Reviews of safaris to Chobe National Park

"This was our first Safari trip and it's hard top imagine how it could have been any better - we had a fabulous time and enjoyed every minute.

Thanks to Expert Africa for arranging a marvellous trip for us.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

An extremely minor point, which is that, contrary to the info in our pre-holiday briefing pack, Zambian Immigration does now accept payment for the Visa in GBP (£35) as well as USD. And they seem quite happy to accept $50 bills, so there is no need to go running round trying to get USD in small denominations for this.

One other thing, if visiting Victoria Falls at this time of year(late October) we would recommend visiting the Zimbabwe side for a better experience, as there was very little water going over the Zambian part, which reduces the spectacle a little." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"We loved our African experience, which was varied in location and captured all we wanted to see and do.

Kudos to ExpertAfrica for the detailed arrangements that went smoothly and without a hitch!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Your website is okay, but we actually used a different one to look up details and comments on the same places you offered. That site was more visually compelling and easier to navigate. Having said that we still used your service -- and our overall experience with you was very good." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"The trip was fantastic; all that was expected and more. We thoroughly enjoyed how well everything flowed on this trip and how seemless it was.

All the arrangements were timed perfectly and everyone knew who we were and where we were expected to be. This made for such an enjoyable trip.

We would highly recommend Expert Africa to anyone who has not been to Africa before, or just needs some assistance in planning a trip." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"A once in a lifetime experience. Though of course do hope to go back (to the private concessions). I love the Africa that I saw!!!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"The trip was one of the best holidays I have ever been on. The game was exceptional and the camps very comfortable. The other guests were mainly from the USA and a wider mixture would have been interesting but I imagine it is the cost which deters people. I felt it was well worth the money as I have many wonderful memories.

It can not have been easy for Chloe to coordinate this trip for us as I was in France and the UK and my travel companion was in the USA.

Expert Africa - and Chloe - were very helpful in sorting it all out for us and helped us make good choices. Thank you." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"We spent a lot of time planning this trip with Tracy, and we really appreciated her expert knowledge and her patience as we narrowed down the options to finally make a selection. Because we had had such detailed discussions, we had high expectations of our trip, and we are delighted to say that those high expectations were not just met, but were exceeded. We had a truly wonderful time!

We knew that visiting 4 safari lodges in an 8 day period would be hectic, and so it proved to be. However, although Chitabe Lediba and Kwando Lagoon were our clear favourites, both Savute Safari Lodge and Little Kwara had unique features that we are really pleased were included in our itinerary.

We were exhilarated and exhausted in equal measures after 8 days of safari, so to be able to finish off the trip with a (relatively) relaxed 2 days at Tongabezi was an absolute delight. We are so thankful that Tracy encouraged us to stay there rather than at a hotel in Livingstone.

All of the transfers worked seamlessly, and we were particularly impressed by the coordination between Mack Air and the lodges to ensure that we never missed out on our game drives. The transfer between Botswana and Zambia was also very well managed." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"This was our first safari. We stayed firstly in Zambia for the Victoria Falls, and then onto 3 lodges in Botswana. In all a fantastic experience which exceeded my expectations in every way.

In talking to others at our camps I did feel we had made the right decision in going to a national park (Chobe) first to get used to elephants, giraffes and zebras being everywhere, and that didn't fully realise the restrictions that applied within the Park. Consequently we really appreciated the freedom for game-viewing (at night and off road) offered by the second two camps which were on concessions. The concession model also limits the numbers of people who are able to stay in one area. This in turn made it seem we were really out in the wild and added to the experience. It just isn't the same at a National Park.

I didn't expect to be get so close to the animals and also to get involved in the story of the animals - what their behaviour was indicating, the various hunts and stalking, caring for the young, etc. At times I really did feel like I was living in a David Attenborough documentary. Botswana is a efficient African country, with good facilities. You could instantly see the difference between it and Zambia as we crossed the boarder. All the people we met - Zambians and Botswanans were polite, well spoken and helpful. They were all proud of their countries and welcoming.

A safari experience is simply wonderful, and I felt so privileged to be able to view the animals with such informed guides.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Although I have given the feedback on Maruska above, because of her maternity leave, we also had Nick Hobbs as our contact. Nick was also very helpful - and I would give him the same markings as above for Maruska - in particular I was grateful for his advice about what shoes to wear as I was receiving conflicting advice from friends and various websites, and nearly bought a pair of boots which would not have been needed, So a big thank you Nick.

We were also grateful for the assistance we received from Megan Ingoldby - as she really helped us plan our trip during an "early planning stage" phone call. So a big thank you to Expert Africa - both Anne and I thought you were helpful, patient and more importantly accurate. Everything worked like a dream." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"I can't believe that a trip this complex went off without a hitch.

Expert Africa really knows their stuff and made great recommendations. Thanks, Tracy!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 4 on a South Africa trip

"An excellent, varied trip. The pace was just right.

One of our best trips, mainly due to the easy driving on tarred roads." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"Your arrangements worked well. The contrast between our aid project in Milawi living in very basic conditions and Botwana was rather stark.

I think we would have been more comfortable in less luxury in Botswana but it was a good treat after Milawi - we could have done with 4 days not 6." Read full review: 33 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari