Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"We had a wonderful time staying at Mdonya and Lake Manze and the trip completely exceeded our expectations.

Within 5 minutes of landing at the airstrip we couldn't believe the amount of wildlife we saw so quickly. At both camps the staff were excellent and the accommodation was very comfortable.

We will definitly be recommending these camps to friends and family.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

no, it was perfect" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari

"Having done the trip there is somethings I know I'll do different next time, but it was a great holiday." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip

"Our trip was excellent, wouldn't change anything, and we had three very different experiences: safari in the Selous, beach paradise at Pongwe and urban madness (and excellent food!) in Stonetown.

Our arrival in Zanzibar was slightly alarming as we were hustled by bag carriers at the airport but that was as bad as it got. Our impression of Jozani forest was that it was a bit of a tourist trap but I don't regret booking it. I wouldn't rave about Eco+Culture as much as some other reviewers but their drivers were reasonably punctual and one was quite informative.

This was certainly the 'trip of a lifetime' and we have some great photos. I booked this as a surprise for my wife and she was very happy she let me do so!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday

"The whole trip worked very well. The organisation was superb. We had no worries or hiccups.

A thoroughly enjoyable holiday with abundant game, birds, great fishing and bush walks in the Selous. We were really very pleased with everything.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 16 on a Tanzania safari

"One thing we must point out is that, yet again, we were left on arrival at Cape Town airport with no transfer. We rang African Travel Canvas to enquire and were told that they had forgotten us and then the member of staff rang off. Another call prompted a promise to send a car for us. This is the second time ATC have let us down and we feel you should chase them up on this point.

Gillian Cox arrived in the evening at Parker Cottage with gifts by way of compensation and was full of apolgies. However if it is your first trip and you arrive in a strange country with no contact it could be very upsetting. Arriving after a long flight the last thing you want to do is to have to organise your transfer which has been arranged and paid for in advance.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really - we have always been very satisfied with your serivce" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 14 on a South Africa trip

"This was the best holiday we have ever had, and we've had some excellent holidays.

All travel arrangements went smoothly. Our itinerary was excellent with a great choice of camps. We liked every camp and everthing went so well that we arrived home feeling completely rested and relaxed. Other guests and guides or managers who saw our itinerary in South Luangwa said we had made very good choices. I'm pleased we chose camps that offered walking as we grew to love starting the day with a walk.

We are already thinking about our next trip and will use Expert Africa again. Thanks Maruska for arranging this wonderful trip.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None. The trip was perfect." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 22 on a Zambia safari

"Our trip as a whole was fantastic.

It completely lived up to our expectations and we most certainly recommend Expert Africa to our friends.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Since Expert Africa had no suggestions for Springbok & Namaqualand accommodation, we made our own bookings. We highly recommend Naries Namaqualand located about 30 km east of Springbok, especially the mountain suites. This was equivalent to or greater in luxury than Xaus.

As a critique, the Expert Africa staff knew we were planning to visit Kruger Park, Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Augrabies Falls and Namaqualand. We think it would have been appropriate for someone to suggest we purchase or at least investigate the feasibility of a SANParks Wild Card as this can save money on daily conservation fees within the parks." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 7 on a South Africa trip

"Absolutely fantastic. Rwanda is a beautiful country.

Our guide Theo was wonderful and we saw so much more than the gorillas (which were amazing). We would strongly encourage anyone to visit Rwanda and to see as much of the country as possible.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

the only small improvement would be to have one night at Kibuye and then a second night either at Gisenyi (FCO permitting) or back in Kigali. That would still leave time for a boat trip on the lake but would provide nicer accomodation." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Rwanda safari

"This is the second time we have travelled with Expert Africa (and our third time with Sunvil) and I wouldn't hesitate to use your services again. From start to finish Liz could not have been more helpful and knowledgeable – particularly as I had in mind a fairly complicated itinerary built round a special wedding anniversary and including a surprise bush camp night.

Everything went smoothly from start to finish; the accommodation recommendations were spot on; the advice was first class; and all my questions and concerns were answered very promptly. I have recommended Expert Africa to several friends and colleagues, and passed a couple of your cards to fellow travellers along the way!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Just one thing: more specific advice on tipping at each place would be helpful, although I realise this is a difficult proposition. We were given a benchmark of $10 per person per day on safari, but when we were at Beho Beho $5–$10 was suggested as appropriate for the lodge staff, but guides were also to be tipped $10 per person per drive/walk. We had already put our tip in the general tips box only to discover that this was for house staff only and that we should tip the guides personally. It was all rather awkward.

We also did not know how much was appropriate as a tip for Thadeo, our 'butler' at Matemwe Retreat, so we just had to guess." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari

"After three previous planned trips, our long-awaited Zambia safari fulfilled all of our (lofty) expectations.

The varied, fun-filled days and nights in Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa were all that we had hoped for and both parks more than deserve their reputation. To just name a few highlights: 7 great leopard sightings in 10 days, lions hunting/feeding on buffalo/playing with cubs, elephants within reach (his and mine), lazily canoeing down the great Zambezi river (incl. hippo "bump") or herds of elephant majestically crossing the Luangwa/Zambezi.

Lake Malawi and Kaya Mawa has been a wonderful addition that should not be missed.

As usual, thank you very much to Ellie and the Expert Africa team for their knowledgeable advice and valuable service - there is a reason we have booked all of our Africa trips with Expert Africa during the last 10 years. May there be many more to come

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Keep doing what you are doing" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari