Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"A great trip.

Wonderful experience for a first time safari and Expert Africa made the planning much easier.

Coordinating delays from the original plan due to the pandemic and then rearranging plans for a different time of year and with 2 of us flying in at different times was handled well." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari

"It was simply wonderful to be back in Africa. If you're even slightly thinking about making a trip, take the plunge if you can. Everywhere felt safe (more so than at home) with the coronavirus being treated very seriously and the camps were clearly delighted to be back in operation.

Everyone was beyond welcoming and emphatic that we tell friends and family that Kenya is open for business and welcoming travellers.


At a personal level we were aching to return to the bush having had to reschedule this trip three times. We had been in Ethiopia and Kenya (the Mara conservancies) in February and early March 2020 and got home just as the world went into lockdown and it was a privilege and pleasure to finally return.

There was some additional hassle with paperwork, testing et cetera but once on the ground it felt almost like old times and was totally worth the effort. And in Meru we barely saw another visitor during our stay. Just awesome.

Planning was inevitably very last minute due to travel uncertainty and changing entry requirements but Richard was very patient and did a great job. The entire trip went like clockwork and we couldn't be happier with the arrangements made for us. We have already made plans for another trip in early 2021.

Last minute trips are great :-)" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari

"We very much enjoyed our stay at Splash camp and had amazing views of a hunting cheetah, a roaring lion just in front of us and many other animals.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

As a keen birdwatcher, I was a bit disappointed that the birdwatching was a bit neglected, despite the many interesting birds in the area.

However, the guides were quite knowledgeable about the birds and I see there quite some potential for improvement." Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 4 on a Botswana safari

"It was remarkably better than I had even hoped. A trip we won't soon forget.

The Covid-19 restrictions were unpleasant but once we departed Airworld we were fine.

My one concern is the cost, which makes this hard to recommend to most of my relatives though I have friends who could afford it." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip

"This was the trip of a life time for me - a dream I've had since I was a kid [ I'm 65 ] I'm so glad I finally went ! my only real regret is that I should have stayed a month or more , instead of 21 days.

I limited myself , and my agent , by saying I wanted to keep the cost down . Big mistake ! In hindsight I would have gladly spent a bit more money on this epic adventure !Especially with the long flight [ I live in Hawaii ] I want to give my heat felt thanks , to my excellent agent Sabina , and Expert Africa for the outstanding , highly detailed planning . When it came time to figure out the timing for my Covid test , and two back to back border crossings , to Botswana and Zimbabwe, my head started spinning . plus all the reservations , rental car, multiple transfers etc. I could not have done it without her . I know that with the 12 hour time change , when my arrival time drew near , Sabina had to work after hours , to make all the last minute arraignments - she did it all , and made it look easy ! I normally wouldn't have filled out a form like this , but I had to - just try my best to show my appreciation .

It was a pleasure doing business with Sabina and I can't thank her enough I highly recommend Expert Africa - I have zero complaints .

Aloha from Hawaii - R

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None at all" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"It took lots of planning and attention to details to pull this trip off in the later stages of the pandemic, assessing and managing potential risks, but I am so glad that I did so.

It was a fantastic trip originally planned for 2020, and ended up being a rare experience given the relatively small number of fellow travelers. This resulted in much more personal time and interaction with guides and camp staff, and with the small number of fellow travelers that one did encounter.

There were some offsets - fewer guests and vehicles about meant there were fewer "spotters" to share sightings, and so locating wildlife could be more challenging at times. With fewer guests, and guests dining in their own small bubbles; there was no communal dining and camaraderie with fellow travelers from around the world, which is a more common pleasure of the safari experience.

Expert Africa / Claire Scott did a great job throughout, with excellent information. attention to detail, and enormous patience. They have a great reputation in-country on the ground, based upon the feedback I got from both camps and operators, some of whom are competitors.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Keep up the good work!

Your web site has always been good, but you have made great improvements over the past couple of years and now it is excellent." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari

"Book as soon as possible to visit Botswana this year.

We were very torn about going or delaying our trip because of Covid but in the end there were so many Covid-related perks that we are so thrilled that we went ahead.

Most important, for people who enjoy privacy, each group had their own landrover and guide. It was special to just have my husband and myself on all of the game drives. Similarly for meals one has one's own table, although one can enjoy other guests around the fire for drinks in the evening and can also request a table with others.

We can't thank Tracy enough for being so patient as we went back and forth, but also encouraging us to go. She was outstanding in every way.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

There is no way that Tracy could improve her service as it is outstanding. Thank you Tracy." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 7 on a South Africa trip

"This trip was a “bucket list trip” from me to my mom for her 70th birthday. We originally planned to go in June 2020, rescheduled to June 2021, and then finally to Sept 2021. It was worth the wait!

Truly a trip of a lifetime and I don’t think we could have had a better experience. All the properties we stayed at were great and all the staff at all the properties were just so kind, friendly and attentive. Personally I preferred the experience and the guides at the Nomad properties (Kuro and Lamai) just a touch more than at the Asilia property (Highlands), but all were great. I thought Nomad did a little bit better job of seeming more “connected” to the area. Lamai in particular just blew me away - the design, the location, the staff were all impeccable. I can’t wait to go back!

It was also pretty special to be there while the parks and properties were at low capacity - twice we were the only guests at the properties, and having our own vehicle and guide for the entirety of the trip was amazing. I’m already planning to go back with my husband in 2023, but I know it won’t be quite the same.

Things to know:

- definitely bring Dramamine or something for motion sickness - those small planes can be rough and we were with several people who had issues.

- You lose a whole day getting to the crater - the drive from the airstrip to the lodge area is 3 hours, the road is AWFUL (though apparently they’re fixing it), and due to the hours you can’t do a late afternoon/ evening drive at the parks.

- I’m not a photographer and know nothing about cameras but I rented a camera for the trip (Sony RX10) and it was some of the best money I spent." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari

"My trip to South Africa went beyond any expectations, I really loved the country and is definitely a place I would go back.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I would recommend people to go to Johannesburg first and then end the trip in Cape Town, first because of the history, the scenario and because we buy more things in Cape Town/Franschhoek, so we don't have to carry them along to the other cities.

Other than that, the service is great and I have nothing to complain." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 3 on a South Africa trip

"The whole trip was amazing.

Sabina was very patient as we kept organizing and then reorganizing, including delaying a year because of Covid. Very knowledgeable and a lot of good advice.

I was a bit hesitant about driving alone (particularly after the rental car company's mandatory video), but the driving was easy and fun, and no problems.

Overall every lodge was great, the staff amazing and the country is stunning." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip