Zambia: reviews from our travellers

"Virtually every aspect of our holiday was wonderful.

We knew what to expect from Kapani and Kakuli from our previous visits, and we weren't disappointed; in fact, if anything, we'd forgotten just how marvellous a place Kakuli is. At both lodges, the Norman Carr staff - especially the guides - are an inspiring lot!

We are delighted we 'took the plunge' and went in the rainy season. As foreseen, the bird viewing was extraordinary, but the big game viewing was equally fruitful and - on occasions - dramatic." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"We were very pleased with the overall selection of camps and the pacing of the holiday generally. We felt that going to the Kalahari first was a good move as it might have seemed a bit low key if we had ended here. The efficiency of the transfer arrangements including help with immigration was outstanding.

The advice regarding the "green season" was good and we have no regrets about going at this time. We only had two occasions when the heavens opened and one of the game drives had to be abandoned. Several times we had spectacular lightning without any rain. Viewing at the Victoria Falls was restricted due to the very high water levels.

It would have been nice to have spent a little time in Maun before flying onwards as it seems to be the centre of the universe as far as the Delta is concerned. The Kwando Safari organisation (including Moremi Air) seemed well organised and we liked their camps. We enjoyed meeting Sue Smart at Kwara.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The warnings about space in passports for visas etc proved unnecessary. We took wet weather jackets but this was not really necessary as ponchos and umbrellas were provided at all camps." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"It was a wonderful trip. We were aware that we were not doing this trip at an ideal time of the year, but, it enabled us to see a different side to Namibia having exprienced the South and the deserts previously this was totally different.

We found the driving along the Caprivi Strip rather monotonous, but, it certainly gave us a feeling of being the real Africa with the small Villages along the way and cattle, goats and children scattered in the road until the occasional car/lorry approached. Everyone we stopped to speak to were friendly and happy to communicate with us.

It was interesting that apart from Waterberg all the other lodges we stayed at were on islands which again made it very different to our last visit and allowed us to see the wild life of the rivers and wetlands.
The Victoria Falls was our highlight which we wanted it to be.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No. This is our 2nd trip with you and we would highly recommend you to all our friends and family." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 5 on a Namibia trip

"Before going out to these places, I had very high expectation. Nothing and nobody changed my opinion. I have once again seen what I wanted to see and achieved just what I wanted.

South Luangwa, still the best, Northern Botswana a close second. Very happy and I hope to produce a Dvd that will be sent to all the lodges and camps concerned, last year's Dvd has already been shown and went down rather well. It has been a pleasure to go and stay at these magical places, where the animals, the birds, the grasses and inland seas humble me. Africa beckons, please go and see for yourselves.

Thankyou to everyone that contributed in making this another special trip to 'minha' Africa.

Ashante sana.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The bush camps that Norman Carr safaris operate can be a great selling point, Kapani lodge is already perfect." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"This vacation – our fourth in four years with Expert Africa – was definitely the best we have done so far. We achieved in full our two main objectives, ie seeing Africa green from the rains (including a storm in the Kalahari while we were there); and focusing primarily on birds (with copious help from our expert guides, nearly 200 species identified over 12 days including some real rarities). Furthermore, we managed to see more species of mammals than we have on any of our previous three trips despite the more abundant vegetation and the national park restrictions in the Kalahari; and, of course, we had the pleasure of the Victoria Falls.

The high bird count was in part a reflection of the season. But we also felt that we benefitted in that respect – and similarly with mammals – from staying in four very different terroirs during our trip, ie the “mighty Zambezi” just above Vic Falls, Linyanti, the Delta and the Kalahari. And, needless to say, we would not have been anything like as successful without expert guides in all four camps in which we stayed.

Given the amount of moving around we did – more than usual, especially when one includes the day-trip into Zimbabwe – we should also note that the logistics worked throughout with commendable smoothness thanks to a combination of your planning and extremely competent and pleasant people looking after us locally.

In sum, this was a great trip." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"this was a great trip after Mr. S had finished a 2-month work placment and Mrs S joined him for a well-earned holiday!

The accomodation was all excelelent and the support given by Lucy to Mrs S. when she was booking all this holiday was great.

We loved Zambia, haver made many new friends and intend returning in 2010!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No .................apart from ................keep up the good work and a BIG thanks to Lucy for all her hlep with our trip!" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 17 on a Zambia safari

"We had an amazing trip to Zambia and Botswana, in no small part thanks to Anna and Expert Africa. I don't think that we made Anna's life easy because we did not know where exactly we wanted to go but she really listened to the things that we said we did/didn't want and came up with 3 suggestions for places to stay that were perfect for us. When we had questions about booking a particular camp, Anna answered our questions honestly and we really felt that we knew what we were getting.

This was our second trip with Expert Africa and the things that most impress us are the fact that the people you speak to at Expert Africa really know the reserves and camps and can tell you what they are like and the fact that all of the logistics (flights/transfers etc) work so smoothly. This is not the kind of trip that we would want to organise independently and it is so nice to just be able to turn up and have everything arranged for you.

Thanks Anna for a great holiday!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"We very much enjoyed our trip to Africa organized by Expert Africa. I was just trying to be honest with the different places in remarking on observations, but overall we had a great time.

Thank you Claire very much for organizing this memoriable trip for us.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No suggestions - we had a great time. All of our questions were answered before we left and we were very well prepared. Thank you." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"Our safari was efficiently and thoughtfully organised by Anna and the whole trip worked very smoothly. We were particularly impressed by Joseph and his colleague who met us at Lusaka as soon as we were off the plane. He saw us through visa control and security and stayed with us until we boarded for Mfuwe. He was there again for the return journey. This made such a difference to us when trying to negotiate an unfamiliar airport.

We perhaps would not choose to go to Zambia again at this time of year, due to the extreme heat and humidity. Tsetse flies were a problem, however the locations, the people and the animals more than made up for any discomfort.

Thank you to Anna for all her hard work and best wishes to the team at Expert Africa. See you at Destinations!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

You are EXPERT Africa - we are unable to think of anything you could do to improve your service - apart from perhaps covering Kenya?!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"Overall our trip was excellent.

Once again the advice and recommendations from Expert Africa allowed us to plan a trip that met our needs and expectations. No doubt other camps in South Luangwa are also very good but Kaingo Camp met or exceeded our goals and expectations for this trip.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The Expert Africa website remains one of the most thorough and informative websites I have encountered and the staff we worked with on this trip and our previous trip to Botswana were superb.

I will use Expert Africa again when we next have an opportunity to travel to Africa." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari