Reviews of safaris to Mana Pools National Park
We have always listened to our travellers, and now you can learn from them also. Below are links to feedback from recent trips - these are their views, not ours! See what they think of us, and about our trips to Africa:
Mr & Mrs AL
France
"Our fabulous Zimbabwe adventure"
I visited Zimbabwe between 22 Sep 2015 and 3 Oct 2015
"From the early booking stage our trip was superbly managed by Expert Africa and the service and organisation on the ground in Zimbabwe was generally very good.
The excellent hospitality and superb guiding, together with the warm welcome extended by the local people, made this an unforgettable experience and we would not hesitate to return to Zimbabwe. Of the 3 camps we stayed in, the 2 run by Wilderness Safaris provided a good level of overall comfort, despite their somewhat corporate feel, and still retained a genuine bush feel.
Rhino Safari Camp was somewhat disappointing and seemed to reflect the current run down situation in Matusadona.
We were approached several times, by fellow travellers, concerning the matter of "tips" and as we have found on previous safaris this remains a contentious issue. What is too much and what is too little?? Your guidelines suggest one thing and the camps have their own suggestions........
Overall we felt that we had a good value holiday." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
The excellent hospitality and superb guiding, together with the warm welcome extended by the local people, made this an unforgettable experience and we would not hesitate to return to Zimbabwe. Of the 3 camps we stayed in, the 2 run by Wilderness Safaris provided a good level of overall comfort, despite their somewhat corporate feel, and still retained a genuine bush feel.
Rhino Safari Camp was somewhat disappointing and seemed to reflect the current run down situation in Matusadona.
We were approached several times, by fellow travellers, concerning the matter of "tips" and as we have found on previous safaris this remains a contentious issue. What is too much and what is too little?? Your guidelines suggest one thing and the camps have their own suggestions........
Overall we felt that we had a good value holiday." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs P
W Midlands
"Trip of a lifetime (so far!)"
I visited Namibia and 2 other countries between 7 Sep 2015 and 13 Oct 2015
"It was a long holiday, covering huge distances and including 3 countries.
We first contacted you with a rough itinerary, which was much improved by Tracy's many suggestions and her acceptance that I was trying to keep costs down for the bulk of the trip. You booked us into 15 different places to stay and all were very acceptable, with most good/excellent." Read full review: 36 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
We first contacted you with a rough itinerary, which was much improved by Tracy's many suggestions and her acceptance that I was trying to keep costs down for the bulk of the trip. You booked us into 15 different places to stay and all were very acceptable, with most good/excellent." Read full review: 36 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr R
Halifax
"Zimbabwe Safari Sept. 2015"
I visited Zimbabwe between 6 Sep 2015 and 20 Sep 2015
"Overall we had a great time in Zimbabwe. Hwange National Park and Mana Pools were especially good safari destinations. Somalisa and Zambezi Life Styles were both fantastic and their staff are to be commended.
We were a little disappointed with Matusadona simply from the point of view of the wildlife that we saw. The wildlife here seems to have suffered quite badly from the falling water levels in Lake Kariba. This, combined with trophy hunting, has seen the Lion population in the Park crash. The Black Rhino have also suffered at the hands of poachers (as they have everywhere). Having said this, I must say that Rhino Camp and it`s staff were very good and we did see Elephant, Impala, Hippos & Crocs, and the Bird life is good.
All the Guides at all the camps were excellent. Lovemore at ZLS is a great guide and a real character, and Calvet at Somalisa is superb.
Thanks for a great trip." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari
We were a little disappointed with Matusadona simply from the point of view of the wildlife that we saw. The wildlife here seems to have suffered quite badly from the falling water levels in Lake Kariba. This, combined with trophy hunting, has seen the Lion population in the Park crash. The Black Rhino have also suffered at the hands of poachers (as they have everywhere). Having said this, I must say that Rhino Camp and it`s staff were very good and we did see Elephant, Impala, Hippos & Crocs, and the Bird life is good.
All the Guides at all the camps were excellent. Lovemore at ZLS is a great guide and a real character, and Calvet at Somalisa is superb.
Thanks for a great trip." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
C
Boston
"Trip of a Lifetime"
I visited Zimbabwe and 1 other country between 18 Jul 2015 and 28 Jul 2015
"Overall the trip exceeded my expectations - the activities, the animals, the people, the atmosphere - all of it was phenomenal. I would absolutely go back. We really debated which country to go to and I'm SO glad we selected Zimbabwe.
I could have lived without the trip to Capetown on the front end. It was nice, but not much different than any other cosmopolitan European city. So in hindsight I would have preferred to channel that time into safaris at the camps. But overall an amazing vacation with a lot of unexpected education." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zimbabwe safari
I could have lived without the trip to Capetown on the front end. It was nice, but not much different than any other cosmopolitan European city. So in hindsight I would have preferred to channel that time into safaris at the camps. But overall an amazing vacation with a lot of unexpected education." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs B
Oxon
"My May 2015 Trip"
I visited Zimbabwe between 31 May 2015 and 14 Jun 2015
"Really enjoyed it but you need to stress how cold Hwange gets 1100m up."
Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Dr W & Dr D
Leeds
"My Nov 2014 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe between 8 Nov 2014 and 24 Nov 2014
"It was a great holiday!"
Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 16 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs C
Co Durham
"We expected the best."
I visited Zimbabwe between 5 Oct 2014 and 16 Oct 2014
"And we think we got it.
A fantastic 9 day 3 location safari with light aircraft transfers between lodges. Clearly Zimbabwe is going through some troubled times but this in no way detracted from our trip, People are genuinely pleased to see you, none of our camps where full and the parks seemed very quiet in terms of visitors, but plenty of game. We had a fantastic trip that will live long in our memory.
A special word for Rhino Safari camp, spend 2 nights here for a totally different amazing experience.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Difficult to suggest an improvement, our second Expert Africa trip, will definitely return." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
A fantastic 9 day 3 location safari with light aircraft transfers between lodges. Clearly Zimbabwe is going through some troubled times but this in no way detracted from our trip, People are genuinely pleased to see you, none of our camps where full and the parks seemed very quiet in terms of visitors, but plenty of game. We had a fantastic trip that will live long in our memory.
A special word for Rhino Safari camp, spend 2 nights here for a totally different amazing experience.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Difficult to suggest an improvement, our second Expert Africa trip, will definitely return." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs D
Hemel
"My Sep 2014 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe between 17 Sep 2014 and 4 Oct 2014
"A fascinating experience, very well organised. we not only experienced high quality game drives but also much more of Zimbabwe as well as meeting a very interesting variety of people both local Zimbabwean and from further afield.
We did feel that our requests had been noted and passed on including our celebratory reason for the trip.
There is no separate subheading for transfers and this was an important aspect of our tour. All drivers were efficient, courteous and friendly with the one exception from NJ to Harare airport as already mentioned." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zimbabwe safari
We did feel that our requests had been noted and passed on including our celebratory reason for the trip.
There is no separate subheading for transfers and this was an important aspect of our tour. All drivers were efficient, courteous and friendly with the one exception from NJ to Harare airport as already mentioned." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs G
PA
"My Sep 2014 trip"
I visited Zimbabwe between 9 Sep 2014 and 19 Sep 2014
"Starting out at Somalisa was brilliant. It was the basic course that prepared us for the advanced course in bush craft with Stretch at Goliath.
Overall we could not have been more pleased.
The Expert Africa staff, Nick and Claire answered every one of our stupid questions."
Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr W
Essex
"Go visit Zimbabwe"
I visited Zimbabwe between 2 Sep 2014 and 16 Sep 2014
"Although we were terribly disappointed by the lack of painted dog sightings, especially the puppies, we are obviously well aware that this type of experience can never be guaranteed or, indeed, booked in advance!
We thoroughly enjoyed Zimbabwe and would urge anyone considering a safari, particularly their first, to look at this majestic country. The country is on the mend and the guiding is first class.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari
We thoroughly enjoyed Zimbabwe and would urge anyone considering a safari, particularly their first, to look at this majestic country. The country is on the mend and the guiding is first class.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Good
98
reviews of Mana Pools by travellers since August 2007
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