Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"Jessica Plumb is an outstanding professional who was always available to us, even with last minute changes. We have recommended her to others and we would certainly contact her again if we were ever to return to Africa.

The camps we visited both had excellent facilities and staff but Jongomero staff really stole our heart! What wonderful and authentic people!

We recognized real changes in Southern Tanzania that have occurred during the five years since we last visited. Climate change has affected the weather. We had three evenings of rain at Jongomero (one torrential) that surprised everyone since it was still the dry season. At Siwandu, the temperatures reached the high nineties.
Both changes impacted game viewing but our guides were great and went above and beyond to ensure great viewing opportunities. Another change that we noticed in the Selous was “progress” since the new dam was completed. The airstrip has been expanded and they are building yet a newer, bigger one. There is now miles of unpaved highway and lots of truck traffic. Of course, all of this has impacted wildlife. Lastly, we talked at length with many of the camp staff. They told us that cell phones and technology in general is changing life in their villages. Many young people are looking at other options rather than the traditional tribal ways." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari

"Extremely well organized. Everything ran smoothly. Great locations and overall amazing camps. Only small criticism would be that food is all “western” orientated and camps often had a colonial feel which can jar somewhat.
Having said that, this was the trip of a lifetime. Thoroughly recommend." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 16 on a Kenya safari

"Outstanding.

Sabina was remarkably good about tailoring this to our requests and interests.

She always had good suggestions, and arranged a last minute change to our itinerary at our request.

Sabina was clearly knowledgeable and most helpful in every way." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"We wanted to return to the Serian Camps in the Mara because of the exceptionally amazing experience we had there in 2017 and are expectations were fully met.

The wildlife in the Mara is amazing. We had wonderful, beautiful and exciting sightings every single day.

The camps are wonderful. (We are particularly in love with Nkorombo for it's simplicity and authenticity, but Serian in Mara North is a wonderful camp too)

The guiding is extraordinary good, all staff so attentive and friendly.

Here you are all set for a perfect safari." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari

"We really had a great trip. We saw much more wildlife than we had even dreamed might be possible.

We loved having the freedom of driving ourselves around and having our own vehicle. If we had had more time, we should have done a little more research and maybe could also have gone to see the dunes at Sossusvlei, but this trip came up fairly suddenly and it was great to have someone else, someone who knows the area, do the planning for us.

The places we stayed were much fancier than what we are accustomed to, but we sure appreciated that every place we stayed had a pool, and we made use of most of them. Always staying at such fancy places we felt like we didn't really get as much of a sense of what Namibia is like for the people who live there, but I guess that wasn't the purpose of this trip.

As a safari experience, it was top notch. Overall, no complaints, and we'd certainly use this service again in similar circumstances." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"Exceeded our expectations in every way.

Undoubtedly the best holiday we've ever had." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari

"We had a very special time in Namibia.

The guidebook you kindly sent us was excellent and in the locations and lodges you recommended was well chosen and as per the advertised experience.

In hindsight, we could have chosen slightly lower key/cheaper lodges.

Saying that, we really enjoyed excellent food and beautiful rooms and facilities everywhere.

So we got our money's worth." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"I am very grateful that Parita directed me to the Laikipia region. Left to my own devices I may have opted for Tanzania.

I love rhinos, and Laikipia was definitely the right choice. After speaking to experienced safari travelers we were confirmed in the knowledge that this area was uniquely densely populated with both black and white rhinos. Aside from the game drives, seeing the last two surviving northern white rhinos was an awe inspiring experience.

As a first time visitor to Africa, I also would not have put together the Nairobi itinerary that Parita executed for us." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 4 on a Kenya safari

"Overall we had an excellent trip and experience. The main aim was to see rhino and we certainly managed that. The staff at all the camps and hotels couldn’t have been more friendly and helpful.

Travelling in Namibia was quite easy, even for oldies like us. A combination of the map, directions in the paperwork and Maps.Me worked very well. There are phone charging usb’s in the car and at all the camps. Tarmac roads from Windhoek to Etosha are all good. The only problem we had was in Etosha. The roads are very rutted and uncomfortable to drive on. Those turnoffs to the waterholes are even worse, and although they can be traversed with care, it does take time.

I think that the estimated time to travel from the Namutomi gate to Okaukuejo of 3hrs direct is quite optimistic. We stopped at three waterholes at the start then realised that we were well behind time, so just drove directly to the camp. That took about 6hrs overall. Despite that we did see some wildlife on the way, including two leopards under a tree. It seems that the park fees cover you for 26 rather than 24 hours. Having spent the night in the park we were going to go to the waterholes close to Okaukuejo, so checked with the staff there who wrote our latest departure time on our receipt, which was 26 hours after our entry. Incidentally the park fees were N$350 per day, not the N$170 we were expecting.

Although there was no diesel in Etosha when we were there, there is now a new filling station just a few kilometres from the Andersson gate. On the way back to Windhoek we stop the Village Boutique Coffee shop in Otjiwarongo which was very nice.

It was very slow getting in via Windhoek airport, with long queues to get through passport control (an hour). Fortunately for us a local official took pity on us and allowed us through earlier. You need to fill in a form on the way in, which they take, and fill in the same form on the way out, which you can collect just before passport control.

Lusaka airport was good. We were met on arrival and looked after before our flight to Anabezi and on the way back we were able to sit in Dave’s office with coffee and snacks, and helped with all the boarding requirements. All much appreciated

So, overall we did what we wanted to do and saw pretty well everything we wanted. The accommodation and people were great and despite the tedium of the long haul there and back, we had a fabulous time. Many thanks to Megan for putting it all together for us and always being helpful and available" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip

"We have used Expert Africa for over 15 years now and never had to call on them to sort a problem whilst in Africa but the understanding of our problem with the car hire and speed of their response and action was first class - the right help when we needed it.

They were able to turn round a trip that was becoming problematic in to one that we will remember for many years.

That is why we keep using them !" Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 22 on a Namibia trip