Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"When on the ground everything went extremely smoothly and the itinerary was so well planned that we didn't have any gaps of time waiting for transfers. We also felt confident that everything had been taken care of because the Expert Africa team seemed to know exactly what they are doing.

We felt that Ellie had gone out of her way to make sure that the holiday was as good as it could be. When we were planning the itinerary she could provide good insights into the each of the places we were thinking of going to and appeared to know them well.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

If you had been able to handle purchase of the British Airways tickets using part air-miles then we would have preferred to book these through Expert Africa.

Otherwise, it was hard to improve upon!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"We have been on a few safaris in various African Countries and without a doubt this was the best we have done.
From the initial enquiry to Claire, through to the very efficient transfers from airports to camps. It was very well organised. Thank you.

All 3 camps came up to our expectations because you had given us all the correct and relevant information.

The wildlife watching, which was principally our aim, was very very good in Selous. Obviously in Ruaha a lot of the large game had gone to find the earlier rain in the hills, but we saw so much more variety because of the rain.

So, a very big thank you to Expert Africa. We will hopefully be back for more safari experiences (when we have saved up again !!!)" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"An amazing trip, certainly unforgettable. We thought it would be the trip of a lifetime, but now we are not sure. We may need to go back!

Next time I'd like to see some options so I get to choose what I am payng for. (type of vehicle, accommodation options, activities etc.) On this occasion we booked quite late so the options would have been limited, but having visited we know there are different camps

We were impressed with the itinerary that Sabina sorted for us, particularly booking the accommodations she did at such short notice. It was a pleasure to meet Chris at Ongava.

Thank you Sabina" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"Overall our trip was excellent.

Once again the advice and recommendations from Expert Africa allowed us to plan a trip that met our needs and expectations. No doubt other camps in South Luangwa are also very good but Kaingo Camp met or exceeded our goals and expectations for this trip.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The Expert Africa website remains one of the most thorough and informative websites I have encountered and the staff we worked with on this trip and our previous trip to Botswana were superb.

I will use Expert Africa again when we next have an opportunity to travel to Africa." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"excellent" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"very please to have taken the advice given by Expert Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Do think of other airlines apart from BA" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"We had an absolutely amazing trip to Zambia and Namibia and a lot of this was thanks to the excellent advice and recommendations from the Expert Africa Staff and the reviews of previous customers on the website.

Everything worked like clockwork and we would definitely use Expert Africa again. Indeed we have already recommended you to a couple of our friends planning Africa holidays....

Suggestions for improvements:

We were very impressed with the service - cannot fault it. It was especially helpful getting notes on the trip, maps etc prior to departure." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip

"Brilliant" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a South Africa trip

"1. Botswana delivers the ultimate in high-quality, varied and abundant game viewing, in a beautiful setting. Also, it seemed that all the camps have a policy of ensuring that there are no more than 4 people in a vehicle - often, we had the vehicle to ourselves as a pair.

2. The lodges are run very well, and are also high quality - albeit, they lack any individuality or idiosyncrasies. The Wilderness experience is, therefore, very reliable, but a bit corporate. Nevertheless, it does what it says on the tin, and does it very well.

3. The company needs to be more thoughtful about how it manages interaction between staff and guests. The staff are a constant presence - breakfast, coffee breaks, brunch, tea, pre-dinner drinks, dinner - and, while always lovely people, are not necessarily the most gifted conversationalists (true of quite a few guests, mind you). It can be quite oppressive having to 'manage' the conversation, and it can interfere with one's ability to socialise easily with other guests. One can in theory choose to ignore the staff, but this is hardly British. I understand that safaris are meant to be communal, and that the company doesn't want an atmosphere of servile staff and snooty guests (not at the classic camps, anyway) - but the balance is absolutely not right at the moment.

4. Standards of guiding, while competent and friendly, falll a long way short of the standards we have experienced in Tanzania and Zambia from guides trained in Zimbabwe. The knowledge of the guides is often superficial, and they can get quite flustered by questions which take them out of their comfort zone. Standards of tracking seemed low. There is a need for significant investment in training if the standards are to reach the levels whereby a guide can transform your experience of a game drive.

5. There should be more active management of a variety of options for activities - too often, it was assumed that a day drive was all that was ever wanted.

6. Except at Chitabe, the main meals were very uninspiring as a rule.

7. On the other hand, I have never had such a mosquito free trip! Well done to the camps for making the nights a really relaxing time for sleeping." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"It was a wonderful trip - we never expected to see quite so much game, and to have quite such close encounters.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

This is not a criticism - just a suggestion... There's a lot of literature sent out and it might be helpful if some of the salient points, such as baggage weight restrictions and the requirement for yellow fever innoculations, could be emphasised either by e-mail or over the phone once a booking is confirmed." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari