Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"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

"We loved it! It was a perfect honeymoon and each day just got better and better. So glad we chose Sand Rivers and Pongwe which exceeded our expectations." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zanzibar holiday

"The organisation by Expert Africa was excellent - we were most impressed" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari

"We had an absolutely fantastic time and loved it. We have fallen in love with Namibia and can't wait to come back!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

As mentioned before it might be worth suggesting to people to pre-book treatments at places such as Olive Grove/Gochehanas - but this is a very small issue.

Can't otherwise see how things could have been better - thank you very much!!!" Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 5 on a Namibia trip

"Wonderful trip - what a varied and beautiful country Namibia is. Just wish we could have gone for longer - could happily stay for several days at each of the lodges. Each was unique and of high quality. The hosts were friendly and helpful, everywhere clean, and the food excellent.

We were so glad that Gwynneth persuaded us to stay at Barchan Dune Retreat (rather than our own choice). Her local knowledge on this and the road journeys (eg how difficult the Spreegshoote Pass would be) was invaluable. She answered our queries quickly and efficiently and was always courteous and good-humoured.

We usually do our own booking when we travel but appreciated having Gwynneth doing this for us and fitting the jigsaw of the accommodation together. It was helpful to be able to read other people's comments on your website." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"10 out of 10

We loved every bit of our time in the bush - wish it could have been a lot longer - we didn't really need a night in Dar at the end however.

We'll be back !

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Keep up the good work" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari