Reviews of trips to Johannesburg

"My biggest fear of going on safari was not acquiring COVID but having testing for one or all of our 5 party members significantly impacting the trip.

I put my faith in Expert Africa, and everything went seamlessly. From pick up and testing at JNB airport for our initial tests for Zimbabwe to all the planes and vehicles along the way, there were conscientious staff on time waiting to assist us.

While it was a leap of faith, we were rewarded with camps with few other travelers giving us undivided attention and spectacular game viewing.


Here a few things I felt were important in making my trip such a success so that you might consider duplicating them for future clients.

First, I feel the order of the camps is crucial. Somalisa Acacia in Hwange national park was a good place to start. The camp itself is luxurious and beautiful, and the game viewing is very good. If guests can request a guide, I highly recommend Calvit. He made the experience. This camp, however, is about 10° colder than the others. I think going from cold to warm is much easier to adapt to than the other way around.

Steve Edward’s camp at Lake Kariba is significantly different than the other two camps. It is largely water-based which offers a different experience from typical game drives. I think it was a nice way to break up the land based parks. While I felt the game viewing wasn’t as good as the other two locations, the ability to go to the fishing village and see how a large portion of Zimbabwe lives was the most interesting thing I experienced on the trip. An opportunity not to be missed by any of your clients. Also fishing was tremendously fun for my boys.

Finally, I cannot praise the final camp at Mana Pools enough. Its location along the Zambezi river with an expansive view and extraordinary game was by far the highlight of the trip. No camp will surpass it and by having it last, the vacation ends with a crescendo. Also, we found Mash to be an excellent guide again to be recommended if possible.

The Armadale Lodge was very pleasant with large private grounds if a day in Harare is required. My wish is that others may have our experience.

Once in a life time experience!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari

"Enjoyed every aspect of the safari and beach. The logistics worked seamlessly and we returned refreshed and planning our next trip." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Mozambique holiday

"Wonderful introduction to the animals and landscapes of Botswana. Fantastic experience and will never forget it.

The camping was basic but one soon got used to it and appreciated the closeness to nature in all its forms. The guide and crew were excellent. Overall things were well organised. Have made a few comments for possible further thought." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 1 on a Botswana safari

"We were most impressed by the excellent advice and subsequent travel arrangements made by Expert Africa for our South African holiday. The attention to detail which produced a superb written travel itinerary down to the smallest details such as driving instructions from hotel to hotel was outstanding. We really had the impression Claire had a complete understanding of our requirements and, most importantly, personal knowledge that informed her advice.

We'd have no hesitation in recommending Expert Africa to all and sundry." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a South Africa trip

"Excellent. Everything we asked for. This is the third journey that Maruska has arranged for us. We can’t fault her work or the company.

We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Expert Africa to anyone." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 16 on a Namibia trip

"It was amazing! We had a wonderful time, especially in Botswana. The scenery and the lodges in Namibia were exceptional but our enjoyment of them was tempered by the poor condition of many of the unmaintained gravel roads. The government should get on to this if they are serious about the importance of tourism to their economy." Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"We were very impressed with the Local Agents everywhere#

We had 11 flights. We travelled to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique. We travelled into and out of Jo'Burg in South Africa 3 x times

We had countless Border crossings and 5 pages were completely used up in on new (thankfully) passports----more than 5 pages would have been used up, had the Immigration Staff everywhere, been less considerate and using up pages, rather than constantly stamping new pages!

Every Local Agent arrived early to meet us and took all the hassle out of all the numerous border crossings, particularly on the Chobe River on the boat, where you have to pass through Nambia and Botswana on entering and leaving!

In the end the trip is as good as the Local Agents, and the Local Agents that Expert Africa used were suberb, efficient and charming

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Well done Amanda. A wonderful trip, very efficiently organised and with great detail

All of our requests were realised on the day and we thank you for all your very hard work" Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"This trip immediately followed a 2 week safari to Tanzania.

Overall, I think I would have had a less favorable opinion of my trip to Africa if I hadn't gone to Botswana.

What a perfect ending to our trip. Thank you." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari

"Lucy helped arrange our trip. She was wonderful. I travel a lot, and this is the first time I have used someone to plan a trip. It was so helpful, and Lucy was a pleasure to work with. Overall, it exceeded my expectations, and I learned more about my expectations and where I needed to be clearer in the future. What I really appreciated about Lucy, is I messed up a flight (spelled a name wrong on an airline ticket). I got no where in fixing it and Lucy jumped in and got it rectified.

I did learn that when flying with South African Airline and the smaller airlines that they change flight schedules and cancel flights frequently, so don't book multiple legs of a trip on one ticket - unless they are the same day." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"Spectacular trip, only wish it had been longer.

A big thank you to Lucy Copson for helping to curate and organise it." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari