Reviews of trips to Livingstone & Victoria Falls

"My trip was expertly organized, to say the very least and was a truly amazing experience.

I have already commented on all the camps, so I'll just comment on the overall organization. I think the selection of camps for me was just perfect. I had a river camp, a desert camp, a jungle camp and a combination river/bush camp. This allowed me to never get tired of what I was seeing and always experience something new. I also think Maruska gave me great advice in suggesting that I do 11 days rather than 7, because the game viewing is trickier in the rainy season, so you see less, so you need more time. So because of my timing, I traded off game viewing for privacy, but because I made a longer trip, I still saw all the game. The advantage to safaris in December is privacy. On 8 of my 20 game drives, I was the only person in my safari vehicle! For 24 hours at Tubu and 8 hours at Savuti, I was the only guest in camp!

But the most impressive thing for my were the transfers. My first day, I left Lusaka and flew to Livingstone where I was met at the airport and whisked away. At the border between Zambia and Botswana, I was met by a boat, which had been waiting for me, was zipped across the river and met by a safari vehicle. This vehicle then whisked to a rendez-vous with the safari camp's vehicle, with then met the afternoon game drive from Mucheje camp part way and I was on a game drive! So I left Lusaka and noon and 5 transfers later, all done seamlessly, and I was on a game drive at 4pm!

Another example is: at Tau Pan in the Kalahari, I went on a morning game drive, came back to camp to have brunch and pack and then had a one hour game drive to the air strip. 5 minutes after arriving, the plane landed and 5 minutes later we were airborne. After a 1 hour flight where I was co-pilot, I landed at Little Tubu and was on a game drive 10 minutes later! So, I was on a game drive in the Kalahari at 2pm and on another in the Okavango Delta at 4pm. What amazing logistics!

Really, really, really well organized trip all in all. It's a rare trip that I leave all the logistics to someone else, but I am very glad to have left it to Expert Africa!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The only thing I can think of is for you to probe a little more into what exactly we are hoping to experience. For me, this was my first safari, so I really wanted to see big cats. I'm not sure the camps chosen for me were the absolute best for this (I'm not sure they were not either), but I would have benefitted from some more info as to why those particular camps were best for me in that particular area. I had no idea there were so many options to choose from.

All in all, you guys are awesome and I will certainly recommend you and use you again. I was referred to you by a good friend who has used you a couple of times." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"The whole trip went very well. We enjoyed the hotels, camps and the game drives. The animals were varied and plentiful. The gudiling to a very high standard. Loved it.

Before the trip when BA changed our flights, Ellie was extremely helpful and diligent in ensuring that the itinerary (that had to be completely revamped) was fine tuned to meet our expectations despite us changing our minds a few times on the routings and camps!. Definitely an 'exceeded expectations' experience." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"Overall a highly successful trip.

We travelled with my sister and her husband, who booked with a different agent. Although this meant that our connecting travel was different, we felt that in the event our timings were better, and the advice which we were given always seemed superior. We were for example advised to book international flights ourselves to save money (unlike my sister) which added to an already highly significant price difference between the two otherwise identical holidays.

We were highly impressed by the knowledge and advice given by Expert Africa, not only on the safari part but also in the remainder of our holiday in the Cape Town area." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"We had a memorable time when we visited South Luangwa 10 years ago and I'd been slightly apprehensive that this trip might have been an anti-climax. In the event, it was just as good and we really enjoyed the experience of staying in bush camps again. The balance between being close to nature and providing the essential comforts was just about right.

As we were there in mid-October the temperatures were very high which would have deterred a lot of people, but it did mean that animals congregated around the water sources which certainly increased our sightings." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"This was another excellent trip to Southern Africa organised for us by Expert Africa. Thank you Gwynneth. The advice from EA concerning 2WD versus 4WD vehicles for this trip was appropriate. The lodges were of a standard equal to or better than our expectations, especially the Garden Lodge in Kasane where our guides John and Innocent provided expert advice and guidance. The section of the trip after leaving the hire car in Kasane progessed smoothly and the cross border transfer into Zambia was effected efficiently. The transport arrived on time in Kasane as did the transfer from the Zambezi Sun to Livingstone airport., As noted earlier, at no stage were we asked for the Yellow Fever Certificates." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Namibia trip

"Absolutely amazing safari. It greatly exceeded our expectations and was a truly memorable experience.

Claire was highly professional, knowledgable, friendly and provided excellent advice - fine tuning our initial ideas and correctly assessing what would be good places for us to stay. We were very impressed by the whole organisation - flight timings were perfect and having Tours Africa to ease immigration was fantastic. They were also great when transferring to and from our hotel.

We will be travelling with you next time!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No. It was excellent." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari

"It was a special trip - not the cheapest, but something we'd always wanted to do, and it didn't disappoint." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Overall very positive, most enjoyable and memorable trip. Some exceptional animal and bird sightings - eg leopard with young one.

The only negative points were the transfer from Kasane airport to Chobe Game Lodge, our stay at Lianshulu, and the stopover at Ghanzi, which we felt was unnecessary and not particularly enjoyable (though we did get to see another side of Botswana!)" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"The arrangements from the outset were carefully researched, and you put together a fairly complex itinerary in which we tried to fill time between BA flights in and out of Lusaka on the available days. It is unfortunate that no longer will BA fly Lusaka direct.

For us Premium Economy was an advantage, though others may well find economy is satisfactory.

Each of the arrivals, transfers and departures was eased by the reps involved, looking out for us, and aware of our plan ahead.

The choice of game parks was excellent for us and staff were outstanding. Good value for money compared with our experience of two hotels. The small numbers at Lodges made a better holiday of it, and contact with staff was informal, informative and careful attention was given to individuals. So often a hotel visit is a commercial exercise, Lodges at once suggest they are there for us.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I do not recall seeing a brochure, wish I had one, but might have passed it to another member of our party of four, but we could not find it. The Bradt guide was an excellent companion in advance, and will be a fine reference book.

I could have done with more detail in breakdown in price. After an estimate we were shown minor differences, as adjustments were made. If I had done everything myself I may have saved some money, but your price gave us the confidence of expertise and back up that was essential for a trip of this complexity not least since our combined age is over 320! We were at no time anxious about planning or arrangements as they happened without problems, and with the assistance we anticipated at every stage." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"Very, very good trip. Met and exceeded all of our expectations.

One comment. When trips have been organised, even though we were taken to the locations by the organisers, the people meeting us at the trip required vouchers. The documents that we had were enough for them and we had a few furrowed brows. So there is. Need for a voucher for each trip.

The transfer from Zambezi Sun to Botswana was a bit of a worry as we had heard from anybody about the pick up time. the hotel had to phone Munchenje. We we got back to our rom at 11:00pm there was a message waiting from the transfer company.

All trips organised were fantastic. all highly recommended, white water rafting, micro light flights." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 4 on a Botswana safari