Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"I talked to various people" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 4 on a Botswana safari

"The trip was excellent. We thoroughly enjoyed it. We couldn't believe how much variety there was - the Namib desert, the Skeleton Coast, Damaraland, Etosha, Waterberg, Erongo. The lodges were all great, with personal service and a chance to chat to local people working in the lodges. We were very happy with the itinerary, although we wished we could have had more days in several places - but that is always the way - never enough time!

I wouldn't hesitate to go back and would definitely recommend your services. In fact Lloyd is thinking we should go back next year, so I may be in touch again next year!." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"The trip went almost without a hitch ( Roys restcamp was a bit of a hitch!) and every day brought a new small adventure." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"An absolutely brilliant trip, everything and more than I could have hoped for.

Expert Africa's Anna Devereux Baker was exceptionally helpful when flight times changed, the Post Office went on strike and I needed a flight upgrade arranged due to back problems." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"namibia is a great country , lots to see and with lovely people. standards are pretty high and services are reliable. as a place to go in africa it has to be one of the best overall in terms of sights ( and animals ) coupled with being very safe and easy .
highlights were of course etosha damaraland and the desert , but we were happy to visit swakopmund along the way , despite watching the rugby world cup final with 200 springbok fans !!

we had only limited time available , and 10 days was possibly a bit short for the travelling involved , and also because much of the accomodation is so good that the odd day of doing nothing would work well in the midst of taking in the sights.
we enjoyed it and would definitely go again - and recommend it to friends.

we do think you need to look at the car hire advice . accepting that the car chosen did the job without any problems as such ( and we saw a lot of people using similar cars ) , it would improve the trip to be in a bigger car or possibly a 4x4- as long as it is driven no quicker or differently. there is clearly a cost implication , but relative to the overall cost , this would be good value. on reflection , should have spent more time discussing this issue with Tracy beforehand .

the issue is really one of comfort and relaxation. we are experienced travellers who have driven in south america for example , and where you are so far from the next garage / farm / person , there is a sense of vulnerability - even if this is a little misplaced in reality. a more substantial vehicle would reduce this. also , the roads are variable - mostly good , but then very rutted for say 10 / 20 km. this makes the ride uncomfortable and also makes timings a little difficult. we found C roads were better than D , but not consistently so.

your experience is of course greater than mine , but my advice to friends will be to go down the suv or 4x4 route where driving more than 3 hours per day.

not to end on a negative note , however , we loved namibia and received excellent service from everyone - including of course Tracy." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"Overall, the trip was excellent. Camps are all different in style but up to a point that is fun and interesting. Inevitably, some aspects don't meet one's personal ideal but only at Waterberg did I hear another guest volunteer any criticism (of the dim religious lighting!). Guides and availability of game also varied but every site produced enough new species and sights to keep our interest up. Total 30 mammals and 152 bird species.

As our first trip had been with a small group from the UK travelling with CCAfrica, we had not realised that Brits are only 7% of the tourists, the great majority being German, tho we also met Italians and French. Everyone was excellent company and this was itself a significant part of the pleasure and success of the trip.

Driving entalied some long hot days but was not tiring compared with the M25, say. We helped one Damara family whose old car had died by taking them to the Uis township to find a man with a functioning battery and gave a lift to another lady going to visit her man in Reheboth hospital and, when I had to change a wheel, sure enough the next person along stopped to help. Again, nice parts of the experience.

One policeman at a roadblock tried to extort a small fine but waved us on when I produced pen and paper!

We would happily go back soon but the world is a big place, life is short and money is never enough. However, perhaps in a year or two....." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"Marvellous - a trip of a lifetime.

Suggestions to help you improve : None at all - thank you." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"Holiday of a lifetime!

Our stay in Beho Beho made our trip, I can give no higher compliment." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"Despite the series of reservations expressed above [Ed: see individual camp reviews - follow the links below!], our experience as a whole was entirely positive. This is a wonderful country with resources of considerable potential. Our aspiration was to see and do - animal life, bird life in abundance; the beauty and power of the desert, the rich scale of the Okavango, the variety and suprise of Etosha, the charm and challenge of the San people.

We were privileged to have been and seen, and, for the most part, in exceptional settings and charming cirumstances.

To avoid your feeling too complacent ... flight instructions for the return journey showed two times of departure - 1940 and 2040.

But, if that's all I can find to complain about - and it's hardly that - then I think you have every reason to feel pretty pleased with your organisation. Expert Africa is so much more apt and expressive than Sunvil; 'Expert' you deserve." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 25 on a Namibia trip

"It was an excellent, really well planned, balanced and interesting trip. We came back both stimulated and relaxed.

Your advice was very sound. We felt well looked after but also a little bit adventurous.

We have hundreds of digital photos to sort through!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari