Reviews of safaris to Skeleton Coast & Kaokoland

"Now we have had our holiday I feel I understand what I would do next time.

It was all a wonderful experience. Firstly I must put a word in for Mack Air as there didn't seem to be anywhere to put that. We were concerned and a bit anxious about the small flights but the service and professionalism from the pilots was excellent and made the whole experience fine.

All the places we booked were good, each different and interesting. Of course not having been to Africa before or been on a safari holiday before it is difficult to understand what it is going to be like even though we read all the information and listened to all the advice there is nothing like the experience of actually being there.

In no particular order we felt that the camps in Botswana seemed more geared up to 2 night stays and in fact 2 nights felt perfectly fine though before we went I thought 2 nights might feel a bit tight. In fact sometimes our 3 night stays felt as if the guides were looking for things to do. I loved Botswana, particularly the Okavanga Delta and would go back there.

Though we were a bit concerned about driving ourselves round Namibia as 2 women on our own in our late 50s and 60s, in fact it was very easy. We loved Cape Cross and Walvis Bay, both fine for 1 night stays. I would want to stay 2 nights in Okonjima in the Bush camp, a very pleasant place to stay. It was me who insisted on staying in Okaukeujo and it was fine though I think if I was advising someone else I would suggest somewhere smaller with better food.

I also would not go back to the Zambezi Sun, it was the only place we were disappointed with. Everyone is different but we both realised how important a breakfast and dinner view is for us and a view of the Zambezi rather than corporate hospitality is worth paying for.

We loved South Africa and will probably go back there sometime. All in all we loved it and love Africa, it is like no other place I've ever been to.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I cant think of anything. My sister and I did talk about how difficult it must be to advise people on where to stay and where to go. You did really well so thank you. The only thing that might have helped us not go to the Zambezi Sun was either us telling you the sort of hotel we usually stay in when we travel or you asking." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"We had wonderful time." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"As always excellent with back up if you need it" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip

"Well organised
Good advice .
No hiccups
No complaints
Memorable trip!!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Be a bit more specific as to what is included/excluded in the all in price.
Eg """"Imported drinks """"in my book are drinks not made in Namibia.
After 4 days I realised that this wasn't so!!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"Our trip as a whole was excellent - we have never had a better holiday and will remember it forever with great affection." Read full review: 36 nights in Africa; 28 on a Namibia trip

"The trip was a great experience and we had a fantastic time and will return for more.

We loved visiting Terrace Bay and the drive up the Skeleton Coast - although a bit awed by the remoteness. Swakupmund was fun, with a great day out travelling to Sandwich harbour and back. Etendeka was another great experience as was the time we spent in Etosha. Erongo was great place to finish the trip.

Sabina's suggestions (don't spend two nights at Terrace Bay, try Mushara Bush Camp) were excellent. We really appreciate her phoning us when we had broken down to check we were OK and being looked after and confirming that the replacement vehicle was on its way. Also impressed by Wilderness Safaris who co-ordinated the replacement vehicle with Bidvest and the transfer from Okaukuejo while we were waiting for it to be delivered from Windhoek.

We were enormously impressed by the back up when we had a problem with the vehicle. It was very reassuring that were not coping with it alone. THANK YOU!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

After our experience with the original car we would be inclined to book a 4x4 next time to ensure we had a more robust vehicle.

Driving on the roads we travelled wasn't a problem but the original car we had an ineffective handbrake (not spotted on delivery and not actually much of a problem parking on the flat) and a very soggy passenger seat. It seems that it had been subjected to hard treatment which may be why it broke down." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip

"We have had the good fortune of having a lifetime of travel adventures to over 100 countries spread over every continent. Among those many trips our experience in Namibia with Expert Africa stands out as one of the very best.

Of course a lot of that is because the country of Namibia has so much to offer. It is probably the safest and easiest country on the continent for independent travel. It also helps that it has a lot of very dramatic scenery and fascinating people and wildlife. But Expert Africa also played a large role in making this trip memorable. They know Namibia very well and booked us into the best lodges in the best regions of the country.

Because of Expert Africa everything went very smoothly on our trip. I recommend them without any reservation.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Keep up the great job!" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip

"We had a very nice trip to Namibia.

Everything was in order with the reservations, we have absolutely no complaints, and we would like to use Expert of Afica another time." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"we have, we guess, become bitten by the Africa bug. We had a great time though we know that our measures of enjoyment are not necessarily those that others might use. This was our first trip to Namibia and it lived up to expectations. Stunning landscapes, extraordinarily nice people, a history that you should learn about to understand the place.... and for those that live in great cities, just amazingly empty. What will we remember? Sabina said to us that we shouldn't waste money on hiring a 4x4 but suggested we got a vehicle that had good ground clearance. We went with this.

On our drive back from Wolwedans to Windhoek, having still not seen any major rain, we had to drive over a small range of mountains, and on the way to the main pass I realised that it had rained here and the road was largely washed away. But we got over the pass and I said it should be easy from here.My partner took over as we drove down to the plains, and the we remembered that if it rains in the mountains, the water has to go somewhere. When we drove into the second bit of flooded road which seemed to run as far as we could see in front of us, we swapped driving again, and after a couple of hiccups, we got through. Thanks for your suggestion Sabina, in a VW Golf, we'd still be sitting in the middle of a fllor, and as you know, not many cars come along in Namibia ....... We will of course go back; the deep south around the Snake River is there to visit and then we'd like to go along the Caprivi into Botswana and Zambia....

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Our experience of Expert Africa is that you are content to let people work out their own routes for particular sections of a trip and then help with areas where they are less confident. It probably reduces your income but it means that we feel that you are helping us work out what we want to do, rather than just selling us a package. This is more like the old time 'outfitters' who helped you buy your kit and suggested the best routes, than a travel agent. It suits us well and makes us feel confident in following your advice.

Thanks Sabina and you helped us enjoy your country." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 28 on a Namibia trip

"We had a great time on this trip. The driving in Namibia is easy and well sign posted. Our extra trip to Damaraland and Hoanib, caused by Wilderness Safaris not confirming Camp Kipwe, were interesting but messed up our leisurely 3 days we had planned at the start of a very busy holiday. However they were great experiences and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.

All other arrangements ran beautifully smoothly and Expert Africa''s advice was spot on. I would recommend Expert Africa for African holidays as they are so well thought out and meticulously planned.

We had a great time. Thank you Expert Africa for this lovely experience.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We really appreciated the opportunity to meet your staff at the recent Sunvil event and at the Destinations Show. Keep up the good work!" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip