Africa: Reviews from our travellers

"Maruska's patience in planning this trip with us was legendary and it worked out to be as perfect as possible. Overall transfers and some of the guiding was done by Ultimate Safaris. We were pleasantly surprised to be picked out of the long immigration queue by them and VIP'd through! Our guide was pleasant, interesting,and excellent. Transfers went well with only 1 hiccup with delivering our excess bags.

By our request this safari concentrated on the area around the Skeleton Coast. The constantly changing rocky, sand-duned and desert environment is fascinating to us. The tempest tossed coastline is so rich in marine life, with shoreline covered in hundreds of cormorants and seals in some areas. Flamingos, giraffe, elephants and ostrich all were spotted from our little Cessna on our Schoeman's Safari which was certainly a life changing highlight. We flew in the late afternoon during "golden hour" making the reds, pinks, ochres, greys of the desert shine. Surprisingly often there were areas of green. We were lucky as there had been abundant rain in March after 6 years of drought and so the normally bare desert was covered in soft golden grass. Also flowers blooming! so many varieties! It crossed my mind that at times it was like flying with Grand Canyons all around.

This is only our second visit to Namibia but we have found the staff members we have met particularly friendly and interesting. They come from a variety of tribes who until very recently would not have been interacting so closely. Many speak 3 or 4 languages or more which is humbling. The "click" language is especially magical to listen to. And remarkably hard to imitate!

The animal life is not so abundant as other parts of Africa but the adaption to the desert environment is special for the ones we did see. (Keep in mind we did not go to Etosha where animal life is more) As to flora the Welwitschia Mirablis , a plant which can grow for 2000 years was a wonder to see. It only has 2 leaves. There are male and female plants. We are told there are botanists who come to this area just to see this plant and now can see why..

We felt this visit to this area of Namibia to be one of our best of our dozen trips to Africa. Well planned, and very very special....

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service: Our third trip planned by Maruska. She is an absolute gem. We feel in good hands with Expert Africa." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 11 on a Namibia trip

"The trip was focused on trying to see and photograph Wild Dogs with a Kalahari extension for Meerkats bolted on. Despite a hiccup with our luggage thanks to BA and some issues with dog dens sadly being in conflict with lions, the trip delivered all that we had hoped for and a few surprises. We added 7 lifer sightings to our list which is always great!
The Kalahari was the real surprise in terms of experience and sightings, and certainly encourages us to go back again in green season.
We chose the Kwando camps in and around the Delta based on reputation with Wild Dogs and the ability to off road in private concessions, and two out of the three camps were excellent. It is always high risk to have a pretty single minded goal on a trip but it finally paid off and we got some great other sightings / encounters along the way. Having the trackers on the vehicles was essential as good old fashioned detective work is critical to sightings - the landscape can be pretty challenging at this time of year between green and dry. Our stay at Kwara Camp has set a standard for safari accommodation that will never be beaten!
Overall the trip delivered what we were hoping plus a very special dog encounter." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Botswana safari

"Start to finish the help and support we received from Lucy Copson was excellent.

We made several changes to our original idea, but Lucy was quick to advise and respond on each occasion.

The quality of process, confirmation and despatch of documents was very good.

Fortunately we never needed on the ground support, but with all the information we received, I always felt that EA was there in the background if we needed them.

All round excellent service." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"A wonderful experience from start to finish. Richard's advice was excellent; he got to know what we would like and found accommodation and travel that suited our needs, soon gaining my confidence. At no point was I frustrated by the process, despite all that covid threw our way and the delay of a year that it caused." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 17 on a Kenya safari

"We had the most amazing time!

So pleased with our choice of accommodation. Olivia (who moved on to pastures new after our trip was organised) gave thorough advice on safari camps taking into consideration our needs as a family. Thrilled with her recommendation of Kicheche Valley. We were looking at Hemingways at Watamu - a traditional beachside hotel, however wanting to be more adventurous she gently steered us towards Kinondo. So pleased she did.

Jessica became our point of contact. She was just as experienced, helpful and understanding answering questions. When BA cancelled our outbound flight she remained very calm and positive with her fretful client on the other end of the phone! All very much appreciated.

This was a trip to introduce the wonders of Africa to my husband and son. Safari was very much out of my husband’s comfort zone. Giraffe Manor had been on my bucket list for many years and we were celebrating a special wedding anniversary so he succumbed to persuasion.

It has been a life changing experience for him. He absolutely loved the whole experience of being on safari and says he left a little part of him in Kenya!

I’m thrilled that our Kenyan adventure was such a success, so many wonderful memories. We all fell in love with the country and its people.

So, if you’re reading this and thinking we’d like to go on safari but not sure if it’s for us … GO, you’ll have a wonderful time!



Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service: None at all." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Kenya safari

"We had the trip of a lifetime and thoroughly enjoyed the whole itinerary and all the lodges….

I had a set itinerary including certainly lodges that were a “must do” Sabina of Expert Africa was the only person and company of the four I tried that was able to accommodate our wishes and make it all fit together seamlessly. Thank you Sabina it couldn’t have worked out better !!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"This trip exceeded expectations. The accommodations and service were stellar. Along with outstanding encounters with wildlife, the guides and support staff at the camps were memorable.

I can’t say enough about Maruska who worked with us since 2019 to make this trip happen.

We cancelled twice due to Covid, and we are so happy she stuck with us to see it through!

Her recommendations for where to go and how long to stay were spot on for this group. She always communicated in a clear and timely manner. Maruska, I’ll miss working with you!
I also want to give a shout out to Claire who was covering for Marusaka and who stepped in when we had to stay over an extra night in Victoria Falls due to my husband’s illness. She was able to change the flights so we could get to Tafika, she somehow seamlessly arranged the ground transportation to the airport in Livingstone, and when we finally arrived late in Mfuwe, there was someone from Tafika waiting to drive us the 2.5 hour ride to camp. And she checked back in to see how my husband was doing, as did Maruska while she was on her vacation!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Expert Africa does a superb job. We hope we can plan a future trip with you folks, specifically, Maruska!

Thank you!!!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"Our trip was orgianally booked in November of 2019 for August of 2020- then the pandemic hit. We briefly considered rebooking for 2021 but ultimately decided on July 2022. Maruska was patient and attentive through all of the contortions of those two years.
Early in our trip one member was ill and had to stay an additional day at our first lodge to recover. Maruska was on leave, but Expert Africa answered an email about the problem within 15 minutes. They were able to figure out rebooking the flights to our next camp as well as making sure that all parties involved knew of the problem and new schedule details.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service: Wonderful service, no suggestions for improvement." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"The trip was great. Zambia was really a great safari experience - beats Namibia, Botswana, Sth Africa but not the Congo (Gorrillas in Odzala were next level amazing), sorry.

Megan and the team at Expert Africa - you kept in touch, we felt at ease that our trip booked in 2019 was going to happen, albeit the Covid speed bump. Only took 2 extra years. We just wish that the trip cost was cheaper as we would choose these destinations more often.

Maybe consider trips for the "once in a lifetime" traveller or birthday trip versus "been there, done that, don't need the thrills, can stay in the staff quarters" (maybe for photographers etc) 2 levels of travellers? Not sure where the cost is. Is it flights, food, rooms? ......we would go back to Zambia - Kaingo, Mwamba and Old Mondoro in a flash - just the cash is the impediment.

And from Australia - distance is a pain in the bum!" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 16 on a Zambia safari

"I understood I’d been booked to stay at Latitude 15 because there wasn’t an afternoon Proflight service to Mfuwe.

Discovered from fellow passengers that there was and would much rather have travelled straight on for an extra night in the park.

I appreciated the personal service and being kept up to date during the two years since my trip was first booked. Trying times for everyone, I know." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari