South Africa: reviews from our travellers

"The best trip of our life.

Maruska listened to what we thought we wanted and she delivered. Every detail was covered, we had no worries or gaps. It was a memorable trip and we hope to be back, with Expert Africa, (and Maruska) of course!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"This was the perfectly orchestrated trip, introducing us to southern Africa. Maruska's ability to listen and plan an experience for complete strangers is uncanny.

Her recommendations assured us of perfect days, every day. To be met at a remote airfield, an hour late, by a jeep who dropped us at a waiting boat at the side of the river, met at the other side and taken to a hotel, all by kind, proud, and efficient staff is an amazing feat. It never occurred to us to be worried - we just accepted each step as part of our wonderful journey.

Looking back it could have been a series of mishaps - but it was perfect! Graeme never wants to travel anywhere else because we enjoyed sights and experiences we never imagined - endless desert, rich delta, the power and beauty of the animals, the kind and gentle people, and moving music. Thank you for the gift!" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"Most places we visited were repeat visits and little had changed.

The one new venue was Babylonstoren, which was far more commercialised than we were anticipating. It's probably more geared towards younger people. It definitely is not suitable for the disabled. However, we have not heard or seen a single negative comment about it. so it presumably comes down to personal preference.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

As far as we are concerned, no improvements needed!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a South Africa trip

"Given all the flights and different accommodation there was plenty of opportunity for this holiday to go wrong. In the event there was only one potential problem which we narrowly averted - our transfer from the Livingstone to Botswana. At 7pm the evening before our departure we'd not had any transfer instructions. We asked at the desk of The Royal Livingstone who said that all the offices were shut so they couldn't find out any details for us but that most transfers were around 9am. So we went to bed that evening having set our alarms for 7:45. Fortunately my husband got up at 7am to discover a letter under the door telling us we'd be collected at 7:45!

The accommodation was better than we'd expected but, in each instance, had the atmosphere that we'd hoped for so well done to Nick Hobbs and the female (can't rememember her name) who recommended Bazaruto Lodge.

Very impressed by Expert Africa and Wilderness Safaris and would recommend them to anyone thinking of going to Africa." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Well organised" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"A an exceptional wild animal experience, but the accommodation was very basic.

Our luggage guardian at Johannesburg was helpful and efficient and prompt.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We regret not having considered including the Victoria Falls in our itinerary and it was not logistically possible to amend that once in Botswana. However we would have responded to prompting from Expert Africa for this additional option." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"I think overall we liked Tanzania and Zanzibar better than Botswana and the Seychelles. However, it is like comparing apples to oranges. We have been fortunate in that we have been to Africa before and it is hard not to compare trips. Definitely flying from camp to camp is the way to go.

I think we must have just lucked our with our 1 and only guide in Tanzania, because we just loved him and we were with him for 10 days. If only we could have had ALL of the staff @ Lebala with us for the entire trip. Unfortunately that makes such a big difference, the people you share your time with.

As far as the safari/animal encounters it was great. In Botswana you see far less numbers of animals, but you are able to get much closer and with much fewer fellow tourists around. The part of the trip that we both liked the least was the Seychelles. To many transfers and to many quick overnight stays. The flights times did not make anything easy. We would get in to late the 1st night and then have to leave at the crack of dawn the following morning, missing meals, etc. Or we would get in too early to check in and would have to hang out in the common area for hours until our room was ready. Conveniently breakfast was always over and it wasn't time for lunch. I don't eat much @ 6 am while heading out the door for yet another shuttle/ferry or plane trip.

I know that Air Seychelles REALLY messed up our itinerary, and I think it would have been much better before all the changes. It certainly is beautiful there." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"Setting up the trip was very easy. Claire was extremely helpful and accommodated a last minute change in the flight schedule.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

It was very straightforward - could not have been more helpful." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a South Africa trip

"Time flew past all too quickly! South Africa as expected, although cooler than we would have wished - the electric blankets in Hermanus were most welcome! Botswana, undoubtedly depends on when you visit as far as game viewings are concerned, but based on our experiences we would not return having had better viewing experiences in South Africa, Tanzania and Naminia.

Victoria Falls - the only real problem on our trip. We planned our stay there to include a visit to Zambia, as there is a railway museum in Livingstone we wanted to see. In Botswana there were varying answers as to what Visas would be required. We travelled from Kasane to Victoria Falls with Wilderness.

At the Kazungula Border Post the driver gave us forms to complete and asked for US$ 55 visa fee from each of us. At the immigration counter I asked what Visa we would require as we wished to spend a day in Zambia, and was advised a dual entry Visa. I asked for a dual entry Visa and the Immigration clerk advised I could not have one. I asked why and he replied that such Visas were only issued at his discretion and his discretion was not to give us one. Reasoning did not help and I asked for the head of Immigration - he was at lunch but we waited for his return. I explained the issue, his clerk in the background was laughing throughout, but he said as we by now had the single entry Visa stuck in our passports he could not cancel them. He did however offer to sell us, in addition, dual entry Visas at a cost of US$ 80 each, or whatever. We declined.

I assume that this journey from Kasane to Victoria Falls is operated quite frequently. The driver of the Minibus ( on this occasion Big Boy) should be better informed on the options available beforehand so that such problems do not arise.

Regrettably, this finished our trip on a disappointing note." Read full review: 25 nights in Africa; 13 on a South Africa trip

"No more comment necessary

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Cannot comment on the web site as I only refer to your brochure and telephone discussions with staff. I also have extensive knowledge of many of the areas we go to." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zimbabwe safari