Reviews of safaris to Okonjima Nature Reserve

"Our best holiday for a very long time, exceeding our expectations in almost every area.

The advice provided was extremely helpful and the descriptions provided on the website and in the Brandt guide were almost universally accurate.

The marked-up route maps were particularly appreciated.

Suggestions for improvement:

Put the bit about plastic bags to protect the luggage from dust in block capitals! We did but some others were less well informed.

Where can you get adaptors which fit the 3 round pin plugs - not everywhere has a European standard alternative?" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"As a whole,this trip was a holiday of a lifetime. With the help of Expert Africa, we enjoyed our exploration of this beautiful country. Our total journey was 3400 km, but we did not unduly feel we were tied to the vehicle. We were happy that our planned route was in a clockwise direction, as it left the high points towards the end of the holiday (including hotter temperatures!). Unfortunately, we missed a key activity (ballooning over the dunes) due to high winds and we also hit an extremely cold winter snap. We enjoyed seeing the towns/villages and spending some time in them.

One point I would like to stress is that these lodges are mostly built to provide cool accommodation in summer, and therefore can be bitterly cold and draughty in winter. Visitors could perhaps be given more warning to pack winter clothing. Restaurant staff are wearing anoraks - ours were at home!

We did not appreciate open plan toilets or sharing a dinner table with people we had little in common with.

We found the guide book by Chris extremely helpful and appreciated all other documents." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"The trip was absolutely excellent - your advice on routing was good and the choice of camps excellent. You were very efficient throughout and it was a pleasure dealing with you. On this basis we would be happy to recommend you to anyone wishing to do a similar trip.

One suggestion: we noticed that several people doing similar trips had been provided with a spiral bound booklet with more information about the itinerary, details about each camp, with photographs and maps. We would have appreciated something similar, which would not be expensive to produce and would have been a very nice touch. Given the cost of the trip, the excellence of your service and the quality of the camps and transfers this would be an appropriate part of the package you offer." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"As this was our honeymoon, we were hoping for something amazing and were not disappointed! Thanks to all at Expert Africa for arranging a truly memorable honeymoon." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"The trip just got better and better. It exceeded all our expectations and we had a great time.

It was probably the best holiday we have ever had, despite it being quite hectic. We found the notes provided by Expert Africa prior to our trip very helpful. T

The only thing that really caught us out was how cold it was at night and on the early morning and evening drives. Most of the lodges provided hot water bottles and blankets at night, and also provided blankets on the drives. We had taken fleeces but we still felt that we could have done with more warm clothing.

Perhaps greater emphasis of the need for this could be made in your notes." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 25 on a Namibia trip

"Just to say we are all back from our trip to Africa and we had a terrific time, saw some fabulous animals and birds.

As a country I think it is probably the best in Southern Africa to visit as it has terrific game viewing, contrasts in scenery, friendly peoply, a feeling of safety and all at a reasonable price.

Suggestions for improvement:
Just keep doing what you are doing altthough it might be worth telling clients about the potential upgrade on Air Namibia as it is not necessarily offered, we found out about it through Trip Advisor or a similar site.

But overall thanks for a great holiday" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip

"My wife and I enjoyed the trip immensely, the photography was beyond my expecations, Leopard, Cheetah, Lions, Hyena, Rhino, all very rewarding.

Thanks Expert Africa." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"This was our first trip to Namibia and only our second trip to Africa. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in this beautiful country - the fact that you can drive for miles without seeing another car and look for miles in every direction and see nothing but space is a great experience.

We generally received a warm welcome wherever we went and would certainly return to Namibia in the future. A special thank you to Tracy Lederer who organised our trip at very short notice and we would also highly recommend Chris McIntyre's guide book which was informative and an excellent resource." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"Wonderful. Namibia is a fantastic country - full of experiences, surprises and delights.

The ExpertAfrica service was helpful, efficient and reassuring. The attention to detail in the documentation is impressive - as is the information available in Chris's book - which we took with us. Everyone at the lodges spoke warmly about the ExpertAfrica team - the work you do in visiting the lodges clearly pays dividends.

I normally plan and book all holiday arrangements myself, direct with hotels, airlines, car hire etc. It is a testament to Gwynneth that I booked this trip with ExpertAfrica, because I normally like to retain control. Her approach was supportive and in no way pushy. I felt that in trusting her to make the arrangements, she was definitely adding value.

She also called on her colleagues for more specific information about lodges she had not stayed at personally. Talking to someone about places they know well, and experiences they have had personally is a great feature of the service - even if you discover that you don't always want/like the same things. The level of interest in the trip is also an indication that EA are truly interested in their clients' experiences.

The only thing I would say is that I think it would be good if there were more details provided within the lodges about activities and facilities (generally speaking they tell you things verbally, but don't always have anything for you to refer to). I also felt that the guides could do more to tell people in advance what they are going to do, how long things might take etc. Normally this doesn't matter - you're on holiday! But sometimes it could be important, and coming back 1-2 hours after you were told you'd be back woulnd't be ideal! Maybe they could wear watches....that might help!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"One of the best holidays we have ever had - superb accommodation in a series of wonderful locations. Well organised by Expert Africa.

We will go back one day but with a 4WD this time (not for the extra traction but for comfort in bouncing across the ruts), There was a wonderful feeling of 'adventure' about the trip without it being too scary!

Suggestions for improvement:

Not really apart from my comments on 4WD carhire above. We enjoyed designing our own itinerary but also found your suggested tours helpful in this process." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip