Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"We were very lucky as it was a fantastic holiday but had we taken other options it would have been less so. Praslin was perfect for a beach holiday and Anse Volbert absolutely ideal. Beware advice to stay in the "best" beaches like Anse Lazio -this just means they'll be lots of people there - better for a day trip.

Beware the government overcharges for everything. Euro 20 per person over 12 to visit the Coco de Mer - ditto to visit the marine park, ditto the ferry to La Digue. As a direct result we skipped the last of these but those we did-including snorkelling at St Pierre was very worthwhile.

Mahe was great as we did it but we couldn't see that any hotel was worth staying at. The famous beach Beau Vallon has too many hotels and is popular with the locals-fine for a day but otherwise go to any good beach in Europe at much less cost. The west coast is gorgeous but the water too rough for anything other than diving into the waves - again not good for a week.The east coast has that dreadful ribbon development all along its length except for the very south-but take sandwiches.You'd feel robbed if you stayed at any hotel for a week.

Bear in mind that Mahe attracts clouds - it won't be sunny all the time.

Bird Island was unbelievable - if we went back we would return there and go to some of the other smaller islands.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The Bradt guide was out of date or misleading we felt.Look at the descriptions of Beau Vallon and Anse Volbert.Wrong way round but thank goodness perhaps.Casuarina Beach burnt down 3 years before and the beach can never have been great.
It failed to explain properly the varying conditions depending on the time of year.

[ Ed: We'd like to make it very clear here that Expert Africa's Chris McIntyre had absolutely nothing to do with the Bradt guide to the Seychelles. Chris is responsible for his own guides to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zanzibar ... but has never had any input into the Seychelles guide. ]" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 7 on a Seychelles holiday

"We thought this was a fantastic trip and it confirmed our love of Africa. The people were wonderful and we were helped whenever we needed it - puncture on Zanzibar, getting lost in Stone Town etc. We never had any concerns for our safety and felt that the Tanzanians must be the gentlest people we have encountered.

Go to Ruaha - the game is a s good as Chobe in Botswana. Selous is a good alternative and has the advantage of water activities and walking safaris. Game is harder to find though.

Breezes is great if you have children, its facilities are good, it is safe and the perfect spot to unwind.

I would avoid the Zanzibar Coffee House except for cake and coffee. There are better alternatives - we were moved to Grand Palace Hotel which is brand new (and has a few teething problems) and the Swahili House looked good as well. We had an excellent Italian meal at the Spice House.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really. This is our second trip with you and third with Sunvil group in 4 years. Thinking about next year already." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"The first week on safari was great, the second weelk in Zanzibar was good but not as good as the first week. We will not be recommending Breezes to any of our friends. Serena Hotel was great." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Overall our trip has been a great success. Namibia is a fantastic country to visit. The planning was easy with Sabina expert help, your website is excellent, the information you sent such as the guidbook and all the snippets of paper were all very useful while we were out there.

We loved the country, have learned a lot, and have had a wonderful rest in all the stunning lodges we visited.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Sabina was fantastic. We didn't care two hoots over the muddle with the kayaking, but were tremendously appreciative of the efforts she made to sort out the confusion.

All of her comments and suggestions during the planning stages were tremendously helpful: advice re roads, what was acheivable in the time we had, ideas for places to go,what we shouldn't miss, how to keep within our budget etc etc

Sabina always answered phone calls and emails promptly and was excplicit about what was being proposed or arranged.
(Thank you Sabina for arranging all the birthday cakes for Emily and Douglas- it really made their days and was a lovely personal touch. We are writing to the lodges concerned to thank tham again)

We have had a very positive experience and would have no hesitation in using Expert Africa again ourselves, or recommending the company to other would- be travellers. Thank you very much." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip

"Namibia lived up everything that Expert Africa promised. Getting around was much easier than expected and the quality of the accommodation, food and service were all excellent.

The 2WD car proved perfectly OK, although it did mean taking it slowly on some sections of corrugated roads around Solitaire and Palmwag.

We were so glad we booked up three nights stays at various places. In our opinion this makes a huge difference to making the most of what's on offer in the different regions. We could easily have stayed another three weeks." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip

"Absolutely loved every minute of our holiday. Lived up to and exceeded our expectations in every way. We loved the country - the scenery is incredible, the people the friendliest we have met in any African country and the accommodation in general at a high standard (possibly because much is fairly new).

Every day was different, we saw lots of the country (leaving the Caprivi Strip for another holiday) and spent much of each day telling each other how much we were enjoying ourselves!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Nothing I can think of" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 19 on a Namibia trip

"The trip was fantastic, on the whole it operated very smoothly and we did not have to worry at all about where or when we were going places.

We would definately use Expert Africa again." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari

"Our trip was a model of smooth organisation thanks to Lucy at Expert Africa with similar efficiency at all the camps and connections we encountered in Botswana.

We received excellent and accurate advice from Lucy on which camps to choose. The website descriptions are detailed and well-balanced. We found everything as set out.

This really was a trip of a lifetime - made especially so by the fact that the information about it being a celebration of our 20th wedding anniversary had been passed on to the camps; at Kanana and Zarafa we were given an intimate dining experience (at Zarafa in our tent, at Kanana alone on the deck). At Little Vumbura we had a welcoming bottle of fizz chilling in our tent.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No - we feel your expertise and personal touch made you the best holiday agent we have dealt with." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Our trip was fantastic from beginning to end.

Your recommendation of the Selous was excellent as we saw all the animals we could wish for and enjoyed the extra activities of river/lake trips and fishing.

As a family group there was something for everyone.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No, you thought of everything!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari

"Incredibly well put together, good advice, everything worked like clockwork and we would definitely use you again and recommend you to friends." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip