Reviews of trips to Lusaka area

"With the exception of ProFlight all ran to schedule. Ground handling good, no delays.

At Xakanaxa airstrip (which incidentally is a new runway positioned a little further from the camps than the 'old' strip) we were very pleasantly surprised to see Banda, our requested guide for Camp Xakanaxa where has been based since last January, albeit we were due at Camp Moremi first. Apparently in agreement with the D&DS marketing manager (regret don't know his name and was not aware he was the South African chap who wished us well as he leaving for the plane we arrived on) we were allocated Banda for the whole of our 5 night stay on an exclusive basis. This is an amazing example of D&DS customer service for which we are truly grateful. If you are aware of the chap's name please let me know and I will send a thank-you e-mail. Thanks should also be extended to all the D&DS staff including Setch and staff at Suvute and Albert (who was 'care-taking' between Moremi and Xakanaxa) and all the staff.

We will undoubtedly return to Nkwali, Savute and delta camps again - don't know when. However in future we will try to avoid Jo'burg airport if only due to the totally inefficient and unfriendly staff at passport control. It takes ages to be processed. Never enough staff on duty. As you maybe aware, there are 2 sections, one deals with SA residents, the other all non-SA passengers.

There are some 25 (maybe more) passport control booths on the non-SA section. Less than half were being manned on our first arrival and only 7 when we arrived form Maun. Coupled with the delays occurring to some families, presumably associated with the recently introduced regulations and paperwork required for people travelling with children, the delays are totally unacceptable. We were directed to stand in a queue behind a family which we were already aware had processing problems and had to wait 20 minutes while they continued to try and resolve without any apparent success so we asked to move and were eventually directed to stand in another queue. There is no efficient management system in place, it's a shambles.

It is not surprising that Lusaka airport is building a new terminal (by the Chinese!) and Maun wants to expand so that passengers can fly direct rather than via Jo'burg which attracts so much criticism. BA used to fly direct to Lusaka but apparently no more. We met people who flew with Emirates via Dubai so for the future it's worth considering another carrier. There may be others." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"As usual an excellent trip with Expert Africa." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari

"We used two new camps which we had not visited previously and one where we have been regular visitors.

The two new camps exceeded our expectations and will feature for certain on any future visit to the areas." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari

"We had a great time. A trip to remember!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 16 on a Zambia safari

"All aspects met, or exceeded our expectations. The ground handler provided us with excellent local support throughout our stay and guided us through the various transits.

The game viewing was superb throughout with Kaingo being outstanding." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"This was our eighth safari trip to Africa (all arranged by Expert Africa), and we chose to return to Zambia.

We love the Robin Pope camps in the South Luangwa, and our fourth visit to them met all our expectations. The game viewing and guiding at these camps is exceptionally good, making our time there so enjoyable.

Chiawa and Old Mondoro are both very special, in different ways. We had visited them five years ago, and wanted to return. Staying at both of them provides complementary experiences of the Lower Zambezi, with superb game viewing and guiding at both. Our walks with Paul Grobler at Chiawa were one of the highlights of the whole trip.

All the arrangements worked perfectly, including the stopover in Lusaka and the efficient transfers by Tours Africa." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 16 on a Zambia safari

"We were very much impressed with every aspect of the organisation of our trip. We expected it to be the trip of a lifetime, and it surpassed our expectations.

We found it reassuring to have the knowledge and expertise of Expert Africa's staff behind us, to guide us through a part of the world of which we had little previous experience. The choice of lodges was perfect, and every arrangement that had been made for us went without a hitch. We were particularly grateful for the huge contributions made by Maruska, in the initial planning of the trip, and Tracy, who took over when we were forced to postpone our trip by 12 months, following a family bereavement.

We would not hesitate to use Expert Africa again in the future, nor to recommend them to friends and family." Read full review: 23 nights in Africa; 12 on a Namibia trip

"We have travelled to Africa quite a few times but this one was exceptional in that we stayed in some great hotels & camps & we saw some wonderful game in Zambia. We believe that the expertise of 'Expert Africa' helped in making our trip that much more rewarding & enjoyable!

Claire's suggestion that we travel to Zambia in early September was absolutely correct as it was already getting very hot.

It was also a bonus meeting Chris McIntyre & his wife at Mfuwe Airport at the end of our trip!!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"I've dreamed of visiting Africa for 45 years. As such, the expectations were great and I wondered if reality could ever live up to the imaginings.

Well, it did. What a gift, to live my dream. Thank you Freddie and colleagues (you were fantastic!) for your recommendations, attention to every detail and making this the trip of a lifetime. Not only for me but for my travelling companions. We all agree - trip of a lifetime!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"The whole experience was 100% first class from my first enquiry with Claire, to her proposed plan, to slotting my Dad into the trip at a later date. For anyone a bit hesitant to travel to new places there was great ground support from when we landed in Lusaka to our departure at the end of our trip.

I have no hesitations about recommending Expert Africa and Robin Pope Safaris. It was without a doubt the trip of a life time!" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari