Reviews of trips to Livingstone & Victoria Falls

"This was our second Expert Africa safari, and we are as happy with the planning and service as we were on our first trip. We think that you have the best website and brochure available anywhere, and it makes the planning process much easier.

We initially had difficulty deciding whether to go to Botswana or Zambia, so when we called to discuss the differences we were connected with Chris McIntyre. Chris spent almost an hour on the telephone with us discussing the merits of each country, and thoroughly explaining the differences between the safari experiences in them. When we got off the phone, we were both captivated by the idea of travel in Zambia because of the possibility of walking treks with well-trained guides.

From there, Claire Scott became our contact and helped us decide which camps best suited our wishes. Her recommendations were perfect!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Only one minor thing...... Since we were visiting Victoria Falls in September at a time when the river flow is low, we wish that we had been advised that the viewing is better from Zimbabwe. We would have arranged for a 2-entry Zambian visa and allotted time to cross the border" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"Am aware that have not been able to offer any constructive criticism! It was beyond our expectattions and would offer the following.
Your advice regarding the itinery was spot on:
A break in Livingstone set us up after the long journey
Leballa - a really great introduction to Africa, the attitude of the staff was tangibly happy
Kwara - enabled full activities and so was a good mid point
NAxi Pan - peaceful and laid back, a great place to finish our trip.

Most impressed by all the transfers which all went off without a hitch, the drivers/pilots/airport staff all very keen to help, however a pocketful of $1 bills probab ly heped!!. Perhaps in you notes you could list a rough exchange rate for Rands, Kwacha and Pula as we got a bit confused at times esp in the airport souvenir shops! At one point were intriged to have a bill for 1.3 milliod kwacha for out Zambezi Sun extras ( about £170!). Perhaps beware of the prices in the Camp souvenier shops, pricey but there again reasonable when you consider having to transport it all there.

Really had a fabulous time and have started saving up for a repeat trip, perhaps in the rainy season next time.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Soory to not have any suggestions, really impressed by your service - better than your rivals!!

The animal book you sent us was great, just enough to whet the appetite, they guides all carried very detailed books in the jeeps for really detailed identification. The availability of laundry facilities allowed us to cut down on our packing, we both managed on 10kgs total and so had no probs with getting our cases on the small planes. Your notes for travellers were very detailed and helpful" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"We had the most spectacular trip with one of the highlights visiting Livingstone Island on the Victoria Falls and making our way to the "Devil's Pool" - although I had no idea how dangerous it was until I was halfway there!!

Thanks so much for helping us organise a fabulous week in Africa and making our journey so special. It all went unbelievably well and I will send you my detailed blog posts on the trip as and when I write them.

Or check out my blog here in the next few weeks http://familyaffairsandothermatters.com

Thanks again.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Claire also helped us hugely and no, I can't think of ways of improving your service at the moment - apart from hiring me as your new Zambia expert!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"This was a wonderful trip. We were fortunate to have excellent lodges, very good service and some fantastic game viewing and guiding.

The only slightly disappointing part was aspects of our stay in Livingstone but overal these did very little to affect our impression that this was one of our best holidays ever.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"DIfficult to know where to begin: it was such a wonderful experience: our first time on safari - total beginners: we didn't know what to expect.

The planning and organisation by Expert Africa was excellent: we felt that the EA team in London really gave us personal treatment. The mixture of different styles of camp and environments in Zambia and Botswana which Expert Africa suggested gave us a great perspective.

Overall, our preference was for the more remote camps with the close-to-nature feel. The combination of water and grass and woodlands was particularly interesting not only for their beauty but also for the variety of animals and birds to be seen. The Luangwa and the Zambezi rivers are stamped forever on our memories.

There seemed to be a very good team spirit particularly in the small, locally run camps. All 8 camps were impeccable, well run and there was always a warm welcome. We were amazed at the wonderful homemade food in such remote places. We only took 10kgs each of baggage (plus cameras) but could have managed with less as the same-day laundry facilities were very good and there was no time to "dress-up" in the evenings. We were impressed by the policy of training local staff from humble jobs right up to management: they all seemed very proud of their jobs and their country.

We had first-class guides everywhere - very skilled and well informed and good company.

We were amazed at how many guests had been on safari numerous times before, often to the same camps. We met some really nice people both local and guests from all over the world - which is important as you are all thrown together both in the jeeps and round the campfires. We were also amazed at how close one comes to the animals in the bush - even lions and leopard. We were not previously bird-watchers - but the variety of beautiful birds and the dawn chorus was so different to what we know in Europe.

Would we go back? We are starting a bit late in life but we have wonderful memories of this experience and hope we will be able to go back.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Some of the non-English-speaking guests could have been helped if the camps/guides had some field guides in other languages e.g. French. A couple of our guides (Dukes in Selinda, Bibi in Chitabe Lediba) were interested to learn French or Italian which could be a way of attracting more guests from other parts of Europe. The majority of guests were either from UK or USA.

A couple of ideas for the gift-shops: post-cards of the camps and of local scenery (+ stamps). If postcards were available they were mostly of animals. Small gifts such as letter openers, hair clips and hair accessories made of wood or bone. CD's of local music.

In two camps in Zambia (Tena Tena & Chiawa) we were given aluminium water bottles to use during our stay and keep as souvenirs. This was an excellent idea. Also the local filtered water was excellent and gave us no tummy problems. Only in Chitabe did the water have a strange smell and taste." Read full review: 52 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"expensive but unforgettable.

Most of the lodges are so nice one wants to live there, at least for a long time. Gwynneth was extremely helpful and efficient when we needed her (we had to made some last minute arrangements because we were not able to cross the border to Botswana - our fault) but she fixed it and the outcome was excellent" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 4 on a Namibia trip

"A superb experience." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"Overall it was very good: the variety of locations and wild life mix, top guides, generally very good catering and personal attention. Good advice from Expert Africa. The basic itineray was discussed and fixed with Lucy Copson. Nick Hobbs and Megan Ingoldby helped very active and constructively fixing issues and final arrangements. I cannot select one team member (see below), so I indicated Chris McIntyre. You should change the question to the team members (multiple) who assisted." Read full review: 26 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"We were very pleased with our holiday. Everything worked out smoothly and it exceeded our expectations.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Perhaps a couple of comments on the trip notes. We arrived on time in Lusaka early on Saturday morning, but immigration was dreadful at nearly 1.5 hours and we were worried we would miss the connecting flight; the notes don't give any advice on what to do if that happens. Further, the banks were shut at that time so it wasn't possible to change dollars. However, after the initial panic we were told we could pay the internal departure fees by credit card (Visa or Mastercard). And that proved to be true at Livingstone as well as Lusaka. Making that clear in the notes would have lessened the stress somewhat." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"I really enjoyed my safari trip and was very pleased with all the camps.

I was very happy with the help planning that was provided by Expert Africa. I was very pleased with the honest reviews of camps that were given and if I am ever planning another safari, I will definitely make use of Expert Africa's services. Thanks very much to Elie and Nick.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I was thoroughly impressed by the services provided by Expert Africa and have no suggestions. I began planning my trip very late and was impressed by how helpful everyone was even though I was so late booking." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari