Reviews of trips to Lusaka area

"We could not have had a more amazing trip for our first safari! Ten days at three camps in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia, followed by 2 days at Victoria Falls, provided incredible wildlife sightings and experiences. Our trip goals were for wildlife and photography, which were absolutely me above and beyond what we hoped fort! We saw every animal on our list, including all of the Big Five except rhinos (since they are not in the region), two leopard kills, and three different packs of wild dogs!

Each camp we stayed at (Flatdogs, Kaingo, and Tafika) was excellent in its own way, and we felt pampered at every stop. We also felt exceptionally comfortable with our dietary restrictions (vegetarian and severe allergies) everywhere which was a huge relief and greatly added to our stress-free vacation.

We could not have planned this trip without the extensive expertise and help of Amanda Bond and Expert Africa - she really took our trip goals and worked with us to build the ideal trip. Everything was perfect from start to finish and we couldn't have asked for a better safari experience. We are so grateful to Amanda and Expert Africa for taking care of every single detail so that we could make the most of our time in Zambia. From the time we stepped off the plane in Zambia everything was smooth sailing.

We would not hesitate to work with Expert Africa again in the future and cannot recommend Amanda Bond enough! Thank you so much!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None, we were extremely impressed with every aspect of our experience." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari

"This is our fourth trip to Zambia staying at Robin Pope camps and the experience just keeps on getting better & better! Everything ran smoothly from the moment I contacted Freddie to our return flight home. (Even the Emirates emergency cancellation was well managed). The Tour Africa staff at Lusaka airport were there waiting for us at the beginning of our trip and available to help when we flew home. They provided a great service.

The staff at Robin Pope Safaris are fantastic - they looked after us so well. I only hope that the new owners fully appreciate what a good job they are all doing and that they are able to retain such experienced and professional staff. We hope to return next year.

Thank you Expert Africa for making it all possible.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

A full set of wildlife guide books would be useful at Nkwali - there are a few - but birds, insects and reptiles were missing." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari

"The trip was my first safari and, indeed, my very first trip to Africa. It was an absolutely outstanding experience which was, without doubt, life enhancing, if not life changing.

I was extremely fortunate to go with friends who are experienced travellers in Africa and that certainly added much to the trip. They had spoken incredibly highly of both Expert Africa, in particular Freddie Sutton, and Robin Pope Safaris. I can certainly see why. I was very impressed from my very first contact with Freddie and this positive view has not waivered once throughout the booking process or on my return to the UK.

Expert Africa provided comprehensive information about the trip including a very useful guide book to Zambia which I particularly appreciated as a "first timer".

I was totally overwhelmed by the sheer majesty of the country in South Luangwa and the massive skies during the day and night. The animal life was, of course, wonderful but I hadn't expected to be as knocked out by the small details and the inter-realtionshop of all the elements of the eco systems.

I can find no fault with any of the travel arrangements, it all went very smoothly. The accommodation and food were excellent and I felt my every need was catered for.

One my over-riding memories will be of the sheer quality of the Robin Pope staff. They are exceptional. I can't remember learning so much in such a short time. The staff are so well informed and are equally generous with their knowledge.

Thank you one and all." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari

"Expert Africa does it again! Claire is fantastic about listening to what you want and delivering. Our trip went smoothly.

The only complaint is that I never feel it is long enough--I could happily spent a month in the bush. I loved 4 nights at each camp. Shorter stays means that you are constantly packing and moving. The next trip I will look at hiring private air charters rather than using commercial flights between safari camps -- for the extra cost, I think it would be worthwhile.

Freddie Sutton took over during Claire's absence and did a fine job getting all the information to us.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

keep doing what you are doing!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"Overall we had a fantastic time once again in Zambia. It is a truly beautiful country.

There is so much to see, experience and do, we can't wait to return.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Expert Africa always provide us with an excellent service. We appreciate the effort that goes into making our trips so special.

Amanda Bond was extremely helpful and efficient and all our travel arrangements worked like clock work." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari

"We very much enjoyed our trip. The contrast with the dry season was memorable." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"This was our second safari in South Luangwa Park, after an interval of 4 years. We knew the area to visit, relatively distant from the entrance to the Park, as the game is excellent but the game vehicles few so viewing is really good. With help from Expert Africa's Claire we chose 3 camps and they were all excellent. She encouraged us to include a small bush camp and we were pleased that she did as it was probably the best experience and our apprehension about the open air bathroom was misplaced as it was private and enclosed.

Claire was brilliant because she was able to change our three return flights after we had made our booking, to accommodate a private trip to/from Chipata that we had not been able to firm up initially. All our arrangements went smoothly other than delays caused by the airline - as she had provided the contact details of Expert Africa's ground agents in Nairobi we were able to phone and ensure they waited at the airport while our luggage was located." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"A. Apart from Latitude 15, everything was excellent.

The guiding was first class and very productive, this makes all the difference to the enjoyment of a safari to Africa.

We experienced some very special moments that will be treasured." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"GREAT - everything worked

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

You have always been extremely knowledgeable and helpful and everything has worked." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari

"All of our accommodation we stayed in was excellent and we had an extremely enjoyable trip. Kafue NP however was disappointing to us. Firstly the majority of animals are extremely skittish and just run off as soon as they see a vehicle. There is a very distinct lack of a variety of animals that we have seen on other safaris and certainly not the place to go if you want to see lots of 'big game'. This said this though, in Busanga we were very taken with the large herds of Sable and Roan antelope who were very happy to just graze whilst you took photos. In all of our trips we have never seen that quantity of Sable and Roan.

Anyone contemplating visiting Kafue I certainly would advise light aircraft from Lusaka as the journey is almost 5 hours by vehicle, 3hrs on tarmac road on 2hrs on bumpy safari park road!

Tsetse Fly were also a big problem within the park but less so in the area surrounding Musekese Camp." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari