Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"A perfect combination of activity and relaxation - we couldn't have asked for more.

Expert Africa were really helpful when our BA flight was delayed - much appreciated." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"Firstly, thank you all very much for organising such a wonderful holiday. The pre-holiday information removed all the usual anxiety of the unknown and, with a few minor exceptions, was very very helpful.

You didnlt ask about Primate Safaris so I have to ass that they were fantastic – our guide was William. What a great guy, he looked after us very well.

Seeing the Gorillas was just amazing – what an experience! The trek wasn't particularly difficult (thankfully), it only took about an hour and 10 minutes in total, and not too hard either. With hindsight we should have done 2 gorilla treks. The Golden Monkeys were interesting but nothing like seeing the gorillas – we were the only people who did the monkey trek, so we had a guide, a trainee guide, two trackers, a porter and two armed guards – and us!!!

A couple of things that are different from your info:

There is an exit charge from Zanzibar Airport of $30 each. We were told that there was no facility to get money from the airport and anyway they would only accept it in US$. What happens if we don't have $60 cash we asked – you get a taxi to Stone Town and get the money, was the reply. Fortunately we had $62 – but I just don't know what would have happened if it had been a Sunday and the banks were shut.

The Spice Tour was $60 EACH – for about 2 & a half hours and 1 hour 20 minutes of that was travelling to and fro. Interesting but not worth £85.

All in all we had a truly wonderful holiday and would not hesitate in recommending Expert Africa. We will certainly be back.

Many thanks" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zanzibar holiday

"It was a wonderful trip. It was very efficiently organised by Sabina and there were no hitches at all. With only one exception, the accommodation and service surpassed our expectations.

We were particularly impressed by the guides. They were all so motivated and had an amazing knowledge of the flora and fauna. We were looked after by so many friendly and helpful people.

It was our first trip to Africa and we were so impressed by all that we saw. We're already planning another trip and would certainly choose Expert Africa again.

Suggestions for improvement:

We can't think of any" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"This was a fantastic holiday.

The accommodation was well chosen, the information supplied was second to none, (maps, routes and instructions on how to get to the accommodation).

Suggestions for improvement:

Because of the time of year, it was suggested that a 4X4 would be a good idea. The extra cost put the overall price over our budget so we opted to go earlier. We had no need for a 4X4 but the state of the roads, with severe 'washboarding' meant that a small saloon, with its firm suspension, was very tiring in some places. We could not maintain more than 30 Kph in some places, whilst being passed, at speed, by larger cars with bigger wheels and softer suspension. I cannot suggest a cure for this other than to let future clients read this comment.

On a lighter note, it was worth having a second spare wheel for the peace of mind and the fact that having a second meant that we never needed either of them! We met many people who had had punctures.

An anecdotal word of warning :- One couple had a puncture, jacked the car up and found the second wheel was the wrong size, got out the original spare which turned out to be flat. Hire company not known." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"This was our forth trip to southern Africa. It was undoubtedly the best for animal sightings. It was more restricting than driving ourselves around Etosha or the Kalagadi or being driven around Etosha from Ongava in that there is nothing to do between 1100 and 1600. The six people to a vehicle at Kwando is very bad, fortunatel we only had that happen three times in 18 drives so it wasn't too bad. However if we had been there when the camps were full it would have definitely spoilt the holiday.

Salinda, I'm told. have three seats down either side of the vehicle and all other camps we have stayed at have three rows of seats. Apart from being cramped the person in the centre of the three can't see very much as their side view is restricted and those in the second row have forward vision restricted as well.

The Kwando vehicle seating is the only real complaint of the whole trip. The Kwando experience was really fantastic we saw just about every animal we wanted to see, the only exceptions were cheetah and leopard cubs! We would certainly recommend the Kwando circuit to any one, especially Kwara. I think that three nights at each camp is the minimum one should have and we would have been happy with five nights at Kwara. If we were to go back to northern Botswana we would certainly go to Kwara but probably not Lagoon and Lebala.

Baines, whilst not e real dissappointment, was not in the same league a the others. It may be that had we done Baines first we would have felt differently but the guides we had weren't upto Kwado standards and there didn't seem to be enough land to visit different areas on different drives." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"The Expert Africa website is a great starting point - it is rare to get so much information including honest assessments from EA about the lodges. The in depth practical information is very useful.

Ellie could not have been more helpful and friendly. The lodges that she suggested for us were perfect - she really listed to what we said about the type of holiday and accommodation we were after. We spent a lot of time talking through the pros and cons of different venues and it was refreshing to speak to a tour operator who would give you their own views.

We had a fantastic time and can't thank Expert Africa enough for all your help and careful planning!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"Excellent. We enjoyed all aspects of our trip and were impressed with the accuracy of EA's descriptions of the various parts of our holiday and what we might expect. The lists of what to pack etc were also extremely helpful, as was the Brandt guidebook.

I should also mention Claire Scott, who dealt very efficiently with our holiday arrangements whilst Eleanor was away." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari

"This was really the experience of a lifetime. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip from start to finish. Lake Manze was just what I was looking for from a safari experience and Shooting Star Lodge was the ideal place to go to relax and enjoy the sun afterwards.

There are two VERY minor points to do with travelling. The driver from Kearsley who picked me up from the airport did not know what time I was to be collected the following morning to be returned to the airport. The driver was waiting when I got to reception in the morning, but it would have been good to know the time in advance. Also, Coastal Aviation tranferred me from the domestic to international terminal on my return, which was very easy, but it would have been good to know that this would happen in advance.

Suggestions for improvements:

The website is excellent with a great deal of helpful information to help in planning the trip. When trying to select a hotel in Zanzibar, however, the lack of clear pricing made it quite difficult to establish which hotels would be within my price range. Claire was very helpful when I phoned to ask her advice, but I had initially discounted being able to book at Shooting Star Lodge because the website pictures suggested that it would be well outside my price range.

The information booklet was great with lots of very helpful information for trip preparation.

I would definitely used Expert Africa for booking a future trip. Thank you for all your help." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari

"We had a truly wonderful time. We found nothing but courtesy and friendliness in Zanzibar, and everyone was incredibly welcoming.

We were taught a few Swahili phrases each day by staff at Fumba Beach Lodge - and it really is worthwhile using it with local residents. The organisation of the trip by Expert Africa was superb: they really know what they are talking about, and they took the trouble over even the smallest details.

We came back much refreshed - and, once in the UK in gloomy November, immediately wished we were back there!

Suggestions for improvement:

No suggestions - you clearly understand your clientele and how you can tailor a holiday to suit their requirements." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 4 on a Zanzibar holiday

"The trip was good and well organised. Unfortunately we were both `under the weather ` slightly due to a cough bug so probably didnt enjoy it as much as we should but that is life!!

It was certainly lovely seeing all the animals in the wild and appreciating how everything is inter related in the survival there.

Suggestions for improvement:

Perhaps a smaller hotel which is more personal in Dar would be nice especially after the good service we received at the camps etc." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari