Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"It was lovely to have two long stays at two of my favourite camps, Nkwali and Tafika.

It has been a drier than usual year, so the grass wasn't too high but the scenery was stunning and green.

Overall, a very enjoyable trip." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari

"We had a great time. The Botswana leg and the Falls were both pretty much perfect. As per above comments Little Kulala could perhaps sharpen its act up a bit (by contrast, Sandibe sent us off with a farewell package and left us feeling they really cared). We would say that had we not booked our own dunes trip in Swakop, that would have felt like a wasted stop - driving 6 hours to get there and 5 hours the day we left, we would not have wanted a long drive on the Swakop day to see eg seals but Swakop itself really doesn't have much to last over an hour. So we would strongly recommend being clear with people that they ought to book an activity for the day. We went with Amazing 5 Tours and they were excellent (EA weren't able to book with Turnstone as we only decided late and we felt we were almost warned off going with anyone else). In Vic Falls, worth knowing that the back gate to the Falls is permanently shut so it would be a long walk. We could have done it all alone but found a friend of a friend who was able to take us down to and across the border. For non "Africa hands" I think there is a risk that EA underestimates how wearing it could be crossing and recrossing the border without someone on hand to help. I also have a bit of an issue with the wildlife survey - I think that, like the reviews, they take into account everything since 2007. So for Sandibe there are 4 poor reviews, all 2012 or earlier. More importantly there are reasonably high % sightings eg for Rhino when Sandibe now has none and Nxabega has a solitary male. If someone has their heart set on a rhino this is actively misleading. Not an EA point but maybe one for next edition of the Namibia guide. We wanted somewhere to stop on the way back to Windhoek and the book implied Gross Barmen was a decent idea. It is abysmal. Absolutely no positives and a 30 minute drive each way to find this out." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip

"It was great!" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"The trip we chose meant that we were on gravel roads for possibly 75% of the almost 3000 kilometres that we travelled. Journeys, with stops, sometimes took 6 or 7 hours. We were happy with this but decided it is not for the feint hearted as much of the gravel roads were bone rattling!

Our Toyota Fortuna was fantastic and perfect for the journey.

The advice we received that it would be cold at night, turned out not to be accurate for our visit during the first 2 weeks of May. We packed too many thick clothes for the expected cold evenings which actually we only require d in Swakopmund.

Nearly all accommodation supplied Peaceful Sleep in the rooms which was appreciated.

The information given on all of the accommodations was completely accurate and well described.

The map supplied was good and detailed. We did use Google maps on occasions to lead us to the actual accommodation." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"This was an amazing trip and we are so grateful to Maruska for planning this in such an excellent way. We really liked the order of the journey, it felt like we were progressing through an African adventure, gaining experience and knowledge with each new location. The driving part of the trip was well planned and we were glad that we didn't try to go too far on any one day. There were a few spots where the roads really need grading, so our driving times were a bit longer (especially to Malansrus), but we really appreciated all the detail on how to get to each place. The lodges selected were outstanding. The Botswana portion of the trip was excellent and we were again happy with the order of where we stayed, saving Rra Dinare for last. With morning and afternoon game activities we got to see so many animals, enjoy sundowner drinks in locations we only dreamed of, and return with memories and photos that were beyond our expectations.

Overall, this trip was amazing and the experience and knowledge of Expert Africa (and Maruska) to arrange this made it so! We would recommend Expert Africa to to everyone we know that want a genuine trip to Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Some of the times were a bit tight and travelling over lunchtime was a bit awkward to coordinate eating and newly arriving at a lodge with their planned itinerary." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"As above, if I had but one holiday left, a tented safari to Zimbabwe would be it.

Can't say better than that." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zimbabwe safari

"We had a magical trip to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe side), Okavango delta in Botswana and self-drive in Namibia.

We usually self-organise our trips around the globe, but having Expert Africa extensive, efficient and reliable support was a massive plus for our multi-country trip. It was extremely pleasant to feel really on holiday, with almost everything taken care of.

Locations and all accomodations but one were magical: beautifully set, very kind and helpful staff very often going an extra mile, extremely comfortable, quiet and relaxing, with amazing landscapes and/or wildlife to discover and admire.

A massive thank you to ExpertAfrica team and all partners involved!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 5 on a Namibia trip

"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

"A fantastic trip, which exceeded our high expectations. We did a lot of driving of course, which is part of the adventure, roads were good.

Its had to think what we would have done even slightly different.

We came back full plans for next time." Read full review: 30 nights in Africa; 24 on a Namibia trip

"Overall, the flight to get to the camps was tiring - around 24 hours from my front door to arrive at camp. However, once there, I felt welcomed and looked after.

Both camps offered something slightly different although going into the same park. I was lucky to have the safari vehicle to myself for 5 of the 8 days and had amazing leopard sightings and night drive. Any time I asked for anything - leaving slightly earlier for drive, visiting local school (although I found out it was school holidays, a teacher showed me the buildings etc and driver showed me round a village), it was accommodated easily.

I think it is worth noting that you have to climb down steps cut in the bank to reach the boat - might not be suitable for anyone with mobility issues - I was fine.

I did feel that there was a lot of waste when I was the only one in camp and a full buffet breakfast was prepared - perhaps if this is the case they could ask the night before if there is a special request for the next day - for example I could have said no to porridge and toast so that chef didn't have to get up especially!

Having been on safari many times before, I am aware of how lovely the camps are and what a special place Luangwa is.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really - I had good detailed emails while we planned the trip and I sorted out my flights etc.
All went as planned and wildlife was fantastic." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari