Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"The trip, like its two predecessors, was absolutely brilliant. I just revel in the whole safari experience: the getting there, the camps, their locations, the inspirational people you meet, the excursions, the myriad wildlife encounters, quenching your thirst, filling your belly and the siestas afterwards. Then getting up in the afternoon and doing it all over again: two days in one!

When asked to score the holiday out of ten, our teenage daughter (whose commitment and subsequent enjoyment I was a bit trepidatious about before our arrival) gave it a firm nine and a half. When pressed about the missing half, she explained this was docked because of all the stops on safari at my insistence to look at 'stupid birds'. So you're pretty near perfect.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

On our way to Kilimanjaro airport, we stopped off at the very green and plush Arusha Coffee House (?).

I presumed we were going to have a very pleasant buffet lunch there as we had been travelling non-stop for at least 24 hours and a sit down in very relaxing surroundings would have been most welcome.

Instead we were whisked off again with a school kid's packed lunch (complete with bag of crisps, Mars bar and a wedge of very 1970s Dairy Lea!).

This is the only change I would make to the itinerary." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari

"We greatly enjoyed our holidays...Mara Camp was superb and our stay at Royal Livingstone was also excellent. Maybe Rovos Rail was not the best choice for a trip with our sons." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 5 on a Kenya safari

"After looking forwards to a trip for a trip to Namibia for many years my hopes were high. Both my wife's and my hopes were more than met. We saw everything we hoped to see and had a great adventure., Everything went according to plan a (except the Erongo lodge) with flights, car hire and accommodation all first rate. We really couldn't have wished for more.

Namibia is a fantastic place to go on a do it yourself safari trip as it feels very safe, the roads are quiet and the locals were all very friendly, helpful and knowlegdable. We didn't encounter any negative attitudes or pressure to buy in markets or shops and the Namibians are clearly proud of their country and keen to impress travellers.

We saw a huge amount of animals in Etosha and elsewhere brought back some fantastic photographs and memories. If only we could start it all over again!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Just to reinforce the care needed when driving on the gravel roads. We had a bit of a hairy moment and saw one car overturn on the costal road north of Swakopmund." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"One of our best holidays." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"This was one of the best holidays we have ever had. We do not spend a huge amount of money (at least compared to what you could spend in Botswana), but nonetheless had a great time, saw and experienced lots!.

We had highlights (Nxamaseri, Chobe, Vic Falls,) and lowlights (bald tyres, Camp Kalahari), but overall enjoyed the trip

The wildlife, birds and animals, is great. The landscape outside the delta a little dull (say compared to the desert in Namibia), but OK. The delta is really interesting as are the salt pans.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

a difficult one. we had several phone calls and lots of emails, and a few iterations of the itinerary before agreeing everything. my main concerns were about driving

on the driving, i think a 4wd is essential even if using camp drives in the parks. there are too many places where one can get stuck in sand. also, there are roadworks in Namibia and Botswana that caused some delay. i realise this is difficult to factor in when booking a year in advance - we did not think to check.

one other point - when discussing where we could drive and how to get into Zimbabwe I was told that Budget would not let us take the car across the border. instead we paid for a driver and van to take us to and from Vic Falls. however, when picking up the car Budget asked us if we wanted the paperwork to cater for crossing into Z. I don't know how much money we spent on the two taxis, but it would appear that this was an unnecessary expense" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"We have had a wonderful holiday and are already looking forward to another visit to Namibia in the future.

We appreciated Angela's detailed knowledge and expertise. She provided us with good advice and helped with the booking of every aspect of the holiday to ensure it was a success. Many thanks." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"Our trip to Namibia was marvellous.

We travelled as a family with two kids (12 and 13 year old).

Self driving was easy enough, although some roads can be bad (Sesriem to Swakopmund f.e) . Take an extra spare tyre! One should never underestimate the distances. With kids you need several stops of more than one night, otherwise driving will be to much for them.

Although July is a busy month, it never felt crowdy. During the day and on the road you're almost always alone!

Accomodations and food are more than excellent, at least you get much more value for money then in Europe.

Namibia is a very varied country with stunning landscape. Getting close to the animals is very impressive and an experience we (and certainly the kids) will always remember.

And finally, the support and advice of Expert Africa (Sabina Hekandjo) is more then perfect. I wished everyone would answer mails that quick and informative!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"Everything worked like clockwork ( except the Lusaka hotel). I was amazed at the high standard of every aspect in the bush and the super staff eveywhere.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Perhaps a different hotel in Lusaka ? I met people who said the Sun Rock was very good. Personally I would prefer an overnight flight both ways." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"My sixth trip with Expert Africa, my sixth trip to go perfectly as planned. I would not hesitate to recommend Expert Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"Very well organized." Read full review: 3 nights in Africa; 3 on a Namibia trip