Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"This was the most expensive holiday we have ever taken - but it was truly worth it. Botswana seems to have got it just right. There was no commercial feel to it, just observing the natural world, and being guided by locals who you felt genuinely care about the environment, love their jobs, are well trained and justly proud of their country.

Suggestions for improvements:

You are right - it really is COLD in the mornings! Lots of layers are the best things to take - and I was very pleased I had my gloves.

We took your advice on the order we did our trip, and for safari novices it was really good - the night in Motsentsela to acclimatise, then starting the trip at Muchenje - luxurious and a good overview - then Lagoon where we got a bit more involved by following the wild dogs, and some hunting lions, and then finishing with Grant at Santantadibe where we really felt a part of the African bush.

I cannot think of anything that could have improved our trip (oh, perhaps if we could have stayed longer..)" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"The very satisfactory above just about says it all." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip

"We were both very happy with the trip, all the arrangements went smoothly. I am vary satisfied with Expert Africa and will be recommending it. Your service, as compared to the general standard here in Holland is outstanding." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"This trip should have been superb, but DSM's illness restricted our enjoyment.

The aftermath of the gastro-enteritis, which included a broken ankle bone and a thrombosis, will continue to Feb 2010 at least. The gastro-enteritis bug was never identified as DSM was admitted to the Infectious Diseases Unit at Newcastle General Hospital only three weeks after the incident and ten days after we returned home." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari

"Driver ( Martin) was particularly good. However, unlike nearly all other vehicles , this one did not have sun canopies.

We had a problem with flights at one stage and tried ringing the Sunvil '24 hour helpline'. I rang 10 times and left at least 3 messages but never received a reply. In the end i had to ring Claire on her mobile early in the morning to get help." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari

"A memorable experience - although we have been to Africa several times before, we still had new sights and experiences.

Claire tailored an excellent itinerary and her suggestions of locations that suited us were spot on. We would certainly use Expert Africa again." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari

"We saved money for several years to catch our dream to go to Africa. Then, more than one year in advance we started to plan the trip in detail, together with the most professional staff from Expert Africa.

Of course there was a risk that we created too big expectations. But during the trip and now afterwards when we talk about our adventures, we can easily say that this was above all expectations - the tanzanian people, the wildlife and the excellent food has given us a memory for life." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Despite comments made on the previous page about our time at Linyanti, we enjoyed the holiday as a whole and had some excellent and unique experiences. We don't think the additional cost of travellilng to Botswana was worth it since there was no more exclusivity than we have received elsewhere e.g. Beho Beho in the Selous and Chongwe River House in the Lower Zambezi NP - both booked through Expert Africa.

Suggestions for improvements:

Maybe have more confidence in sending more tourists to Vic Falls ...?" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Everything from beginning to end was beyond our wildest dreams. All on our wish list had been ticked. The Zambian people are exceptionally friendly.

We felt Expert Africa organised the safari overall very effectively. Staff at Expert Africa, especially Lucy, were always helpful and informative. The overall operation of the safari by Norman Carr was exceptional, everything went like clockwork.

Thank you Expert Africa for an experience of a lifetime!!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"Several times on the trip staff at our various locations commented positively on how well organized this trip was, how every detail of our ongoing trip was confirmed and that people all along the way were expecting us. We were also impressed that several folks knew Chris McIntire and spoke so highly of him. Well done!

We have already recommended Expert Africa to several of our friends who are looking to travel to southern Africa and we will always use yoru services in future trips there. Thank you so much for all your work setting this up, knowing the best places to go, it was really the trip of a lifetime!

Two suggestions: we traveled by car from Gaboronne to Kasane (which we suggested and wanted to do) but wouldn't again because the road from Francistown to Kasane is the most horrendous road we have ever been on...I can't believe they even let cars attempt it...huge craters in the road big enough to swallow a VW mini-bus, we ended up driving way over on the shoulder to avoid wrecking the car. It doesn't look like this road is going to get fixed any time soon, either so please insist that people need to hire a 4x4 vehicle if they are going to drive on it.

Likewise with the road to the Rhino Camp (it wasn't as bad as the road in Botswana). It would have been wiser for us to hire a 4x4. While we managed to travel fine on these roads, the stress of not wanting to damage the undercarriage (which was not covered in the insurance) and the rush to get to the Rhino camp pick up location on time--made us with we had a vehicle with more clearance.

Overall it was a wonderful trip. Again thank you Maruska for all your hard work getting this together. We will look forward to using Expert Africa again on our next visit to southern Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service

I think I've put these into the regular comments. Hard to say how it could have been improved at all. Expert Africa ROCKS!" Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip