Zambia: reviews from our travellers

"We've now been on 10/12 safaris and this was one of the best yet. Very well organised by Expert Africa and their Senior Consultant Claire Scott who listened to what we required and crafted the itinerary over several iterations.

The S Luangwa National Park in combination with the Lower Zambezi is a good combination for all considering a trip to Zambia. If going to the S Luangwa area don't miss out on the Robin Pope Bush Camping experience with Deb for 3 days, it was the highlight of the trip with a very knowledgeable, and patient, guide." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari

"We had the most wonderful holiday and we could not get over how helpful and charming everybody was, from when we first started to plan our holiday to our return home. The accommodation and food was excellent where ever we went, including the village lunch and we were made to feel that all the guides really cared about us having a good time and getting to see everything. All our transfers were well organised and well driven!

I would highly recommend going to see the Victoria Falls, taking the longer helicopter ride (30 minutes) over it as you then fly down the gorges which is very exciting and helps you understand the formation of the landscape. The buffet breakfast at the Royal Livingston Hotel is also an experience not to be missed.

All the Zambians we met were so genuinely friendly we can not wait to return." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"Fantastic.

Malawi and Zimbabwe proved to be two great countries to combine on this trip. There were many similarities. We found the staff in the camps and the people we met along the way to be very friendly, helpful and interested in us. The high standards of our guides impressed us, from Chris the manager at Mkulumadzi who personally took us on a walk and on a boat up the Shire River, to Richard Chamwala at Mvuu who delighted in sharing all things big and small with us. In our book you can always tell the best guides when they like finding the little birds and bugs to point out, not just the hippos fighting 30 feet away from the boat, both of which Richard did.

Our guide Nduduzi Ndlovu at Camp Amalinda in Matobo Hills was great at listening to us and discovering our interests, as evidenced by the wonderful day we spent with him driving through the park and the local communal lands, visiting a school, and hiking up to a cave with ancient paintings. He not only knows 7 languages but also knows where to find a zonkey!

Even our drivers that took us from one camp to another (or to an airport) were excellent, like Mike from Wilderness Safaris who stopped the car several times so we could see and talk to people and who also helped me buy a tchenge (those colorful traditional fabrics that woman wear as a wrap) in a roadside market.

We went to both countries in the hope that our visit would encourage and support the conservation of wildlife and wild areas. We also came to really appreciate the people of these two countries, where life has not been easy but there is a great determination to carry on and do better.

Claire at Expert Africa, with assistance from Chris, shared many insightful comments from personal experience so that we came up with this list of places to visit that really suited us. As usual, all details were handled and executed perfectly on the ground. This is really saying something because we gave quite short notice of our desire to travel.

And next time I will really believe you when you say that it gets cold in July at night!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari

"Maruska has set the standard for all future travel agents. I cannot recommend her highly enough!

I talked to several travel agents in the US before deciding to work with Maruska. I had called Expert Africa to inquire about the small group trips on the Wild About Africa site. When I started questioning Maruska about the trips, it was immediately clear to me that she was the most knowledgeable agent I had talked to so far.

She efficiently helped me put together my dream trip to Africa, and also helped me to prepare for the trip. Many thanks to her for being unfailingly responsive to my many emails about the practical details of traveling in Africa (money, vaccinations, clothing, etc.).

I'm already looking forward to my next trip to Africa!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No suggestions, as I felt that the service was outstanding." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari

"This was a truly memorable trip.

It was our third trip to Africa, and the best in terms of wildlife viewing. The whole safari experience was wonderful from start to end." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"One of the most fantastic family adventures we've ever had.

Will definitely recommend Expert Africa to others, and would use them again for more travel to Africa. Thank you." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"This was another excellent trip to Zambia, with superb accommodation and fantastic game viewing, some of which we will probably never see again. Initially we both felt that we would like to try a different country the next time but somehow Zambia gets under you skin and won't let go, so no doubt we will be back again in the not too distant future.

Ellie proved to be extremely knowledgeable about the areas we wished to visit and provided excellent feedback and alternative suggestions to our original thoughts.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not sure I can add anything other than to say, keep doing what you are doing, you are obviously very good at it and we would not look elsewhere if we intended to visit any of the countries covered the Expert Africa team." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"Our expectations prior to departing were to have a Zambian experience with a variety of camps, locations and activities. This was achieved far beyond our original expectations.

In all of the camps there was a very cooperative effort on the part of the entire staff which resulted in a most exceptional stay.

Our discussions with Maruska during the planning were very helpful and proved to be particularly useful throughout the entire trip.

We have made four previous trips to Africa, but this was our first to Zambia.

All of these trips are part of the overall wonderful African experience.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No particular suggestions.......... stay with your current mode of operations." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari

"Claire Scott helped me plan this safari and she did a fantastic job.

I was very pleased with everything to do with the logistics, the flights, the camps, etc. The transfers went off without a hitch and it was a lot of fun.

When planning another safari, I would definitely use Expert Africa and Claire again." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari

"A fabulous trip. Zambia is a great safari destination and Lake Malawi the perfect spot for R&R afterwards.

Expert Africa were superb in their efforts to make the trip as best as it could be for us. We heartily recommend them." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari