Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"With only 4 days available I feel that with the help of Sabina Hekandjo I have had a perfect, albeit short, taste of Namibia.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not a one.

However having, it seems, run out of space to comment [Ed: earlier in this 'form' for our traveller's feedback], I would like to add that my trip to Namibia was a last minute thing and all I knew I wanted was 'Dunes', Kayaking and a lodge somewhere convenient. This lack of purpose could have been a recipe for disaster.

Thanks to Sabina, who literally planned every minute of my schedule and got me to Cape Town when I needed to be there, I have literally had the trip lf a lifetime." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 2 on a Namibia trip

"Just one dissatisfaction - not all of our car transport turned up on time, and indeed the first one did not turn up at all.

One major recommendation - go in November! It is supposedly low season, but we saw a huge amount and had a fantastic time, with the greatly added benefit of having the vehicles and often camp to ourselves in the vast majority of places.

We have never been on an organised tour holiday, so I was apprehensive that we would be herded around like pack animals and miss out on the unique experience you get when you travel individually. This was not the case. I was very happy with Expert Africa and would certainly use you again if we booked another luxury trip." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"My only problem was the heat. But that is no one's fault but ours for going when it was so hot." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 4 on a Tanzania safari

"The mixture of safari and beach was wonderful.

We weren't sure where to travel to in Africa for our holiday as there are so many options but we were very pleased with the advice we received from Expert Africa as to the destination which would most suit our needs. They worked wll to fit the holiday around our budget. Every connection/transfer ran smoothly and the choices of accommodation far exceeded our expectations.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None - we were delighted with the service and our trip." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Although there were a few weeks of delay in Expert Africa staff engaging with us to start our planning, due to some staff changes and an international travel conference, we soon were underway and were guided well and promptly through decision-making.

We had been to other parts of Africa before and could articulate what we wanted, which helped. I had read other guests' reviews about the need to be careful around animals and the harsh-sounding needs for insurance and liability forms to be signed at each camp; this wasn't actually troublesome at all.

Our trip was a delight. We look forward to going back, possibly to the Chobe area next time simply to experience a different part of Botswana while it's still as pristine as it is. The national tourism policy of low-volume, high cost is working for them now; long may they maintain it.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

About the survey: start by giving a list of the subjects we will be asked to address so we know what to save for future pages. Other than that I can think of nothing. You all are excellent at what you do, and you deserve to succeed. We have already shared your name with our traveling friends." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to the Kgalagadi and Cape Town - and would happily, and enthusiastically, recommend it to others! The trip isn't for the faint hearted - or for anyone who is looking for a holiday on a plate - but if you love exploring, don't mind driving around (a lot!) and have been on safari before so you know that you won't see animals at every turn - then this trip is for you. The order you do things is important - so we would recommend Augrabies Falls, followed by the Kgalagadi, followed by Cape Town.

The wildlife we saw in the Kgalagadi was fabulous - and included the Black Maned Kalahari Lions (including a pair mating, as well as a couple of family groups and individuals), Cheetahs (including a pair lying in the shade right next to the road) and an amazing selection of antelopes, deer and other smaller mammals (including Bat Eared Foxes - and Meerkats!). As the tourist numbers in the the Kgalagadi are very low compared to other destinations in Africa, you have the chance to sit, watch and enjoy without interruption - which is a real privilege.

Cape Town is fantastic - and our only regret is not getting out to Robben Island (if you're going - make sure you pre-book ferry tickets to Robben Island in advance, as getting them when you're there is not easy).

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We think you should recommend to travellers who plan to visit the Kgalagadi that they should consider upgrading to a 4*4 vehicle. Although the roads are very good in the dry, it's a different story in the wet. But also - and perhaps more importantly - a number of the roads are below the vegetation height of the scrub/bush either side - so unless you have a high vehicle, you struggle to see the wildlife (we bumped into several people who were disappointed by the lack of wildlife - and all of them were travelling in saloon cars. Either we were lucky - or the height really did make a difference!)" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a South Africa trip

"Zanzibar was lovely, getting there and back had its downsides.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Dont send people to Dar hotel." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday

"We loved our second trip to Botswana.

It is expensive compared to East Africa for example but really suits us - generally quiet without too many people, we enjoy the little planes to fly in and out of camps, the wildlife and birdlife is great. The camp suggestions were good and Lucy and Nick were patient in helping find out availability for various combinations of camp.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Have a better system for passing messages internally.

We called and left messages 3 times which were not returned before we were able to speak to someone about Botswana. We know the team is busy but, if we had been first time callers to Expert Africa, we might not have persevered. It was only the fact that we've had such good experiences in the past with Expert Africa that meant we continued to call!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"Namibia exceeded all expectations. We keep coming back to words like 'spectacular' and 'epic' in an attempt to describe the landscapes and feeling of space.

We always felt comfortable, people are friendly and it must be the safest country in Africa. Driving is an absolute pleasure.

Accommodation and overall general standards are high. When you think how remote many of the locations were, the logistics of the lodge operations in providing those standards is very impressive.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I can think of nothing I'm afraid. We have been very impressed and will certainly consider you and other companies in your group for future holidays." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip

"We travelled a little over 2,600 miles in 3 weeks and could have carried on! We had an excellent holiday and really appreciated the differing styles of accomodation. We learnt a lot and thoroughly enjoyed Namibia. What a range of things to see and do. We would recommend Turnstone Tours who gave us an excellent trip to Sandwhich Harbour.

Chris McIntyre is clearly well regarded in this country as his name was mentioned several times.

This is our second holiday organised by Expert Africa and we would not consider travelling with anyone else to the African countries they deal with.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No - you had this one absolutley spot on. Sabina had taken on board our likes and preferences and had suggested an ideal itinery" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip