Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"# Please also refer to our 14 June letter to Ellie and Liz, with our Expert Africa experience to that date. [Ed: See below for extract from this letter.]

# Thank you both for arranging a faultless trip which was close to perfect. We are already looking at a future trip and will keep an eye open for further news of Coastal's new KILIMATITI Camp that we understand is currently being built near the Olduvari Gorge.

Asante,
Brian and Colin

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

# tipping safasri camp staff - please see earlier comments on Mdonya page. We feel very strongly that the tip box is the best solution so that all the camp staff share in the guests tips. Not all guests had had the benefit of Expert Africa's comprehensive literature so it is important that the camp managers gently weave in the tip box solutioin into their welcome briefings.

# we were very pleased to have arranged to overnight in Dar before going on safari. Indeed several of the Manze guests (not Expert A clients) were quite envious as even though their BA flight arrived on time, they apparently found the process of changing terminals, sorting out baggage to store etc etc somewhat stressful in order to make the 8.30 flight to Selous. Clearly there are cost implications but perhaps worth considering sowing the seed of overnighting to future clients? The point was underlined as the inbound BA flight on 23 July arrived some 45 minutes late, which meant a huge challenge for Coastal if there were any clients booked on the 8.30 Selous flight?

# day in Dar - the pre-booked car proved to be a wise decision. In particular, we were very impressed that our Kearsley driver was well briefed and had a copy of the suggested itinerary that we had shared with Liz and he was a useful mentor when buying presents. We eventually found 'Wonder Workshop' and although they had just closed, we were made very welcome - thanks for the recommendation. Also, we recommend lunch on the balcony of the Karamba Cafe, Sea Cliff Hotel - G&T's and a superb seafood platter overlooking the Indian Ocean was a great scene setter for what proved to be a superb safari." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"A really good trip overall but Breezes was very disappointing

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

As stated above. The holiday was not cheap and we did not think Breezes was worth the money we paid for it - definite budget hotel. Had we known, we would not have gone for a resort style hotel but opted for something smaller without the facilities as the facilities at Breezes were less than satisfactory." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari

"Many thanks to Expert Africa for good advice and arranging a truly superb trip to Tanzania. A great place to bring teenage children.

We will certainly be back to Africa." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari

"This was a completely wonderful holiday - exceeded our very high expectations.

Was so pleased I used Expert Africa: good advice at every stage, and so we got a trip that was just what we wanted. It was obvious that all the staff members I spoke to had first-hand experience of the camps and so could really help with our choices, and were very helpful talking through what we needed to consider.

Thank you.

These travellers subsequently wrote to us:

As you see, we really did have a fantastic holiday, and are extremely pleased that we used Expert Africa to help us get the trip we wanted. We realised while we were away how good your advice had been, and that we had a more "adventurous" holiday than I would have confident booking without that advice.

Not all the other people we met while we were away felt they had such a good experience with their own agents. This was often because they had taken a package deal so had little if any choice of camp and hadn't not known what to expect, through a variety of people with small problems changing onto internal flights at Dar Es Salaam, to some people who had been routed through Johannesburg during the World Cup and found themselves with nowhere to stay!

We were happy to mention Expert Africa as we really felt that the whole trip was very well organised and just what we hoped. The two camps in particular were so welcoming especially to the children - before we left, so many people had told me how brave I was to take my kids on safari that I had started to wonder whether it really was a sensible decision, but they loved it, learnt so much and felt included in everything we did." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Fantastic trip - it was like having 3 seperate holidays as all bases and locations were so different. For a relatively short trip (10 days) we couldn't have asked for more!

My only regret is having read comments about how cold it is at this time of year we packed warmer things.....we still were very cold and could have done with winter jackets." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari

"We had an amazing trip; we've been to Southern Africa many times before and this was one of the best trips we've made.

We took in some football and then fled the vuvuzelas (which we actually quite liked) for Botswana and Zimbabwe. Maruska was outstanding and as usual Chris knew his stuff!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zimbabwe safari

"the balance of a week in the peaks at Robin Pope Camps in South Lunganga and six night at sausage tree was just right and provided good value.

Pioneer Camp would have been fine when the weather was hot but not during the coldest month of the year. it was a sad end to a wonderful trip and as cost wasnt an issue for this night then poor advice from you." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari

"I count myself as very lucky for having been able to take this trip to Rwanda and Tanzania. Both countries are so beautiful, and it is a profound spiritual experience to see nature in such raw form.

From a practical standpoint, everything went smoothly, and from the moment I boarded the BA flight to Nairobi, I didn't have to give a thought to logistics, and was just able to relax and focus on the trip. This was my third trip with Expert Africa and I can't imagine using another travel agency. I really trust Expert Africa and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"We enjoyed every moment of our trip to South Luangwa & Lake Malawi and are left with some wonderful memories & over 1400 photographs to sort through. Expert Africa's travel arrangements were faultless and the help given in planning our trip very knowledgeable. This was our second trip with Expert Africa and we would certainly recommend them and will use them again.

We have stayed in excellent camps and would recommend Robin Pope & The Bushcamp company equally. The game viewing was excellent and the hospitality everywhere was beyond expectations.

The weather in late June was not too hot during the day and not too cold at night, couldn't have been better." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"From our first enquiry (taken by Anna) to our return home, your company's arrangement were faultless and comprehensive. Our bush camp experience exceeded all possible expectations and we would recommend the Bushcamp Company without reservation.
We appreciate that BA is the only airline serving Lusaka, but we would have reservations about flying with them again.

As we have said in the feedback, the Pioneer Camp was disappointing - perhaps there are better alternatives.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We think this feedback form is fantastic. Many times we have taken the trouble to write to other comapanies after a trip, and we never get evan an acknowledgement, and get the feeling they don't really want it. You obviously do. We shall certainly consider travelling with you again, and have no hesitation in recommending you to our friends." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari