Reviews of trips to Livingstone & Victoria Falls

"We can’t say enough good things about our trip. You could say it was the trip of a lifetime but we loved it so much we’re already working on our return.

While Zambia itself: the people, the area, and the wildlife obviously is incredible, the trip wouldn’t have been the experience it was without Lucy [of Expert Africa]. She helped us decide on where to stay and did the hard work figuring out how to get us from place to place. Everything was seamless.

The only difficulties with the whole trip were the parts we planned ourselves. I was definitely wishing I’d worked with Lucy for the South Africa portion!

As soon as we decide in dates for our return to Zambia, I will be in touch with Lucy.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I would like to be able to give some constructive criticism, but I just think ever portion of this experience was incredible, thank you." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"The trip of a lifetime. Extraordinary adventures and experiences from start to finish. Thank you." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"Everything that Maruska organized for us went brilliantly well.

Her help and conversations that led to the ultimate itinerary were right on our wishes - she listened and delivered the ultimately memorable experience of a lifetime; one we will be talking about forever.

All our camps and lodges were brilliant - and Kae Kae absolutely made our daily experience wonderful.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No, I think that if anything is asked of Maruska she can deliver!" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"Maruska was a pleasure to work with and created the most amazing trip for us" Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 4 on a Botswana safari

"A few thoughts I had: I think it would be better to have a minimum of 3 nights at each camp or lodge as I found 2 nights was not enough especially as I lost a day due to a flight cancellation/postponement. If I'd had 3 nights at Plantation Lodge I could have still done the Ngorongoro crater safari. I know there are cost implications but in hindsight it is worth it for a better experience. And Plantation Lodge was my favourite accommodation and I only got one night there!

I would also prefer to stay in camps that are not too long a drive from the airstrips. I found more than one hour quite difficult as you just want to get there and it can also be a long drive back to camp after a safari. I would consider this if I was doing another trip.

Needless to say I preferred the luxury camps in Botswana which had a pool and included drinks and laundry, although I realise they cost more, and I did enjoy the other camps which felt closer to the wildlife etc. as a contrast. Paying for drinks and laundry was not expensive so that did not put me off.

The support and help from my Expert Africa agents with the few challenges I encountered was wonderful and
I can't speak highly enough of the quality of your company. Of course I don't know how you compare with others but having met agents from other companies and having feedback from other guests at the camps I felt very glad that I had chosen EA.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Perhaps to warn travellers about the potential for things to go wrong such as flight cancellations and injuries and talk through what to do in these situations. i know this in included in your written material but it is a lot to take in especially when having to get visas and vaccinations in preparation for the trip. I had read the information but still felt stressed when things happened. However your responses were so helpful and reassuring which helped me to calm down. Big thank you to Chris in this regard - I could only nominate one agent above but it is the sign of a good manager/owner to be prepared to step in out of hours to help a client." Read full review: 36 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari

"This was the trip of a life time. Once we got to Lusaka everything went like clockwork. All the transfers and people meeting us at the airport was so helpful, all the drivers were friendly and informative about their community. We were not expecting the level of service we received all the way through, we are now spoiled for future trips. As our usual trip planner it was a great relief for me.

In hindsight I think going to 2 camps might have been better, but don't know what/which we would exclude. We definitely would have enjoyed more time at Flat Dogs. I think we saw more at Flat Dogs and Anabezi. I think this is because there were more guides driving around so more eyes looking and as we passed another vehicle they would relay information (or radio). At Tafika, we were the only vehicle in the camp so sightings were a little haphazard.

We were impressed with the amount of knowledge all three of our guide possessed. They knew about birds, mammals, vegetation, insects, tracking...and could relate facts on sight! They were also good at tailoring our drives to what we wanted, as the trip went on we no longer wanted to stop at every zebra or elephant sighting, but were looking for predators and hoping to see a kill. We never saw a kill but saw a leopard and lionesses attempt kills. We watched the wild dogs two nights in a row waiting for them to hunt but only saw them sleep and scratch!

The beauty of the land, the morning sky and night sky are indelibly etched in my mind (and in photos). I'm glad we went to the Lower Zambezi park because the landscape was just a little different, the mountains around the park are so pretty and make a beautiful backdrop. When they get the black rhino reintroduced to the Lower Zambezi, I'd love to go back!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"The holiday was perfect in every way. The accommodation chosen was exactly right for our interests and the right level of comfort/ activity. The covid guarantee added a level of reassurance. All the transfers worked perfectly. A bonus was that lodges were nowhere near full, so we nearly always had our own driver/guide.

We were very impressed that everyone had got the message that we were vegetarian, and even more impressed (and thrilled) that every lodge laid on a special diner, sparkling wine or cake as we had mentioned on the form we were celebrating a big wedding anniversary.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No - it's all great.

We have had several holidays with you and they've all been really good." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"Our trip to Zambia was absolutely amazing in every way.

It was lovely to enjoy a break away, knowing that we were bringing much needed income back into the parts of the country where families are reliant on tourism.

The camp staff were all so welcoming and the wildlife sightings were exceptional.

We would thoroughly recommend Zambia as a destination for first time safari-goers as well as old hands. Just GO!

Lucy did the most incredible job to put together our itinerary and to adapt it as necessary due to the Covid postponements.

Thank you so much." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 21 on a Zambia safari

"The (waterproof) ponchos with built in fleeces that all camps provided were excellent - saved bringing an extra layer.

We all used wooly hats and gloves first thing so thank you for the advice. The glass water bottles they provided were heavy and breakable so we did not use them. Laundry was efficient. Ridiculously small wash basins at Tau pan meant it was difficult to wash your "smalls". Expert Africa's beautiful travel wallet was left behind - with only 15 kgs allowed did not need another 250gms! All in all, a very special anniversary trip which was well planned and in the correct order.

Tau pan gave us a bottle of champagne and Splash organised a special last night anniversary dinner for the 4 of us and we made sure Moz, our guide, joined us too as we got on so well with him.
We enjoyed the singing and dancing at all the camps - many of the songs were directed at us personally.

We have now done many trips with Expert Africa, and come back to you because of your experience and knowledge of the countries and camps and advice on where to go next." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Everything great, but why on earth do you recommend the Latitude Hotels?" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari