Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"This was our first visit to Victoria Falls and our first safari holiday in Africa and we enjoyed every moment ! A truly amazing holiday !

We were very happy with the whole experience and would certainly use Expert Africa again for future trips." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"fanatstic country and excellent hospitality" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"We were the first of the season visitors at Mchenja with new camp managers, Richard and Susie. There were frought moments for them but they handled them well and we wish them every success.

Our flight and road transfers worked well and we should like to mention Geoff Chilongo who met us each time in Lusaka airport and smoothed our passage through.

Selinda provided two high spots, a cheetah stalk and kill and a group of 3 lionesses with 7 cubs. Lagoon provided the ultimate highlight of our trip with good sightings of a pack of wild dogs. Although the camp is beginning to look a little dated, this however is to its advantage in that it deters the spa safari clientele." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"Our trip was extraordinary. Before the trip, friends asked us why we weren't content to visit zoos or somewhere like Animal Kingdom. Now I know it's worth the effort to visit Africa: the animals behave more normally in their wild native habitats than they do in captivity.

There were almost no glitches; it was difficult to come up with the extremely minor faults I've mentioned in the previous pages--I was trying not to be glib. [Ed: click onthe links below to access those 'previous pages']

We will return to Africa.

Here's an odd thing: everyone told us to visit Namibia for the scenery, not the wildlife-viewing. But we saw more wildlife in Etosha the 4 days we were there than we did the 8 days we spent in Botswana. The 2WD may have slowed us down enough to notice the animals; also we weren't rushing around trying to find lions, and were content to see whatever appeared.

For us, the more remote the better: I found myself being annoyed at Chitabe when I heard planes or helicopters.

We had thought someone was going to drive us from Muchenje in Botswana all the way to the Livingstone Airport. We were not looking forward to waiting in line for the ferry to cross the Zambezi. But as you know, there were a number of agents involved in getting us from the one place to the other. The transition progressed remarkably smoothly, and we enjoyed seeing a little of the everyday Africa one doesn't observe at safari camps.

That being said, the agent at Kazangula, Zambia was very kiind but he didn't seem to know that everyone has to pay a visa fee now. He behaved in a rushed manner, without explaining his intentions to us. I was locked in the van with our luggage then the agent took my husband to the customs office. Unfortunately, I hadn't told my husband about making sure our passports were stamped with the appropriate number of days, so they were stamped 7 rather than 8. When we left Lusaka to fly to London, we were scolded about this.

We couldn't cash travelers' checks at Livingstone Airport; we didn't have enough time to try at Lusaka; and at Mfuwe, the clerk wanted $20 to exchange $50. We had no luck at Kapani either.

FYI, Mr. Grellman at Etango Game Ranch mentioned that Windhoek plans to expand the airport across the road, more or less adjacent to his ranch.

I'm rambling.

I don't know what additional information would be helpful. We're used to setting our own schedules when we travel, and for that reason, we enjoyed having our own car and doing what we pleased when in Etosha. For 2 active people, it's difficult to spend 6+ hours in a jeep each day; and of course, during siesta, one usually can't walk around on one's own other than from the tent, to the dining hall, to the vehicle, back to the dining hall..... I suspect a walking safari is in our future. Also, we'd like to have our own vehicle, or have our own guide who wouldn't be bored sitting watching baboons or elephants for an hour. You can arrange all of this, can't you?

We had never used a travel agency before--for one thing, one of us is detail-oriented and enjoys the researching and planning of trips. But with the complexity of this trip and my slow-as-molasses dial-up laptop, I decided to try an agency. Chris McIntyre's guide books had impressed us not only because of all the truly helpful information, but also because of the lack of platitudes. To make a long story short, Expert Africa's services have been superb. The following remarks are nitpicking and I don't know if they'll be helpful or not.

I mentioned under the "Flights" section about the Zambian Airways vouchers. The Taj clerk also seemed confused about the voucher: she thought I was staying alone and she asked me how I was planning to pay for my night.

There are a few discrepancies between Mr. McIntyre's guidebooks and the Expert Africa website. For example, the books might state that a camp is only open seasonally, but the web site states otherwise.

Perhaps when an agent is going to be out of the office for an extended period, she might notify her current clients to contact so-and-so during her absence if they have questions.

Your turn -- rate us as clients.

Thanks for everything!" Read full review: 30 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"An excellent trip, but much wetter than we expected (We had been to Namibia in February before and saw no rain).

This is a good time of year to see everything green (even in the desert) and the young animals in Etosha.

Very quiet in Etosha. We watched a rhino for 30 minutes and no other car came along.

With two spare tyres we had no punctures this time. We managed easily without a 4x4 - I would not have attempted to cross the Tsauchab in flood even with a 4x4 as the water was above my knees and flowing fast. No problems with the car and very helpful staff at Windhoek airport." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Namibia trip

"A thoroughly enjoyable trip; Tracy successfully matched our interests and preferences with the accommodation and avtivities she recommended. She had advised a 4WD vehicle as we were travelling in the rainy season; advice we recalled on the 3 occasions we got stuck (but in sandy river beds / approaches on D-roads, not in deep water). The Yaris we had was basically too low-slung to the ground. Luckily we received help each time but it did make driving in some of the remoter areas rather nerve-racking wondering what was at the bottom of the next dip! in the roadl.

We found the Namibian people welcoming and friendly and hope that, in the places where we stayed, profits remain to benefit the local communities. We did see and hear some evidence of this but were not always sure. It was fun occasionally bumping into people we'd met before, as they tended to follow similar routes.." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"Our experience in Namibia was overwhelmingly positive. We definitely would like to return in the not too distant future.

When we return, we would want to explore whether there is some way of staying in less luxurious places (short of camping).

We would definitely use Expert Africa again - we have never had such excellent service from anyone in any sphere!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"Very happy with trip. Once we were used to looking for animals in a very "green" Africa (after extended short rainy season) we enjoyed ourselves very much.

The weather was colder and wetter than expected in Ruaha and the contrast temperature in the Selous was dramatic.

Despite limitations of the Mdonya Old River Camp, this site had more atmosphere and is probably the one we would chose to visit again, if we went back to Tanzania. The hills, river valleys and varied vegetation made game/bird viewing here pleasurable and very interesting." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"Claire Scott organised everything. It met all of my expectations. Mdonya was a little disappointing but not a disaster. Beho and Mwgusi were all I expected and more. Try them!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari

"We really enjoyed our trip - as usual. The whole of Tanzania was green due to the rains and the comparison with our last visit was remarkable! We had some amazing experiences and a few close encounters, which all adds to the enjoyment.

We had a small problem with Kearsley as the drivers could not tell us the pick-up times from the Royal Palm on each occasion. As it was weekends, the office was closed, and we had to make a phone call to obtain the information.

Otherwise, the whols trip went like clockwork - all due to your excellent organising as usual.

Thank you." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari