Zambia: reviews from our travellers

"On return we could not fault the advice and guidance we were given by Lucy at Expert Africa.

The Robin Pope Safari experience was of a very high standard with the quality of guiding and camps expertly selected. The transfers were all very well done with no lost time as these are treated as being part of the driving safari experience. The camps hostess and the good humour of the guides ensured that the visit was good fun all the way through.

We could not fault the techinical knowledge of the camp guides and they certainly added to the experience.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Whole trip was completely faultless and ran totally trouble free so sorry but can't make any good suggestions here!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"Having done the trip there is somethings I know I'll do different next time, but it was a great holiday." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip

"This was the best holiday we have ever had, and we've had some excellent holidays.

All travel arrangements went smoothly. Our itinerary was excellent with a great choice of camps. We liked every camp and everthing went so well that we arrived home feeling completely rested and relaxed. Other guests and guides or managers who saw our itinerary in South Luangwa said we had made very good choices. I'm pleased we chose camps that offered walking as we grew to love starting the day with a walk.

We are already thinking about our next trip and will use Expert Africa again. Thanks Maruska for arranging this wonderful trip.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None. The trip was perfect." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 22 on a Zambia safari

"After three previous planned trips, our long-awaited Zambia safari fulfilled all of our (lofty) expectations.

The varied, fun-filled days and nights in Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa were all that we had hoped for and both parks more than deserve their reputation. To just name a few highlights: 7 great leopard sightings in 10 days, lions hunting/feeding on buffalo/playing with cubs, elephants within reach (his and mine), lazily canoeing down the great Zambezi river (incl. hippo "bump") or herds of elephant majestically crossing the Luangwa/Zambezi.

Lake Malawi and Kaya Mawa has been a wonderful addition that should not be missed.

As usual, thank you very much to Ellie and the Expert Africa team for their knowledgeable advice and valuable service - there is a reason we have booked all of our Africa trips with Expert Africa during the last 10 years. May there be many more to come

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Keep doing what you are doing" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"It was a great return to Africa this time with two relatives one of which is elderly and the other infirm. The Robin Pope camps went out of their way to help in every way they could - nothing seemed to be too much trouble, I hope they keep up this standard now they have been taken over.

Would have spent more time at Nkwali (3 rather than 2 nights) to start the holiday.

Saw a lot more game/birds than our last visit which was 6 weeks earlier in the season (2004)." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"Robin Pope Safaris run a very very good operation and they set the standards of exellence without ever feeling the need to shout about it or shove it in one's face. We asked to go 'back stage' at Tena Tena and found a whole city of people working on our behalf - all smiling and just as happy as front of house. RPS deserve great credit for not jumping on the bandwagon and charging a single room supplement to the many people who choose (or have no choice) to travel independently.

The guiding and game viewing were excellent and it was so nice to enjoy the company of wildlife without, in most instances, anyone else around to spoil the perfect experience.

South Luangwa is a very beautiful place with a surprisingly varied landscape. It is a great destination for those who really want to appreciate an African safari rather than simply ticking the boxes and going back home.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Although we recieved a large bundle of vouchers, these were only required in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe is a much better place to view Victoria Falls during the dry season and it really should be suggested as an option when putting together itineraries for visits to Zambia .

We recommend pre booking some activities at the Falls. We did this for the Flight of Angels but not for the sunset cruise and we only managed to get on one of the smaller more exclusive boats owing to a last minute cancellation. There is no point in going all that way to be disappointed" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"we were in the bush for 12 days and wondered whether this was too long. It wasn't!

The combination of bush walking (Zebra Plains), vehicle based (Tafika) and water based (Old Mondoro worked really well and we saw some great game. It did seem that some of the game denisty had dropped since our last visit to Zambia in 2003 but we were glad to be back.

As usual Maruska was a star; patient and helpful in knitting together a perfect trip at short (4 weeks) notice.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

none" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"We would rather have put EXCELLENT but 'very satisfactory' will have to do!

We have recommended our trip to everyone on our return and will certainly be exploring some future opportunities to travel on safari again with Expert Africa!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Nothing to suggest - it was all excellent!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"This was my 3rd time to Africa and my husband's first. We were celebrating our 25th anniversary and my dream of seeing Victoria Falls. The trip was a dream come true - for both of us. David couldn't imagine how something as large as an adult elephant could be 'hidden' right next to us. And, the guides, wildlife, camps and staff never disappointed us.

Now I just need to figure out a way to take our 3 children (ages 19/21/23) to Africa to show them why I've always said 'imagine we are the zoo and the animals are us'. They roam freely and still give me such joy!!!!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Maruska was excellent in that she had visited some of the camps we stayed in and had other guests whose comments she shared with us.
She took the time to really listen to our wants and needs to what we were looking for and picked out some really good options and helped us pick the best. I will recommend Expert Africa to friends and family.

Thank you Maruska for a fantastic vacation / 25th wedding anniversary!!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"We had a fabulous holiday in three parts which were all very different experiences but all we would do again. I did not expect to return home as rested and refreshed as we did; I thought we would be tired, stressed and in need ofsun and a good beach to chill out on. Far from it - we came home buzzing and wanting more.

I also appreciated the personal email from Ellie on our return rather than just this form.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

More of the same please!" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari