Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"Our itinerary was based on Expert Africa's innovative and well thought-out Black Wildebeeste holiday menu. The latter was modified to accommodate two nights in Hermanus, by cutting a night each at Cape Town and Clanwilliam. There was also a detour through Etosha West - achieved by switching one of the suggested three nights at Okaukuejo to Dolomite Camp. These adjustments proved to work very well for us.

The timing - late August to mid-September - was, we thought, perfect. There was spectacular whale-watching in Hermanus and we were able to visit the idyllic Postberg Nature Reserve (within the West Coast National Park), which is open only during the short spring-flower season. Temperatures generally were pleasant (though one needs to be prepared for cold spells - and rain interludes in the Cape) and the dry season in Etosha made for excellent game (but zero mosquito) viewing.

We suffered thefts on two occasions - one involving a hotel room safe in South Africa and the other a car break-in with damage, near Walvis Bay. These incidents (and their fall-out) dampened our spirits temporarily, but were outweighed by the pleasures experienced on each and every day. Overall, this trip ranks as one of our most enjoyable holidays in years of travelling." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"I thoroughly enjoyed my trip and would have no hesitation in recommending Expert Africa to anybody thinking of visiting Africa." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip

"expensive but unforgettable.

Most of the lodges are so nice one wants to live there, at least for a long time. Gwynneth was extremely helpful and efficient when we needed her (we had to made some last minute arrangements because we were not able to cross the border to Botswana - our fault) but she fixed it and the outcome was excellent" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip

"Excellent trip.

Claire Scott was careful to not overstate any details, and we are already beginning to plan next year's safari." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"Overall an awesome trip which lived up to the recommendations made by Expert Africa based our requirements.

Many thanks for organising yet another great tailor made holiday." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"The trip was well organised and we liked the advised sequence of camps. We especially enjoyed the land transfers between Jongomero and Mwagusi and Selous and Beho Beho." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 16 on a Tanzania safari

"This trip was designed to blend new places with old friends and it worked very well. We certainly enjoyed our return trip and it was interesting going back to some of the places we visited last time to see how they had developed.

Etosha turned out not to be as busy as expected and many times we had the pleasure of viewing waterholes alone. With one exception the camps we stayed in did not disappoint and the gravel driving was a feature of the trip not something to be feared. It took us through some of the most outstanding landscapes and to the most beautiful places." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"Excellent

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really :-)" Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 3 on a Zambia safari

"A superb experience." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"Trip was extremely well put together. Claire was very efficient and could not have been more helpful.

We had an issue with the transfer from Kaingo to Rukomechi. With hindsight had we realized it would take over 11 hours we would have probably made a different decision about the combination of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Secondly, there was a mix-up between Executive Air (Safari Logistics) and the booking for the transfer from Mana Pools Airstrip to Hwange. The plane arrived at 11:00 AM, which was his scheduled arrival according to his sheet but was an hour before we were expected to be picked up. Luckily the pilot waited for us and the two other passengers. We arrived at Hwange Airport at 2:15pm and there was no vehicle there from Camp Hwange. Again the pilot waited as he did not want to leave us at a closed airport building with no means of contacting the Camp. Finally a vehicle arrived at 3:15 pm.(the driver said he had been told to arrive for 3:30pm). The pilot Janade Krarim left with the other two passengers bound for Victoria Falls. Without the kindness of the pilot we could have been stranded." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari