Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"Our second booking through Expert Africa and will use them again when we return to Namibia.

Have never had a even slightest problem with any of their bookings. There use of Asilia facilities and guides in Tanzania was the best to be had.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Avoid KQ if possible. The crater experience was only OK. Time would be better spent somewhere else at this time of the year. Perhaps the Mara." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari

"I don't know about all the trip elements that our party lead planned with Expert Africa regarding the parks to visit, the side trips, and lengths of stay at each camp; however, after visiting the camps and parks, I would say that this could have been planned differently given the time of year. For example, 4 nights in the Tarangire with 2 nights of fly camping was too long. Three nights would been sufficient and 1 night of fly camping. Camping out is highly overrated after having done it so much in one's youth. The Ngorongora could have been skipped at this time of the year. The crater itself was a hughand windy dust bowl. We spent a day in Lake Manyara. What is there that the Serengeti doesn't have, other than blue monkeys and a rain forest? There is no lake to see, except at a great distance.

We met a number of tourists during the trip and they all said that the most memorable parks were the Serengeti and the Masa Mara. Bottom line, I believe there is where our trip should have focused on as first time visitors to Africa.

The Serengeti was the highlight of our trip." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari

"The accommodation was varied and all of a very good standard. Information received was excellent.

Thoroughly enjoyed our holiday and would definitely recommend Expert Africa to interested friends.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None whatsoever, was superb." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"This was our sixteenth trip to Africa and has been one of the most enjoyable. We love Zimbabwe and given the chance would certainly go back.

We have travelled several times with Expert Africa and would always recommend them to anyone planning a safari. Everything worked smoothly and without a hitch. The mixture of bush camps and lodges worked very well for us. We enjoyed meeting all the staff and guests and sharing experiences past and present.

Thank you to everyone involved, especially Claire and Chris.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Perhaps the Painted Dog Conservation Centre could be included in the brochure as a possible activity. They rely very largely on donations, and tourists could provide a valuable addition to their income. Local children stay for a week free of charge but children from private schools and schools farther afield pay.

Incidentally, for information, on the outward flight bags were checked straight through to Vic Falls without reclaiming at Johannesburg but on the way back it was clear we had to reclaim at Johannesburg and check them in again for Heathrow." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari

"We always knew that we might have to compromise a bit due to the short notice to arrange this trip. However, Liz was extremely helpful and worked hard to match our requirements with the locations and camps. She did flag up the dinning arrangements at Impala and her reservations proved to be correct. Although we would not return there, we still enjoyed our stay and that arrangement obviously works well for other people.

Our itinerary was in exactly the right order, starting with the most 'authentic' camp and working up in quality to finish with Beho Beho. We would really have struggled if we'd gone there first and then moved on to the other camps.

This is our 4th or 5th holiday with Expert Africa and we will keep coming back because of the quality of service and knowledge of the locations.
Thank you all." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari

"We had a great time. We haven't driven ourselves in Africa for a long time and really enjoyed the experience.

Wonderful country; we were never far from beautiful mountains and the roads were excellent. People are friendly and welcoming. We felt safe wherever we went. The suggested itinerary gave a wonderful insight into the country and we intend to return.

Angela was very helpful and responded quickly to all our questions.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No. This is the second time we have booked through Expert Africa, and have been impressed both with the recommendations and the efficiency with which the booking has been handled." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"Outstanding trip. We thought our last visit to Zambia couldn't be bettered, but it has been. All the camps were excellent - no negative comments or suggestions for improvement. The African bush remains as alluring as ever.

Unfortunately for our bank balance we'll be back - please wait for the call!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We really can't think of any. This is our fourth trip organised through Expert Africa, and every one has exceeded expectations. We've also recommended you to others, and they've also experienced outstanding service.

Keep it up!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 16 on a Zambia safari

"As good a holiday as we have ever had.

Our thanks to all concerned

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"we have been on a good number of safaris to many locations in africa. this rates as one of the best we have experienced with very good game viewing, keen and informative guides and excellent accommodation.

based on this experience a return trip to tanzania is on our short list of places to visit

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

from this trip we found service to be good and details and travel arrangements accurate" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 16 on a Tanzania safari

"We had a wonderful time! The lodges and camps were very much as we expected - or even better. It is true that one can 'travel light' because washing really does come back on the same day. Our sightings of wildlife were beyond our expectations and have left us with some marvellous memories - and hundreds of photos. We saw leopards on no fewer that seven occasions, and lions that were within touching diistance, not to mention all the antelopes, birds and other animals.

Unfortunately there was one event that could have spoilt our holiday had we not been fairly seasoned travellers who do not easliy panic. On arrival at Lusaka we discovered that our names were not on the Proflight list for the flight to Mfuwe, and it was full. The existence of our Expert Africa voucher for the flight proved totally worthless. Fortunatey we were assisted by staff from Tours Africa, who tried to contact Expert Africa for us but it was before office hours in the UK, and Chris McIntyre's phone was on voicemail.

They then contacted Heather at Tafika, and she sorted out an eTicket for the midday flight. All this meant we lost a morning hanging around at Lusaka airport, when we were expecting to be travelling out to the Luangwa valley. When we did arrive at Mfuwe we were met by a driver who had had to make an extra round trip to pick us up when he should have been on his way to one of the Tafika bushcamps. So our arrival at Tafika was all very rushed in the end, and not at all the relaxing start to a holiday that had been planned.

We would point out that Heather also checked our return Proflight flight, and passed on an eTicket (booked by Claire Scott), as there was no booking for that either. She also checked with Shentons that they were expecting us. Considering that this holiday was booked in early February this experience was very disappointing." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari