South Africa: reviews from our travellers

"I wish we had known just how early in the season we were going and the limited amount of game sightings we should expect, we would have gone later if we had.
Otherwise the trip was well done and worked as planned.

This is the second time we've used Maruska and were very pleased before, so perhaps it was poor communication on my part." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari

"We had a wonderful, fantastic trip and experience.

Everything was pretty much perfect and went according to the itinerary.

Game viewing ad Kgalagadi was exceptional as was the unexpected green desert due to the late rain. It was really stunning and the location and views form the lodges were great.

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Excellent and helpful as always.

Hope to reurn to Namibia with a trip to the Skeleton coat and stay with the Himba people!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"Another fabulous holiday organised by Expert Africa! Everything was well organised and just right- a great mix of places and accommodation. We are already planning the next trip, and will spend longer on the Port Elizabeth end of the garden route where the scenery is truly spectacular." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 7 on a South Africa trip

"Thank you Tracy for helping us choose such lovely places to stay and for organising it for us. We definitely want to revisit, this time starting out from Port Elizabeth as we didn't have time for Plettenberg and beyond." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 7 on a South Africa trip

"We were very pleased with the structure of the trip: 6 very busy days on safari followed by 3 days R+R at a superb location.

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None" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"We had a fanstastic two weeks in South Africa, with about the right amount of time in each place apart from Swelledam. We enjoyed various activities in Cape Town including the botanical gardens, cape point, kayaking at simons town, visiting Stellenbosch, table mountain etc. We had a lovely meal at the Hussar Grill near the hotel aswell. We would have preferred less time in Swellendam but this may not have been helped by the rainy weather we had while there. We really enjoyed Plett which has lots of different activities to do from walking on Robberg Peninsula, visiting various animal parks and Knysna. Despite the great fire less than a year ago everything was up and running, and the views were fantastic. The safari was a great way to end the holiday and the lodge was a lovely bit of luxury to finish the trip." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a South Africa trip

"We enjoyed the holiday but were expecting more for the money that we paid." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a South Africa trip

"This is a trip I want to forget. I had inappropriate expectations from other travellers comments, or from advice from Expert Africa. The unsealed roads that are considered "good" turned out to be on average, alot worst than the unsealed roads in Australia. The "best" sections in Namibia were eqivalent to our unsealed roads in National Parks with corrugations. The rest were atrocious, with no warning sign if something major comes up that requires significant slowing down.

I was told that there was cell phone reception almost everywhere, and I wouldn't need a satellite phone. It turned out half of the unsealed roads had no reception. There were some stretches of roads that I did not see another car for an hour at a time. I was driving alone and couldn't deal with any breakdowns myself. I wouldn't have made this trip if I had known the reality.

I was also told that I would see a good amount of game as it is baby season, and there would be an increase in predator activities to feed the babies. When I asked the guides they just laughed. Virtually all the animals gave birth anytime if the year. Also because there was alot of late rain, I really didn't see much game except for elephants.

I really wasn't prepared for how backward Africans were. The lodges in Namibia were nicely built, but you couldn't get even the most basic requests through the staff. They are genuinely nice people, but almost all the lodges never considered purchasing the few items that I requested due to dietery restrictions, eventhough they were common supermarket items. I asked if I should bring some of these items myself and was told the lodges confirmed they would supply them. Should I have been warned they may not mean what they say?

Zimbabwe apart from Victoria Falls was unbearably backward. I am not sure if its to do with their econmic meltdown 20 years ago. Even at departure, I thought I had to spend the night at the airport as they couldn't refuel the plane.

I did manage to get some good photos. I do think Namibia has the best rockscapes in the world and massive potential to develop their tourist industry further, but I wouldn't consider going back.

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I received a very good service from Maruska in planning this trip. But I feel she may need to be updated about a few facts. When I travelled to Egypt several years ago with a tour, we were given in writing tips on cultural expectations I call it. EA could certainly do with something like that, so travellers are better prepared as they interact with Africans.

I have travelled extensively around the world but have never been to Southern Africa. I have found this trip very taxing." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip

"Another fantastic trip with Expert Africa. Claire provides knowledge and reassurance during the planning. The logistics were incredibly smooth whilst in South Africa. Can’t wait for our next trip!" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a South Africa trip

"Another very successful trip to Africa. It was all a very interesting experience but it was so different from the Africa of further north with which we are very familiar.

We enjoyed everything, but the one thing that stands out is the charm, the efficiency and the helpfulness of all the staff everywhere. Well done South Africa! Come here and teach us a lesson.

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well done Tracy keep up the good work !" Read full review: 31 nights in Africa; 21 on a South Africa trip