Reviews of trips to Livingstone & Victoria Falls
585 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Livingstone.
Mrs & Mr C
Toronto
"My May 2012 trip"
I visited Namibia and 3 other countries between 2 May 2012 and 26 May 2012
"This was the perfectly orchestrated trip, introducing us to southern Africa. Maruska's ability to listen and plan an experience for complete strangers is uncanny.
Her recommendations assured us of perfect days, every day. To be met at a remote airfield, an hour late, by a jeep who dropped us at a waiting boat at the side of the river, met at the other side and taken to a hotel, all by kind, proud, and efficient staff is an amazing feat. It never occurred to us to be worried - we just accepted each step as part of our wonderful journey.
Looking back it could have been a series of mishaps - but it was perfect! Graeme never wants to travel anywhere else because we enjoyed sights and experiences we never imagined - endless desert, rich delta, the power and beauty of the animals, the kind and gentle people, and moving music. Thank you for the gift!" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip
Her recommendations assured us of perfect days, every day. To be met at a remote airfield, an hour late, by a jeep who dropped us at a waiting boat at the side of the river, met at the other side and taken to a hotel, all by kind, proud, and efficient staff is an amazing feat. It never occurred to us to be worried - we just accepted each step as part of our wonderful journey.
Looking back it could have been a series of mishaps - but it was perfect! Graeme never wants to travel anywhere else because we enjoyed sights and experiences we never imagined - endless desert, rich delta, the power and beauty of the animals, the kind and gentle people, and moving music. Thank you for the gift!" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs K
Bucks
"disappointing but with some highlights"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 28 Apr 2012 and 12 May 2012
"Botswana was our 5th trip to Africa on safari holiday. We had very high expectations on the basis of outstanding previous experiences. But we returned very disappointed. There were few exciting moments and our memories, quite honestly, are of relative dullness. Our photos convey this; we have relatively few and those which we have are not as good as others taken on previous trips. The meerkats and vic falls were the exception but this was an extremely expensive way to see them!!
There was just no excitement. We were expecting the delta to be lush and teeming with wildlife but in reality it is just a series of islands interspersed with wet bits. We went all the way to Botswana and didn't even see a hippo! And we saw just one elephant in the water. You see more in Kenya! The country is also very flat and visually dull. Even the short flights are boring.
The guides are all very pleasant but come across as bored. Where is the enthusiasm?
It's hard to put it onto words without coming across as overly moany. We regret going, to be honest, as it is an expensive country (why???) and we could have had 4 good other holidays in place of this one. We won't be recommending Botswana to anyone.
This appears to be a country which is cleverly marketed but fails to deliver in reality." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
There was just no excitement. We were expecting the delta to be lush and teeming with wildlife but in reality it is just a series of islands interspersed with wet bits. We went all the way to Botswana and didn't even see a hippo! And we saw just one elephant in the water. You see more in Kenya! The country is also very flat and visually dull. Even the short flights are boring.
The guides are all very pleasant but come across as bored. Where is the enthusiasm?
It's hard to put it onto words without coming across as overly moany. We regret going, to be honest, as it is an expensive country (why???) and we could have had 4 good other holidays in place of this one. We won't be recommending Botswana to anyone.
This appears to be a country which is cleverly marketed but fails to deliver in reality." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Poor
Mr & Mrs W
Washington
"My Apr 2012 trip"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 14 Apr 2012 and 19 Apr 2012
"A great holiday, very well organized by Expert Africa. The suggestion to stay at the Islands of Siankaba was spot on, we really enjoyed our time there, as well as on the day trip to Chobe. To our surprise, the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was a really nice place, which we did not expect from some of the comments we read on Trip Advisor earlier on.
Our only mild disappointment were the falls themselves (out of the hands of all that had to do with this trip) - there was so much water and hence so much spray in the air that it was not easy to really see the falls, but the good glimpses we got were fantastic.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We were very impressed with the friendliness and efficiency of both Megan Ingoldby who handled the initial contact and Maruska Adye who led us through the steps and finalized the program - you could not really do better - and in such a cordial manner! Your brochure and guides as well as your website are amazing, never have I seen better!
We will certainly keep you in mind when we organize our next trip to Africa." Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 3 on a Zambia safari
Our only mild disappointment were the falls themselves (out of the hands of all that had to do with this trip) - there was so much water and hence so much spray in the air that it was not easy to really see the falls, but the good glimpses we got were fantastic.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We were very impressed with the friendliness and efficiency of both Megan Ingoldby who handled the initial contact and Maruska Adye who led us through the steps and finalized the program - you could not really do better - and in such a cordial manner! Your brochure and guides as well as your website are amazing, never have I seen better!
We will certainly keep you in mind when we organize our next trip to Africa." Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 3 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs F
Salop
"My Apr 2012 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 11 Apr 2012 and 27 Apr 2012
"Wonderful holiday with fabulous memories"
Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs G
Harrow
"Trip to Zambia"
I visited Zambia between 5 Apr 2012 and 12 Apr 2012
"All arrangements worked out perfectly, the ground handling was greay all in all a very positive experience"
Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr H
Wiltshire
""
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 23 Mar 2012 and 6 Apr 2012
"it could have been perfect. but it wasnt quite
delayed baggage didn't help but that was BA and Air Botswana mixup but five days late ! luckily I had a spare T shirt and bought a hat at Maun.
stolen phone,...at Maun airport in jacket pocket.
baggage hold not checked at Little Kwara strip.. seats not checked either before take off,.. caused me distress and a lot of work for Chan Gu and other staff.. shame really.
in order.. we loved Footsteps , we really liked Little Kwara , Bushbuck River lodge was agood location with helpful cheerful owner..and good value, delicious food there.. Siankaba was a lovely place to end our safari and get ready to leave...the views across the river and the staff were so freindly.. evening cruise is still remembered.
Thanks Maruska for helping to put a good package together" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
delayed baggage didn't help but that was BA and Air Botswana mixup but five days late ! luckily I had a spare T shirt and bought a hat at Maun.
stolen phone,...at Maun airport in jacket pocket.
baggage hold not checked at Little Kwara strip.. seats not checked either before take off,.. caused me distress and a lot of work for Chan Gu and other staff.. shame really.
in order.. we loved Footsteps , we really liked Little Kwara , Bushbuck River lodge was agood location with helpful cheerful owner..and good value, delicious food there.. Siankaba was a lovely place to end our safari and get ready to leave...the views across the river and the staff were so freindly.. evening cruise is still remembered.
Thanks Maruska for helping to put a good package together" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Good
Mr & Mrs H
Cambs.
""
I visited Botswana and 3 other countries between 16 Mar 2012 and 2 Apr 2012
"Given all the flights and different accommodation there was plenty of opportunity for this holiday to go wrong. In the event there was only one potential problem which we narrowly averted - our transfer from the Livingstone to Botswana. At 7pm the evening before our departure we'd not had any transfer instructions. We asked at the desk of The Royal Livingstone who said that all the offices were shut so they couldn't find out any details for us but that most transfers were around 9am. So we went to bed that evening having set our alarms for 7:45. Fortunately my husband got up at 7am to discover a letter under the door telling us we'd be collected at 7:45!
The accommodation was better than we'd expected but, in each instance, had the atmosphere that we'd hoped for so well done to Nick Hobbs and the female (can't rememember her name) who recommended Bazaruto Lodge.
Very impressed by Expert Africa and Wilderness Safaris and would recommend them to anyone thinking of going to Africa." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
The accommodation was better than we'd expected but, in each instance, had the atmosphere that we'd hoped for so well done to Nick Hobbs and the female (can't rememember her name) who recommended Bazaruto Lodge.
Very impressed by Expert Africa and Wilderness Safaris and would recommend them to anyone thinking of going to Africa." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs C & Dr M
Oxford
""
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 15 Feb 2012 and 23 Feb 2012
"This trip was a very good experience indeed. Having been relatively undecided about where to go etc we were helped to choose very rewarding destinations and despite the fact that we were in the middle of Africa and could have been quite confused everywhere, and I mean everywhere, we went there was a representative of the Expert Africa team on hand to let us know that they knew where we were going even if we didn't!
We were assisted through visa points, on and off planes of all sizes, met at airports, ferried to our camps and hotels and always by charming, well-informed guides very patient with elderly people!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari
We were assisted through visa points, on and off planes of all sizes, met at airports, ferried to our camps and hotels and always by charming, well-informed guides very patient with elderly people!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr R & Mrs B
Portugal
"Another great trip"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 20 Jan 2012 and 12 Mar 2012
"All went according to plan with no problems. We have highlighted only 2 things that were not up to standard but not of your doing.
We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and the organisation by yourselves was first class as always.
We asked for our documentation to be sent early as we were leaving our home in Portugal a few days before the part of our holiday that you organised and it arrived even earlier than we expected. Thank you for that.
Can't wait for the next one!
Cannot think of anything." Read full review: 52 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and the organisation by yourselves was first class as always.
We asked for our documentation to be sent early as we were leaving our home in Portugal a few days before the part of our holiday that you organised and it arrived even earlier than we expected. Thank you for that.
Can't wait for the next one!
Cannot think of anything." Read full review: 52 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms B
Birmingham
"Zambia trip"
I visited Zambia between 2 Dec 2011 and 15 Dec 2011
"Wonderful experience, would certainly recommend this to friends and family.
South Luangwa is am amazing place, and has a high density of game, with very knowledgeable and obliging guides, and a very high quality og ecotourism. Visiting in the low season also meant that there were no crowds and I had the guides almost all to myself.
Victoria Falls absolutely amazing, both from land and air.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, just keep up the great service!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
South Luangwa is am amazing place, and has a high density of game, with very knowledgeable and obliging guides, and a very high quality og ecotourism. Visiting in the low season also meant that there were no crowds and I had the guides almost all to myself.
Victoria Falls absolutely amazing, both from land and air.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, just keep up the great service!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
585
reviews of Livingstone by travellers since August 2007
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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.
