Zambia: reviews from our travellers

""Wow". Words fail me when it comes to summarising our trip to Zambia and Zimbabwe.

We had done our homework before engaging the assistance of Expert Africa with Claire and the team including a lenghty chat with Chris where we asked many questions, so while we were first time safari travellers we did know what we wanted and we recognized and truly appreciated the expertise and the great suggestions offered. We planned our three week trip as our one chance to go to Africa and we wanted to do it right, and see the majesty and the wildness of Southern Africa while it was still there.

The two main areas we visited, South Luangwa in Zambia and Mana Pools in Zimbabwe provided us exactly what we were hoping for and in many ways exceeded our expectations. The grandeur of the vistas and the abundance and variety of the wildlife was impressive. The staff at each of the camps couldn't do enough in their genuine desire to make your stay pleasureable and memorable.

We were chatting with one of the other guests staying at the Tafika camp. They had a similar ideas to us a few years earlier which was to come once and make it good. They have been back many times since. I think we may also he headed down that same path. They offered up a quote I have re-used a few times since. "If you don't want to come back to Africa, then don't go to Africa."

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We returned home just yesterday from our trip.

The only hassles we experienced were due to airline troubles (delayed flights - LOST BAGGAGE!) and these had nothing to do with the great plans and logistics made by Expert Africa that made getting around remarkably simple.

Just as a side note. I am not one who is prone to exaggeration, and rarely give ratings of 'Excellent' as there are usually areas where improvements can be made. But here I have made an exception. We had the time of our lives on these safaris. It is difficult to point out where Expert Arfica could have improved our experience - and my rating reflect that.

Congratulations on a job well done. If (when) we go back to Africa, you will be the first call we make after we figure out where and when we will go. I have already recommended Expert Africa to my relatives who are considering a Southern Africa trip in 2013." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"If you love Africa and safari but are less keen on the cost of Botswana or crowds in Serengeti or Maasai Mara then try South Luangwa or Lower Zambezi in Zambia. Expert Africa, and Maruska Adye in particular, organised a wonderful and faultless trip.

After several visits to Africa we can confirm that the continent's best accomodation, and best value, is the Albida Suite at Chongwe River Camp!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No - great service, thanks." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"We had five wonderful days in South Luangwa. Everything was very well organized by Expert Africa and their communication with the camps.

Being in one larger camp and one small was a good experience, on Flat Dogs you could pass the time as you pleased, and on Tena Tena you became more of a family eating your meals together at a long table getting to know the people working there.

The experience of the safari as a whole is very guide dependant since that is how you spend most of your day. So all the good things of how the food is and how the camps are, comes second." Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zambia safari

"We did have a great time, but all the little things mentioned before just meant that we had a good time and not a special time which we felt we had when we came back from Tanzania the last time we went on safari (and to be fair I expected for the amount of money we spent). For example in Tanzania the camp manager would sit down with us the evening before and discuss our activities for the next day, the communication was not very good on this holiday, we were not given a choice on drives or told where we were doing except in Nsefu. When we went to go on an alternative route in Tena Tena we had to turn around as the guide said we cannot go that way as they are going there (which was the two French guys).

At Robin's house Helen was given a lot of food she could eat that was especially made, and whilst Polly made an effort at mealtimes, Helen was limited with snacks etc at both Nsefu and Tena Tena, ( I put on weight eating all the cakes etc and she lost weight). But Helen did have sandwiches on the last day from Tena Tena out of rice flour.

The holiday was a 9 or 9.5 out of 10 but so easily could have been a 10 which was the disappointing part for all of us but especially Helen with it being her first safari.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I was very pleased with the service we received from both Maruska and you as a company, I would certainly recommend you and would be keen to book with you again." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Botswana which is a wonderful country.

We would recommend it to others." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"The fact that we have now made ten trips with EA since 2006 speaks for itself - and this one was right up there with the best. We continue to have no hesitation recommending Chris and his team to others." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zimbabwe safari

"Efficient and knowledgeable." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 3 on a Namibia trip

"We had a good mix with first the Ichobezi House Boat to unwind after the flight out and in a brilliant area on the Chobe River and then three nights in two different camps, Saile and Kwara, with early morning game drives and early evening drives or boat trips.

To end up with three nights on the Islands of Siankaba was a great idea to relax in comfort to end the holiday.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

As I have said above I think alternatives to flying to Johannesburg and then one and a half hours back to Botswana/Caprivi Strip/Zambia shouid be considered such as Lusaka.

Overall it was well organised and everything happend as planned.

A great holiday and thanks." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 3 on a Namibia trip

"We are quite experienced Africa travelers, and so we know pretty much what we are to expect. It is important that we have an agent who understands Africa as well, and we always find that with Expert Africa. Another well organised and most enjoyable safari holiday" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"We hadn't been on a safari before and this trip exceeded our expectations in every way!
The standard of food and accommodation was excellent. The Norman Carr guides were very knowledgeable and only too happy to answer questions. We learnt a lot about the animals and birds and the environment they live in, which we found very interesting. The hosts and their teams in the camps were all very friendly and helpful, doing their utmost to make our stay very enjoyable.
Maybe we were lucky because we went to the South Luangwa Valley at one of the best times for wildlife viewing but we were amazed at the amount of animals we saw, especially whilst walking, when we hadn't really expected to see much.
The best part of the whole safari experience, for us, was definitely the bush camps and the walking. We loved the thrill of seeing the animals from ground level and the feeling of being "away from it all" at the camps. It was a fantastic experience." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari