Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"Our 3 week trip took in Zimbabwe, Botswana & Namibia. Maruska and the rest of the EA team were invaluable in the planning phase.

We completed 3850km (mostly on good tar roads at 120kph) in my brother's 8 year/150,000km-old Toyota Corrolla, without a hitch. Only disappointment: we didn't get a chance to sample the rescue & recovery services. Reports from fellow travellers were however encouraging and there was enough traffic on all roads to give us confidence. Border crossings were troulble free and relatively quick. We used Tom-Tom SatNav with the Southern Africa maps from UK, it was a good supplement to the paper maps and Brandt guidebooks, giving us accurate road mileages and ETAs.

In Bulawayo we stayed at the Banff Lodge: highly recommended. Travel in Zimbabwe was a pleasent surprise: recent changes to make USD & ZAR official have made it much easier for foreigners. There is an air of quiet optimism about, but filling stations, electricity and phone connections are not constantly available, and the neglect of infrastucture & public facility maintenance is quite evident. No problems with immigration/emigration (we did both twice), and people generally very friendly, welcomong and helpful.

The lodges we chose were most satisfactory and exceeded our expectations in many cases, particularly Chitabe Lebida, Etosha Aoba & Camp Kwando. Due to the distances travelled, we did not spend long enough at some ot the locations, but I don't see any way around this as we wanted to drive to get a good feel of the countries visited, maybe next time we'll stay an extra week or two! We would spend more time in the Delta: Chitabe is largely dry and we would liked to have sampled a wetter location too. Similarly, Etosha merits more than just 3 days in the Eastern sector." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"We really enjoyed it. There were some long drives which got a bit tiring particularly when coupled with border crossings (6 in total) but it was very interesting to see the way the scenery changed from arid to wetland. We were also interested to see how the culture changed significantly once we crossed the border into Rundu province.

When we reached Victoria Falls we felt very satisfied that we (or rather my husband) had driven all the way up from Cape Town over the course of 3 holidays (thanks for the idea Chris).

Some of the scenery was superb - we've never seen such beautiful and unspoilt wetland areas. We considered ourselves fortunate to have seen it at a time of exceptionally high water although the recent flooding has not been great for local residents" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"We had an absolutely fantastic visit to Namibia. We loved the accomodation, particularly Mushara Outpost and Erongo Wilderness Lodge - both recommended by Expert Africa. The Brandt Guide was very good and we appreciated the map supplied (now a little out of date re tar roads etc) when we booked our holiday.

Our main reason for visiting Namibia was to visit our daughter who is working in Opuwo setting up lodges and camping trails for local communities so this, along with the time we had available, determined where we went. We will definately return to Namibia (next year) and would use Expert Africa again as the advice was so helpful and the suggestions for accommodation excellent.

The only comment I would make (and it was never a problem) is that when we arrived at each lodge, they never seemed to have a note of our booking, although one did have something under "Anne". So at the beginning of our trip, we were wondering if our booking was confirmed as we arrived at each place but there was never a problem in the end.

Local water supply was great everywhere except Opuwo which was not drinkable but the lodge suppied 2 small bottles of water in the room.

For interest, we also used "Tracks for Africa" and a Garmin GPS system and this was great for finding petrol stations and ATMs etc. Supermarkets were fairly abundant and the supermarket in Opuwo was an amazing experience. It looks like a European supermarket but you find yourself in a checkout queue with a Himba woman in front out you and a Herero and Themba woman behind whilst being served by someone from Damaraland. It was stunning.

Suggestions for improvement:

None really - for us, the service and advice was perfect." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"Overall my trip was a great experience and I have many fond memories of my time there and all the truly wonderful people I met and became friends with.

Suggestions for improvements:

Not really any I can think of!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"One of the best trips we've ever done (and we've done a few similar).

The four places we visited were all excellent in different ways, which was what we hoped for. We have been to Zambia three times before at the end of the dry season, and we wanted to see it at a different time of year and visit new places. Mutininondo and Shiwa were recommendtaions from people we'd met on previous trips, and Claire was able to reassure us that they would be good so we were dleighted that they were. Claire's recommendation to go to Shoebill was also excellent.

All in all, a wondeful experience, great scenery, excellent wildlife and we met some very interesting people.

Suggestions for improvements:

Can't think of anything. Efficient, friendly service. Helpful in setting everthing up kept us infomed about changes." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari

"Fantastic - can only urge others to both use Expert Africa and go to Namibia.

Suggestions for improvement:

no your service was excellent - though please see comments re car hire experience" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"I have run out of superlatives to to express how much we enjoyed this holiday. Our main reason for the trip was to see the wildlife and we weren't disappointed.

All the lodges surpassed our expectations

Suggestions for improvement:

For us you can't improve on perfection.." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"A wonderful country with an abundance of game - despite it not being peak viewing time.

Superb people with a wicked sense of humour.

Scenery some of the best we have experienced anywhere in the world with much of it surrounding the excellent lodges.

Suggestions for improvement:

None - I would certainly recommend Expert Africa." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!

After just 24h in th bush it felt as if we had been away from the humdrum of UK life for an age. We have rarely experienced service as good as that provided by Wilderness staff anywhere in the world and would recommend the company very highly to other travellers. We will definiteley book another holiday in Africa in the future.

Suggestions for improvements:

Keep it up! Excellent in all respects." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"We had a great time.

This was our second trip organised through Expert Africa and once again the service we received was excellent. Everything was very well organised by Expert Africa; Susannah gave us sterling advice that was well tailored to provide exactly what we were looking for. The Kwando camps we visited were outstanding and we would recommend both Expert Africa and Kwando to anyone considering a trip to Botswana.

We would also, by the way, recommend that everyone shoudl consider a trip to Botswana.

Suggestions for improvements:

No. I would just like to thank you again for a great holiday." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari