Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"We had a wonderful trip and such a variety of experiences. The luxury organised by you was very well placed at the beginning and end of the trip as we had the balancing experience of staying on the charity compound and seeing how the majority of the Zambians really live.

Out trip to the Copper Belt was equally revealing and we were glad that we had chosen to drive that part of the journey as life at the roadside was not to be missed.

All in all we will all be returning - albeit not together! Many thanks for your quideance and suggestions." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 2 on a Zambia safari

"Our trip to Namibia was excellent. The accommodation was better than we have had in 5 star hotels.

It was an experience that I would not have missed." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"It was a fabulous holiday Namibia can offer such a variety of experiences and scenery that you can't help but be impressed. The people were lovely and the weather just right not too hot but sunny almost all of the time. I would have no hesitation in recommending Namibia or Expert Africa to anyone.

We would like to add here some comments about our activities in Swakomund as they were independant from Sam's Giardino and deserve a mention.

The Sandwich Harbour trip was great - run by Turnstone Tours - we paddled in the pools on the beach amongst the flamingoes, pelicans and damarland terns etc the birdlife was stunning, the drive through the dunes was exillerating and the lunch delicious - Namibians are very good at picnics.

The "Little 5" trip was equally good it was amazing to see so much wildlife in the desert - Chris our guide was very entertaining and probably mad! Namibia also seems to bred some eccentrics!

We had a lovely meal at The Tug three courses and wine for thirty pounds!!

However, there has to be a few buts !

We didn't feel that the Toyota Corolla was really man enough for Namibian roads, the exhaust sounded pretty dodgy on occasions and part of the bumper fell out - a vehicle that was higher would be better.

Although we survived to tell the tale, we felt on hindsight that we should have had a satellite phone, our mobiles didn't work every where. A german couple we came across with a damaged sump would have been in trouble if an Italian family with a satelite phone hadn't turned up and helped them - we think it may be something you should recommend.

Fish River Canyon was pleasant, but it could have been missed out of the trip and another day in Swakopmund would have meant we could have done the boat trip from Walvis Bay too - fellow travellers raved about it. We also suspect the flights too and from the canyon added quite a lot to the price of the trip. Despite these little grips it was still great." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"It was great and lived up to our/my hopes. The ONLY problem was at Okaukuelo which certainly worried my wife at the time." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"Beho Beho set the honeymoon off to a great start.

Would be hard to follow that experience and beat it and so our beach expereinces were good, but not really comparable

Zanzibar has to compete hard with safari due to the nature of what is available on each type of holiday. Beho Beho being amaziny, beaches being great, but not comparable.

Also the "Safari Blue" in Zanzibar is a bit of a let down, 200/300 people all crammed onto one sand island was a bit of a shock" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday

"The most important thing about any trip is to make sure it is well organised, everything has been booked and you have been well breifed. I would like to thank Expert Africa for taking care of this part of my holiday, because then i just need to turn up and follow the instructions.

What happens on a safari is largely out of your hands, i did not want to spend 3 days in an ash/dust bowl, but seeing that is what was on offer and the is nothing you can do about the weather, it's best to make the most of it and enjot the expereince.

Wildlife does not have an agenda and there is never any guarantee, go with an open mind, expect to see nothing and then be amazed a what nature can provide. This is my 7th safari and I had my first sighting of a wild cheetah, in pretty poor light, but the experience was stunning and well worth the wait." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday, and it lived up to all our expectations. This was some feat considering that we were a family of four - with 2 mature daughter - each of whom had different interests and needs. All these were satisfied by the holidays, which included different types of accommodation and experiences.

Expert Africa's advice was terrific, always professional and always timely in their responses.

One negative - the recommendation of $10 per person per day as a tip is, we feel, over generous. We are always happy to voluntarily reward good service, but there seems to be an excessive tendency of expectation by most staff, in all accommodations and places, which is to-say-the-least off-putting. To facilitate this 'expectation culture' is counter-productive." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Expert Africa organised the whole trip tremendously well. We saw loads of animals and birds from a superb safari base camp. Enjoyed our trip to Stonetown and ended up with 5 outstanding days and nights at an excellent beach hotel.

All the arrangements worked perfectly and the people of the country as well as those working for the tour companies and hotels were kind, helpful and very friendly." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Expert Africa helped tailor this trip to our requirements exactly. The first half (Zambia) was our best holiday ever. The second half (Zanzibar) was a bit of an anti-climax and very disappointed with inability to scuba dive.

Anna Devereux is the best travel agent I have ever dealt with. I am quite demanding/ pernickety but she was always more than glad to answer any query with alarming efficiency. As I told her - sometimes it seemed she was working for us and noone else. Her recommendations were spot on. Anna was also willing to get involved when issues came up during the holiday (Zambian airways flight overbooking/ disasterours last-minute trip to Ngorongoro (not booked through Expert)). Real value-added travel agency." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"An amazing country, with friendly, helpful people.

The geography is phenominal and all the lodges we stayed in compimented it.

Thoroughly recommended." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip