Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"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

"Everything that Expert Africa arranged was done efficiently. All the transfers were on time and we were kept informed at every transfer.

Thank you for making our holiday a magic experience." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"This was a wonderful holiday - exceeding even our highest expectations. The mix of camps (from the family atmosphere of Tafika, to the exceptional game of Kaingo, to the luxury of Chiawa - worked brilliantly. We also thought Zambia a stunningly beautiful country, and hope its tourist industry continues to flourish - It deserves to become a must-visit destination.

I have selected Lucy as the expert africa team member who dealt most, but actually Maruska and claire did lots too (lucy was first though!) and the positive feedback applies to all of them (we were also very impressed with Maruska when we met her in Zambia)


p.s thanks again - we couldn't recommend Expert Africa highly enough. you've been great from start to finish." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"The African people were extremley helpful and nothing too much trouble for them. The landscape veiws are really good with a fantastic sunset every night. There is always something to see.

The days were warm and extra blankets provided while out early morning and late at night to help keep the cold out. The hot water bottles in the bed at night in Lagoon and Labala camps were very welcome.

Our main disappointment were missing predators at Linyanti camp othrerwise a very special and memorable holiday for us both." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"This trip exceeded our expectations in almost every respect and we are happy to recommend a similar holiday to others. Where we have commented on minor shortcomings, they did not detract from our enjoyment in the slightest.

From the first enquiry to Expert Africa, Maruska was most helpful and efficient, modifying and adjusting the itinerary to meet our requirements." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"We were very happy with the organisation and reality of the trip. Everything went smoothly and there were no snags. Timing for each section was good and at no stage did we have to rush to make a deadline. All staff that we dealt with throughout the holiday were efficient. Many were exceptionally friendly and made us very welcome.

Being a bit of an animal enthusiast, I do think it is important to stress that certain species are unlikely to be seen. I was disappointed to be told that certain species were not found in the locality of the camps despite assuming from comments in the guide that they were around ie Roan, Sable.

Having said that, there was plenty of game, and for safari newcomers, more than enough species to keep them happy.

Suggestions for improvement:
We have had two excellent trips with your company in the last two years. Both were competitively priced, superbly organised, and delived more than was promised. Ellie is a gem who updated us at every opportunity and who provided me with specific information on the two camps that we visited as she had been to both herself. Her level of knowledge was far higher than that we have experienced from reps of other companies and,as we have now been on safari eight times, we are really impressed.

Your website is the best around for imparting information and I like the visitors comments and general organisation that it contains.
Could I suggest that you update your info about cameras in the travel book you issue. More info about digital cameras, suitability for getting batteries charged, size of memory cards, dangers of heat and dust would help a lot of first time safari travellers.

In general though, carry on with your excellent work." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"The trip was absolutely excellent - your advice on routing was good and the choice of camps excellent. You were very efficient throughout and it was a pleasure dealing with you. On this basis we would be happy to recommend you to anyone wishing to do a similar trip.

One suggestion: we noticed that several people doing similar trips had been provided with a spiral bound booklet with more information about the itinerary, details about each camp, with photographs and maps. We would have appreciated something similar, which would not be expensive to produce and would have been a very nice touch. Given the cost of the trip, the excellence of your service and the quality of the camps and transfers this would be an appropriate part of the package you offer." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"The problem with the suite took the gloss off the trip especially as it was to celebrate my woifes birthday.
The problems encountered were outside of your control being let down by your suppliers.
Need to review Governors Camp room allocation procedures.

Comments on the guide:
Excellent. Very impressed. Theo was a joy and nothing was too much trouble.

Strongly recommend their services" Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 4 on a Rwanda safari