Reviews of trips to Livingstone & Victoria Falls
585 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Livingstone.
Mr d
Kilburn
"45 year dream come true in Africa"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 6 Aug 2014 and 21 Aug 2014
"All arrangements worked perfectly, all lodges were great and welcoming, all meals in the lodges were excellent and the whole experience was wonderful."
Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs S
Maldon
"Surpassed our expectations"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 25 Jul 2014 and 13 Aug 2014
"It was a brilliant trip and although our expectations were high they were certainly exceeded. Most the lodges were small and gave us the personal service that is so important. It almost felt as though we were staying with friends. We will certainly recommend you to friends and also hope to use you again ourselves.
The only problem we encountered was with the transfers. When we left the car in Katima the transfer peop0le had no record of us and we were delayed by about an hour. the transfer, once it happened, was seamless, but it did cause us some worries as we sat in a café with mountains of luggage. Similarly no one turned up for our transfer to the airport when we were at Victoria Falls. We eventually loaded our luggage onto the last minibus going in that direction and sat5 down so they agreed to take us. I think it was an easier option than trying to move a rather stressed middle aged English couple!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Sort out the transfers" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
The only problem we encountered was with the transfers. When we left the car in Katima the transfer peop0le had no record of us and we were delayed by about an hour. the transfer, once it happened, was seamless, but it did cause us some worries as we sat in a café with mountains of luggage. Similarly no one turned up for our transfer to the airport when we were at Victoria Falls. We eventually loaded our luggage onto the last minibus going in that direction and sat5 down so they agreed to take us. I think it was an easier option than trying to move a rather stressed middle aged English couple!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Sort out the transfers" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs G
Brockham
"Brilliant safari and holiday"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 18 Jul 2014 and 31 Jul 2014
"Could not have been better. Had a wonderful time.
Thanks to Chloe for all the hard work she put in sorting out the logistics/dates and all her friendly emails.
Very impressed with &Beyond as we can't recall having been at one of their camps before. Good to mix Wilderness
and &Beyond.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No. Expert Africa the tops." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
Thanks to Chloe for all the hard work she put in sorting out the logistics/dates and all her friendly emails.
Very impressed with &Beyond as we can't recall having been at one of their camps before. Good to mix Wilderness
and &Beyond.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No. Expert Africa the tops." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Family G
Oxordshire
"Our favourite holiday - ever!"
I visited Namibia and 1 other country between 13 Jul 2014 and 31 Jul 2014
"We have done many long haul trips and we've been to some amazing countries, but this holiday was the best of the lot!
Sabina had made the perfect itinerary for what we wanted and I would hardly have changed anything - just one extra day at Corona Guest Farm would have been good. There were a few highlights - a hot air balloon trip over the desert with a champagne breakfast whilst at the beautiful Kulala Desert Lodge/ Corona Guest Farm as an overall wonderful stay and. of course, the privilege of staying with Arno and Estelle at Nhoma and experiencing the lives of the Bushmen." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
Sabina had made the perfect itinerary for what we wanted and I would hardly have changed anything - just one extra day at Corona Guest Farm would have been good. There were a few highlights - a hot air balloon trip over the desert with a champagne breakfast whilst at the beautiful Kulala Desert Lodge/ Corona Guest Farm as an overall wonderful stay and. of course, the privilege of staying with Arno and Estelle at Nhoma and experiencing the lives of the Bushmen." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs C
GoldenHill
"An amazing holiday"
I visited Zambia and 2 other countries between 9 Jul 2014 and 30 Jul 2014
"We would go back to Waterberry and the Ichobezi and do exactly the same things again - one of our best ever holidays. Thank you Tracy for your expertise and for getting us the best rooms! and thank you to Chris for recommending Le Duc.
If we go back to Africa we will of course book it thru you." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zambia safari
If we go back to Africa we will of course book it thru you." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs M
Devon
"A wonderful trip"
I visited Zambia between 7 Jul 2014 and 20 Jul 2014
"It was Claire who dealt most helpfully and knowledgably with our booking (see ratings below) But our heartfelt thanks go to Ellie who was most sympathetic and helpful when we were stuck at Heathrow and then stranded in Johannesburg.
Our overall trip was wonderful and we saw vast numbers of game and other wildlife. It was all a big adventure and an amazing experience. We did learn that to get the best outcome you may need to SAY what you want. However the phrase "a small portion please" never seemed to have the desired effect!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, everything was very well done." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
Our overall trip was wonderful and we saw vast numbers of game and other wildlife. It was all a big adventure and an amazing experience. We did learn that to get the best outcome you may need to SAY what you want. However the phrase "a small portion please" never seemed to have the desired effect!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, everything was very well done." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms V
Oslo
"Our Zambia trip"
I visited Zambia between 6 Jul 2014 and 15 Jul 2014
"As you will understand from my comments, we were very satisfied with our trip. However there are a couple of minor issues that I would like to mention. First, in our voucher for the River Club, you write that a visit to Livingstone museum is included in the price. However, the lady responsible for our activities at the River Club simply said that It was not, that Expert Africa had made a mistake, and consequently charged the sum to our account. It was not a big sum, but it irritated me at the time.
Then there was an inaccuracy concerning our transfer from Shiwa to Tafika. We were supposed to go via Mfuwe, but we realized that there had to be a misunderstanding and we could go direct by air to Tafika. This was however, easily cleared up.
Finally, as you will know, I have to mention the delayed arrival of our travel documents. As you know they arrived only a week before departure. How that can be avoided, I don't know." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Then there was an inaccuracy concerning our transfer from Shiwa to Tafika. We were supposed to go via Mfuwe, but we realized that there had to be a misunderstanding and we could go direct by air to Tafika. This was however, easily cleared up.
Finally, as you will know, I have to mention the delayed arrival of our travel documents. As you know they arrived only a week before departure. How that can be avoided, I don't know." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms G
Zurich
"My Jun 2014 trip"
I visited Zambia between 29 Jun 2014 and 14 Jul 2014
"We had an excellent time. No stress. Recreational value was high.
The sequence of the travel has been very well planned. The information was good.
All lodges were very nice. Each had a different attraction.
The staff and the guides were very friendly and patient.
We saw a lot of animals in different interactions.
The food was great (lots of home made cakes and desserts).
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We saw very little insects (also due to the season). Nevertheless I would recommend a white screen to attract them. So you could watch them in the evening." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari
The sequence of the travel has been very well planned. The information was good.
All lodges were very nice. Each had a different attraction.
The staff and the guides were very friendly and patient.
We saw a lot of animals in different interactions.
The food was great (lots of home made cakes and desserts).
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We saw very little insects (also due to the season). Nevertheless I would recommend a white screen to attract them. So you could watch them in the evening." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs J
Wales
"Botswana Anniversary Trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 28 Jun 2014 and 16 Jul 2014
"A magical trip combining the wonder of Victoria Falls with the splendour of the Okavango Delta.
Beautiful countries, friendly and welcoming people, amazing wildlife and superb service. What more could anyone want!
Thank you Megan for all your time spent advising, sharing, deliberating and finally, once all of our many questions had been addressed, organising such a smoothly run trip. Thank you also to Expert Africa for the copy of Bradt Botswana - essential reading before the journey, and to Nick and the team for rearranging our flights when our itinerary had to be changed due to illness.
We will certainly be recommending Expert Africa to all of our friends.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I cannot think of anything to improve your service but here's a few pieces of information that could be useful :-
At the Waterberry Lodge it's Weaver that has the bath not Swallow.
Tipping is always a difficult and personal issue but we followed and appreciated your advice . However Wilderness Safaris suggest up to three times the amount per person per day for general staff - Chitabe/Chitabe Lediba's guidelines were $10 - $15 per guest per day and Xigera recommended $10 per guest per day. This left us in a quandary! Whilst their service is indeed excellent we found their suggested amount excessive given the already high cost of the stay.
I'd asked about availability of robes in camps prior to our trip and can now happily report back that the above three Wilderness camps all supplied cosy fleece dressing gowns for those chilly winter mornings!
The price of a private vehicle with Kwando does not include a private boat whereas with Wilderness it does." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 14 on a Botswana safari
Beautiful countries, friendly and welcoming people, amazing wildlife and superb service. What more could anyone want!
Thank you Megan for all your time spent advising, sharing, deliberating and finally, once all of our many questions had been addressed, organising such a smoothly run trip. Thank you also to Expert Africa for the copy of Bradt Botswana - essential reading before the journey, and to Nick and the team for rearranging our flights when our itinerary had to be changed due to illness.
We will certainly be recommending Expert Africa to all of our friends.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
I cannot think of anything to improve your service but here's a few pieces of information that could be useful :-
At the Waterberry Lodge it's Weaver that has the bath not Swallow.
Tipping is always a difficult and personal issue but we followed and appreciated your advice . However Wilderness Safaris suggest up to three times the amount per person per day for general staff - Chitabe/Chitabe Lediba's guidelines were $10 - $15 per guest per day and Xigera recommended $10 per guest per day. This left us in a quandary! Whilst their service is indeed excellent we found their suggested amount excessive given the already high cost of the stay.
I'd asked about availability of robes in camps prior to our trip and can now happily report back that the above three Wilderness camps all supplied cosy fleece dressing gowns for those chilly winter mornings!
The price of a private vehicle with Kwando does not include a private boat whereas with Wilderness it does." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 14 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms W & Ms T
Arizona
"My Jun 2014 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 24 Jun 2014 and 7 Jul 2014
"The trip was fantastic and I will remember for the rest of my life. Good fun, good company and GREAT accommodations and service.
I would recommend anyone who ever gets a chance to go on the trip because it was fantastic." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
I would recommend anyone who ever gets a chance to go on the trip because it was fantastic." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
585
reviews of Livingstone by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
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Inspire meWhere to stay in Livingstone
Our suggestions for places to stay in Livingstone & Victoria Falls
Avani Victoria Falls
Just a few minutes' walk from the Victoria Falls, with access for guests included, the Avani features good facilities in peaceful grounds at a modest price.
Royal Livingstone Hotel
Conveniently located just a short walk from the Zambia. side of the Victoria Falls, the colonial-style Royal Livingstone has beautiful grounds and small but quite luxurious rooms.
Tongabezi
Secluded on the banks of the Zambezi, less than 20km from the Victoria Falls, Tongabezi is one of the most exclusive lodges in Zambia.
Waterberry Lodge
Offering great value for money and within easy reach of the Victoria Falls, Waterberry is a small, family-friendly lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River.
Islands of Siankaba
In a lovely location on the Zambezi upriver of the Victoria Falls, Islands of Siankaba provides a tranquil setting to relax at the start or end of a safari to Botswana or Zambia.
Toka Leya Camp
The new Toka Leya Camp stands beside the Zambezi inside Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park – so wildlife often passes through. It's a comfortable tented camp which has great service and includes a range of activities.
The River Club
The River Club, near Zambia's town of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, overlooks the Zambezi River.
Sindabezi
Sindabezi, near Zambia's town of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, is an island in the middle of the Zambezi River
Thorntree River Lodge
Rebuilt in 2017, Thorntree River Lodge is one of the best riverside lodges in Livingstone, with a strong sense of the environment and straightforward access to the Falls.
David Livingstone Lodge
The four-star David Livingstone Safari Lodge is in a lovely spot on the edge of the Zambezi River in Zambia, close to the Victoria Falls.
Tangala House
Tangala House, the family home near Zambia's town of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls
Sussi & Chuma
Sussi & Chuma combines a luxurious, laid-back camp with a good location on the Zambezi River, with quick access to the Victoria Falls.
