Reviews of safaris to South Luangwa National Park
896 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include South Luangwa.
Family L
Lagos
"My Mar 2015 trip"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 27 Mar 2015 and 6 Apr 2015
"We loved this trip. Our guests had a fabulous time and things went well all around."
Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr N & Ms S
Zambia
"A valuable visit"
I visited Zambia between 18 Feb 2015 and 3 Mar 2015
"This was our 15th trip with Expert Africa since we first went with them in September 2006. This one was booked at short notice and, as with a couple of previous ones, had to combine (our) business with vacation.
As always, EA provided us with the very highest standard of service from start to finish, including (as has often been the case) a recommended adjustment to our originally proposed itinerary, ie Nsefu, which was definitely an improvement. Furthermore, when our original accommodation in Lusaka cancelled us at very short notice, EA immediately came up and sorted a more than suitable alternative (ie Latitude 15).
The downside of having done 15 trips with EA is that we have run out of superlatives. So, suffice it to say, we have nothing but praise for Chris and his entire team and will continue to recommend EA strongly to anyone considering a vacation on their 'patch'. One simply cannot do better than put oneself in the hands of EA." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari
As always, EA provided us with the very highest standard of service from start to finish, including (as has often been the case) a recommended adjustment to our originally proposed itinerary, ie Nsefu, which was definitely an improvement. Furthermore, when our original accommodation in Lusaka cancelled us at very short notice, EA immediately came up and sorted a more than suitable alternative (ie Latitude 15).
The downside of having done 15 trips with EA is that we have run out of superlatives. So, suffice it to say, we have nothing but praise for Chris and his entire team and will continue to recommend EA strongly to anyone considering a vacation on their 'patch'. One simply cannot do better than put oneself in the hands of EA." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs S
York
"Fanrastic Experience"
I visited Zambia between 31 Jan 2015 and 11 Feb 2015
"This was our second safari (Expert Africa had arranged a trip to Botswana in the dry season in 2012) and so were anxious beforehand that we might be disappointed - this emphatically was not the case and the trip exceeded our wildest dreams.
Practicalities The services of Tours Africa in facilitating our passage though Lusaka Airport were very welcome and suggest that they should always be there on hand to help and advise
SAA flights were much better than BA and we would prefer to use them! Especially as you can prebook the seats without extra cost months in advance. The Proflight flights although cramped were perfectly adequate and would not put us off using them again
Latitude 15 hotel was very comfortable and of high standard of cleanliness, cheerful atmosphere and incredible cheap food. To be recommended. Very swift check in, good portering service and welcome sparkling wine drink!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really I'm afraid, so this feedback will not be that helpful as everything went very smoothly!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari
Practicalities The services of Tours Africa in facilitating our passage though Lusaka Airport were very welcome and suggest that they should always be there on hand to help and advise
SAA flights were much better than BA and we would prefer to use them! Especially as you can prebook the seats without extra cost months in advance. The Proflight flights although cramped were perfectly adequate and would not put us off using them again
Latitude 15 hotel was very comfortable and of high standard of cleanliness, cheerful atmosphere and incredible cheap food. To be recommended. Very swift check in, good portering service and welcome sparkling wine drink!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not really I'm afraid, so this feedback will not be that helpful as everything went very smoothly!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Photographer
IOM
"My Nov 2014 trip"
I visited Zambia between 5 Nov 2014 and 15 Nov 2014
"We intend to book a similar trip again (maybe in 2016). Apart from a few minor issues, everything was perfect.
The only recommendation I would suggest is a visit to a local village - we would have been willing to sacrifice one of our game drives for that." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
The only recommendation I would suggest is a visit to a local village - we would have been willing to sacrifice one of our game drives for that." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr B
Bristol
"North and South Luangwa- WOW!"
I visited Zambia between 25 Oct 2014 and 7 Nov 2014
"My first venture into the North park was special and very private. South Luangwa never let's me down and the safari experience seems to get better every time.
Both NCS and RemoteAfrica provide the highest level of comfort and guiding and everyone should be proud of what they have achieved in provided this grand level of friendly service. Special thanks also to Mindy, very professional in every aspect in the daily running at NCS.
South Luangwa still my favourite game reserve/national park in Africa and one of my favourite places to visit in the world.
Thanks again to Ellie and all at ExpertAfrica.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Keep the flag flying high, standards so high maintained." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
Both NCS and RemoteAfrica provide the highest level of comfort and guiding and everyone should be proud of what they have achieved in provided this grand level of friendly service. Special thanks also to Mindy, very professional in every aspect in the daily running at NCS.
South Luangwa still my favourite game reserve/national park in Africa and one of my favourite places to visit in the world.
Thanks again to Ellie and all at ExpertAfrica.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Keep the flag flying high, standards so high maintained." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Drs Ken & Niru
Devon
"Great trip"
I visited Zambia between 22 Oct 2014 and 5 Nov 2014
"Overall we had a great trip, with lots of wonderful experiences. We saw pretty well everything we wanted. The accommodation and food was excellent. Guides were very good.
Although we knew it was going to be hot, it was still a shock at mid 40's rather than mid 30's. Really we have no complaints and would recommend it to others without reservation" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
Although we knew it was going to be hot, it was still a shock at mid 40's rather than mid 30's. Really we have no complaints and would recommend it to others without reservation" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs S
Aberdeen
"My Oct 2014 trip"
I visited Zambia between 15 Oct 2014 and 25 Oct 2014
"The trip fulfilled our requirements for a restful, wildlife filled break. Guiding was excellent, although the lack of continuity of guides (we had 4 main guides in the 8 days), meant that we had some repetition of information.
Logistically we understand that it is difficult to have one guide for the whole time (one guide who we thought we would be with for the majority of time had to return to town with and eye problem)." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
Logistically we understand that it is difficult to have one guide for the whole time (one guide who we thought we would be with for the majority of time had to return to town with and eye problem)." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr C & Mrs K
UK
"Our Oct 2014 Zambia trip"
I visited Zambia between 10 Oct 2014 and 23 Oct 2014
"As a whole it was an excellent trip. It wouldn't be everyone's idea of a good time. To see the shoebills required a slog for about a mile through a papyrus swamp which entailed sometimes sinking knee deep in the mire but the guides were excellent at trying to show us where we should step and very good at pulling us out when we didn't. The Kapani game drives were amazing. Just about the only game not seen was rhino. The fruit bats at Wasa were unbelievable.
We have a warning about Jo'berg airport that you may want to pass on to others.
Needing to re-check in on SA Airlines, it proved not at all easy to find the appropriate check in desk. Having just arrived from an over night flight and finally locating Terminal B we were pounced upon by a porter (in uniform) as soon as we walked through the door offering to help. This he duly did - it can be done via check in terminals arranged around the stair way. Having done so he then 'demanded' a tip of disproportionate size which being in an unprepared state ( due to the early hour and previous confusion) we proffered. Later calculations, of course, revealed that we'd been 'done'. We felt, upon reflection, that he had positioned himself in readiness to target expectedly confused travellers entering through that route from terminal A." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
We have a warning about Jo'berg airport that you may want to pass on to others.
Needing to re-check in on SA Airlines, it proved not at all easy to find the appropriate check in desk. Having just arrived from an over night flight and finally locating Terminal B we were pounced upon by a porter (in uniform) as soon as we walked through the door offering to help. This he duly did - it can be done via check in terminals arranged around the stair way. Having done so he then 'demanded' a tip of disproportionate size which being in an unprepared state ( due to the early hour and previous confusion) we proffered. Later calculations, of course, revealed that we'd been 'done'. We felt, upon reflection, that he had positioned himself in readiness to target expectedly confused travellers entering through that route from terminal A." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs W
Coventry
"My Oct 2014 trip"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 7 Oct 2014 and 19 Oct 2014
"Megan was exceptionally patient and helpful as we were planning our trip - we ended going to exactly the places that were right for us. Sometimes it is difficult to envisage each camp and their facilities and in this respect Megan was very supportive. The additional detailed information gained from Megan before our trip ensured everything ran smoothly and there were no nasty surprises.
We were pleased that our trip turned out to be very well balanced as we had hoped. South Luangwa obviously has greater game density than our other locations but the Lower Zambezi and Malawi gave different perspectives. The boat trips on the Zambezi were special and the friendliness and birding at Mkulumadzi were a great variation.
It was pleasing to feel that we not only visited an established camp in Zambia but also a brand new luxury camp in its first season. In addition we went to a reserve in Malawi that is trying hard to re-establish itself and really needs and deserves our support.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The only point relates to photographic equipment. We did not have any problems but the weight issues could be a problem for other travellers or ourselves in future. It is almost impossible to stay within the 5 kgs hand luggage limit on the internal flights - it would be better if the airlines specified a maximum total weight including hold luggage. It is never really an issue on the flights as the hand luggage is stowed in the back of the plane." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
We were pleased that our trip turned out to be very well balanced as we had hoped. South Luangwa obviously has greater game density than our other locations but the Lower Zambezi and Malawi gave different perspectives. The boat trips on the Zambezi were special and the friendliness and birding at Mkulumadzi were a great variation.
It was pleasing to feel that we not only visited an established camp in Zambia but also a brand new luxury camp in its first season. In addition we went to a reserve in Malawi that is trying hard to re-establish itself and really needs and deserves our support.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The only point relates to photographic equipment. We did not have any problems but the weight issues could be a problem for other travellers or ourselves in future. It is almost impossible to stay within the 5 kgs hand luggage limit on the internal flights - it would be better if the airlines specified a maximum total weight including hold luggage. It is never really an issue on the flights as the hand luggage is stowed in the back of the plane." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Hampshire
"Great safari/lakeside chill combination"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 5 Oct 2014 and 20 Oct 2014
"7 nights in South Luangwa, Zambia with Robin Pope Safaris (3 different camps) followed by 7 nights chilling out at Likoma Island proved a great combination - Claire understood our interests and expectations well.
In game viewing terms we saw everything that we could have hoped for, and RPS are an efficient organisation with excellent guides. The 3 camps had very similar game and terrain - the contasts on our last trip between Selous and Ruaha in Tanzania were much greater. Nkwali and Tena Tena we would recommend, but Nsefu was spoilt by mosquito problems.
Kaya Mawa/Likoma Island is not for everyone (e.g.fussy N.Americans) but suited us perfectly with its laid back warm welcome, lack of commercialism, peaceful location and delightful staff - a great stress buster." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
In game viewing terms we saw everything that we could have hoped for, and RPS are an efficient organisation with excellent guides. The 3 camps had very similar game and terrain - the contasts on our last trip between Selous and Ruaha in Tanzania were much greater. Nkwali and Tena Tena we would recommend, but Nsefu was spoilt by mosquito problems.
Kaya Mawa/Likoma Island is not for everyone (e.g.fussy N.Americans) but suited us perfectly with its laid back warm welcome, lack of commercialism, peaceful location and delightful staff - a great stress buster." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
896
reviews of South Luangwa by travellers since August 2007
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