South Africa: reviews from our travellers

"Wonderful trip characterised by unique sights, smells and sounds in a series of fabulous environments. Many stand-out moments including the red dunes, the flight to Damaraland via Swarkopmund (sp?), the swamps of Okavango and the great people every where (notably at all of the camps). We loved the sense of optimism evident in Namibia and the ambition for the country to change from being an underdeveloped country today to becoming a developed nation by 2030!

Could'nt have been better! Well done Expert Africa! Simon and Niamh...Melbourne

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"Overall our trip was excellent. Only glitches were a missing extra spare tire in Namibib and they guy in Livingstone who was to meet us ran off with another couple. Thanks to a great airport travel desk guy, he sorted it out and matched us with the person we needed.

The Expert Africa folks we dealt with were uniformly very good to excellent. There were some delays in feedback during the planning process which we noted but overall very good. Quick feedback during the planning process is critical to us as we are comparing ideas and proposals from more than one company and we need to hear from everyone.

For this trip we spoke to three different folks--Nick, Sabina and one other. Next time I would spend more time in conversation with each of them and would better understand our itinerary options. There is only so much I retain from web sites and travel books.

We also want to find places in Botswana with animals. That was the big surprise for this trip. Our East Africa trips have spoiled us and shaped our expectations for game viewing." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"This was a wonderful trip. We would work with Expert Africa again and recommend them to family and friends.

The team member who dealt with most of our trip was Gwynneth -- who I know is no longer working at Expert Africa -- but she deserves recognition for all her efforts. I am evaluating Gwynneth below, even though I have to choose a different team member from the drop-down menu" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"Overall, a fantastic trip.

Expert Africa did an excellent job in their seamless arrangements." Read full review: 34 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"We really enjoyed our holiday. Namibia is a great country and the scenery is spectacular.

If I was doing the trip again I wouldn't have stayed a night in Namtib Desert Lodge but would have put in a night at Quivertree Forest after our stay in Fish River Canyon. We stopped here for a couple of hours on our way to Luderitz, but we wished that we had more time and were able to see it at sunrise and sunset.

The driving was mostly fine in our high clearance 2WD. The only roads that caused us problems were the access track to Polentswa lodge and the D707 north of Namtib Desert Lodge where the road is basically sand for a 20km stretch. I would recommend that in future you only recommend this road for people in a 4WD and that you recommend the C13/C27 route for anyone in a 2WD. I think that even though this is longer it would be much faster as the D707 is in a pretty bad way once you get North of Namtib Desert Lodge. The scenery doesn't get really good until the C27 near the Namib Rand reserve.

We had an issue at Polentswa lodge, however, this was quickly resolved - thank you for your help with this. I would recommend that you clarify the current situation regarding night drives and other activities with the Ta Shebube lodges and update your website accordingly. We were really impressed by the quality of the Ta Shebube Rooiputs lodge - we had a great time there and saw some great animals.

I would have liked to have one or two nights on the Mata-Mata side of the national park as well as Rooiputs, as the wildlife and birds are quite different here to Rooiputs, but all the park accommodation was full so it was not possible. However, I would recommend this for future guests if the accommodation is available." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 8 on a Namibia trip

"The trip was even better than our last one - and we are already hoping to go again next year.

South Africa is perfect for families - the people are so friendly, the food and accommodation outstanding and the activities amazing. Driving around is easy and its great value for money. It just gets better on every visit." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a South Africa trip

"Apart from our five days at Kwandwe booked through Expert Africa, the remainder of our three weeks stay in the Eastern Cape involved guest farms privately booked.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Although we only used Expert Africa for a five days stay at Great Fish River Lodge, Kwandwe, we would have no hesitation in recommending or using them again.

Whilst talking to Expert Africa's MD Chris McIntyre, it was obvious that his company promotes Game Reserves /Lodges who share their ethical, sustainable and responsible approach in respect of wildlife conservation/biodiversity.

My telephone conversations with Chris McIntyre confirmed our choice of Kwandwe and he was most informative. We received excellent customer service with a wealth of helpful written information and maps.

The Expert Africa brochure is actually a 323 page book full of facts, information and photographs covering vsrious South African countries and Indian Ocean Islands. It makes an interesting read even if an actual visit in not possible! We also found their information regarding other accommodation where we have stayed during previous visits to other countries accurate and fair." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 5 on a South Africa trip

"Excellent - faultless." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"After a few discussions with Claire, she managed to tailor a trip that "ticked all our boxes" - we loved the guest houses and the order that we followed for our trip. With hindsight we would have stayed 1 night at St Francis and 2 at Wilderness as there was more to do there. We'd love to go back and will use Expert Africa if we do - maybe we'll explore the Drakensberg's next?

Everything was very easy and all we had to do was turn up at the various guest houses and that meant we could concentrate on enjoying our trip!

It was probably by accident rather than by design, but having complimentary laundry facilities at Ecca Lodge which was half way through our trip meant we kept luggage down to a minimum. Laundry didn't seem expensive anywhere but the fact that it is complimentary was a real bonus!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I carried a bathrobe round for the whole trip - had I known that it was only Hog Hollow that didn't provide them, I wouldn't have bothered. Be great if all guest houses provided them?" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 8 on a South Africa trip

"We had a wonderful trip and would have no hesitation in using Expert Africa again.
A big 'thank you' to Gwynneth Bezuidenhout for organising everything.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No we were very pleased with what you organized for us, which all went to plan." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 3 on a South Africa trip