Zambia: reviews from our travellers

"Amazing trip, amazing service and easy planning with Anna of Expert Africa.

Have found the Zambian experience to meet and exceed every expectation. As our first trip to Africa we found the Zambian people a refreshing change, who seem to never stop smiling and great pride in such a magical country. Safri with Norman Carr Safaris was a trip we will never forget.

The Norman Carr 'magic button' seems to always bring out the best wildlife, the best behaviour and the best safari experience. We found it quite emotional to be leaving a place that felt more home than England. Next time we will try losing our passports to at least stay that bit longer.

A wonderful trip only exceeded by the fact we are now engaged to be wed!

Suggestions for improvement:

Help us to stay longer next time!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"We have been fortunate that we have been on Safari on a number of occasions and have a great love of Africa. We have always had a great experience and a fair few adrenalin rushes when out in the Bush.

From the start of itinery planning with Expert Africa until the time we reluctantly have to come home we have always received friendly firstclass care and treatment.

Suggestions for improvement:

I cannot think of any improvements as I have always had firstclass treatment." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 16 on a Zambia safari

"In fact I would go higher than this if the choices allowed and say that it was truely memorable. The key factors were:

1. The initial conversation with Chris and and Anna to help make our choices.
2. The Expert Africa web site is just brilliant at providing information for making informed choices.
3. The way that Anna coomunicated with us and when necessary made changes to accommodate our preferences.
4. The Lodges did just what it says on the tin.
5. The wildlife was beyond our expectations
6. The Delta and Chobe are a good combination

If I could improve on this the only thing I would need is a trip that geared to the needs of a video enthusiast. Guides that don't talk too much and fellow tourists that can avoide asking questions or chating when I am filming. Not many tourists take video so don't understand how much a microphone can pick up. The only answer is to have a truck to yourslef but at $500 a day at Duba is a bit too much on top of the trip cost.

This was our second trip organised with Expert Africa. My comments above reflect the high satisfaction we have with both the individuals and the company. This was also reflected by others whom we met on this trip who had booked with Expert Africa. We particualrly appreciate the care in making selections geared to what we like doing. The two way communication feels more like a partnership than a traditional customer relationship. You have proved that this standard can be maintained so we would have no hesitation in both coming to you again and recommending others to save themselves a lot of trouble and use Expert Africa." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"A most wonderful trip but slightly tainted by a very dissapointing visit to Kings Pool Premier Camp. The pure extravagance and oppulance does not compensate for poor game viewing.

If Wilderness Safaris are moving to towards more and bigger Premier camps I trust they retain some of the Clasics." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Wonderful. We have had a short game trip in the Kruger many years ago but this exceeded our expectations. Ian used to live in Zambia as a teenager and this was his first visit back there for 45 years. He now wishes he had returned earlier. Gloria had never seen the Victoria Falls and she thought it was fantastic.

We thought Botswana and its people were delightful and would not hesitate to recommend this trip to our friends.

Thank you everyone.

Suggestions for improvement:

No very happy with the way the trip was organised." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"In a word - excellent.

We were also most impressed to receive a signed copy of Chris's book and about him giving up a hour or two after hours one friday evening to talk everything through and answer all our initial questions. We also found Lucy a fountain of useful information and suggestions, who also gave prompt answers to any queries I had." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari

"We had a fantastic trip. All the logistics worked out perfectly, our flights from camp to camp were all in the middle of the day so we didn't miss any activities and all the flights except the last one were without any stops and we were the only passengers. The only incident came on the trip back home, when our BA flight from joburg to heathrow had a 4 hour delay, so we missed our connection to Madrid and had to take a later flight. At least they didn't lose our bags!

We really liked the lodges & camps, most of them met or exceeded our expectations, and we will recommend them to friends, except perhaps Jack's Camp, which we didn't like that much: it's too stuffy and snobbish for our taste, the people there need to loosen up a bit. Also, we didn't like that they plan all the activities for you and don't tell you what the plan is when you arrive, it's like they want everything to be a big secret surprise, a bit childish and condescending.

All the rest were fine, our favorite was Duma Tau. I also loved Mapula because of its very relaxed and laid-back atmosphere and its focus on game viewing; my wife also liked it though she found it too rustic and less tidy than the others.

Expert Africa did an excellent job in organizing this trip, keeping us informed of changes (e.g., when NationWide Air went bankrupt and the flight was changed to BA), submitting all the info, etc. I especially liked the "camp availability chart" they sent us so we could figure out how to fit our preferred camps in the itinerary, that was a most useful tool for urs." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"We had a great trip. Good transport, great game viewing, excellent food and accomodation, very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable guides/lodge staff." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"Superb.

We felt very well prepared for our trip and will recommend Expert Africa to our friends and family." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"Lucy and Chris did a fine job working with us to plan the trip. All the arrangements went smooth as silk.

Thanks to all of you at Expert Africa!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari