Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"This was the wrong holiday at the wrong time. Christine and I had just sold our business, a manufacturing company employing 70 staff. In April, approx 6 months after booking this trip, we were contacted by our American competitors who made us a good offer for the business. Knowing we were going away in September we stipultaed that we wanted to complete by the end of August to give us sufficient time to arrange things and wind down from the stress of the sale. We eventually completed 2 days before leaving for Namibia and were in no fit state for this type of trip. As a result all sorts of things went wrong, which taken in isolation were insignificant, but added together spoilt the entire trip. Some have already been mentioned.

If we hadn't been so stressed and tired the driving may not have been such an issue, though I have already stated that I underestimated the distances. What I thought would be 2-hour drives were in fact 4 or 5 hour drives. The road conditions were also poor. Even the tarred roads are now in need of repair.

One other point we would like to mention concerns the fax Tracy sent to Pelican Bay. She stated that Ai Aiba is not the sort of lodge to fuss over clients. We're not sure where she gets that impression from. Neither Christine nor I expect people to fuss over us. In fact the opposite is true. All we really want is to be left alone, which is why we organised our own self drive rather than go with a group. As photographers we want the flexibility to wait around for the right moment to take stunning photographs rather than take snap shots.

Finally both Christine and I would like to thank Expert Africa and Tracy for all their help and assistance, especially when things went wrong during our stay." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"We've been to Afirica times. THis was a first rate trip.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari

"We loved the country and landscape and would like to go back to do more camping and discover new areas." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"Absolutly fantastic time it went way beyond our expectations, Expert Africa were very helpful & we would highly recomend them to anyone planning a trip to Africa

Thanks to Ellie to for being very helpful too." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Very, very good. I still cannot believe how smoothly it all went. Apart from Epacha Lodge ( a night necessitated by lack of accommodation elsewhere) it was all at exactly the level that we wanted - miraculously Tracey somehow managed to discern this from my ramblings!

Only during the last couple of days of the holiday did I notice that mobile and home numbers are provided for Expert Africa staff - amazing!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much." Read full review: 29 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"Marvellous trip and Wilderness Safaris deserve great praise. They were efficient, friendly and welcoming. Their staff are of the highest quality and excellent drivers. They took great pains to make sure all went well. Our 2 drivers, Mike and John were knowledgeable and thoughtful. We could not have asked for better.

The only thing that could be improved is the choice of vehicle. We had a Toyota landcruiser first and this was fine. However, 2 long journies in a Landrover was tough as the seating is cramped and really uncomfortable. We think the landrovers should be pensioned off and replaced now! All round this was a wonderful experience and we would recommend the trip, without hesitation.

Expert Africa were very helpful , knowledgeable and efficient. A pleasure to deal with. Thanks from us all...we'll be back." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 4 on a Malawi trip

"What a wonderful holday.

We would like to extend a very big ‘thank you’ to all those concerned in making our recent trip to Malawi one of our best holidays ever, and they come in no particular order.

Lastly and by no means least, a very big thank you to yourselves and everyone at Expert Africa who put together such a wonderful and, we have to say, life changing experience.

The itinerary you laid out for us could not have been put together any better, allowing the stays we had to give us such a different and diverse look at the things Malawi had to offer. It has simply wet our appetite for so much more!

Having never been to Africa and knowing very little about Malawi we were, its true to say, a little apprehensive in our excitement about our forthcoming adventure." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Malawi trip

"The whole experience was fabulous. The camps were luxurious and the whole point of going, ie the animals, was worth every penny. Loads of pictures to edit which will serve as a fond reminder of one of the best holidays ever.

I would also like to give a special thank you to Anna Devereux who handled the booking. She is a very efficient agent who was only too pleased to help sort out any problems (which she did without fuss), and her advice and tips were all very welcome and useful. She is a huge asset to Expert Africa." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari

"It was perfect!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"The initial delay [Ed: their flight to Namibia] at the beginning of the holiday was unfortunate as we did want to spend some time in Windhoek but that was the only problem we encountered.

Strange though, was the fact that the highlight of our trip to Etosha was perhaps a slight disappointment, and that other areas not expected to be as good, actually exceeded our expectations. The stay at Desert Homestead and the balloon ride were great. Swakopmund and the Skeleton Coast had a totally different atmosphere. I'm so glad that we entered the Skeleton Coast Park. Its seems a barren forsaken area but the great waves pounding onto the shore and the mists rolling in gave it such a dramatic feel. Absolutley wonderful.

Damaraland was attractive but we didn't see many animals. I believe the area has been heavily poached up till quite recently and the Rhino Conservation is doing well now and other animals are increasing in numbers also.

We saw loads of animals at Etosha but didn't expect quite so many people. There is a speed limit to the roads around the park but we saw very few people adhere to it. Especially at the mad rush to get back to your camp before they closed the gates. There were birds and smaller animals run over because people either couldn't stop or couldn't see them in time. There were also instances at waterholes when people in 4 wheel drive vehicles decided to leave the ample veiwing areas around the waterholes to get closer to the animals for better filming. This was dangerous and very inconsiderate to the animals. We just wish that this area could be policed to stop this unthoughtful behaviour.

Erongo exceeded our expectations, although we were already looking forward to seeing it. The walking was very good and the birdlife beautiful. Personally if I had gone there first I probably would not have moved on.

I have no suggestions to help you improve your service, but must say that it was good not to be pressured as some agents do on a daily basis and it was very thoughtful of you to send a map with the suggested route to take. There were lots of little details that put your service above other agents and I would have no hesitation in recommending you to anybody. Thank you all." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip