Travel reviews by G & L from Washington DC
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
2
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
11
Excursions taken
4
Extraordinary trip…..perfect in every way
Rwanda and 1 other country between 30 Jun 2024 and 19 Jul 2024
Lyndsey Marris was both incredibly knowledgeable and patient as she guided us through the various options and alternatives. We were not disappointed. We stayed at 2 wonderful camps in Rwanda ((Magashi and Sabyinyo Lodge). Both were exceptional. Wonderful accommodations and food. Staff attentive but yet fun. We saw the Big 5 at Magashi and marveled at the golden monkeys and silverback gorillas at Volcanoes National Park.
Then we traveled to Sirikoi Camp (Lewa Conservancy) and Naboisho (Naboisho Conservancy) in Kenya. Both camps were terrific. I could not pick a favorite. And abundant wildlife….lions, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, and many,, many more…..H
ighly recommend working with Lyndsey and these particular camps.
We do a couple of international trips each year. This was one of the very best in every aspect.
This was our 2nd trip with Expert Africa. You do everything…..everything….very well. Happy to recommend EA to all of our friends."
Arranged By Lyndsey Marris
Kigali Serena Hotel
"Adequate for a short stay"
Magashi Camp
"Magashi Camp review"
Staff is so very friendly and attentive. Superb accommodations overlooking the lake.
While the park here does not have the quantity of wildlife other parks might have, the number of very close encounters we had with elephants, lions, a leopard and white rhinos more than made up for it.
Our guide, Innocent, was terrific at tracking and spotting wildlife. And seeing the wildlife from both land and a boat made for interesting excursions.
I highly recommend Magashi."
Kigali Tour and Genocide Memorial Visit
" A must visit when in Kigali. "
2 Jul 2024 • All-day excursion
While the memorial documents this horrible time, it is also a symbol of a country and people that has healed itself. Many lessons here that we need to be constantly reminded of.
Please take the time while in Kigali to visit the memorial. It is truly time well spent.
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
"Terrific Base for Trekking"
Wonderful accommodations. Great food. Sabyinyo Silverback does it all extremely well.
The staff does a superb job in preparing you for the golden monkey trek and the gorilla trek - providing gaiters, gloves, a backpack, a rain jacket and snacks.
We highly recommend this Lodge as a base for trekking in Volcanoes National Park."
Golden Monkey Trekking
"Fun Time….Well Worth Doing"
6 Jul 2024 • Morning excursion
A nice “warm up” for the main event. A short hike. Easy hike. Golden monkeys were fun and entertaining.
Well worth the hike.
Gorilla Trekking Safari
"Fabulous…..a must do!!"
7 Jul 2024 • Morning excursion
A 90 minute hike each way. A pleasant hike with ample rest breaks. The gorillas were fascinating. The one hour that we could spend with them went by too fast.
Please hire a porter. Hiring a porter supports local people. We hired one for each of us. They are very helpful even if you think you can manage on your own.
Overall the hike and the experience of seeing the gorillas is well worth it….you will not be disappointed!!!
Four Points Nairobi Airport
"Perfect for an overnight stay…"
We had a quick overnight stay here while transitioning from Rwanda to our Kenyan camps.
Clean, modern and friendly staff. Perfect for that overnight stay"
Sirikoi
"An Outstanding Camp…"
Wonderful location near a watering hole, terrific accommodations and food and a professional staff. Sirikoi does it very, very well. Sam was our guide for our 3+days of excursions. Game drives were wonderful - fun and educational. We saw and learned so much from Sam.
A great place to see rhinos, especially white rhinos up close. The black rhinos were always at a distance. Even did a walking safari with a hot breakfast on the trail.
Sirikoi will not disappoint!!!"
Naboisho Camp
"Naboisho Camp Does it All!!!"
Wonderful setting looking out across the grasslands. First class accommodations, including food, professional (yet fun) staff and abundant wildlife. Dining at a communal table made for a fun time with conversations with guests from other countries. A nice touch.
Naboisho is simply a wonderful place.
Lynnkoko was our guide for the 4 nights / 3 days we were there. Game drives were fun and educational with abundant wildlife, especially lions. We will always remember our stay at this wonderful camp.
If you are thinking about booking a stay at Naboisho, book it!!! You will not be disappointed."
Balloon flight over the Mara
"An Unbelieavable Experience"
15 Jul 2024 • Morning excursion
A one hour drive from Naboisho Camp to the balloon launch site over simply awful roads. But it was worth every bump.
A beautiful African sunrise seen from the serenity of the balloon. We were fortunate that the wildebeest migration had started. We flew quietly and gracefully over thousands of wildebeest with other animals interspersed. Breathtaking in its beauty. Words really can not begin to describe the experience.
And a nice, hot breakfast buffet with omelettes made to order awaiting you at the end of your balloon ride.
Perhaps the highlight of our trip…
2 terrific weeks in Zambia
Zambia between 22 Aug 2016 and 4 Sep 2016
We would highly recommend our itinerary to anyone thinking about a trip to Zambia.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We worked with Lucy at Expert Africa to plan our 14 day trip through Zambia. Lucy was terrific to work with. She knows Zambia and the various camps. She is super responsive. I really can not say enough good things about working with Lucy and the itinerary we put together with her assistance.
We loved each and every camp. The connections were perfect. Not a single issue or complaint over the 2 week trip. We look forward to working with her in the near future to plan a trip to Botswana.
Once again, I would highly recommend Lucy and Expert Africa. I will be a repeat customer."
Arranged By Lucy Copson
Mchenja Bushcamp
"Wonderful visit"
Great setting on the river with all of the hippos. Very comfortable camp in all respects.
Great game drives and hikes....we saw all that we expected. The highlight was a leopard in the tree with his kill.
Wished we could have spent more than 2 nights. Highly recommend this camp."
Tafika
"A wonderful experience"
The Coppingers really understand how to run a camp. Terrific experiences with the entire staff - Bryan, Issac, Alex, Lloyd, Rona and others that I have surely forgotten. While the cats were scarce the 3 nights that Lynette and I were there, the guides worked hard to make up for the absence of the cats. The highlight was a pack of wild dogs and pups.
We had a superb experience at Tafika and hope to return some day. I can highly, highly recommend Tafika to anyone considering a Zambian safari. A must do experience."
Chiawa Camp
"Absolutely terrific"
Chiawa is set at an absolutely beautiful spot on the Zambezi River. The camp and the "tents" are well done...the "tents" border on the luxurious. Lots of wildlife right around the camp including many elephants.
The staff - including Daniel, Joshua, Warwick, Marshall, James and Clement and others that I have forgotten did everything possible to make our stay memorable. The highlight was time spent on the river with Lynette catching a 30 pound Vundu catfish and my catching a 10 pound tiger fish. Lots of lions, elephants, etc...never a dull moment.
Much like Tafika, we hope to return to Chiawa and Old Mondoro sometime.
Again, I can highly, highly recommend Chiawa and Old Mondoro to anyone considering a Zambian safari. You will not be disappointed."
Old Mondoro Bushcamp
"Superb stay"
Lynette did a canoe trip both here and at Chiawa and still raves about the experience. Jonathan and Karen - the managers - were great hosts and fun to spend time with. James and Sebastien were the guides and worked hard to find plentiful game on our drives. I spent a couple of hours on the river with Ruben fishing for the elusive tiger fish.
All in all a wonderful experience with a great (and fun) team at Old Mondoro."
The River Club
"Paradise on the Zambezi"
We have had the opportunity to stay at some terrific places over the years and The River Club ranks very near the top in all respects - a beautiful setting, superb guest rooms, and a super friendly staff. Really can not say enough good things about the staff here and how attentive they are from Peter, Ingrid, Charmaine, Naomi, Gilbert, Mack, Davies, KK and Mercy. So friendly.
We used The River Club as a base to see Victoria Falls and explore the river with Mack. The River Club should be an absolute must stay for anyone visiting the Livingstone/ Victoria Falls area. We will absolutely return toThe River Club. Some day. It is truly that good."
The hotel is perfectly adequate for a short stay before heading out to one of the National Parks.
Nice pool provides a superb place to recover after a long flight. Restaurant was good, nothing special. A relatively low mark for service given the staff never repaired the safe in our room after several requests. It appeared someone was changing batteries for the safe but simply stopped in the process."