhere were wonderful.

The staff and the guides were terrific....always knowledgable and very pleasant. Food was excellent -- as was the wine. Perhaps too much food, too often.

Just for you to know, wifi at both Sandibe and Vumbra Plain...and hair dryers. Also outlets for re-charging at every single place.

There were too many high points to mention!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No. You are doing a great job, and we've recommended you (Tracy) and Expert Africa to several friends...even some who were with other safari groups.

Special thanks to Tracy for suggesting to the various camps that we have accomodation close to the center. My knees were very appreciative.

Wilderness planes were not as comfortable or clean as MacAir planes.

Can you send email of general manager of Vumbra Plains or Chris the food/beverage manager?" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"We had a great trip with a lot of highs and few lows.

I would have driven from Onguma straight to Ndhovu now that I know how long it is and I was happy with the car but it did struggle in a few places so I might up to a Corolla next time.

We did buy a better map than the one provided and the one place where we ran into trouble a south African couple with a Tracks 4 Africa map really helped us out, but that was our fault for being where we were. I have zero other complaints though and think Sabina did a good job helping us out." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"An amazing two week journey round Malawi. City, lake, wilderness & missions. Thanks to Expert Africa - Not Mission Impossible but Mission Achievable!!

A very great big thanks goes to Claire Scott, my contact who took on board what I thought was a massive ask & querie into what I was aiming to achieve. Having explained four of five main locations I wanted to visit in Malawi & why, Claire set about making & suggesting a plan for me. My quest was to visit locations in Malawi that my great grandfather had pursued over a hundred & thirty years ago in the late eighteen hundreds.

In 1888 William Murray had set out as a young man of 22, from the Highlands of Scotland, to pursue a vocation of working in the Mission field in Central Africa. The first location that I was aware he worked at was Bandawe. Others included Livingstonia, Kota Kota, Kasunga & Mombera to name a few.

Claire set about making a plan suggesting flights, airports, accommodation and transportation. Within a few days she returned to me with a plan that certainly encompassed as much as I could fit in with the time available.
The trip was set in motion! As we reached nearer our departure date Claire contacted me regarding seeking information from Malawiean sources. Sources in Malawi had offered to help me find information on the Hisotrical Missions, if I was interested. I was over the moon. This proved very worth while. I met with Dora & Mike from Mandala House, in Blantyre (the Society of Malawi) I spent a morning with them and shared photos & information. This was a positive start to our Mission adventure.

All our accommodation on our trip was unique to their locations and varied in style & facilities. Frank & I enjoy meeting people and try to accommodate all activities where possible when we travel. Was it luck or what?? Everywhere we visited we met new & interesting people - staff & guests. Had fun, enjoyment and companionship in all activities.

Our driver from Central African Wilderness Safaris - Abassie was a real gentleman. Patient, attentive to our needs & wishes. He delivered us to all locations on the schedule & squeezed a few more in, while en route to destinations. We valued his local knowledge & connections with people. Although we learned loads from him, I do believe he also learned from the 'journey' & information we had taken along.

Our 'journey' took in all the locations we aimed to cover. Arriving in Livingstonia was the end of our journey but also the most important to me. We met with the librarian & estate manager of Livingstonia Mission(arranged by Abassie I asume). Both provided us with a guided tour, history lesson & a hilariously enjoyable morning. Finding a photo of my Great grandfather with Dr Robert Laws in one of the museum displays in the Stone House was the height of happiness for me. The rounding up of a long, searching journey. Ah!

Now, I have a lot of correspondence to catch up with everyone in Malawi who assisted with my search.

Our trip also provided some holiday time too. The treat part was to visit Tongole Wilderness Lodge and what a treat. Aswel as enjoying the visit from the local elephants, everyone & everything about Tongole was just brilliant.

Expert Africa provided well organised travel information, assistance with my specific reason to travel & a very caring, helpful Claire Scott - thank you so much!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 6 on a Malawi trip