Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"This was an excellent trip that was tainted at the end buy some communication issues by/between staff about departure times to the airport.

This did cost us each about $550 US dollars in extra transport and meant we miised out a days sight seeng etc in Nairobi. (and spent more time in airport laounges etc)" Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"Maruska is a pleasure with whom to work." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 15 on a Botswana safari

"This was my first trip to Africa and it exceeded all my expectations.

Megan at Expert Africa was wonderful to work with and really listened to what I wanted to do and see on my 12 day safari. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again on a future trip. Thank you Megan" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"It ran like clockwork. I have nothing but praise for every aspect of the trip, and for Expert Africa's ability to get it right for us.

As the title suggests, the trip of the lifetime is a cliche but nonetheless true in this case. I would love to visit Botswana in future and just hope that this becomes possible.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The only thing I'd say is that given the timings of our flights which, although we booked them ourselves were the same as those that Expert Africa would have booked for us, it would have been a good idea to stop over for one night in Jo'burg on both outward and return journeys. This would have made the journey far more enjoyable and less tiring.

Clearly we could have made such arrangements but it didn't occur to us until we were waiting for 4 hours plus at Jo'burg airport for our onbound flight to Maun.

So, I suggest that EE might advise their clients that they might like to consider a stop over when flight timings are like this. This is not a major criticism just a suggestion that may make the journeys of other more pleasant. Otherwise we were very happy with the arrangements the EE made for us." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Any limitations with this trip were entirely of our own making. We have been travelling to Botswana for long enough to know what works and what is less to our liking. The planning done for us by Megan was exemplary. It worked like a dream and we were confident that had anything gone wrong it would be 'sorted'.

Overall we had yet another magnificent holiday marred only by a guide who has probably been in situ for too long. The pity is that he is the 'best friend' of our guide at Savuti who was first class. Similar seasonal difficulties but very different outcomes.

We have 4 observations that may help future planning:

a. Wilderness red meat. At the prices they charge they simply cannot continue to serve guests meat that cannot be cut let alone chewed. Can expert Africa please ask them what is going on?

b. Approaching 73 I am the last person to make ageist remarks but at Sandibe we were teamed in the vehicle with a Belgian man accompanied by his 88 year old mother. She was remarkable but had severe mobility problems, especially entering and leaving the vehicle. Perhaps camps should make special arrangements for such guests? I hope so, as I might be using them in the future!

c. Newsletters. We like to browse the Wilderness web site before travel to see what is going on in the camps we are to visit and get a flavour of the state of the annual flood etc. This year, up, to the time we left in mid April, there was not a single Savuti their news reports but unless they are recent they are useless.

d. Room Increases. There have been one or two reports of camps increasing the number of rooms. As old Okavango hands we have been willing to pay premium prices as we have been assured of very low guest numbers and the exclusivity that goes with it. If the Delta is to become as crowded as some other safari destinations it will be difficult to maintain exclusive prices. A number of fellow travellers expressed just this sentiment this time.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Nothing further to add. We will be contacting you for 2014 very soon!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"We were very happy that we came to Little Kwara, they more than make up what frustrations we had with Air Botswana flight Maun-Gabs. Well Done, Little Kwara ! Ke aleboga .." Read full review: 2 nights in Africa; 2 on a Botswana safari

"We had a wonderful trip and enjoyed every minute! Organisation was perfect, thank you Megan!

As we particularly enjoyed our walking safari, we will definitely plan more walking and boat trips for our next safari. Leaving Africa was, again, very hard. But we're already dreaming about going back!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

It would be great to be informed whether camps accept children." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Botswana safari

"Although I was nervous about the trip, it was perfect. Each place we stayed was different and offered us different viewing perspectives.

Saskia was patient about answering all my questions and responding to all my concerns. She really worked hard to understand what we were hoping for and to give us a variety of reasonable options from which to choose. Her advice and guidance turned out to be perfect. The trip was everything I hoped for and more." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"First visit to Namibia, full of lovely friendly people, stunning landscapes and one startled honey badger.

The vast skies of day and night were breathtaking and we have returned with great memories and four personalised carved nut key rings.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Some of the travelling times between rest camps were longer than we anticipated. We stumbled on a couple of good places to stop for lunch / breaks but if these had been pointed out beforehand it would have made the journey a little smoother." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"We had a brilliant time - none of us wanted to come home!

It was really easy to travel around, all the hotels were good or brilliant and easy to find and we managed to do everything but Table Mountain (long queue on Easter Monday that the children couldn't have handled).

We found everyone we met really helpful and friendly and can't wait to go back. 12 out of 10 for a holiday (and we have had some pretty great ones in the past).

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No - its all be great. Thanks for all your help!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a South Africa trip