Reviews of trips to Livingstone & Victoria Falls
581 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Livingstone.
Mrs K & Mrs T
USA
"My Jun 2013 trip"
I visited Zambia and 2 other countries between 22 Jun 2013 and 12 Jul 2013
"I felt very satisfied with the overall trip. I had an adventure and saw a lot of animals. My only comments is this was a very physical trip. Anyone going needs to be in good health with no physical problems. The weather at night and early in the morning can be very cold so coat, hat and gloves are a must. The camps are tents so there is no heating at night and can be cold, along with open screens the air can blow through. Africa is famous for their beautiful sunsets of red an orange skies, that's from all the dust in the air. So one needs to be aware there is a lot of dirt and dust in the air. Anyone suffering for respiratory problems or asthma might have a real problem. Also camps like Kaingo run on burning wood which is another respiratory problem.
I will always remember my trip to Africa, the kind people, the abundance of animals, and the striking evening sunsets. Thank you for the adventure.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
My only suggestions is to make clients aware of the physical demands and aware of cold and dust problems. For most healthy people this would not be a problem, but anyone with a respiratory condition this might not be the right trip for them." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari
I will always remember my trip to Africa, the kind people, the abundance of animals, and the striking evening sunsets. Thank you for the adventure.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
My only suggestions is to make clients aware of the physical demands and aware of cold and dust problems. For most healthy people this would not be a problem, but anyone with a respiratory condition this might not be the right trip for them." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs B
Oxon
"Brilliant Trip"
I visited Zambia between 17 Jun 2013 and 1 Jul 2013
"Well balanced trip, well planned and seamlessly executed. Would do the itinerary again although probably dropping Siankaba."
Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms P & Ms G
Antigua
"Great trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 9 Jun 2013 and 22 Jun 2013
"This is my third time with Expert Africa, and I wouldn't use anyone else.
Megan was great, and the transfers were seamless. Especially the transfer to Zambezi Sun, from Camp Kalahari. Flight to Kasane, drive to water's edge, boat across river, then drive through border and on to Zambezi Sun. Really smooth and easy. I think it was done by wilderness, who also took us over to Zimbabwe for tea at the Victoria Falls hotel, they were excellent.
This really was the wonderful trip we dreamed about.
Expert Africa have been fantastic all three times I have used them." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari
Megan was great, and the transfers were seamless. Especially the transfer to Zambezi Sun, from Camp Kalahari. Flight to Kasane, drive to water's edge, boat across river, then drive through border and on to Zambezi Sun. Really smooth and easy. I think it was done by wilderness, who also took us over to Zimbabwe for tea at the Victoria Falls hotel, they were excellent.
This really was the wonderful trip we dreamed about.
Expert Africa have been fantastic all three times I have used them." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs U
Luton
"June 2013 Botswana Safari"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 3 Jun 2013 and 16 Jun 2013
"Our trip was so fabulous in every way. It far exceeded our expectations. Not just a holiday we felt that we had been on a big adventure.
The order of the trip was perfect for us. We thought it was a great idea to have a kind of rest at the start of the trip after such a long journey, by visiting Victoria Falls (no early morning calls for Game Drives). and a nice small introduction to wildlife with the game that roamed Zambezi Sun's grounds.
Then Muchenje which can be accessed by road and is more lodge than camp still a wonderful wildlife experience but perhaps a bit less "Bush". Kwara (we felt) had the most "Bush" style atmosphere which really was our favorite place. Finishing at Lagoon with a touch more Luxury setting us up for our long journey home.
We finished our stay with a last Game Drive right to the door of our final Mack Air flight. It was a great end to a wonderful trip." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
The order of the trip was perfect for us. We thought it was a great idea to have a kind of rest at the start of the trip after such a long journey, by visiting Victoria Falls (no early morning calls for Game Drives). and a nice small introduction to wildlife with the game that roamed Zambezi Sun's grounds.
Then Muchenje which can be accessed by road and is more lodge than camp still a wonderful wildlife experience but perhaps a bit less "Bush". Kwara (we felt) had the most "Bush" style atmosphere which really was our favorite place. Finishing at Lagoon with a touch more Luxury setting us up for our long journey home.
We finished our stay with a last Game Drive right to the door of our final Mack Air flight. It was a great end to a wonderful trip." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs L & Mrs T
Norwich
"A Memorable Zambia experience June 2013"
I visited Zambia between 31 May 2013 and 9 Jun 2013
"A truly memorable experience seeing the wildlife and birds, and also experiencing the friendliness and knowledgeability of the Zambians we met. We also feel we know more about the way of life for some Zambians after visiting the village and school at Kawaza.
All our travelling was planned to go off without a hitch, and we were met and assisted all along the way which was wonderful.
Our thanks to Claire for organising it.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Guidelines are needed about whether to tip the hosts." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
All our travelling was planned to go off without a hitch, and we were met and assisted all along the way which was wonderful.
Our thanks to Claire for organising it.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Guidelines are needed about whether to tip the hosts." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs W
Belgium
"My May 2013 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 29 May 2013 and 10 Jun 2013
"you managed to do and enabled us to see what we wanted
outstanding choice of lodges and locations - well done
your advice regarding wild dogs was spot on
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
keep up the good work" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
outstanding choice of lodges and locations - well done
your advice regarding wild dogs was spot on
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
keep up the good work" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs H
Andover
"My May 2013 trip"
I visited Zambia between 27 May 2013 and 6 Jun 2013
"Very good thank you."
Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr E & Ms P
Spain
"Second to best on our top rated trips"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 23 May 2013 and 2 Jun 2013
"We felt always very safe, because the support services were always there when we needed them (transfers, flights, guides).
Some camps turned out to be much better than others; might have to do with the size of them too, and of course, to their management team.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Maybe you should inform people of the cold weather in some of these camps at this time of the year. We did not bring warm enough clothes; some people even had ski masks, that in the early morning drives were nice to have.
About the luggage restrictions, we were appalled to see that we were the only ones complying with everything. We found bags with wheels (actually provided by travel agencies), people carrying 2 or more bags each, plus their handbags and photo equipment. I even heard of people travelling with hair drivers. Some had so much photographic equipment that they needed and extra car to bring it to their camp. So much that, while we were 6 people per jeep, they only had 3 per jeep. This last was, as always, in Chitabe.
Of course, no bag was ever weighted anywhere or even measured. I had such a rough time finding the appropriate bags for this trip that I felt really stupid being one of the few complying with the strict rules." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Some camps turned out to be much better than others; might have to do with the size of them too, and of course, to their management team.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Maybe you should inform people of the cold weather in some of these camps at this time of the year. We did not bring warm enough clothes; some people even had ski masks, that in the early morning drives were nice to have.
About the luggage restrictions, we were appalled to see that we were the only ones complying with everything. We found bags with wheels (actually provided by travel agencies), people carrying 2 or more bags each, plus their handbags and photo equipment. I even heard of people travelling with hair drivers. Some had so much photographic equipment that they needed and extra car to bring it to their camp. So much that, while we were 6 people per jeep, they only had 3 per jeep. This last was, as always, in Chitabe.
Of course, no bag was ever weighted anywhere or even measured. I had such a rough time finding the appropriate bags for this trip that I felt really stupid being one of the few complying with the strict rules." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs C
Essex
"An amazing holiday"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 18 May 2013 and 31 May 2013
"Our trip to Botswana was an amazing holiday and unfortunately a 'one off'.
Despite a short delay in Maun which was dealt with quickly and efficiently by Beverly of Mac Air, everything went according to plan thanks to Megan's help and advice. The game drives, lodges and even the wildlife far exceeded our expectations." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Despite a short delay in Maun which was dealt with quickly and efficiently by Beverly of Mac Air, everything went according to plan thanks to Megan's help and advice. The game drives, lodges and even the wildlife far exceeded our expectations." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr P & Mr R
London
"A cliche but definitely a trip of a lifetime."
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 15 Apr 2013 and 27 Apr 2013
"It ran like clockwork. I have nothing but praise for every aspect of the trip, and for Expert Africa's ability to get it right for us.
As the title suggests, the trip of the lifetime is a cliche but nonetheless true in this case. I would love to visit Botswana in future and just hope that this becomes possible.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The only thing I'd say is that given the timings of our flights which, although we booked them ourselves were the same as those that Expert Africa would have booked for us, it would have been a good idea to stop over for one night in Jo'burg on both outward and return journeys. This would have made the journey far more enjoyable and less tiring.
Clearly we could have made such arrangements but it didn't occur to us until we were waiting for 4 hours plus at Jo'burg airport for our onbound flight to Maun.
So, I suggest that EE might advise their clients that they might like to consider a stop over when flight timings are like this. This is not a major criticism just a suggestion that may make the journeys of other more pleasant. Otherwise we were very happy with the arrangements the EE made for us." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
As the title suggests, the trip of the lifetime is a cliche but nonetheless true in this case. I would love to visit Botswana in future and just hope that this becomes possible.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The only thing I'd say is that given the timings of our flights which, although we booked them ourselves were the same as those that Expert Africa would have booked for us, it would have been a good idea to stop over for one night in Jo'burg on both outward and return journeys. This would have made the journey far more enjoyable and less tiring.
Clearly we could have made such arrangements but it didn't occur to us until we were waiting for 4 hours plus at Jo'burg airport for our onbound flight to Maun.
So, I suggest that EE might advise their clients that they might like to consider a stop over when flight timings are like this. This is not a major criticism just a suggestion that may make the journeys of other more pleasant. Otherwise we were very happy with the arrangements the EE made for us." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
581
reviews of Livingstone by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
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Inspire meWhere 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.
