Reviews of safaris to Matobo National Park

"This was our seventh trip to Africa since 2016, which we decided to split between Zimbabwe and Botswana. Some of our friends have asked us whether we haven’t seen enough of Africa by now. I’m fully aware of the fact that there are countries in Africa that aren’t safe and better avoided, but our answer would be: no, we haven’t. As strange as it may sound, visiting Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Zambia and Kenya has always felt to us like coming home. And this is due not just to the charismatic megafauna that can be experienced here, but to the people living here. In our seven trips we have spent more than half a year in Africa, and we have only experienced a healthy curiosity, kindness and open-mindedness.

That said, as outlined above in the detailed comments on individual camps, this trip wasn’t short on highlights in terms of wildlife sightings, but I would like to add a few general remarks.

Shortly before our trip, President Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe declared a national desaster because of the drought experienced in the previous rainy season. Considering that Zimbabwe has a government with a questionable reputation and a poor economy, we were a bit apprehensive about coming here. But our worries were unfounded. Granted, en route to our first camp, we drove through villages with hundreds of people gathering around big bags of cornmeal donated by the UN. We were told that if this country would be run by a decent and effective government, this desperate step wouldn’t have been necessary.

Given these rather bleak economic circumstances it is all the more astounding that whoever we met along the way was kind-hearted and of good spirits.

Shortly before our trip, Botswana’s president Masisi jokingly threatened to send 10,000 elephants to London’s Hyde Park and 20,000 elephants to Germany, because allegedly, they have too many of them. Without question, there is evidence for human-elephant conflict, but I doubt whether the solution is to allow trophy hunting (Botswana re-introduced trophy hunting in 2019 after a five-year ban).

When I raised this subject in Zimbabwe, everybody had an opinion on this controversial topic, whereas in Botswana, they would rather not talk about it.


Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I have nothing but praise for all the freely given advice before the trip and the organization of the trips themselves." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari

"Great apart from upset stomach for a couple - should have sent the egg Bach to have it cooked more.
Beautiful birds and knowledgeable guides at 2 lodges in particular

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Please provide clearer guidelines on tipping." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari

"This was an amazing trip, delivering everything we asked for and more. Each camp we stayed at was brilliant, the staff in each camp made it for us.

The guides at each of the camps were very knowledgeable about the local area, it's history and the wildlife. We visited a school, orphanage and a homestead whilst staying in the Matobo National Park which was very humbling and joined the anti poaching team at Hwange.

Lots of thoughtful touches at each of the camps. The organisation of the trip was seamless.

Just a big thank you for making this so special and we will be back." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari

"At last after 2 years of cancellations and delays we made it!
Wonderful trip for 6 close friends, thank you Tom for all the arrangements and advice.
Great decision to have 2 game lodges with a slightly different experience separating them.
We loved Zimbabwe and felt totally safe travelling there." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari

"This was a trip of a lifetime, made possible by careful and thoughtful planning by Tom.
We would have not experienced something like this if Tom had not made my wife and I extremely confident about the expertise of Expert Africa, and they exceeded our expectations beyond imagination.
Tom and Expert Africa would be my first choice for any trip like this in the future." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari

"This was a wonderful trip and delighted we went. We had no concerns at any point about safety. We were greeted with such appreciation from everyone we met and all went out of their way to make our stay as memorable as possible.

I am especially grateful to Megan who pulled the trip together at relatively short notice!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No, everything was very efficiently organised and happened as we had been informed." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari

"We decided to go to Africa a little late in the day, to be honest, which limited our options somewhat. But I called Expert Africa at the recommendation of a friend who had travelled with them and immediately felt that Tom was realistic yet optimistic that we could make a great holiday.

I knew pretty much where we wanted to go but he pieced it all together beautifully and when we got Zimbabwe, everything worked like clockwork. I couldn't fault any of the process, from first conversation, through our holiday and back home.

Zimbabwe was wonderful; varied, fascinating and so full of smiling, enthusiastic locals. There is so much to do here in such contrasting landscapes, it makes for a great holiday, especially with kids who don't want to drive around looking for animals for too many days at a time. Vic Falls is stunning and has ample opportunity to scare and delight,

Matobo is beautiful, especially with the evening sun on the rocks, and Hwange is a great safari destination that feels somehow quite intimate without the hoards of safari vehicles you get in other parks. All in all an amazing holiday!

Thank you!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

You were great! Especially since Tom went off on a trip just as we were tying things up, but others jumped in and sorted the final bits so I felt well supported. And good to talk to Tom on his return too!

Many thanks." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari

"Truly a holiday of a lifetime. Excellent programme put together by Freddie Sutton and Tom Morris, with a range of experiences from colonial splendour in the Vic Falls Hotel, to the ultimate bush camp experience at Hwange Bush Camp and the startling architectural wonder in a stunning location at Amalinda in the Motobos.

Expert Africa are very much the experts - highly recommended." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari

"A fantastic 2 week trip.

Hardly another vehicle to be seen whilst on safari, great wildlife sightings, excellent accommodation and superb guides." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari

"It was an excellent trip. We were more interested in behaviours and walking than in counting animals, so sorry for not filling in those details.

Amalinda promised a lot, but fell short on delivery. Verneys has too many elephants fighting for not much water, but the camp design and massive family tents were impressive.

Vundu is a class act with beautiful surroundings and a very well run camp." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zimbabwe safari