Reviews of trips to Lusaka area

"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

"As always, our trip (our sixth to the South Luangwa) exceeded expectations.

In the Emerald Season, all is green and lush, whilst the game and the birdlife is as splendid as ever, with wonderful lighting for photography. Freddie Sutton organised our trip with his customary highly efficient and friendly way.

This was our tenth trip with Expert Africa - thank you all." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"We had the best time in spite of some hiccups. We went previously in the dry season so it was quite interesting going in the "green" season. We are so glad we did! It was fantastic seeing so many new born animal babies and so many of the birds were in mating plumage which can be so different from regular plumage. We really like the green season best of all!

As for the camps, Wilderness Camps are so well run and maintained. So far we have not seen any camps who can hold a candle to their standard. If we go back a 3rd time to Botswana or any of the other countries that have Wilderness camps...........we will go with Expert Africa and Wilderness Safari Camps.

It was wonderful working with Maruska Adye in New Zealand. We used her 5 years ago and were so delighted to work with her again. We truly appreciate Expert Africa's approach of good common sense when planning a trip and listening to what a customer thinks (ha!) they want versus what is realistic. All documents were spot on and we knew that all details were addressed. It was wonderful to be met by various individuals at the airports as one is never sure where to go in a new airport.

Thank you for a great trip!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Perhaps letting folks know what kind of power plug can be found in the camps. What is stated on a general query about plugs on the internet does not translate to what the camps have (ie. Bristish plug in Nkwali!)" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana 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

"A new area for us but well worth the trip." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 9 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