Reviews of trips to Livingstone & Victoria Falls
567 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Livingstone.
"A Memorable Zambia experience June 2013"
All our travelling was planned to go off without a hitch, and we were met and assisted all along the way which was wonderful.
Our thanks to Claire for organising it.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Guidelines are needed about whether to tip the hosts." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
"My May 2013 trip"
outstanding choice of lodges and locations - well done
your advice regarding wild dogs was spot on
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
keep up the good work" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
"My May 2013 trip"
"Second to best on our top rated trips"
Some camps turned out to be much better than others; might have to do with the size of them too, and of course, to their management team.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Maybe you should inform people of the cold weather in some of these camps at this time of the year. We did not bring warm enough clothes; some people even had ski masks, that in the early morning drives were nice to have.
About the luggage restrictions, we were appalled to see that we were the only ones complying with everything. We found bags with wheels (actually provided by travel agencies), people carrying 2 or more bags each, plus their handbags and photo equipment. I even heard of people travelling with hair drivers. Some had so much photographic equipment that they needed and extra car to bring it to their camp. So much that, while we were 6 people per jeep, they only had 3 per jeep. This last was, as always, in Chitabe.
Of course, no bag was ever weighted anywhere or even measured. I had such a rough time finding the appropriate bags for this trip that I felt really stupid being one of the few complying with the strict rules." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
"An amazing holiday"
Despite a short delay in Maun which was dealt with quickly and efficiently by Beverly of Mac Air, everything went according to plan thanks to Megan's help and advice. The game drives, lodges and even the wildlife far exceeded our expectations." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
"A cliche but definitely a trip of a lifetime."
As the title suggests, the trip of the lifetime is a cliche but nonetheless true in this case. I would love to visit Botswana in future and just hope that this becomes possible.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The only thing I'd say is that given the timings of our flights which, although we booked them ourselves were the same as those that Expert Africa would have booked for us, it would have been a good idea to stop over for one night in Jo'burg on both outward and return journeys. This would have made the journey far more enjoyable and less tiring.
Clearly we could have made such arrangements but it didn't occur to us until we were waiting for 4 hours plus at Jo'burg airport for our onbound flight to Maun.
So, I suggest that EE might advise their clients that they might like to consider a stop over when flight timings are like this. This is not a major criticism just a suggestion that may make the journeys of other more pleasant. Otherwise we were very happy with the arrangements the EE made for us." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
"My Apr 2013 trip"
As we particularly enjoyed our walking safari, we will definitely plan more walking and boat trips for our next safari. Leaving Africa was, again, very hard. But we're already dreaming about going back!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
It would be great to be informed whether camps accept children." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Botswana safari
"A Great 3 weeks all round Namibia"
My rating of "fairly satisfactory" reflects our problems with Budget - but Expert Africa did recommend Budet, rather than me asking for it. The rest of the trip wa better than "very satisfactory" and I was impressed by Expert Africa's knowledge and help, nudging me to avoid driving to far if we were likely to have to drive after dark, and offering help when hotels were wanted were book (remember you are dealing with hotels of 10 to 20 rooms on most of our trip)
In short I can recommend this sort of trip to anyone, it is doable, safe, instructive and enjoyable." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip
"My Mar 2013 trip"
"An absolutely wonderful holiday."
We were extremely happy with all of our accommodation and transfers. The only disappointment was Rwandair Express which is the most unreliable airline that we've ever flown with, but Saskia did warn me of that in advance so I should have taken her advice to fly SAA instead!
Would highly recommend Expert Africa - and Saskia Adye in particular - to anyone planning a trip to this fascinating continent.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
You thought of everything so .....no!" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 5 on a Rwanda safari
Where 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.
Stanley Safari Lodge
Stanley Safari Lodge has views of Victoria Falls spray from all the rooms, and is a convenient base for exploring the Zambezi River area.
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
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.
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.
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.
