Botswana: reviews from our travellers

"We save up for a few years to go on this trip and and with all the hype on the internet I was concerned the real thing could be a bit of an anticlimax. Suffice to say it was
anything but. It was truly outstanding in all aspects from the arrangements to Victoria Falls hotel and on to the lodges in Botswana.

A holiday that will live with us forever.
And I have 2'600 photographs to prove it!!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Cannot fault anything." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"It was a trip of a lifetime for both of us." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"I really think an indication should be given as to the likely preferences of other guests at the various camps. If the management at Selinda Explorers had not acted positively to my concerns my holiday would have been less enjoyable. Information should be given about private vehicles.

Please note the person who I booked with has left the firm. I have just selected a random to close this web site down." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"This trip was a great introduction to Africa! The amount of preparation and information provided by Expert Africa meant that there was very little that we had to worry about, but still felt that we were in control of our own adventure.

Overall our highlights were exploring the sand dunes at Sossusvlei, our day trip out of Swakopmund to Sandwich Harbour, the wildlife at Etosha NP, the village life and waterways of the Caprivi Strip and the up close and personal experience of Camp Hwange.

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We were incredibly impressed with the service we got from Maruska, she put together our trip at very short notice, was always quick to respond to emails, and seemed incredibly knowledgeable when we spoke to her on the phone. We would happily recommend her and Expert Africa to anyone wanting to book a trip to Africa." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 5 on a Namibia trip

"It had been about nine years since we were last in Southern Africa and we had the pleasurable task of introducing some members of my family to this wonderful part of the world for the first time. It was a bit of a challenge to chart a course of safaris and 'chill-out' in the Cape when you have a combination of first-timers and a couple of 'old lags' to keep happy.

With the patient and knowledgeable Tracy at Expert Africa to help with suggestions and alternatives, I found the task was not as daunting as it might have been even when some members threw a bit of a curve ball at the end of the process, an eventuality that Tracy handled with professional grace and efficiency.

My partner and I have been clients of Expert Africa since Sunvil brought Chris in to broaden its product range. This he has delivered with peerless professionalism and has built a knowledgeable and very competent team over the years who, in this client's opinion, provide the best service available in the UK. Well done all and thanks to Tracy again." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Thoroughly enjoyed the trip. well organised . good camps, good guiding a nice mix of camps.

the main disappointments were that there was less game than expected, especially at Linyanti, and less water than expected in Okavango.

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with hindsight we may have chosen to make our (probably) only visit to Okavango earlier in the year when water-levels are higher. overall, whilst very good, the difference from other safaris weve been on wasn't as great as expected" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Well done Expert Africa you live up to your name again,, thanks

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OK since Peter is writing the review he would comment about the quotation! Not the cheapest of holidays however worth every penny and Expert Africa ensured that our money bought what Pamela wanted.

Peter was surprised and more than pleased that so much of this holiday was just a few guests.........or even just the two of us.

I think Expert Africa spoilt us and the next time we go on Safari will expect a vehicle and guide to ourselves. The one day we had to go on safari on a full vehicle neither of us enjoyed the experience half as much as our other drives. Getting old perhaps but we like to stop and watch ants or ducks parading.

Perhaps a highlight was walking in Mundulea and coming across a baby hog that was dying due to a Leopard bite. Cai's comment that he could smell a Leopard and that perhaps we should move on reminds me I must go.

Thanks for an excellent holiday, see you at the Travel Show perhaps." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"Incredible.

Attention to every detail from the first conversation with Megan to our departure from Victoria Falls.
We could not have asked for better service. Expert Africa knows what it is doing.

Very Satisfactory would be excellent if that were a choice.

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I really can't think of anything to change.

Megan was responsive, knowledgable, and open to discussion." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"This trip was a highlight of our travel experiences.

Nick was extremely helpful in pointing us in the right direction for camp selection from a large number of options. The camps were a perfect balance to the remainder of our trip which was a horseback safari in the Delta.

This was our second trip to Africa with Expert Africa and we will not hesitate to refer you to friends (we already have) and contact you when and if we return in the future. I loved not having to worry about anything throughout the entire trip. We were well taken care of from start to finish. Thank you.

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Can't think of a thing. Thank you!" Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"The trip to Zimbabwe and Botswana with a hotel and two game lodges was well-organised with a good range of activities. Megan at Expert Africa gave good advice about the selection of game lodges and after a few iterations of the itinerary a satisfactory plan was produced.

Our first stay was at the Victoria Falls Hotel on the Zimbabwe side of the falls. We were a bit dubious about visiting Zimbabwe following the long political unrest but our fears were unfounded as the people are friendly and the hotel was charming. On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport we were 6th off the 'plane but it still took about 30 minutes to get our visas. There is no particular hassle or unpleasantness at the airport - it is just a bureaucratic (and expensive) process.

Our one negative comment after getting our visas was the long, hot wait in the airport for a shared transfer with two other couples who were not even staying at the same hotel as us. Since the drive to the hotel is fairly short we thought that a private transfer would have been more sensible after a long and tiring journey rather than a wait of almost 1 hour for the slow immigration process.

The rest of the journeys were quite seamless with on-time pick up at the hotel and a drive to the Botswana border where the driver assisted with exit formalities while another vehicle was waiting to take us onwards to Muchenje, with a stop at Kasane Airport en route to change vehicles.

We had a great welcome at Muchenje Game Lodge. Transfer back to Kasane Airport was provided in the lodge's own vehicle where we were met at the door by the Wilderness Air representative who took good care of us and our bags. The flight to Vumbura air strip was a great experience, even if slightly sick-making!

At Vumbura everything was well organised with pick up and return by the guides. The home trip was quite tiring with flights to Maun and Johannesburg before the long-haul back to London.

In all the whole trip was well organised and the choice of lodges was excellent with a good contrast between Chobe National Park and Chobe River game viewing and Okavango Delta experience." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari