Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"Absolutely fabulous.

High expectations given Steve's major milestone, met in every single way. A perfect excuse to come back for the Migration.

We would recommend the combination of Rwanda and Tanzania to anyone. It is eminently do-able.

Suggestions for improvement:

None - excellent as usual. Intending to remain one of your many satisfied regular clients. Thank you so much." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"Expert Africa live up to their name :)" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"For the oldest member at least the trip of a lifetime! Long anticipated we probably did it just in time - in another 2 years it will probably be too demanding for the oldies, whereas the "youngsters" may well be off on the Fish River trail.

While the wild life was incredibly exciting, it was what we had expected - only even bigger and better.

I don't think we could have anticipated the fantastic beauty and variety of the landscapes and the speed with which they change - the drive from Solitaire to Walvis Bay is just one example. Nor is it possible easily to convey the space, the distances, the emptiness,and the enormous skies - particularly on a moonless night.

We followed your suggested itinerary with one variation - we kept to the coast road from Cape Cross to Torra Bay and then cut across to Dora !Nawas. We were glad to experience that much of Skeleton Coast and thought the rest of the run more than rewarding , would in fact RECOMMEND it.- we'll have to fit in the Brandberg next time.

Now our one beef. We followed all of your advice re clothing - Kate, thank goodness even packed her long johns! - but simply were not prepared for the intense cold we ran into at Bullsport. Nor, according to the locals, was this particularly unusual. This being the case we think more thought should be given to heating the rooms and beds, and more blankets carried on drives at Bullsport. The temperatures at Kulala were not so different, but both these matters had been more effectively addressed.

Finally on this point we think that your advice should be beefed up to read - "and just to be on the safe side tuck in a pair of gloves, a scarf and a woolly hat" !

PS - Sabina, I have submitted our "report" on the trip but have, inevitably, thought of 2 comments I have forgotten to include! Firstly, how impressed we were by all aspects of the Wiiderness Safari operation with which we came into contact - not just the high standard of training, friendliness and professionalism of all the staff, or the imaginative design and comfort of the Lodges, but also their policies of community development and, perhaps in particular, their approach to HIV - AIDS.

Secondly we were very aware of the the positive approach generally to the AIDS problem - young people in "leadership" and "meet the challenge" T-shirts etc. However, nowhere could we find any means of making any direct contribution in support - and we mean specifically support which would be directed to Namibia, rather than to one of the umbrella Africa charities. We discussed this situation with Beula at Erongo and she was going to take it up thro' her management but I wonder whether you can give us any guidance and, more generally, if it is something to which Expert Africa might like to give some thought as I am sure there must be many of your clients who would also like to give more focussed help.

Again many thanks for your personal contribution to a wonderful holiday, Kind regards, Michael" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"My trip was what I had hoped for, a great adventure that was well organized.

Thanks Lucy." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"Overall this was one of the best vacations I have ever had.

No major complaints.

The ExpertAfrica staff was a pleasure. Ellie provided recommendations and booked a great trip.

While she was out of the office, Ann Lederman helped with some last minute details. Then, when our flights were screwed up and we arrived in Dar a day late, Ann re-worked our itinerary quickly and saved the trip!" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 4 on a Tanzania safari

"Our whole safari exceeded expectations. The staffs at the camps were very competent and professional, the food was delicious, and the accommodations were superb. The laundry service was also very convenient.

We were impressed how our drivers, Zebron, Sebastian, and Bertram, were able to navigate the maze of roads and off-road areas, and how they always ended up on a road back to the camps. We found the sand-bag bridges across some of the streams and the hand-powered ferry across the Luangwa River to be very interesting engineering accomplishments. And the Toyota Land Cruisers were able to handle all the driving conditions that were encountered.

The spotlight operators on the night game drives, Tom at Nkwali, Jonathan at Nsefu, and Chilamba at Tena Tena, were very effective in illuminating nocturnal animals, and we certainly appreciated their efforts also.

We were very pleased with the arrangements that Expert Africa made for us -- well done!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"From the first contact with Expert Africa we were confident that we had made a good choice.

The lengths Lucy was prepared to go to in order establish our expectations of the trip and match them to specific camps, within our timescale, was extraordinary. She obviously had firsthand experience and was super efficient. Lucy was always a pleasure to talk to, and we really do feel it is down to her expertise that we had such a well-organised and balanced holiday that could not have gone more smoothly.

We were also pleasantly surprised that your prices are so competitive when you offer such a personal service.

Suggestions for improvement:

We have been very happy." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"We'd done a big trip to Tanzania with you 5 years ago. This one to new corners of Ruaha and Selous was just as good!

Your recommendation on the order of the camps - starting with Mdonya and working up to Beho Beho - was spot on. Trips to Tanzania (especially if you include Beho Beho) are not cheap, but well worth it. The logistics worked well, with Kearsley and Coastal doing there bit. We've rarely been back to the same camp twice but we did it with Mwagusi - and it remains our favourite of the 3 we visited this time.

We had been a bit worried about the new information about the Health Desks at Dar and the need to show your Yellow Fever certificate. You gave us some helpful info on your own experiences. And - after all that - we were never asked for the certificates! I think it would have been different if we were going to Zanzibar or coming from Kenya.

Many thanks - and look forward to travelling with you again." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"This was a wonderful trip, can't wait to go back. The organisation was excellent, especially the connections between Kasane and Zambia when we had to cross the river and we both thought we had to use the local ferry only to find we had our own personal boat to get us from Botswana to Zambia.

The lodges were excellent, as were the people and the food. We met some great people while we were there which made the trip even better.

No trip is perfect and we did feel that our pickup from Lebala airstrip at 10:00 in the morning was a bit early. We were obliged to cut short the early morning game drive and as a consequence did to not get a full breakfast. The pickup from Little Vumbura was at 13:00 so why could the same time not been applied for Lebala, or at least a bit later in order to have have breakfast.

But these are minor issues and in no way detracted from the overall success of the trip. There were so many highlights it's impossible to list them all, but the leopards mating at Little Vumbura is going to be hard to beat !!

Suggestions for improvement:

Keep doing what you are doing and you can't go wrong. Certainly I would happily recommend your company to anyone thinking of visiting southern Africa." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Our trip was nearly flawless! It was great to have a vacation where all the details were arranged for us and all transports occurred on schedule.

Claire Scott was extremely patient, accepting changes to the duration of our trip and answering all questions without a hint of annoyance. We were totally delighted with the choice of hotels and her very good advice." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zanzibar holiday