Reviews of trips to Fish River Canyon

"Our holiday was a success and we thoroughly enjoyed our time in Namibia. Sabina at Expert Africa was careful to give us detailed information, answer any questions, and advise us on all aspects of our trip.

As with the earlier comment regarding our choice of vehicle, we do have a further issue with information provided in the Bradt guide which states that Namibia is an inexpensive country to visit. We are not new to Southern Africa and have previously spent time in South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zambia and Botswana. We found Namibia to be easily the most expensive country in terms of accommodation, food, guided trips and souvenirs/artefacts. Again we mention this because of the connection between the author of the Bradt guide and Expert Africa." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip

"Namibia is dry!
Namibia is one of the friendliest place you could ask to holiday.
Namibia has some of the best game viewing one could hope for." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip

"we really appreciate the approach of expert africa in allowing us the freedom to outline our wishes and make individual arrangements as needed but can rely 100% on your expertise in arranging venues and other aspects so efficiently. We like the personal touch and feel we know you well!

Gwyneth was able to help us when we had a problem with vehicle hire (see below) this was timely and efficient!

We have often recommended your services and have no hesitation whatsoever in planning to 'use'you for our next trip which is already formulating in our minds!

We also appreciate the extra information and notes, additional items you supply

The comprehensive feedback is appreciated as we know you continually monitor and check on venues and arrangements

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Please don't relax your careful 'quality control' which makes you such a reliable company and such good value for money!

Our only suggestion is that for (the presumably small number) guests who wish as we did to make driving part of our holiday and who want 4x4 vehicles you consider linking to one of the specialist 4x4 suppliers. Budget SA really did not come 'up to the mark ' in this respect.

They advertise 4x4 vehicles but then do not supply as expected...in our case we effectively were provided with a 'bakkie' from the truck hire division The trouble with this is they are not on site at the airport and when we had a problem with the vehicle allocated we had to await the truck hire manager to arrive and as you know he then was not very helpful in allowing an alternative vehicle!

Also the idea that vehicles for use in Namibia should have a double fuel tank was completely denied by both the car hire staff and the truck division manager (despite what I think is a statement on their website)" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 5 on a Namibia trip

"A year in the planning, returning to 3 places previously visited, so expectations high and we had an amazing time.

We drove nearly 3000kms in 9 days and saw some unforgettable wild life. We are already planning a return for your 30th anniversary to the Caprivi Strip!.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No, unless you can instigate direct flights from the UK!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip

"Our itinerary was based on Expert Africa's innovative and well thought-out Black Wildebeeste holiday menu. The latter was modified to accommodate two nights in Hermanus, by cutting a night each at Cape Town and Clanwilliam. There was also a detour through Etosha West - achieved by switching one of the suggested three nights at Okaukuejo to Dolomite Camp. These adjustments proved to work very well for us.

The timing - late August to mid-September - was, we thought, perfect. There was spectacular whale-watching in Hermanus and we were able to visit the idyllic Postberg Nature Reserve (within the West Coast National Park), which is open only during the short spring-flower season. Temperatures generally were pleasant (though one needs to be prepared for cold spells - and rain interludes in the Cape) and the dry season in Etosha made for excellent game (but zero mosquito) viewing.

We suffered thefts on two occasions - one involving a hotel room safe in South Africa and the other a car break-in with damage, near Walvis Bay. These incidents (and their fall-out) dampened our spirits temporarily, but were outweighed by the pleasures experienced on each and every day. Overall, this trip ranks as one of our most enjoyable holidays in years of travelling." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"I thoroughly enjoyed my trip and would have no hesitation in recommending Expert Africa to anybody thinking of visiting Africa." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 20 on a Namibia trip

"One of the best trips ever!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"Our trip was a fantastic experience which all of the family really enjoyed. We did have some long driving days but these were to be expected.

All the accomodation that Expert Africa chose for us was extremely good and I would definately book with Expert Africa again. Maybe I would have liked to include a trek on my next trip but on the whole there was something for all the family to do. Namibia was definately a very diverse country to visit with lots to see and do and of course Etosha Game Park to visit.

Feedback on Pelican Point kayaking:

We were taken out with Craig and Bill, his father -in-law, to kayak with the seals off Pelican Point. It was quite a long drive from Walvis Bay but very interesting to see all the salt works and some flamingoes en route.

Kayaking was quite easy to pick up though very tiring and we paddled out past Pelican Point first to try and see some whales. Unfortunately we were unsuccessful but we did catch glimpses of dolphins. We then paddled back along the shore line to see the seals in their hundreds. They were leaping and diving all around us and we ended up soaking wet from their splashing!

This was a great experience finished off with tea/soup/sandwiches to warm us up which was very welcome." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"Namibia exceeded our expectations. Wonderful scenery and wildlife.

Wilderness safaris were efficient in notifiying me of the change of itinerary after the fire at Camp Kipwe" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip

"Very happy with the itinerary as it allowed us a brief look at many different parts of the country in a relatively short period of time. We travelled 4200 kms in 3 weeks. We are used to driving on gravel and corrugated roads but other less experienced drivers may have found the length of trip tiring. It also meant that some very good camps became overnight stops instead of the destination they deserved to be. (eg. Mushara)

We purchased goods for which we could reclaim the VAT. Our claim was processed without problem other than a 70 minute queue after check-in and 15 minutes before check-in to complete the form and have Customs and Excise check that we had the goods in our possession. Some people in the queue did not get their claims processed before having to board their flight. At the time I was queuing most of the people were on a flight to Angola and had a very large number of receipts with their claims. These were being audited carefully and many rejected which added to the time being taken." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip