Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"We wanted the holiday of a lifetime to celebrate our silver wedding and all of our hopes were exceeded. this was our first holiday in Africa but probably won't be our last.

Safari was outstanding at Sand Rivers - you really felt that you were the only people there at times.

Mafia is almost undeveloped and gives a very authenic view of the area and its people." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari

"Exceeded expectations which was tough as they were high.

Expert Africa had listened to our requests to walk and for night drives, and the camps provided a flexible, responsive service having clearly been informed of our priorities which meant that the holiday vastly exceeded our high prior expectations.

Suggestions for improvement:

Advise potential customers to think through what they want and be specific." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"We loved every minute of our whole trip and felt we were given good advice and information on all the places we visited. We felt we could have every confidence in Expert Africa and we weren't disappointed, would recommend them to anyone planning a safari." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"The small stay at Shinde came at the right moment of the holidays. After having been driving Namibia two weeks we deserved some rest, and we found it at this camp. The staff look after guests all the time, but without being bothering, quite gentle and helpful.

It was expensive according to what we spent in some other parts of Africa (including Botswana), but I think this is not a matter of Expert Africa, but of the Botswana government policy and the lodge operators.

In any case we received what we were expecting and our feedback is satisfactory" Read full review: 2 nights in Africa; 2 on a Botswana safari

"Expert Africa got it right every time.

We did everything in the right order and their advice really made a big difference. It was worthwhile using Expert Africa, Other independent travellers did not always seem to get the same quality of experience that we got.

The entire trip was the best we've ever had and we are quite used to travelling in the developing world." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"Having talked about this trip for about five years, when we got round to booking it we had a marvellous and unforgettable experience. It was everthing we hoped - and more.

Very glad that local Zambian staff are being used so extensively - we found them to be among the most impressive.

The organisation and Anna's recommendations were spot on - and she couldn't have been more helpful.

Suggestions for improvement:

The brochure needed explanation as to how a package covering several different camps run by different companies could be put together. So the personal service is essential." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"Exceeded our expectations mostly because the scenery was truely breath taking and very varied.

We were unable to take any cultural tours as kids were not allowed on the options we were interested in and I did feel that our overall content lacked more indigenous cultural content and we were left with questions without a venue to ask them." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"An excellent trip, Namibia cannot fail to impress as a holiday destination.

One blot on the copy book was our NWR bookings had all been cancelled. Sossus Dune Lodge: the manager managed to sort things out for us without any hassle on our part. Okaukuejo: we spent over an hour checking in and had to ring the Wilderness Safaris out-of-hours contact no. to sort things out. Eventually we were given a standard double room instead of the Water-hole Chalet which we'd paid for. Namutoni: we had asked Wilderness Safaris to sort this out before we got there, and check-in was fine." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"A great trip, very well organised. The only minor grumbles were with the Doro Nawas lodge.

A fascinating country with so much of interest, coupled with good service and great places to stay." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"We had a brilliant trip. We saw lots of amazing sights and animals, and stayed in some wonderful places. The Namibian people were very friendly and helpful.

Some of the long drives between places are a bit boring, in particular the one from Sossusvlei to Swakopmund.

If we ever went to Namibia again, the only things we would do differently are:
- stay in Windhoek on arrival, so that we don't have a long drive on the first day
- hire a 4-wheel drive vehicle, instead of a saloon car. The car was fine on most of the roads, but some roads are very rutted and bumpy, particularly the private roads to some of the lodges
- take a bird book." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip