Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"All transfers and flights worked like clockwork. Very impressed with Expert Africa's arrangements from start to finish. Full information given at all times and really good advice.

We love Kwando camps in particular although the best game viewing was at Sandibe. Saskia Adye was superb in helping us plan our trip and Maruska took over the reins very efficiently in the final stages.

We would certainly recommend expert Africa to anybody." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Our trip was amazing. We have wonderful memories and have learnt alot about a new country, culture and peoples. We enjoyed the different destinations that we selected and the variety in activities that they provided. Our concerns about traveling with a young child to Kenya were managable and we are pleased that we undertook this adventure despite many people telling us not to. We'd love to go back one day.

It was nice to feel like we had a common 'acquaintance' in Richard, when talking to the owners of the various lodges. They all seemed to respect his work and knowledge of Kenya.

However, we also feel a bit sad that parts of the holiday were not as perfect as we'd hoped despite careful planning and a significant budget (see issues mentioned about El Karama and Driftwood)." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari

"This was a "special" holiday and it certainly lived up to expectations. Zimbabwe was absolutely wonderful, both camps were different but excellent and we saw more wildlife than I had expected. It was a real privilege to view it so closely and to be accompanied by guides who had expert knowledge and genuine enthusiasm for their subject.

Zimbabwe is a wonderful place and never have we felt safer anywhere. Everyone should go there - whatever you think of the regime, it is the people who need tourists and go out of their way to make them have such a good time.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We hardly needed any money on our trip as so much was included, but in Bulawayo we could only use Visa cards, which I suspect was the case for other places.

We had intended to get our visa prior to travel, but when I 'phoned the Embassy, they assured me that it was easy to get one on arrival in Zimbabwe. A second call revealed that you needed to apply for a form which would take a week to arrive and then collect the visa from London. It was easy enough to get one at Vic Falls airport, but the queue was very lengthy and it took a long time to get through. It would seem that the Embassy make it difficult to get one in advance." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari

"We absolutely loved it

It was all very informative and well organised." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari

"This was a really super holiday.

Ellie's guidance on camps was spot on.

My only grouse concerns the BA change of flight - see below." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"We had this trip on our bucket list for some time, i.e., visiting the Caprivi (Namibia) and getting into Botswana through the Okavango Panhandle and then transverse Moremi and Chobe all the way by 4WD (the rough way). Roughly 4530Km in 18 days.

The Caprivi is definitely a totally different part of Namibia - landscape, people, flora and fauna - you feel immersed in real Africa. The Nkasa-Lupala National Park (alias Mamili NP) is indeed a true hidden gem, where you can experience dry and wet ecosystems /environments. However game is (still) not so abundant as in the Okavango /Moremi.

The Panhandle was marvelous. We had the Okavango for ourselves. Boat trips into the channels are mandatory and they will not disappoint . The birding is superb.

Crossing Moremi into Chobe Savuti and Chobe river front was a trip within a trip in itself. What an experience. It just enriched us as kin travelers to Africa. S19º13'22,0'' E23º23'20,7´´ was the place where we got stuck with our 4WD. No matter how prepared we feel we are, how careful we can be, in Africa, the unexpected can really happen and for that one should be minimally prepared.This comes with proper advise and planning - Expert Africa has done it again, phenomenally - thank you." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip

"We had the most wonderful trip from start to finish - Claire at Expert Africa was incredibly helpful & efficient, made really excellent suggestions. The guidance notes were very helpful and it was a lovely touch to received the Brandt guide & the beautiful wallet.

All our ground arrangements were perfect. The two guides they supplied were very good and knowledgeable. The six days we spent with Gabrielle were fantastic - he was happy to allow us to spend hours just observing animal behaviour & took great trouble to explain & identify various animals & plants.

Both guides were keen to make sure that Richard was put into the best available spot as he is a very keen photographer. Two picnics stand our in particular - one with David in Ngorongoro were we had our lunch in a spectacular location away from the other tourists! and with Gabrielle we had a brilliant 'breakfast with hippos' experience!

It was lovely to have a break at Arusha on the way to the airport, it was much appreciated to be able to have a shower, repack for the flight & have a rest before travelling home overnight. Although Onsea House is lovely we felt the staff somewhat lacked the charm & care that we had experienced elsewhere.

We would have no hesitation in recommending Expert Africa - an extremely professional organisation." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"Great holiday, Expert Africa arranged everything without a glitch and delivered exactly what was asked." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"Thank you Expert Africa, especially Maruska, for making our honeymoon such a dream.

We had a fabulous time in Africa and we enjoyed all three places (Nkwichi Lodge, Mwamba Bushcamp and Old Mondoro) enormously.

We absolutely intend to return to Africa - next trip Botswana!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Something we had not fully understood (being first time Safari goers) is how much time we would spend with other guests.

We had such a terrific time at Nkwichi Lodge with like-minded people; suffered terribly uncomfortable dinners at Mwamba Bushcamp with a taciturn guest; and felt as if we had to be on our best behaviour at Old Mondoro with the terribly middle-aged and middle class Britons.

We do acknowledge it is the luck of the draw and I think Maruska did a great job of planning for us. But next time we will ask to be with people in our demographic as much as possible :-)" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"Loved Namibia, particularly its geological diversity. Easy driving. Good food - particularly if you are a 'free-range' meat-eater.

Highlights: walk down the Quiver Tree Gorge in the Naukluft, Sessriem dune walks and Dead Vlei, reptile tracking in the desert, moonlit dinner at Ongava.

Swakopmund rather dull and uninteresting - but we expected this. Enjoyed the tented camps." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip