Reviews of safaris to Lower Zambezi National Park

"We enjoyed our trip to Zambia.

Expert Africa did a great job with the organisation and recommendations." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 21 on a Zambia safari

"We were extremely pleased with our holiday and really recommend Zambia as a safari destination. The locals were very friendly, the game viewing was varied and exciting, and the 3 camps we visited (Kaingo, Mwamba and Old Mondoro) really complimented one another.

We were glad we experienced 2 national parks, as South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi offer completely different landscapes. We saw perhaps more game in South Luangwa but there was the added bonus of water activities in Lower Zambezi.

Everything was well organised and worked out very smoothly." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"If you love Africa and safari but are less keen on the cost of Botswana or crowds in Serengeti or Maasai Mara then try South Luangwa or Lower Zambezi in Zambia. Expert Africa, and Maruska Adye in particular, organised a wonderful and faultless trip.

After several visits to Africa we can confirm that the continent's best accomodation, and best value, is the Albida Suite at Chongwe River Camp!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No - great service, thanks." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"Congratulations to Expert Africa for making our trip so enjoyable and stress-free.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Sorry none. You do it right." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"This was our second Expert Africa safari, and we are as happy with the planning and service as we were on our first trip. We think that you have the best website and brochure available anywhere, and it makes the planning process much easier.

We initially had difficulty deciding whether to go to Botswana or Zambia, so when we called to discuss the differences we were connected with Chris McIntyre. Chris spent almost an hour on the telephone with us discussing the merits of each country, and thoroughly explaining the differences between the safari experiences in them. When we got off the phone, we were both captivated by the idea of travel in Zambia because of the possibility of walking treks with well-trained guides.

From there, Claire Scott became our contact and helped us decide which camps best suited our wishes. Her recommendations were perfect!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Only one minor thing...... Since we were visiting Victoria Falls in September at a time when the river flow is low, we wish that we had been advised that the viewing is better from Zimbabwe. We would have arranged for a 2-entry Zambian visa and allotted time to cross the border" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"I had a fantastic time saw so much learnt so much and met some wonderful people

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I only want to say a huge thank you the holiday was all that you advertised but in fact it turn out better than I hoped so yes keep up the good work and thanks once again from a very happy client" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari

"We had the most spectacular trip with one of the highlights visiting Livingstone Island on the Victoria Falls and making our way to the "Devil's Pool" - although I had no idea how dangerous it was until I was halfway there!!

Thanks so much for helping us organise a fabulous week in Africa and making our journey so special. It all went unbelievably well and I will send you my detailed blog posts on the trip as and when I write them.

Or check out my blog here in the next few weeks http://familyaffairsandothermatters.com

Thanks again.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Claire also helped us hugely and no, I can't think of ways of improving your service at the moment - apart from hiring me as your new Zambia expert!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"DIfficult to know where to begin: it was such a wonderful experience: our first time on safari - total beginners: we didn't know what to expect.

The planning and organisation by Expert Africa was excellent: we felt that the EA team in London really gave us personal treatment. The mixture of different styles of camp and environments in Zambia and Botswana which Expert Africa suggested gave us a great perspective.

Overall, our preference was for the more remote camps with the close-to-nature feel. The combination of water and grass and woodlands was particularly interesting not only for their beauty but also for the variety of animals and birds to be seen. The Luangwa and the Zambezi rivers are stamped forever on our memories.

There seemed to be a very good team spirit particularly in the small, locally run camps. All 8 camps were impeccable, well run and there was always a warm welcome. We were amazed at the wonderful homemade food in such remote places. We only took 10kgs each of baggage (plus cameras) but could have managed with less as the same-day laundry facilities were very good and there was no time to "dress-up" in the evenings. We were impressed by the policy of training local staff from humble jobs right up to management: they all seemed very proud of their jobs and their country.

We had first-class guides everywhere - very skilled and well informed and good company.

We were amazed at how many guests had been on safari numerous times before, often to the same camps. We met some really nice people both local and guests from all over the world - which is important as you are all thrown together both in the jeeps and round the campfires. We were also amazed at how close one comes to the animals in the bush - even lions and leopard. We were not previously bird-watchers - but the variety of beautiful birds and the dawn chorus was so different to what we know in Europe.

Would we go back? We are starting a bit late in life but we have wonderful memories of this experience and hope we will be able to go back.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Some of the non-English-speaking guests could have been helped if the camps/guides had some field guides in other languages e.g. French. A couple of our guides (Dukes in Selinda, Bibi in Chitabe Lediba) were interested to learn French or Italian which could be a way of attracting more guests from other parts of Europe. The majority of guests were either from UK or USA.

A couple of ideas for the gift-shops: post-cards of the camps and of local scenery (+ stamps). If postcards were available they were mostly of animals. Small gifts such as letter openers, hair clips and hair accessories made of wood or bone. CD's of local music.

In two camps in Zambia (Tena Tena & Chiawa) we were given aluminium water bottles to use during our stay and keep as souvenirs. This was an excellent idea. Also the local filtered water was excellent and gave us no tummy problems. Only in Chitabe did the water have a strange smell and taste." Read full review: 52 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"Once again, it was a great trip and we're missing the sound of the animals at night already!

By the way, we now have 3 copies of the Zambia book by Chris McIntyre - you offered us another book if we wanted and we would love to have a copy of any other book which you think might be useful." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"Excellent

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really :-)" Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 3 on a Zambia safari