Reviews of safaris to South Luangwa National Park
896 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include South Luangwa.
The H family
Cheshire
"Our trip to Zambia"
I visited Zambia between 17 Jun 2011 and 30 Jun 2011
"We had a wonderful time. Each of Livingstone/Victoria Falls, Tafika lodge and Lusaka had their own different charms.
Tafika lodge is a gem; somewhat expensive but worth it. Zambia is a great place to go and in our experience preferable to better known destinations such as Kenya.
Expert Africa put together a good trip to meet our requirements and in which everything worked out well and hassle-free.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Everything was fine with the service." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Tafika lodge is a gem; somewhat expensive but worth it. Zambia is a great place to go and in our experience preferable to better known destinations such as Kenya.
Expert Africa put together a good trip to meet our requirements and in which everything worked out well and hassle-free.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Everything was fine with the service." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr E
Berkeley
"Zambia Safari"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 17 Jun 2011 and 3 Jul 2011
"The trip overall was quite good. There were a few bumps, but they were resolved without too much trouble. I think the camps in South Luangwa were uniformly excellent, and I got good value for the time of year that I went (June). Lower Zambezi was excellent - I think this is a truly beautiful area for safari. Unfortunately, my game viewing was as good as I would hope, but I can't fault the camp or the guides for that. The river activities provide an great change of pace.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
My only suggestion would be to perhaps provide an alternate way of contacting Expert Africa while traveling. Perhaps, a skype number? I mention this because I had to use my mobile phone to contact Expert Africa during my travel due to a misconnect at JNB, and the roaming charges and long distance charges can add up rather quickly. My mobile phone contract in the US charges me whether I send or receive unlike many European contracts, so I had to pay for every minute used. In retrospect, I probably should have asked to correspond via e-mail since I had free internet access in the South African Airways business class lounge.
Also, it was great that you provided me the contact information in your packet, but it would also be a good idea to provide instructions on who to call and when if anything should go wrong during the trip. It seems like you've got representatives covering all the time zones, but it would be good to identify particular numbers to call for problems." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
My only suggestion would be to perhaps provide an alternate way of contacting Expert Africa while traveling. Perhaps, a skype number? I mention this because I had to use my mobile phone to contact Expert Africa during my travel due to a misconnect at JNB, and the roaming charges and long distance charges can add up rather quickly. My mobile phone contract in the US charges me whether I send or receive unlike many European contracts, so I had to pay for every minute used. In retrospect, I probably should have asked to correspond via e-mail since I had free internet access in the South African Airways business class lounge.
Also, it was great that you provided me the contact information in your packet, but it would also be a good idea to provide instructions on who to call and when if anything should go wrong during the trip. It seems like you've got representatives covering all the time zones, but it would be good to identify particular numbers to call for problems." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs VV-G
Belgium
"High exspectations fully fulfilled ."
I visited Zambia between 15 Jun 2011 and 29 Jun 2011
"We normally never go twice to the same places.
So visiting South Luangwa in November 2010, and going back in June , was quite a risk.
Burt we are now looking for some friends to come with us for our third visit.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Develop for each group of travellers a dedicated webpage ( strictly private : login + password ) with all the essentials of the journey ( Copy of tickets, departure times, where and when booked, local contacts, emergency contacts, phone numbers, mail addresses, reliable clinics etc ) accessible for a period starting from two weeks before until one week after the journey.
Give the possibility for the travellers to add photocopy of passports, visas, driving license, vaccination cards, bankreferences etc .
If in need, It can function as a handy backup - wherever you are - as long as you can get on the internet.
( I dón't know of any travel organisation offering this facility, but for some years now I put my travel plans on the internet.
Only friends, family and myself can consult it if necessary )" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari
So visiting South Luangwa in November 2010, and going back in June , was quite a risk.
Burt we are now looking for some friends to come with us for our third visit.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Develop for each group of travellers a dedicated webpage ( strictly private : login + password ) with all the essentials of the journey ( Copy of tickets, departure times, where and when booked, local contacts, emergency contacts, phone numbers, mail addresses, reliable clinics etc ) accessible for a period starting from two weeks before until one week after the journey.
Give the possibility for the travellers to add photocopy of passports, visas, driving license, vaccination cards, bankreferences etc .
If in need, It can function as a handy backup - wherever you are - as long as you can get on the internet.
( I dón't know of any travel organisation offering this facility, but for some years now I put my travel plans on the internet.
Only friends, family and myself can consult it if necessary )" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Dr M & Dr Y
Richmond
"Another great trip with Expert Africa"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 15 Jun 2011 and 30 Jun 2011
"We have been lucky enough to travel with expert Africa on four occasions and the service we have received has always been exceptional.
We enjoyed the trip to Malawi and Zambia even more than our previous trips and think the two countries combine very well. A great factor in the success of the holiday was the choice of lodges/camps. The thing that we particularly appreciate is the fact that you can typically deal with one person in the organisation to discuss and plan a trip. The personal knowledge of all the various camps and lodges that the Expert Africa staff have is essential. This was very much the case for this holiday where we were unsure where to stay in the Lower Zambezi and were given specific advice which led us to change the choice of camp to Old Mondoro and we were delighted we did that.
Likewise we were unsure about whether Pumulani was right for us but again specific knowledge of the Lodge within the Expert Africa team reassured us and again this was spot on. As a consequence we stayed in 4 different camps all of which were excellent and complemented each other perfectly.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
As before the connections, pick ups etc all worked perfectly and the only minor difficulty we had was connecting to the flight to Jeki in Lusaka airport as the flight was not on the Proflight list or display board as it was a charter and they did not seem to know exactly where we should go but this was resolved very quickly by another member of staff. I am afraid I cannot add anything more constructive as all went so well - thanks for another excellent trip.
Particular thanks to Maruska who was great." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari
We enjoyed the trip to Malawi and Zambia even more than our previous trips and think the two countries combine very well. A great factor in the success of the holiday was the choice of lodges/camps. The thing that we particularly appreciate is the fact that you can typically deal with one person in the organisation to discuss and plan a trip. The personal knowledge of all the various camps and lodges that the Expert Africa staff have is essential. This was very much the case for this holiday where we were unsure where to stay in the Lower Zambezi and were given specific advice which led us to change the choice of camp to Old Mondoro and we were delighted we did that.
Likewise we were unsure about whether Pumulani was right for us but again specific knowledge of the Lodge within the Expert Africa team reassured us and again this was spot on. As a consequence we stayed in 4 different camps all of which were excellent and complemented each other perfectly.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
As before the connections, pick ups etc all worked perfectly and the only minor difficulty we had was connecting to the flight to Jeki in Lusaka airport as the flight was not on the Proflight list or display board as it was a charter and they did not seem to know exactly where we should go but this was resolved very quickly by another member of staff. I am afraid I cannot add anything more constructive as all went so well - thanks for another excellent trip.
Particular thanks to Maruska who was great." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs T & Mrs I
Berks
"A magial experience"
I visited Zambia between 13 Jun 2011 and 22 Jun 2011
"We would go back to Tena Rena and Nsefu.
We were delighted with the unexpected support during our flight transfers and were looked after very well." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
We were delighted with the unexpected support during our flight transfers and were looked after very well." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Good
Mr & Mrs N
E Sussex
"Zambia - A big YES!"
I visited Zambia between 27 May 2011 and 4 Jun 2011
"Met all our expectations,and more!"
Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 4 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
G & G
Glasgow
"Double 40th birthday trip to Zambia"
I visited Zambia between 6 May 2011 and 16 May 2011
"We were aware that May can sometimes be a bit early in the dry season as the wildlife can still be spread-out and the bush lush but you can't shift your birthdays!
Zambia though offers a wide range of National Parks and spread of activities so the plan was to visit Lower Zambezi NP for the first time, South Luangwa which we'd really enjoyed before and finally get to Vic Falls. It turned out better than we hoped - camps great with wonderful views over the rivers, excellent knowledgeable guides and some really good sightings.
A few game drives were pretty quiet but more than made up for by some of the boat/canoeing outings. The camps set up some lovely touches for our birthdays too. The whole holiday including logistics between Parks went seamlessly and Claire Scott organised another great trip for us.
Looking forward to planning the next one!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
no" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
Zambia though offers a wide range of National Parks and spread of activities so the plan was to visit Lower Zambezi NP for the first time, South Luangwa which we'd really enjoyed before and finally get to Vic Falls. It turned out better than we hoped - camps great with wonderful views over the rivers, excellent knowledgeable guides and some really good sightings.
A few game drives were pretty quiet but more than made up for by some of the boat/canoeing outings. The camps set up some lovely touches for our birthdays too. The whole holiday including logistics between Parks went seamlessly and Claire Scott organised another great trip for us.
Looking forward to planning the next one!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
no" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs G
Stratford
""
I visited Zambia between 1 May 2011 and 14 Jun 2011
"This was one of the best holidays we have ever had!
Although we arranged to meet our daughter at the end of our safari and she arranged the second part of our holiday, we would not hesitate to recommend Expert Africa to anyone wanting a real African experience.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just maintain the standards you have set - it is a joy to deal with such a professional and yet personal company. Congratulations!" Read full review: 44 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zambia safari
Although we arranged to meet our daughter at the end of our safari and she arranged the second part of our holiday, we would not hesitate to recommend Expert Africa to anyone wanting a real African experience.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just maintain the standards you have set - it is a joy to deal with such a professional and yet personal company. Congratulations!" Read full review: 44 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr H
Isle of Man
"Overall"
I visited Zambia between 11 Mar 2011 and 22 Mar 2011
"All in all it was a wonderful holiday and (having said that it would be a one-off) we can't wait to return next year.
I cannot recommend RPS highly enough (and I'm usually pretty difficult to please!).
Expert Africa arranged everything smoothly and efficiently and we would be pleased to use them again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
It's hard to improve on flawless!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
I cannot recommend RPS highly enough (and I'm usually pretty difficult to please!).
Expert Africa arranged everything smoothly and efficiently and we would be pleased to use them again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
It's hard to improve on flawless!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
A&M
London
"The emerald trip"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 4 Mar 2011 and 19 Mar 2011
"Another fantastic trip, our third one with Expert Africa, thanks Ellie!
This was a longer trip (2 weeks) visiting two Countries and several places. This involved a lot of organization and we are once again impressed by how well every little details is sorted in advance. We spent a lot of time asking Ellie a million questions and debating about options and she never ever gets tired of answering my emails...and usually in a matter of hours if not minutes! Every suggestion she gives us is great.
Having been to Tanzania previously in June, we wanted to see different places and the green season. The landscape is fantastic and as expected it is a bit harder to see animals, but we still saw a lot. Of course this is not the best season for walks, as it is a bit hot (at least for us) and some roads and area are not accessible or not safe for walking but we did enjoy morning walks. The bonus is there are very few people and you have the places for yourself.
The game behaviour is very different in South Luangwa and Hwange: in SL they are almost tame, for example impala are in the middle of the road and do not move away from you, while in Hwange they are more skittish. On the other hand Hwange feels a lot wilder (even if they created artificial waterholes). It is good to see different places and landscapes and their contrasts.
We got the biggest safari bug and we are already dreaming about another trip, with Expert Africa of course!
As a last comment I would like to add that everywhere we went everyone (including a couple of tour operator from Australia) spoke highly of the Expert Africa team, not surprisingly!
Thanks a million!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No matter how hard I think I cannot find any suggestion- no need to improve!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
This was a longer trip (2 weeks) visiting two Countries and several places. This involved a lot of organization and we are once again impressed by how well every little details is sorted in advance. We spent a lot of time asking Ellie a million questions and debating about options and she never ever gets tired of answering my emails...and usually in a matter of hours if not minutes! Every suggestion she gives us is great.
Having been to Tanzania previously in June, we wanted to see different places and the green season. The landscape is fantastic and as expected it is a bit harder to see animals, but we still saw a lot. Of course this is not the best season for walks, as it is a bit hot (at least for us) and some roads and area are not accessible or not safe for walking but we did enjoy morning walks. The bonus is there are very few people and you have the places for yourself.
The game behaviour is very different in South Luangwa and Hwange: in SL they are almost tame, for example impala are in the middle of the road and do not move away from you, while in Hwange they are more skittish. On the other hand Hwange feels a lot wilder (even if they created artificial waterholes). It is good to see different places and landscapes and their contrasts.
We got the biggest safari bug and we are already dreaming about another trip, with Expert Africa of course!
As a last comment I would like to add that everywhere we went everyone (including a couple of tour operator from Australia) spoke highly of the Expert Africa team, not surprisingly!
Thanks a million!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No matter how hard I think I cannot find any suggestion- no need to improve!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
896
reviews of South Luangwa by travellers since August 2007
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