Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"Oh dear - I've written all this once. Just went back on feedback to form to untick the 'happy to share with other travellers' and have lost what I originally wrote! Here goes again..

This was an amazing experience for both of us. We were particularly pleased with the small number of people at each camp which gave a feeling of private game viewing and we particularly enjoyed the walking safaris at Linyanti. I was concerned that 2 weeks might be too long but, with the variety of camps chosen (with Megan's help and the Bradt Guide) we never tired.

We think that 3 nights in one place is beter than 2 nights. Without exception all camps were excellent. Staff attentive, food plentiful (too plentiful!); guides good. Comfortable beds and linen - with award for best hot water bottle going to Camp Kalahari. Food was very western (delicious soups) and some people commented that they would like to try local cuisine - that said, we understand the reason why camps stick to western food.

We would suggest that clear guidelines be given on tipping. The Bradt Guide seems a little out of date with what others were paying. Not knowing what staff and guides earn as basic wage, it's difficult, but can't help thinking that $20 pp/per day for guide and same amount for staff is a lot when you consider how many guests pass through a camp in a week. Some nationalities are more accustomed to tipping than others so clear (lower) guidelines would be good so that we know in advance how much to take and there is no awkwardness. Baines was the only camp to provide guidance on tipping in their in-room brochure but even that wasn't clear as to if it was pp or per member of staff.

We mistakenly left our Bradt Guide at Little Kwara. If you could send another, that would be very much appreciated Megan.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and were pleased to meet other Expert Africa travellers on the same trip - both of who had booked through NZ I believe due to time difference. Have already passed on your details to others so that's the best compliment. Thank you Megan. I know Nick (husband) enjoyed poring over the Bradt Guide and discussing various options with you. Can't think of any other suggestions but will let you know if we do!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"The best trip of our life.

Maruska listened to what we thought we wanted and she delivered. Every detail was covered, we had no worries or gaps. It was a memorable trip and we hope to be back, with Expert Africa, (and Maruska) of course!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Absolutely fantastic!

Thanks so much to Liz for organising our perfect Silver Wedding Anniversary trip, it surpassed all our expectations and was utterly memorable." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari

"Our trip to Botswana and the Victoria Falls has been fantastic. We have looked to travel to Botswana for a long time - and we were not disappointed. The standard of the camps was very good; the wildlife was fabulous; and the Falls are stunning in full flood.

We (like everyone) have our favourite camps, and the places that we would love to go back to one day - and the help and advice that we received from Megan and Nick at Expert Africa has been excellent.

To anyone who is thinking about whether or not to go to Botswana, we would highly recommend it. This was our 11th Wildlife Watching holiday (our 7th trip into Africa), and we have had wildlife encounters here that we have not experienced anywhere else, and at very close quarters.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

It might be worth adding in a suggested tip allowance for the Trackers in Botswana. We had a tracker on every Game Drive in addition to our Driver/Guide - and they are not included in the general staff tips.

It would perhaps be helpful to include a suggestion within the notes that travellers make sure they pack their bags prior to going out for the morning game drive on the day they are departing the camp, as flight times change - often without much warning!

In Zimbabwe, the additional taxes are currently all included in the International Ticket Price, so we did not need to pay anything extra when we departed." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"Our fourth visit to Zambia in less than three years was built partly around 'pure' vacation and partly around one or two other interests we wanted to follow. We were able to pursue satisfactorily our non-vacation objectives and have a most enjoyable break in the process, not least thanks to the - as always first rate - advice we gleaned from Expert Africa while we were planning this, our ninth, trip with the firm.

On the vacation element, we thought that we got the balance right between the more conventional South Luangwa leg and the more exotic Bangweulu/Kasanka leg.

Overall, we are very satisfied

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

On the website, the recent evolution (on which work is ongoing) is rapidly pushing it towards the 'very good' category." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"We had a great trip.

In the future we think we would spend less time travelling to different places but rather spend more time in certain localities. It all goes so quickly that time spent travelling between places feels like lost time.

This trip certainly confirms for us that we much prefer being in owner led, authentic, well managed, unpretentious lodges or camps like Tafika. We would certainly want to spend more time their on our next visit, there was so much to do and it would be good to do it at a more leisurely pace.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We feel that Expert Africa is as good as it can possibly be, we have always been extremely satisfied with your service and would not wish to use any other company to help us with our trips to Africa.

The level of knowledge processed by the team is second to none and is borne out of first hand experience which is invaluable." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"Thank you for organising a great holiday which all four of us enjoyed.

Suggestion - We would have liked to stay overnight in Maun to have a little experience of a Botswana town. May I also suggest a little phonetic crib sheet for speaking a little Setswana. It may be me but I found they usually did not understand my effotrts

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I think I would have liked a little more direction about camps. It was our first time in Botswana and I did not realise that I chose three camps very close in area. If /when we go again I would chose camps in more different areas. I certainly would have liked say 2 nights on the Chobe waterfront and perhaps 2 nights to have a chance to see Rhinos. However these are quibbles becasue we saw a vast range of animals in their natural habitats including good viewing of leopard, cheetahs and wild dogs. Thank you for all the work your team did" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"The whole trip was fabulous. Despite hating cold weather I had no trouble layering up to get out every morning and afternoon to explore the bush some more. The people we met were also interesting because of this common interest to explore. I have always wanted to do this but never fully realized how magical it would be.

Maruska was a great help in setting everything up perfectly and advising that our orlginal idea to track for three weeks would be just too exhausting. We met another couple from Colorado at Little Kwara who had also been delighted with Maruska's service." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"Our whole trip was lovely - no complaints!!" Read full review: 3 nights in Africa; 3 on a Namibia trip

"This was around our seventh trip to the valley, and everything was managed the way it should be. A very enjoyable holiday.

The ground agents made our progress through immigration on the way out and check-in on the way home, quick and easy" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari