Reviews of trips to Livingstone & Victoria Falls
567 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Livingstone.
Top Cat
bristol
"safari of safaris"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 5 Feb 2016 and 19 Feb 2016
"excellent- an average of 8 hours a day out on safari. A great variety of habitats within each location giving the opportunity to se a wide range of wildlife- the birds were especially good and varied.
Certainly we felt we saw everything we should have and time was never wasted largely due to our excellent driver (Sadiq).
A brilliant trip which exceeded expectations and the one minor problem was quickly resolved on our return
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really- everything worked well for us" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Certainly we felt we saw everything we should have and time was never wasted largely due to our excellent driver (Sadiq).
A brilliant trip which exceeded expectations and the one minor problem was quickly resolved on our return
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really- everything worked well for us" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr Nelson
Baar
"My Jan 2016 trip"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 30 Jan 2016 and 13 Feb 2016
"We had a wonderful trip to Africa with a lot of exciting experiences.
The staff at Expert Africa was very helpful and made a great to arrange a very nice vacation for us. Thanks." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
The staff at Expert Africa was very helpful and made a great to arrange a very nice vacation for us. Thanks." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs & Mr D
Sydney
"My Jan 2016 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 4 other countries between 24 Jan 2016 and 15 Feb 2016
"It was excellent, brilliantly organised and managed.
In retrospect we should have chosen Sabyinyo in Rwanda, Ngorongoro Crater in the Crater. I would have preferred to stay at the Hyatt in Dar - or an alternative to the Serena - it was a shocker.
I had concerns about Little Kwara before I went and these were confirmed. I would not stay with a Kwando facility on a return to Africa." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
In retrospect we should have chosen Sabyinyo in Rwanda, Ngorongoro Crater in the Crater. I would have preferred to stay at the Hyatt in Dar - or an alternative to the Serena - it was a shocker.
I had concerns about Little Kwara before I went and these were confirmed. I would not stay with a Kwando facility on a return to Africa." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr B
Hertfordshire
"Excellent trip - all ran to plan"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 3 Dec 2015 and 23 Dec 2015
"With the exception of ProFlight all ran to schedule. Ground handling good, no delays.
At Xakanaxa airstrip (which incidentally is a new runway positioned a little further from the camps than the 'old' strip) we were very pleasantly surprised to see Banda, our requested guide for Camp Xakanaxa where has been based since last January, albeit we were due at Camp Moremi first. Apparently in agreement with the D&DS marketing manager (regret don't know his name and was not aware he was the South African chap who wished us well as he leaving for the plane we arrived on) we were allocated Banda for the whole of our 5 night stay on an exclusive basis. This is an amazing example of D&DS customer service for which we are truly grateful. If you are aware of the chap's name please let me know and I will send a thank-you e-mail. Thanks should also be extended to all the D&DS staff including Setch and staff at Suvute and Albert (who was 'care-taking' between Moremi and Xakanaxa) and all the staff.
We will undoubtedly return to Nkwali, Savute and delta camps again - don't know when. However in future we will try to avoid Jo'burg airport if only due to the totally inefficient and unfriendly staff at passport control. It takes ages to be processed. Never enough staff on duty. As you maybe aware, there are 2 sections, one deals with SA residents, the other all non-SA passengers.
There are some 25 (maybe more) passport control booths on the non-SA section. Less than half were being manned on our first arrival and only 7 when we arrived form Maun. Coupled with the delays occurring to some families, presumably associated with the recently introduced regulations and paperwork required for people travelling with children, the delays are totally unacceptable. We were directed to stand in a queue behind a family which we were already aware had processing problems and had to wait 20 minutes while they continued to try and resolve without any apparent success so we asked to move and were eventually directed to stand in another queue. There is no efficient management system in place, it's a shambles.
It is not surprising that Lusaka airport is building a new terminal (by the Chinese!) and Maun wants to expand so that passengers can fly direct rather than via Jo'burg which attracts so much criticism. BA used to fly direct to Lusaka but apparently no more. We met people who flew with Emirates via Dubai so for the future it's worth considering another carrier. There may be others." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
At Xakanaxa airstrip (which incidentally is a new runway positioned a little further from the camps than the 'old' strip) we were very pleasantly surprised to see Banda, our requested guide for Camp Xakanaxa where has been based since last January, albeit we were due at Camp Moremi first. Apparently in agreement with the D&DS marketing manager (regret don't know his name and was not aware he was the South African chap who wished us well as he leaving for the plane we arrived on) we were allocated Banda for the whole of our 5 night stay on an exclusive basis. This is an amazing example of D&DS customer service for which we are truly grateful. If you are aware of the chap's name please let me know and I will send a thank-you e-mail. Thanks should also be extended to all the D&DS staff including Setch and staff at Suvute and Albert (who was 'care-taking' between Moremi and Xakanaxa) and all the staff.
We will undoubtedly return to Nkwali, Savute and delta camps again - don't know when. However in future we will try to avoid Jo'burg airport if only due to the totally inefficient and unfriendly staff at passport control. It takes ages to be processed. Never enough staff on duty. As you maybe aware, there are 2 sections, one deals with SA residents, the other all non-SA passengers.
There are some 25 (maybe more) passport control booths on the non-SA section. Less than half were being manned on our first arrival and only 7 when we arrived form Maun. Coupled with the delays occurring to some families, presumably associated with the recently introduced regulations and paperwork required for people travelling with children, the delays are totally unacceptable. We were directed to stand in a queue behind a family which we were already aware had processing problems and had to wait 20 minutes while they continued to try and resolve without any apparent success so we asked to move and were eventually directed to stand in another queue. There is no efficient management system in place, it's a shambles.
It is not surprising that Lusaka airport is building a new terminal (by the Chinese!) and Maun wants to expand so that passengers can fly direct rather than via Jo'burg which attracts so much criticism. BA used to fly direct to Lusaka but apparently no more. We met people who flew with Emirates via Dubai so for the future it's worth considering another carrier. There may be others." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs SA
Norfolk
"Mega holiday.......again!"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 21 Oct 2015 and 9 Nov 2015
"Well done Expert Africa you live up to your name again,, thanks
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
OK since Peter is writing the review he would comment about the quotation! Not the cheapest of holidays however worth every penny and Expert Africa ensured that our money bought what Pamela wanted.
Peter was surprised and more than pleased that so much of this holiday was just a few guests.........or even just the two of us.
I think Expert Africa spoilt us and the next time we go on Safari will expect a vehicle and guide to ourselves. The one day we had to go on safari on a full vehicle neither of us enjoyed the experience half as much as our other drives. Getting old perhaps but we like to stop and watch ants or ducks parading.
Perhaps a highlight was walking in Mundulea and coming across a baby hog that was dying due to a Leopard bite. Cai's comment that he could smell a Leopard and that perhaps we should move on reminds me I must go.
Thanks for an excellent holiday, see you at the Travel Show perhaps." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
OK since Peter is writing the review he would comment about the quotation! Not the cheapest of holidays however worth every penny and Expert Africa ensured that our money bought what Pamela wanted.
Peter was surprised and more than pleased that so much of this holiday was just a few guests.........or even just the two of us.
I think Expert Africa spoilt us and the next time we go on Safari will expect a vehicle and guide to ourselves. The one day we had to go on safari on a full vehicle neither of us enjoyed the experience half as much as our other drives. Getting old perhaps but we like to stop and watch ants or ducks parading.
Perhaps a highlight was walking in Mundulea and coming across a baby hog that was dying due to a Leopard bite. Cai's comment that he could smell a Leopard and that perhaps we should move on reminds me I must go.
Thanks for an excellent holiday, see you at the Travel Show perhaps." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
The G Family
Middx
"Great service and well organised"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 30 Sep 2015 and 4 Oct 2015
"The trip of a lifetime.
Credit to Claire for organising a fairly complicated trip with multiple border crossings, airport to lodge, lodge to hotel, hotel to airport transfers, which had perfect timing throughout our trip." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 2 on a Zambia safari
Credit to Claire for organising a fairly complicated trip with multiple border crossings, airport to lodge, lodge to hotel, hotel to airport transfers, which had perfect timing throughout our trip." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 2 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs M
Brenchley
"Wonderful holiday"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 26 Sep 2015 and 11 Oct 2015
"over all one of the best holidays I've been on!"
Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs R
Harrogate
"A special holiday"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 24 Sep 2015 and 6 Oct 2015
"We had a wonderful holiday which we enjoyed tremendously - other than the visa concern mentioned at the start the only other thing which It would have been good to know is that tipping is standard and the daily rate per day guide in dollars would have been useful for us to know - also that a general tip to staff is normally given as well - this would give you a chance to have the right amount of cash in hand - as there is nowhere in most of the camps to get any cash - we fortunately had just about enough in various currencies to do this but it was a concern as we had not anticipated this ( probably it being our first time doing this type of trip)"
Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs E
Hereford
"My Sep 2015 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 5 Sep 2015 and 19 Sep 2015
"A magical experience as always in Africa and especially Botswana.
We would like to go back to Africa again in the future - it's a place that keeps drawing you back.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I would not book an African holiday with any other company other than Expert Africa. You are simply the best!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
We would like to go back to Africa again in the future - it's a place that keeps drawing you back.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I would not book an African holiday with any other company other than Expert Africa. You are simply the best!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms L
Leeds
"A wonderful experience"
I visited Namibia and 3 other countries between 3 Sep 2015 and 1 Oct 2015
"Now we have had our holiday I feel I understand what I would do next time.
It was all a wonderful experience. Firstly I must put a word in for Mack Air as there didn't seem to be anywhere to put that. We were concerned and a bit anxious about the small flights but the service and professionalism from the pilots was excellent and made the whole experience fine.
All the places we booked were good, each different and interesting. Of course not having been to Africa before or been on a safari holiday before it is difficult to understand what it is going to be like even though we read all the information and listened to all the advice there is nothing like the experience of actually being there.
In no particular order we felt that the camps in Botswana seemed more geared up to 2 night stays and in fact 2 nights felt perfectly fine though before we went I thought 2 nights might feel a bit tight. In fact sometimes our 3 night stays felt as if the guides were looking for things to do. I loved Botswana, particularly the Okavanga Delta and would go back there.
Though we were a bit concerned about driving ourselves round Namibia as 2 women on our own in our late 50s and 60s, in fact it was very easy. We loved Cape Cross and Walvis Bay, both fine for 1 night stays. I would want to stay 2 nights in Okonjima in the Bush camp, a very pleasant place to stay. It was me who insisted on staying in Okaukeujo and it was fine though I think if I was advising someone else I would suggest somewhere smaller with better food.
I also would not go back to the Zambezi Sun, it was the only place we were disappointed with. Everyone is different but we both realised how important a breakfast and dinner view is for us and a view of the Zambezi rather than corporate hospitality is worth paying for.
We loved South Africa and will probably go back there sometime. All in all we loved it and love Africa, it is like no other place I've ever been to.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I cant think of anything. My sister and I did talk about how difficult it must be to advise people on where to stay and where to go. You did really well so thank you. The only thing that might have helped us not go to the Zambezi Sun was either us telling you the sort of hotel we usually stay in when we travel or you asking." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
It was all a wonderful experience. Firstly I must put a word in for Mack Air as there didn't seem to be anywhere to put that. We were concerned and a bit anxious about the small flights but the service and professionalism from the pilots was excellent and made the whole experience fine.
All the places we booked were good, each different and interesting. Of course not having been to Africa before or been on a safari holiday before it is difficult to understand what it is going to be like even though we read all the information and listened to all the advice there is nothing like the experience of actually being there.
In no particular order we felt that the camps in Botswana seemed more geared up to 2 night stays and in fact 2 nights felt perfectly fine though before we went I thought 2 nights might feel a bit tight. In fact sometimes our 3 night stays felt as if the guides were looking for things to do. I loved Botswana, particularly the Okavanga Delta and would go back there.
Though we were a bit concerned about driving ourselves round Namibia as 2 women on our own in our late 50s and 60s, in fact it was very easy. We loved Cape Cross and Walvis Bay, both fine for 1 night stays. I would want to stay 2 nights in Okonjima in the Bush camp, a very pleasant place to stay. It was me who insisted on staying in Okaukeujo and it was fine though I think if I was advising someone else I would suggest somewhere smaller with better food.
I also would not go back to the Zambezi Sun, it was the only place we were disappointed with. Everyone is different but we both realised how important a breakfast and dinner view is for us and a view of the Zambezi rather than corporate hospitality is worth paying for.
We loved South Africa and will probably go back there sometime. All in all we loved it and love Africa, it is like no other place I've ever been to.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I cant think of anything. My sister and I did talk about how difficult it must be to advise people on where to stay and where to go. You did really well so thank you. The only thing that might have helped us not go to the Zambezi Sun was either us telling you the sort of hotel we usually stay in when we travel or you asking." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
567
reviews of Livingstone by travellers since August 2007
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