Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"Aside from a few miscommunications about costs and clarity on details it was smooth. This was my first ever trip to Africa and after pouring over department of state guidelines, CDC, WHO and various data bases I was overwhelmed with preparations to visit Africa. I think the website could be simplified but since many people from all points in the world read it there has to be a generalized way of presenting information.
I recommend getting clarification on all costs and any Etickets you will need for connecting flights provided by the tour.
Read the documents you get thoroughly. I missed one small but important detail which smoothed out but when you are tired and hot and have to stop and deal with entrance fees or visas it can be irritating, so read everything. Did I say everything? Yes!!!!!
Tipping was something I needed more knowledge on and after this trip I am way more prepared. I would say read the tipping guidelines section and follow the advice given. Those could be more specific but personally, I felt the Rwanda trip was deserving of more than modest tipping but it’s a sensitive subject that many don’t like discussing. You will know more as you proceed and keep your heart open.
I am already thinking about my return trip. I am still floating. Just do it……go!!!!!!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 5 on a Rwanda safari

"A first visit to Botswana in green season and generally a success - we knew that the viewing may be more challenging at this time of year, but the trade off is lush greens, flowers and fewer vehicles on the sightings.

It was great to see Botswana in a different light, albeit we never got any rain and moody skies! Climate change makes the seasonal rains far more unpredictable.

On the downside, low season meant fewer camp mates, and chatting around the table is part of the fun of safari, plus last minute camp changes due to maintenance was not something we had expected nor want again - a free upgrade is not always a positive.

Great service from Lucy and the Expert Africa team once again." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"I’d heard great things about Ol Donyo and there is certainly a lot to love about the lodge. Aside from not liking some aspects of the room design, it was a great stay. If only the weather and wildlife had been co-operated." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Kenya safari

"very good value for Money a very slick operation, great game viewing weather a little inclement but nobody can control whats happening.

Any suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service?

Not for this trip all ran smoothy and was very well managed by Parita" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari

"The trip was well organised, but knowing what we know now, we would rather have given Damaraland Camp a miss and stayed in another camp in that area closer to an airstrip…it felt like a lot of travelling getting from Little Kulala to Damaraland Camp. The Rhino Camp would have been a much better selection for us. Other than that we enjoyed the trip and glad we used ExpertAfrica." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"An excellent trip overall, with many memorable aspects, particularly for Linda on her first trip of this nature.

It largely went extremely smoothly, especially considering the significant amount of driving involved (through our own choice). There were times when we felt the driving instructions underestimated the journey times. It would be helpful on future occasions to stress that these times might be significantly longer with stops and, similarly, that roadworks in SA involve far greater holdups than in Europe.

In addition, although sign-posting is adequate in places, there were places where it disappeared entirely, including at the point where we needed to rejoin the N2 to return to Cape Town from Franschhoek. This would not be an issue for anyone with access to a GPS system, but that is not the case if one is trying to avoid the exorbitant charges either for mobile phone roaming or for activating the rental car's system. I would recommend that Expert Africa's documentation spell out these potential pitfalls.

On a different note, Linda was horrified to find several ticks on her body when we were in Franschhoek which, we suspect, might have attached themselves during a bush walk in Kariega, although this is by no means certain. We learnt from a local pharmacist that this is not an uncommon occurrence in summer and I would suggest that the trip documentation should warn of this possibility.

Although this form only asks for feedback on hotels booked through Expert Africa, I feel it is important to talk about the 2 hotels I booked myself.

I strongly recommend the Taj in Cape Town for anyone wishing to see the central sights of the city. Not only is it a beautiful hotel with excellent facilities and very high quality food outlets, but its location is perfect for sightseeing, shopping and choice of restaurants nearby. And its rates are more reasonable than other, well-located five-star establishments.

Similarly, the Plettenberg Hotel is, I feel, a good choice for anyone staying in that area and wanting easy access to both the town and the beach.

A word of warning for anyone staying nearby and tempted, as we were, to visit the Robberg Peninsula nature reserve. Although the setting is spectacular, the shortest hiking trail, which we chose, is a hair-raisingly difficult experience, visibly so even for people far younger than ourselves. At one point, there is no option to get back other than by hauling oneself by rope up a precipitously steep hillside.And there is no indication of the difficulty in the information provided at the ticket office or on the maps at the start of the trails." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 8 on a South Africa trip

"Overall, this is the most amazing experience I've had in my life. Small issues in camp were just that- small. Nothing could have prepared me for seeing these animals in person, and I just felt so grateful to be there and to see all of these amazing things. Botswana sunsets are like no other, and I cannot wait to return. Have an open mind, and bear in mind that bush luxury is not the same as 5 star hotel luxury- but you don't come here for the hotels, you come for the animals." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Richard and Expert Africa did an outstanding job putting our trip together.

From start to finish, we were always welcomed and guided on our way, making for a very stress-free vacation.

Even when one of our short bush flights got changed due to the weather, Richard made alternative arrangements and emailed me the new plan before the camp staff even had a chance to tell me of the change.

I can be quite critical, but I cannot think of a single thing that I would change. You did an amazing job." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Kenya safari

"An excellent trip.

Only disappointed by the lack of wildlife in the Mara National Park and the lack of atmosphere at Little Governors camp.

All other aspects were, by and large, as we would have hoped." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari

"Botswana was a very different experience than my previous trip to Tanzania. Upon reflection, I liked it better. There were fewer vehicles around so the experience of the landscape and the animals felt very private. And at the same time, the trip was in no way "roughing it in the bush".

The camps were wonderful and comfortable, and the food was very good. Of particular note was the delicious homemade breads, cakes and muffins.

If I have any suggestions, it would be that there is an opportunity for expansion that could be explored. I had some mobility issues on this trip so was probably paying more attention than normally I might. And I should be clear that the staff accommodated my limitations brilliantly! I had been to Africa before and was confident I could get in and out of the vehicles and walk to the cabins/tents. However, the vehicles were much different--higher and without open sides. I certainly had difficulty getting in and out. (The staff found a step stool at the first two camps, which worked.) At the third camp, the vehicle had a flip down ladder, which was much more stable and allowed easy access. At two of the camps, the rugs, although lovely, did not lie flat, creating a trip hazard. At Splash, the antelope rug was between the bath and the bathroom and the staff removed it for my stay. And all of the cabins were at quite a distance from the lodge.

I think that if the company looked at what they offered through the lens of a person with some (not major) mobility issues, they may be able to market to this group, who may not normally think they could go on a safari. I would suggest that anyone who can step into a bathtub can get into the vehicles, if there is a stepstool provided or there is a flip down ladder. There could be a question about mobility when booking and those people could be booked in the nearer cabins. And the facilities should look for trip hazards and other challenges such as low or very heavy chairs.

With those minor tweaks, the trips would work for individuals with some mobility issues." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari