Reviews of trips to Livingstone & Victoria Falls
581 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Livingstone.
Mr and Mrs R.
London
"My Jun 2019 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 1 Jun 2019 and 17 Jun 2019
"All the travel worked very smoothly. Thank you.
We were able to book our bags back all the way from Livingstone airport to Heathrow on our return flight even though we had two separate bookings for the two flights. So didn't have to touch them in Johannesburg which made life a lot easier.
We were not able to book through to Maun on our flight out from Heathrow, but maybe we should have pushed harder and we were flying BA. However in Johannesburg airport on the way out we went straight through the international terminal, talked to the ground staff at the international desk and they arranged for our bags to be collected form the baggage carrousel from our BA flight and transferred to our Maun flight so that, again, we did not have to touch them until we got to Maun.
We had had the bags wrapped at Heathrow and that simplified the procedures at Maun and we were not required to open our bags before we got on the MaunAir flight.
I have no idea if we were simply lucky or whether what we did can be repeated." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari
We were able to book our bags back all the way from Livingstone airport to Heathrow on our return flight even though we had two separate bookings for the two flights. So didn't have to touch them in Johannesburg which made life a lot easier.
We were not able to book through to Maun on our flight out from Heathrow, but maybe we should have pushed harder and we were flying BA. However in Johannesburg airport on the way out we went straight through the international terminal, talked to the ground staff at the international desk and they arranged for our bags to be collected form the baggage carrousel from our BA flight and transferred to our Maun flight so that, again, we did not have to touch them until we got to Maun.
We had had the bags wrapped at Heathrow and that simplified the procedures at Maun and we were not required to open our bags before we got on the MaunAir flight.
I have no idea if we were simply lucky or whether what we did can be repeated." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Drs L & B
Scotland
"Trip of a Lifetime"
I visited Zambia between 25 May 2019 and 31 May 2019
"We had a wonderful trip.
We were extremely impressed by Claire from Expert Africa and can’t recommend Robin Pope Safaris more highly ." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari
We were extremely impressed by Claire from Expert Africa and can’t recommend Robin Pope Safaris more highly ." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs C
Cornwall
"Trip to Zambia"
I visited Zambia between 5 May 2019 and 19 May 2019
"The whole trip lived up to our expectations. We were treated very well at all the camps and all the travel arrangements went very well, with all flights on time or early.
Special mention to Claire at Expert Africa and Robin Pope Safaris for accommodating our late change to the itinerary." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
Special mention to Claire at Expert Africa and Robin Pope Safaris for accommodating our late change to the itinerary." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms K.
DC, USA
"I turned 50 in Southern Africa!"
I visited Botswana and 3 other countries between 30 Apr 2019 and 9 May 2019
"My adult daughter and I agree that Somalisa was the best camp with Waterberry a very close second. Her favorite experience was the meerkat climbing on her. I found so much of it awesome it's hard to describe.
In trying to explain the experience to people the closest I can get to accurate is "something amazing happens and then something else amazing happens, etc." I can't compare the rush of seeing lion doing their thing against seeing the rush of Victoria Falls. I can't compare how it feels to be in the vast desolate Makgadikgadi Pans to seeing the vastness of the southern sky's blanket of universe. Being comedically entertained by the meerkat, mud wallowing warthogs, running ostrich, and hippo grunting are experiences like no other. It's completely absurd that neither my daughter nor I were afraid of the 7 white rhino we walked to and stood amongst. It was pretty clear to me when the 1st bush flight landed scaring away zebra and an ostrich from the airstrip that Africa suits me. I guess that's why I didn't blow the air horn when the elephant tried to join my shower.
To close this out - I've lived and worked on 3 continents and know a 4th extensively but there is nothing like Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The process was long for both me and everyone that had to interact with me. Now that I've done it I hope to not be so high maintenance in the future.
One of the reasons I chose EA was because when my plan went from Zambia only I was handed to another person with more expertise in the new regions. I appreciated that. No one at EA tried to "upsell" me either. That is why I dropped the other company I had begun inquiry with.
I'll be emailing the wildlife sightings. We wrote in a lot." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari
In trying to explain the experience to people the closest I can get to accurate is "something amazing happens and then something else amazing happens, etc." I can't compare the rush of seeing lion doing their thing against seeing the rush of Victoria Falls. I can't compare how it feels to be in the vast desolate Makgadikgadi Pans to seeing the vastness of the southern sky's blanket of universe. Being comedically entertained by the meerkat, mud wallowing warthogs, running ostrich, and hippo grunting are experiences like no other. It's completely absurd that neither my daughter nor I were afraid of the 7 white rhino we walked to and stood amongst. It was pretty clear to me when the 1st bush flight landed scaring away zebra and an ostrich from the airstrip that Africa suits me. I guess that's why I didn't blow the air horn when the elephant tried to join my shower.
To close this out - I've lived and worked on 3 continents and know a 4th extensively but there is nothing like Africa.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
The process was long for both me and everyone that had to interact with me. Now that I've done it I hope to not be so high maintenance in the future.
One of the reasons I chose EA was because when my plan went from Zambia only I was handed to another person with more expertise in the new regions. I appreciated that. No one at EA tried to "upsell" me either. That is why I dropped the other company I had begun inquiry with.
I'll be emailing the wildlife sightings. We wrote in a lot." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs W
NH USA
"My Apr 2019 trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 8 Apr 2019 and 19 Apr 2019
"Planning a trip like this can be overwhelming when visiting for the first time. A random phone call to Expert Africa resulted in the trip of a lifetime.
I was able to discuss desires and options with knowledgeable people who really helped sort out all the choices. Our agent Maruska really cared about our trip. The choices she suggested were based on the information she received after asking " tell me a little about what you guys like to do". The itinerary she created was based on first hand knowledge by someone who had been to the area.
All of our transfers and arrangements were flawless and everyone involved (drivers, boatmen, hotel staff) were very friendly and accommodating. Our overall expedience was unforgettable and magical.
We would do it again in a heartbeat. Thank you all." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari
I was able to discuss desires and options with knowledgeable people who really helped sort out all the choices. Our agent Maruska really cared about our trip. The choices she suggested were based on the information she received after asking " tell me a little about what you guys like to do". The itinerary she created was based on first hand knowledge by someone who had been to the area.
All of our transfers and arrangements were flawless and everyone involved (drivers, boatmen, hotel staff) were very friendly and accommodating. Our overall expedience was unforgettable and magical.
We would do it again in a heartbeat. Thank you all." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 3 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Carol M
Illinois
"Unbeatable Itinerary Even With the Road Trips"
I visited Zimbabwe and 2 other countries between 23 Oct 2018 and 30 Nov 2018
"This was my third African safari adventure and – aside from the fact that I still have not crossed the Aardvark, Pangolin or Pel's Fishing Owl off my "must see" list – the trip exceeded my expectations in many ways. I liked the wide range and variety of camps and the mixture of air and road transfers, even if two of the latter were, to put it mildly, arduous. I don't regret having experienced the long drive from Amalinda to Somalisa or the one from Mkulumadzi to Pumulani, but I wouldn't want to do either of them again.
I'm happy I returned to Zimbabwe and Zambia – two outstanding wildlife countries with exceptionally skilled guides – and I very much enjoyed my introduction to Malawi. The Majete Wildlife Reserve is still in its infancy but holds great promise, and I found Lake Malawi breathtaking to look at and fascinating to explore.
Working with the Expert Africa team – and particularly with Freddie Sutton – to plan my month-long itinerary was great fun and very rewarding. Freddie is experienced, knowledgeable, patient and, above all, flexible. He responded quickly to all of my requests for changes and updates, and he always found an attractive alternative where one was needed. Even when a slight glitch arose during my time away, he immediately resolved it and all went well." Read full review: 38 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
I'm happy I returned to Zimbabwe and Zambia – two outstanding wildlife countries with exceptionally skilled guides – and I very much enjoyed my introduction to Malawi. The Majete Wildlife Reserve is still in its infancy but holds great promise, and I found Lake Malawi breathtaking to look at and fascinating to explore.
Working with the Expert Africa team – and particularly with Freddie Sutton – to plan my month-long itinerary was great fun and very rewarding. Freddie is experienced, knowledgeable, patient and, above all, flexible. He responded quickly to all of my requests for changes and updates, and he always found an attractive alternative where one was needed. Even when a slight glitch arose during my time away, he immediately resolved it and all went well." Read full review: 38 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs W
Middlesex
"Best safari holiday ever"
I visited Zambia between 17 Oct 2018 and 31 Oct 2018
"Very impressed by the beauty of Zambia and the amount of wildlife especialy leopards.
All lodges, safari drives, transfers excellent. This was by far the best safari trip ever for scenery and wildlife.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None, the service from Claire to the people who looked after us on the holiday could not have been better." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
All lodges, safari drives, transfers excellent. This was by far the best safari trip ever for scenery and wildlife.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
None, the service from Claire to the people who looked after us on the holiday could not have been better." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs K.
Gravesend
"1st safari trip - Botswana and Victoria falls"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 25 Sep 2018 and 6 Oct 2018
"Excellent service from the 1st time I spoke to Rich - he gave us very good advice and guidance and we feel he fully delivered the Safari we wanted - everything went to plan we had no problems at all - because of the wonderful experience we will definitely book with Expert Africa again - they definitely are experts - this was our 1st Africa trip and he managed and exceeded our expectations"
Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms G.
USA
"A Treasured and Memorable Safari"
I visited Zambia between 19 Sep 2018 and 5 Oct 2018
"We were pleasantly surprised throughout our trip and would definitely recommend this to friends and family. I would enjoy seeing the same area a little earlier in the year, when it was a bit more green as it had been very dry for many months. Accomodations were excellent and locations of the camps were wonderful.
The abundant wildlife was a pleasure to watch and photograph. The jeeps were outfitted well for photography and guides were exceptional. Loved it all!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari
The abundant wildlife was a pleasure to watch and photograph. The jeeps were outfitted well for photography and guides were exceptional. Loved it all!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs MW
W London
"Fabulous trip"
I visited Botswana and 1 other country between 18 Sep 2018 and 6 Oct 2018
"Botswana was our first return to Africa after many years and we had high expectations. We have come back with great memories having seen some fantastic wildlife, met some lovely and interesting people and had a few adventures.
We feel we have had a good mix of camps and experienced the delta and other areas.
There is just the niggle that we were at Chitabe on the wrong days!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, we were pleased with the service. Lucy asked lots of questions and listened to the answers!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari
We feel we have had a good mix of camps and experienced the delta and other areas.
There is just the niggle that we were at Chitabe on the wrong days!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, we were pleased with the service. Lucy asked lots of questions and listened to the answers!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 12 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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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.
