Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"Everywhere we stayed was good . Nothing went wrong and we saw almost all the animals we had hoped to.

Botswana like every where else in Africa is getting busier . Wilderness safaris certainly provides all that one would expect for the money spent and the community out reach programme is admirable, but we felt they are becoming so big a company now that the lose of intimate Africa is noticeable.

Go to Botswana , but try to include some smaller independent camps as well." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"What with Chris McIntyre's Bradt Guide, the Expert Africa website and traveller reviews, and Tracy Lederer's first hand knowledge and advice, we thought we knew what to expect on our first visit to Namibia. Certainly there were no unpleasant surprises, but nothing could prepare us for the direct experience of the wide clear blue skies, the open empty roads, the variety of spectacular scenery and wildlife, the consistently high standard of accommodation and cuisine, and the friendly welcome of the people.

Even the guys who hassled you at petrol stops to buy carved makalani palm nut key rings, or lumps of mineral, or a two-euro coin in exchange for Namibian dollars, did so with a smile. Incidentally, the cheapest makalani nuts we found on offer were 19N$ at Peter's Antiques in Swakopmund.

All the arrangements worked without a hitch, including the car hire. We have commented separately about how pleased we were with the choice of the Nissan X-Trail 2WD vehicle.

What to add ?

Namibia is in the same time zone as British Summer Time, but in June the sun rises at about 6:30 and sets at 5:30, so we certainly had to adjust our waking and sleeping times to make the most of the daylight.

We bought some souvenirs in Swakopmund and obtained a VAT receipt with the intention of reclaiming a modest amount in Windhoek, only to find that it would be paid by bank transfer and to make out the claim we needed our bank sort code and account number, which of course we didn't have with us.

We'll know about that next time, and we are determined there will be a next time. In fact, as we watched the sun sink below the horizon at Cape Cross we mused if we could ask Expert Africa for season tickets.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No, just keep doing what you do so well." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"Excellent" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"This is my third time with Expert Africa, and I wouldn't use anyone else.

Megan was great, and the transfers were seamless. Especially the transfer to Zambezi Sun, from Camp Kalahari. Flight to Kasane, drive to water's edge, boat across river, then drive through border and on to Zambezi Sun. Really smooth and easy. I think it was done by wilderness, who also took us over to Zimbabwe for tea at the Victoria Falls hotel, they were excellent.

This really was the wonderful trip we dreamed about.

Expert Africa have been fantastic all three times I have used them." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari

"An amazing trip to see one of the last wildlife wildernesses. We feel extremely privileged to have been able to spend time at Liuwa in the company of Jason, Robin, Kanga and the team. The difficulties of the journey to get there are immediately forgotten on arrival; we really hope RPS will restart these trips when the new lodge in the park is built; maybe someone will also construct an airstrip on land firm enough to take planes big enough to get guests and supplies in. The current one can only take the tiny research plane but is otherwise used as a running track as the soil is so soft!

South Luangwa was excellent as usual with some fantastic sightings including a leopard taking her three (!) tiny cubs out for the first time.

All ground arrangements went smoothly as usual though, for us, we found Tours Africa a little too attentive – we really don’t need somebody to shepherd us to the lounge once we’ve passed passport control. And we’re perfectly capable of paying our own departure tax." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zambia safari

"Our trip was so fabulous in every way. It far exceeded our expectations. Not just a holiday we felt that we had been on a big adventure.

The order of the trip was perfect for us. We thought it was a great idea to have a kind of rest at the start of the trip after such a long journey, by visiting Victoria Falls (no early morning calls for Game Drives). and a nice small introduction to wildlife with the game that roamed Zambezi Sun's grounds.

Then Muchenje which can be accessed by road and is more lodge than camp still a wonderful wildlife experience but perhaps a bit less "Bush". Kwara (we felt) had the most "Bush" style atmosphere which really was our favorite place. Finishing at Lagoon with a touch more Luxury setting us up for our long journey home.

We finished our stay with a last Game Drive right to the door of our final Mack Air flight. It was a great end to a wonderful trip." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Namibia. It all worked very well although we did feel that perhaps for the chosen itinerary it would have benefited from an extra two days. For instance - in the Keetmanstoop area your website suggests visiting the Quiver Tree Forest & Giant's Playground - but there simply was not enough time to do this as we arrived late afternoon and had to leave early the following morning.

Despite this we both felt that the trip had been very well thought out and superbly organised., Most importantly we felt well protected under the umbrella of Expert Africa. It was good to hear at our first stay in Windhoek what a reliable firm you are!!!!

We would most certainly recommend Expert Africa to anyone wanting to visit Namibia.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Perhaps some written information about what is 'doable' in the time around the various camps/hotels.

I asked for approximate journey times between destinations which was invaluable.........maybe include those as part of your service. It is hard to work those out when you are used to travelling on paved roads!!!!

Maybe it would be worth offering two standards of accommodation in locations where that would be possible." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip

"It was a wonderful experience and we would recommend the Okavango Delta to anyone.

We loved seeing the Vic Falls too but did not feel that the organization in Zambia was nearly as good as in Botswana. Pick-ups in Zambia were often late giving the excuse of road works. But as these road works have been going on for months one felt that perhaps the guides/ drivers should have allowed more time!!

Thank you, Megan, for organizing it all for us. It was a very special holiday and experience." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"fabulous. excellent. we had a brilliant time. everything that was booked worked out well with no hiccups. turnstone tours trip was brilliant. we had a memorable anniversary day complete with a picnic on top of a sand dune. our guide Ernst was very informative and made the day special. also thanks to kerr and downey at okuti for the champagne in our room on arrival.

thanks to maruska for all the help in organising the trip and sorting out the problems caused by the lack of flights between Windhoek and maun." Read full review: 29 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip

"It was a brilliant trip.

The only thing we might have changed on hindsight was that we wouldn't have ended in Camp Hwange, but started there. We saw significantly more in Botswana, so the change to Hwange required some adjustment on our part." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari