Reviews of trips to Livingstone & Victoria Falls
580 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Livingstone.
Family L
Lagos
"My Mar 2015 trip"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 27 Mar 2015 and 6 Apr 2015
"We loved this trip. Our guests had a fabulous time and things went well all around."
Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr N & Ms S
Zambia
"A valuable visit"
I visited Zambia between 18 Feb 2015 and 3 Mar 2015
"This was our 15th trip with Expert Africa since we first went with them in September 2006. This one was booked at short notice and, as with a couple of previous ones, had to combine (our) business with vacation.
As always, EA provided us with the very highest standard of service from start to finish, including (as has often been the case) a recommended adjustment to our originally proposed itinerary, ie Nsefu, which was definitely an improvement. Furthermore, when our original accommodation in Lusaka cancelled us at very short notice, EA immediately came up and sorted a more than suitable alternative (ie Latitude 15).
The downside of having done 15 trips with EA is that we have run out of superlatives. So, suffice it to say, we have nothing but praise for Chris and his entire team and will continue to recommend EA strongly to anyone considering a vacation on their 'patch'. One simply cannot do better than put oneself in the hands of EA." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari
As always, EA provided us with the very highest standard of service from start to finish, including (as has often been the case) a recommended adjustment to our originally proposed itinerary, ie Nsefu, which was definitely an improvement. Furthermore, when our original accommodation in Lusaka cancelled us at very short notice, EA immediately came up and sorted a more than suitable alternative (ie Latitude 15).
The downside of having done 15 trips with EA is that we have run out of superlatives. So, suffice it to say, we have nothing but praise for Chris and his entire team and will continue to recommend EA strongly to anyone considering a vacation on their 'patch'. One simply cannot do better than put oneself in the hands of EA." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Wales
"very much enjoyed"
I visited South Africa and 1 other country between 15 Feb 2015 and 7 Mar 2015
"The Sunvil section of our trip went very smoothly as did our unscheduled previous week at Hout Bay. We had no incidence of attemped theft nor did we at any time feel threatened.The main concern of the S.African tourist industry seems to blame falling visitor numbers on the European perception that Africa = Ebola (5k miles away!!) and that every time you get out of your car you are at risk.
We found the people friendly and helpful. The exchange rate is also ,very attractive.
We feel that this was one of our best holidays ever and we would love to go back.
Thanks Claire for organising it so well.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
In your brochure or when the clients itinerary is made up you may like to consider suggesting things to do /see at the suggested stopovers or on the way. e.g. Bartholomew Dias at Mossel bay, Drodsty Museum at Swallenburg etc." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 17 on a South Africa trip
We found the people friendly and helpful. The exchange rate is also ,very attractive.
We feel that this was one of our best holidays ever and we would love to go back.
Thanks Claire for organising it so well.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
In your brochure or when the clients itinerary is made up you may like to consider suggesting things to do /see at the suggested stopovers or on the way. e.g. Bartholomew Dias at Mossel bay, Drodsty Museum at Swallenburg etc." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 17 on a South Africa trip
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs H
Hampton
"An experience of a lifetime"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 23 Oct 2014 and 8 Nov 2014
"This was our first Safari trip and it's hard top imagine how it could have been any better - we had a fabulous time and enjoyed every minute.
Thanks to Expert Africa for arranging a marvellous trip for us.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
An extremely minor point, which is that, contrary to the info in our pre-holiday briefing pack, Zambian Immigration does now accept payment for the Visa in GBP (£35) as well as USD. And they seem quite happy to accept $50 bills, so there is no need to go running round trying to get USD in small denominations for this.
One other thing, if visiting Victoria Falls at this time of year(late October) we would recommend visiting the Zimbabwe side for a better experience, as there was very little water going over the Zambian part, which reduces the spectacle a little." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
Thanks to Expert Africa for arranging a marvellous trip for us.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
An extremely minor point, which is that, contrary to the info in our pre-holiday briefing pack, Zambian Immigration does now accept payment for the Visa in GBP (£35) as well as USD. And they seem quite happy to accept $50 bills, so there is no need to go running round trying to get USD in small denominations for this.
One other thing, if visiting Victoria Falls at this time of year(late October) we would recommend visiting the Zimbabwe side for a better experience, as there was very little water going over the Zambian part, which reduces the spectacle a little." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr A
Washington DC
"Delightful"
I visited Botswana and 3 other countries between 16 Oct 2014 and 2 Nov 2014
"We loved our African experience, which was varied in location and captured all we wanted to see and do.
Kudos to ExpertAfrica for the detailed arrangements that went smoothly and without a hitch!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Your website is okay, but we actually used a different one to look up details and comments on the same places you offered. That site was more visually compelling and easier to navigate. Having said that we still used your service -- and our overall experience with you was very good." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
Kudos to ExpertAfrica for the detailed arrangements that went smoothly and without a hitch!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Your website is okay, but we actually used a different one to look up details and comments on the same places you offered. That site was more visually compelling and easier to navigate. Having said that we still used your service -- and our overall experience with you was very good." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr C & Mrs K
UK
"Our Oct 2014 Zambia trip"
I visited Zambia between 10 Oct 2014 and 23 Oct 2014
"As a whole it was an excellent trip. It wouldn't be everyone's idea of a good time. To see the shoebills required a slog for about a mile through a papyrus swamp which entailed sometimes sinking knee deep in the mire but the guides were excellent at trying to show us where we should step and very good at pulling us out when we didn't. The Kapani game drives were amazing. Just about the only game not seen was rhino. The fruit bats at Wasa were unbelievable.
We have a warning about Jo'berg airport that you may want to pass on to others.
Needing to re-check in on SA Airlines, it proved not at all easy to find the appropriate check in desk. Having just arrived from an over night flight and finally locating Terminal B we were pounced upon by a porter (in uniform) as soon as we walked through the door offering to help. This he duly did - it can be done via check in terminals arranged around the stair way. Having done so he then 'demanded' a tip of disproportionate size which being in an unprepared state ( due to the early hour and previous confusion) we proffered. Later calculations, of course, revealed that we'd been 'done'. We felt, upon reflection, that he had positioned himself in readiness to target expectedly confused travellers entering through that route from terminal A." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
We have a warning about Jo'berg airport that you may want to pass on to others.
Needing to re-check in on SA Airlines, it proved not at all easy to find the appropriate check in desk. Having just arrived from an over night flight and finally locating Terminal B we were pounced upon by a porter (in uniform) as soon as we walked through the door offering to help. This he duly did - it can be done via check in terminals arranged around the stair way. Having done so he then 'demanded' a tip of disproportionate size which being in an unprepared state ( due to the early hour and previous confusion) we proffered. Later calculations, of course, revealed that we'd been 'done'. We felt, upon reflection, that he had positioned himself in readiness to target expectedly confused travellers entering through that route from terminal A." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
M & L
Vancouver, BC
"Oct 2014 trip to Zambia"
I visited Zambia between 5 Oct 2014 and 17 Oct 2014
"Very satisfied with the lodges that we stayed at. The lodges, the guiding and the wildlife viewing exceeded our expectations.
I only wish we had scheduled more time at Kaingo and Mwamba, but we'll just have to come back.
The only other comment was about the time to drive from Tafika back to Mfuwe. See my comments on Remote Africa safari flights.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Can't think of anything right now." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
I only wish we had scheduled more time at Kaingo and Mwamba, but we'll just have to come back.
The only other comment was about the time to drive from Tafika back to Mfuwe. See my comments on Remote Africa safari flights.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Can't think of anything right now." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms H & Ms P
BC
"Our trip to Africa was awesome!"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 2 Oct 2014 and 14 Oct 2014
"Our trip was excellent. The itinerary that we Maruska and I put together after much thought and many discussions and emails turned out to be perfect. It would be nice if you could get around more directly from one place to the next, instead of having to continuously go back to the starting airport to go the next place (like Shiwa to Mfuwe - that was good), as the one downside was that there was a LOT of time and energy taken up with travel. And on vacation, time is precious! But regardless, we loved each location we had chosen. The representatives were there to meet us without fail, and were very friendly, competent, and helpful. This was a really big help and allowed me to relax and not have to worry about how to navigate each step in the process.
One guy, who met us in Lusaka, was mixed up about where we were going the next day and caused a bit of angst as I don't think he'd done his homework and didn't know our itinerary like he should have. But it was resolved the next morning with no harm done. Also I should have mentioned that at Luangwa River Camp I requested to not do a game drive with six people, and Yona was incredibly responsive and organized an additional vehicle to keep the numbers down to 2 or 4 per vehicle (and actually ours turned out to be 2 on each drive, which was wonderful). And the only other thing I'd consider mentioning is that when Maruska went on leave, I felt that the ball got dropped a bit. We didn't receive our final package in the mail, didn't receive our guide book to read before leaving, etc. Didn't really end up impacting anything other than the last few days before the trip not being quite as smooth and pleasant as they could have been.
But overall, very very happy with the trip. Thank you Maruska and team!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
One guy, who met us in Lusaka, was mixed up about where we were going the next day and caused a bit of angst as I don't think he'd done his homework and didn't know our itinerary like he should have. But it was resolved the next morning with no harm done. Also I should have mentioned that at Luangwa River Camp I requested to not do a game drive with six people, and Yona was incredibly responsive and organized an additional vehicle to keep the numbers down to 2 or 4 per vehicle (and actually ours turned out to be 2 on each drive, which was wonderful). And the only other thing I'd consider mentioning is that when Maruska went on leave, I felt that the ball got dropped a bit. We didn't receive our final package in the mail, didn't receive our guide book to read before leaving, etc. Didn't really end up impacting anything other than the last few days before the trip not being quite as smooth and pleasant as they could have been.
But overall, very very happy with the trip. Thank you Maruska and team!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr A F, Torquay
UK
"My Sep 2014 trip"
I visited Zambia between 30 Sep 2014 and 19 Oct 2014
"Met the objective of matching the excellent trip to Tanzania organised by Expert Africa in 2009.
From the first contact with Megan to arrival back at Heathrow, the trip was professionally organised, exciting and seamless.
We found that visiting South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi was important. Dry and brown versus wet and green. We would have missed out by only visiting one of the National Parks. Zambia was a revelation. It was VERY HOT, as predicted, but we managed and are happy that we chose the dry season.
Catching 5 Tiger fish (largest 10.5 lbs) was great fun. The quantity and quality of game sightings throughout was staggering." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 17 on a Zambia safari
From the first contact with Megan to arrival back at Heathrow, the trip was professionally organised, exciting and seamless.
We found that visiting South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi was important. Dry and brown versus wet and green. We would have missed out by only visiting one of the National Parks. Zambia was a revelation. It was VERY HOT, as predicted, but we managed and are happy that we chose the dry season.
Catching 5 Tiger fish (largest 10.5 lbs) was great fun. The quantity and quality of game sightings throughout was staggering." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 17 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs C
Notts
"Wonderful wildlife but exhausting"
I visited Zambia between 19 Sep 2014 and 5 Oct 2014
"Journey from Heathrow to Lower Zambezi took too long - three flights in one go is too many - and we arrived exhausted which did affect our first few days.
Once we had recovered we had a great trip." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari
Once we had recovered we had a great trip." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
580
reviews of Livingstone by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
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Where to stay in Livingstone
Our suggestions for places to stay in Livingstone & Victoria Falls
Avani Victoria Falls
Just a few minutes' walk from the Victoria Falls, with access for guests included, the Avani features good facilities in peaceful grounds at a modest price.
Royal Livingstone Hotel
Conveniently located just a short walk from the Zambia. side of the Victoria Falls, the colonial-style Royal Livingstone has beautiful grounds and small but quite luxurious rooms.
Tongabezi
Secluded on the banks of the Zambezi, less than 20km from the Victoria Falls, Tongabezi is one of the most exclusive lodges in Zambia.
Waterberry Lodge
Offering great value for money and within easy reach of the Victoria Falls, Waterberry is a small, family-friendly lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River.
Islands of Siankaba
In a lovely location on the Zambezi upriver of the Victoria Falls, Islands of Siankaba provides a tranquil setting to relax at the start or end of a safari to Botswana or Zambia.
Toka Leya Camp
The new Toka Leya Camp stands beside the Zambezi inside Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park – so wildlife often passes through. It's a comfortable tented camp which has great service and includes a range of activities.
Stanley Safari Lodge
Stanley Safari Lodge has views of Victoria Falls spray from all the rooms, and is a convenient base for exploring the Zambezi River area.
The River Club
The River Club, near Zambia's town of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, overlooks the Zambezi River.
Sindabezi
Sindabezi, near Zambia's town of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, is an island in the middle of the Zambezi River
Thorntree River Lodge
Rebuilt in 2017, Thorntree River Lodge is one of the best riverside lodges in Livingstone, with a strong sense of the environment and straightforward access to the Falls.
David Livingstone Lodge
The four-star David Livingstone Safari Lodge is in a lovely spot on the edge of the Zambezi River in Zambia, close to the Victoria Falls.
Tangala House
Tangala House, the family home near Zambia's town of Livingstone and the Victoria Falls
Sussi & Chuma
Sussi & Chuma combines a luxurious, laid-back camp with a good location on the Zambezi River, with quick access to the Victoria Falls.
