Reviews of safaris to South Luangwa National Park
896 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include South Luangwa.
Mr & Mrs N
London
"Nichols in Zambia"
I visited Zambia between 9 Oct 2013 and 23 Oct 2013
"We had a memorable time when we visited South Luangwa 10 years ago and I'd been slightly apprehensive that this trip might have been an anti-climax. In the event, it was just as good and we really enjoyed the experience of staying in bush camps again. The balance between being close to nature and providing the essential comforts was just about right.
As we were there in mid-October the temperatures were very high which would have deterred a lot of people, but it did mean that animals congregated around the water sources which certainly increased our sightings." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari
As we were there in mid-October the temperatures were very high which would have deterred a lot of people, but it did mean that animals congregated around the water sources which certainly increased our sightings." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs & Mr O
California
"Fabulous First Safari"
I visited Zambia between 8 Oct 2013 and 24 Oct 2013
"Our trip was excellent. Thank you, Maruska, for suggesting we add the Lower Zambezi to our trip; it really did offer another dimension, balancing our overall experience.
One disappointment, and I'm not sure who knew what when, or if Expert Africa knew at all, was the added traffic flow caused by BBC filming in South Luangwa. They were given special permission to operate all hours of day and night, and when present at lion and leopard sightings their crew usually added 3-vehicles, making some of our sightings very congested. I had chosen the northern sector of the park, particularly for its lesser density. I know how much the publicity is good for the park, and the wildlife, I just selfishly wish it hadn't interfered with my own experience.
I had initially wanted to add Zambia to our proposed trip to Namibia and Botswana, but our trip was becoming far too long, so we opted to take a 'warm-up' instead. I'm glad we did, as we've opted to go with a private guide/vehicle during our second Africa visit. This will give us more say in what we see and how much time we spend where, something very important in obtaining good photographs.
Expert Africa's arrangements worked flawlessly. Thank you." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 16 on a Zambia safari
One disappointment, and I'm not sure who knew what when, or if Expert Africa knew at all, was the added traffic flow caused by BBC filming in South Luangwa. They were given special permission to operate all hours of day and night, and when present at lion and leopard sightings their crew usually added 3-vehicles, making some of our sightings very congested. I had chosen the northern sector of the park, particularly for its lesser density. I know how much the publicity is good for the park, and the wildlife, I just selfishly wish it hadn't interfered with my own experience.
I had initially wanted to add Zambia to our proposed trip to Namibia and Botswana, but our trip was becoming far too long, so we opted to take a 'warm-up' instead. I'm glad we did, as we've opted to go with a private guide/vehicle during our second Africa visit. This will give us more say in what we see and how much time we spend where, something very important in obtaining good photographs.
Expert Africa's arrangements worked flawlessly. Thank you." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 16 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
B family
Switzerland
"My Oct 2013 trip"
I visited Zambia between 5 Oct 2013 and 19 Oct 2013
"A great trip!"
Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Ms S
Wimbledon
"October trip generally"
I visited Zambia between 4 Oct 2013 and 18 Oct 2013
"Overall the trip was enormously enjoyable and successful.
We thought that our visits to Lilongwe and Chipata, both the SOS Children's villages and the experience of smaller towns, added considerable interest to the trip and added an extra dimension to the safaris, since we met local people and saw the country beyond the slightly false environment of the safari camps. Everyone we met was extremely friendly and welcoming. We also enjoyed our short stay in Nairobi, staying as before at the excellent but unfussy Fairview Hotel.
The safaris were very enjoyable. Lion Camp was our favourite of the two camps and could not be faulted, and we would definitely recommend it to anyone. Its location is exceptional and the game plentiful. We saw lots lions, a leopard on 3 occasions and many elephants - these three being our favourites - and the reviews of the plentiful sightings of lions and leopards were a major factor in selecting Lion Camp. We were not disappointed.
Puku Ridge was also lovely and suffered in our estimation only because of the wonderful experience we enjoyed at Lion Camp and the unfortunate fact that we were the only guests. The wildlife was not as plentiful but the guide made the drives very enjoyable nontheless.
We identified the safari camps we wished to visit and made some of the other accommodation arrangements ourselves, but Expert Africa's Claire Scott was happy to talk through our proposals and offer alternatives for our consideration, and most importantly she made the travel arrangements to fit our plans as well as booking the safari camps and our overnight stays outside Lusaka, so that everything worked seemlessly. She also held our complicated international flight bookings longer than we imagined possible while we delayed fixing our dates due to difficulties finalising when we could visit the SOS Children's Villages. All the travel arrangements and connections went smoothly." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
We thought that our visits to Lilongwe and Chipata, both the SOS Children's villages and the experience of smaller towns, added considerable interest to the trip and added an extra dimension to the safaris, since we met local people and saw the country beyond the slightly false environment of the safari camps. Everyone we met was extremely friendly and welcoming. We also enjoyed our short stay in Nairobi, staying as before at the excellent but unfussy Fairview Hotel.
The safaris were very enjoyable. Lion Camp was our favourite of the two camps and could not be faulted, and we would definitely recommend it to anyone. Its location is exceptional and the game plentiful. We saw lots lions, a leopard on 3 occasions and many elephants - these three being our favourites - and the reviews of the plentiful sightings of lions and leopards were a major factor in selecting Lion Camp. We were not disappointed.
Puku Ridge was also lovely and suffered in our estimation only because of the wonderful experience we enjoyed at Lion Camp and the unfortunate fact that we were the only guests. The wildlife was not as plentiful but the guide made the drives very enjoyable nontheless.
We identified the safari camps we wished to visit and made some of the other accommodation arrangements ourselves, but Expert Africa's Claire Scott was happy to talk through our proposals and offer alternatives for our consideration, and most importantly she made the travel arrangements to fit our plans as well as booking the safari camps and our overnight stays outside Lusaka, so that everything worked seemlessly. She also held our complicated international flight bookings longer than we imagined possible while we delayed fixing our dates due to difficulties finalising when we could visit the SOS Children's Villages. All the travel arrangements and connections went smoothly." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr S
Southam
"Full on 8 day action packed trip!"
I visited Zambia between 4 Oct 2013 and 12 Oct 2013
"We had a fantastic time, 2 great camps, some wonderful wildlife, good game drives, superb walks and river activities including catching Tiger fish, excellent company, good food, top quality guiding and camp staff and have some wonderful memories."
Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr S
Hong Kong
"Stu Spencer Zambia Oct 2013"
I visited Zambia between 1 Oct 2013 and 9 Oct 2013
"Brilliant.
Wonderful.
Flawless.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Keep on doing what you've been doing. I have recommended you on numerous occasions. I could not imagine a trip to a country in your portfolio without going through you." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Wonderful.
Flawless.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Keep on doing what you've been doing. I have recommended you on numerous occasions. I could not imagine a trip to a country in your portfolio without going through you." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Lisvane
"Highly Enjoyable"
I visited Zambia between 29 Sep 2013 and 14 Oct 2013
"Zambia is a great country to visit and offers a very diverse and great safari experience. The Luangwa valley is a superb park but beware Tsetse flies! We last visited the Lower Zambezi in 2007 and stayed outside the park and did not enjoy the experience so it was great to return and stay at two great camps inside the park.
Old Mondora, Nsefu amd Tafika are all great places to visit." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari
Old Mondora, Nsefu amd Tafika are all great places to visit." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Harvey and Jo
Lewes
"My Sep 2013 trip"
I visited Zambia between 27 Sep 2013 and 12 Oct 2013
"Our fourth trip back to Africa booked through Expert Africa, and we recommend lots of people to do the same on the basis of the high quality of information given to help design the holiday, and the excellent delivery of the product on the ground/in the air.
On one previous trip, local problems arose and were immediately sorted out. No problems on this trip, only a seamless transition through Lusaka airport (good assistance from local reps there) and three different camps in Luangwa - all of which said they rate Expert Africa highly for their organisation and the detailed feedback they pass back to the camps from clients, which the camps value.
Luangwa in October is hot (up to 42 degrees max) but manageable and gives great concentration of game, has lots of good dirt roads for access, includes a wide range of environments in the Nsefu sector (so we saw wild dogs for the first time) and plenty of chances to see lion and leopard. Bird life is great even if you're not a twitcher. We went on 5 walks in 12 days, all very well guided, as were the drives by day and night.
We will go back once we can afford it again and if we are not too old by then ....." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
On one previous trip, local problems arose and were immediately sorted out. No problems on this trip, only a seamless transition through Lusaka airport (good assistance from local reps there) and three different camps in Luangwa - all of which said they rate Expert Africa highly for their organisation and the detailed feedback they pass back to the camps from clients, which the camps value.
Luangwa in October is hot (up to 42 degrees max) but manageable and gives great concentration of game, has lots of good dirt roads for access, includes a wide range of environments in the Nsefu sector (so we saw wild dogs for the first time) and plenty of chances to see lion and leopard. Bird life is great even if you're not a twitcher. We went on 5 walks in 12 days, all very well guided, as were the drives by day and night.
We will go back once we can afford it again and if we are not too old by then ....." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Dr B & Ms B
Horsham
"My Sep 2013 trip"
I visited Zambia between 26 Sep 2013 and 10 Oct 2013
"Absolutely amazing safari. It greatly exceeded our expectations and was a truly memorable experience.
Claire was highly professional, knowledgable, friendly and provided excellent advice - fine tuning our initial ideas and correctly assessing what would be good places for us to stay. We were very impressed by the whole organisation - flight timings were perfect and having Tours Africa to ease immigration was fantastic. They were also great when transferring to and from our hotel.
We will be travelling with you next time!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No. It was excellent." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari
Claire was highly professional, knowledgable, friendly and provided excellent advice - fine tuning our initial ideas and correctly assessing what would be good places for us to stay. We were very impressed by the whole organisation - flight timings were perfect and having Tours Africa to ease immigration was fantastic. They were also great when transferring to and from our hotel.
We will be travelling with you next time!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No. It was excellent." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Kent
"My Sep 2013 trip"
I visited Namibia and 3 other countries between 20 Sep 2013 and 13 Oct 2013
"The trip was wonderful from start to finish and thank you to Maruska for her brilliant organisation and in depth knowledge of the region.
The combination of Zambia with Namibia worked very well, as we were able to spend time in one of the prime game viewing areas of Africa as well as have the freedom to see things for ourselves once we had the use of our vehicle. We will be back as soon as we can!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The only suggestion we would have for improving our itinerary would be to spend 2 days driving across Etosha national park rather than one, and staying in the intermediate camp. This would allow more time for game viewing while making the transit on what were quite rough roads.
On the other hand, the gravel road to Waterberg plateau was much better than expected and only took about 20 minutes to transit.
Overall, we were very glad that we had upgraded from a standard car to a SUV." Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
The combination of Zambia with Namibia worked very well, as we were able to spend time in one of the prime game viewing areas of Africa as well as have the freedom to see things for ourselves once we had the use of our vehicle. We will be back as soon as we can!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The only suggestion we would have for improving our itinerary would be to spend 2 days driving across Etosha national park rather than one, and staying in the intermediate camp. This would allow more time for game viewing while making the transit on what were quite rough roads.
On the other hand, the gravel road to Waterberg plateau was much better than expected and only took about 20 minutes to transit.
Overall, we were very glad that we had upgraded from a standard car to a SUV." Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
896
reviews of South Luangwa by travellers since August 2007
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