Reviews of trips to Livingstone & Victoria Falls

"This was a truly fantastic holiday. It was our first family safari and it exceeded all expectations.

The guides were superb at all 3 lodges ,allowing us to spend time watching animal behaviour. We learnt a huge amount about both the environment and the wildlife, both plant and animal. The accommodation and food couldn't have been better. We really felt we experienced Zambia.

Robin Pope safaris staff were friendly, welcoming and great fun to be with. Brilliant holiday.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Can't think of a single improvement - it all went so well.

Thank you." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"Our trip was excellent and our expectations were not only met but exceeded. We enjoyed the varying landscapes, the animals and the people.

The trip, which we requested at the very last minute, was superbly organised. From the time of my initial contact, all requests/queries were handled in a timely helpful manner. All the components (fly, drive, transfers) fitted together well and all connections/transfers went smoothly.

The only changes we would have made are those that could only have been made with hindsight!

So again, thank you very much Maruska and Expert Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service: These are very minor suggestions and comments and are made purely to try and be helpful.

(1) An explanation off what one can expect in relation to meals when your accommodation is on a full board basis and you arrive around lunchtime. Our first full board accommodation was at Canyon Lodge and we arrived at lunch time. We were greeted with some information about the facilities and times for dinner and breakfast, but no indication of whether there was any lunch available or whether we were entitled to lunch. Subsequent enquires resulted in us being directed to the dining room.

At a later lodge, we realised that we could have had lunch even though we arrived early in the afternoon but had already had lunch just in case.

(2) If people are doing an overnighter at Cheetah View Lodge it would be good to know that the cheetah feeding is at 2 o'clock, which is the only time that this is held, is also included in the cost of the accommodation i.e. so that if possible you would make sure you got there in time for that. The other paid activities did not seem to be good value. I did note that on EA's notes of this lodge, that it EA thought that there needed to be a better integration of activities with the overnight experience, and we agree.

(3) I think that Hyena Pan did include laundry facilities.

I apologise if I should have known some of these things. I did look up all the accommodations on your website (which I thought was most extensive and the reason I choose the company initially), and make notes before our trip, but possibly I missed bits.

We wish that the tipping thing could be made easier. Australia does not have a tipping culture and so it always comes as a surprise and what seems like a lot of extra money on top of what are not insubstantial costs, at least in some places. While were tried to follow the guidelines, sometimes we were caught out when guides changed or we had an extra guide.

It is impossible to single out 'other' people, other than guides and polers for example, as there are always people behind the that contribute to your enjoyment and comfort on a trip." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"Provided a very well researched and considered experience for the four of us. Good variety of activities and accommodation. All transport and connections worked well. Maruska went to a lot of trouble to design a good trip for us at short notice. Would certainly recommend Expert Africa." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"A natural wonder. in the top three greatest family holiday experiences of our lives to date!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We found Lucy to be an excellent support, she is clearly a really lovely person who is so knowlegable and worked so hard to refine our itinerary! She is a real professional too!

I would much prefer the detailed feedback we give to be over the phone or face to face rather than on a feedback form.

With this we will also ring Lucy for a chat with our feedback.

Thank you for all that you do, you we find you to be an excellent organisation with first class knowledge and a clear great passion for Africa.

Thank you so much for all you have done for us x" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"I believe this was as close to a perfect vacation as you can possibly have.

Every detail Freddie put together was amazing from the fishing to the helicopter tour to the hotels and safari camps. The accommodations were just amazing and the game drives were beyond all our expectations. Robin Pope Safaris clearly knows what they are doing and it shows in every detail of their camps and game drives.

The bar has been set so high for us that I don't expect any African vacation to ever surpass this one.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I honestly can't think of anything that could have been better.

Keep up your amazing work and THANK YOU!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"Amazing trip - even better than I expected.

I'm so glad I chose Zambia and specifically South Luangwa National Park for my first safari. I'm a little worried that I may have been spoiled - apparently it's not normal to see so many animals practically at will and sometimes you may have to wait.

I had already decided on Zambia, SLNP and Norman Carr Safaris before booking with Expert Africa. Lucy organised me beautifully and I didn't need much persuading to add a side trip to Victoria Falls. I was glad to have Lucy to fall back on when I managed to miss an internal flight, though fortunately I only needed her help (and reassurance!) to let the camp know my new arrival time.

At Livingstone, I stayed at Waterberry Lodge – loved my chalet with its verandah overlooking the lagoon, lunch on the deck serenaded by hippos grunting in the Zambezi. Had a wonderful helicopter flight over the falls and through the gorge.

Norman Carr Safaris were all they appear to be - truly excellent. I stayed at Kakuli, Mchenja and Nsolo. All three bushcamps were beautifully situated and well laid-out.

All the chalets I stayed in at each bushcamp were superbly comfortable - superking beds (given the full four-poster effect at night with mosquito nets) and hot water bottles if it was slightly chilly; solar-powered lamps and hot water; open air en-suite; inside and outside seating. Stupendously high roof, the beams and thatch are practically works of art themselves. Each room had fresh cold drinking water in a thermos, Peaceful Sleep mosquito spray and toiletries, I managed to resist the temptation to blow the emergency horn or whistle. There's a two-way cupboard in one of the walls where an early morning cup of tea/coffee will be delivered on request.

All the staff attached to the camps were so very welcoming and friendly, accommodating everyone's needs and wishes, and providing great meals. They really do work hard to ensure you are comfortable and get what you want out of your trip. I was unable to do any walking unfortunately, but there was no quibble about arranging an extra guide when needed. Quite often it was me, a guide and jeep and the beauty and bounty of SLNP - bliss.

As far as I'm concerned, the animals practically line up to greet you. It's just a constant parade of lions, hippos, elephants, leopards, giraffe, buffalo, hyena, wild dogs, kudu, puku, impala, mongoose, wildebeest, genets.... I'm terrible with bird names but there were many and often lovely (lilac-breasted roller, bee-eaters, fish eagle, giant eagle owl). Every game drive or walk is an adventure, as you don't know what you'll find but you know it'll be interesting!

My only concern is that safaris might become expensively addictive..." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"This was truly an experience of a lifetime!

The only things I would've changed is to try to have one additional night at Victoria Falls, and nicer accommodations in Lusaka. Overall, given that we were able to book our flights using award miles and had other obligations to work around, we certainly made the most of our time.

I was so impressed with our safari camps, and will definitely recommend them." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"Maruska organized a vacation for my husband and me, and her expert knowledge and prompt, informative communications were invaluable, ensuring a painless and memorable experience from planning to booking to actually embarking on our trip.

The fact that our trip was as seamless and amazing as it was is attributable to Maruska--we cannot thank her enough for such an incredible trip!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari

"We could not have had a more amazing trip for our first safari! Ten days at three camps in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, followed by 2 days at Victoria Falls, provided incredible wildlife sightings and experiences. Our trip goals were for wildlife and photography, which were absolutely me above and beyond what we hoped fort! We saw every animal on our list, including all of the Big Five except rhinos (since they are not in the region), two leopard kills, and three different packs of wild dogs!

Each camp we stayed at (Flatdogs, Kaingo, and Tafika) was excellent in its own way, and we felt pampered at every stop. We also felt exceptionally comfortable with our dietary restrictions (vegetarian and severe allergies) everywhere which was a huge relief and greatly added to our stress-free vacation.

We could not have planned this trip without the extensive expertise and help of Amanda Bond and Expert Africa - she really took our trip goals and worked with us to build the ideal trip. Everything was perfect from start to finish and we couldn't have asked for a better safari experience. We are so grateful to Amanda and Expert Africa for taking care of every single detail so that we could make the most of our time in Zambia. From the time we stepped off the plane in Zambia everything was smooth sailing.

We would not hesitate to work with Expert Africa again in the future and cannot recommend Amanda Bond enough! Thank you so much!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None, we were extremely impressed with every aspect of our experience." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari

"Great trip, everything went so well. No glitches.

The connections and transfers were all seamless. Chobe River crossings between Zambia and Botswana was easy.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We are so impressed with the trip Lucy put together for us. Even though we just saw a small corner of Africa it was truely amazing.

Lucy really listened to what we wanted to do and made it all happen" Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari