Travel reviews by Dr & Mrs C from W Sussex

"Apart form the problems with the hire-vehicle, we would thoroughly recommend this itinerary for its selection of excellent, if different, lodges in varied environments. The standards of service, excellent food and wines, friendly staff and knowledgable guides were beyond reproach. We rated the Safarihoek Lodge, Etosha Heights as the most luxurious accommodation with wildlife to match in its large reserve, previously a hunting farm. As with all our previous trips with Expert Africa, everything ran very smoothly.

Since our last visit in 2013, the condition of some of the gravel roads has deteriorated quite a lot, and we noted that most other guests at our lodges were driving the Toyota Hilux , a much tougher vehicle that our X-trail. We only met one grader this time and the road approaching Spitzkoppen Lodge and the road from there to Uis were particularly bad. Money (Chinese?) seems to be being spent in upgrading the tarred roads on which we travelled, most of which had already adequate surfaces.

Although you quoted for flights when we enquired, you did point out that we might get better rates elsewhere. We thank you for that, as we were able to fly from Southampton (25 miles from us) to Windhoek via Schipol with KLM for a very reasonable price, without the hassles of transit at Jo'burg - thankyou."

"We had a most enjoyable safari, with high standards of accommodation and facilities, including some electricity, without losing the feeling that were were really in the wild.

2370 photos are a testament to what we have seen. Some guides seem to feel that humour is paramount - but we got a bit weary of the same jokes!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No, we have had fantastic service, as on our previous trips with Expert Africa. I have said it before, and will say again that other companies can learn a lot from you."

"It exceeded all expectations. Namibia is a beautiful, if sometimes stark, country and we found the people we met most friendly. Without exception, the various accommodations were very good, and in particular, the full descriptions in Expert Africa's printed and on-line brochures very accurate.

Driving was overall a pleasure with empty roads and those with gravel surfaces mostly very well maintained apart from part of the road between Sesriem and Walvis Bay which is fairly rough, but without potholes. I think we saw graders at work every single day. There were no problems with fuel supply.

June is low season (most lodges said their bookings would be full from late July onwards). As a result, with few guests, we received very personal service. Day time temperatures were in the low to mid-tweties C, which was very pleasant, but evenings and nights were cold and many lodges provided hot-water bottles. We were glad that we had taken layered clothing.

Meals seem to have received criticism from other visitors for being boring. We have never experienced such tender and tasty meat (mainly beef fillet, kudu and oryx) although a three-week diet of red meat is not nutritionally recommended! Vegetables were varied, soups delicious and some of the desserts imaginative so we have no complaints.

The standard of the guiding, where we used it, was very high and our experience at Mundulea exceptional.

We never felt unsafe, which can't be said for many other African countries.

So, a perfect holiday - just 1400 photographs to sort through.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I think you are already way ahead of the competition.

Coming to your office to meet with Gwynneth was well worthwhile to get her views, as a Namibian, on our plans. Communication between booking and our departure was good, and as we have found in the past, you actually take note of feedback unlike most other companies.

Please keep up the good work and we shall certainly travel with you again. Thank you or arranging a wonderful holiday."

"From our first enquiry (taken by Anna) to our return home, your company's arrangement were faultless and comprehensive. Our bush camp experience exceeded all possible expectations and we would recommend the Bushcamp Company without reservation.
We appreciate that BA is the only airline serving Lusaka, but we would have reservations about flying with them again.

As we have said in the feedback, the Pioneer Camp was disappointing - perhaps there are better alternatives.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We think this feedback form is fantastic. Many times we have taken the trouble to write to other comapanies after a trip, and we never get evan an acknowledgement, and get the feeling they don't really want it. You obviously do. We shall certainly consider travelling with you again, and have no hesitation in recommending you to our friends."