Reviews of trips to Lusaka area

"Our trip which combined visits to safari camps in Zambia and Zimbabwe was excellent!

This was our second trip to Africa using Expert Africa and we will not hesitate to use them again. Maruska was very helpful, and if she could not answer a specific question, she referred us to Chris. The Expert Africa team really tries to determine your interests and then suggests camps and experiences that will provide you with the best holiday possible!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I really can't think of anything. You guys know the countries and the camps. I especially appreciate that you are careful about trying to match a camp with a client, since we all bring slightly different expectations along with us." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari

"The trip overall was quite good. There were a few bumps, but they were resolved without too much trouble. I think the camps in South Luangwa were uniformly excellent, and I got good value for the time of year that I went (June). Lower Zambezi was excellent - I think this is a truly beautiful area for safari. Unfortunately, my game viewing was as good as I would hope, but I can't fault the camp or the guides for that. The river activities provide an great change of pace.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

My only suggestion would be to perhaps provide an alternate way of contacting Expert Africa while traveling. Perhaps, a skype number? I mention this because I had to use my mobile phone to contact Expert Africa during my travel due to a misconnect at JNB, and the roaming charges and long distance charges can add up rather quickly. My mobile phone contract in the US charges me whether I send or receive unlike many European contracts, so I had to pay for every minute used. In retrospect, I probably should have asked to correspond via e-mail since I had free internet access in the South African Airways business class lounge.

Also, it was great that you provided me the contact information in your packet, but it would also be a good idea to provide instructions on who to call and when if anything should go wrong during the trip. It seems like you've got representatives covering all the time zones, but it would be good to identify particular numbers to call for problems." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari

"One of the best, if not THE best holiday we've ever had. (Only thing missing was exercise, but not much chance of that.)
Game viewing bit disappointing at Lebala with hindsight but as virgins we still enjoyed it. Rooms and camp very good.
Little Kwara very enjoyable.

Nxabega stood out though, as a superbly-run camp, with a truly wonderful atmosphere. Grant and Dimari really set the benchmark.
Game best at Sandibe but what a miserable dump by comparison to Nx.

The transfer processes worked very well and once we knew the score, we relaxed totally about moving from camp to camp, and this really helped make the whole thing more enjoyable compared to hacking around India or wondering if the planes would fly in South America.

Zimbabwe day trip was worth it although we got stitched up by Zambia immigration, they hadn't given us a multiple-entry, only a double entry visa but this was not clear.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Take note of any unusual situations (eg airstrip down) and set expectations accordingly.
Check game viewing status / concession conditions closer to the off, maybe it would be better to switch (eg Lebala was only worth 2 nights due to so much empty burnt scrub).

Transfer from Livingstone to Lebala took a while; no food on the Proflight transfer, no food opportunities at Livingstone airport (only coffee) or en route (Kasane airport not selling food) so we were starving by the time we got to Lebala; it would have been good to arrange some opportunity to eat or buy food at some point. Maybe include a visit a cafe / restaurant in Kasane town, as there is plenty of time ?" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"Well-organised, pleasant trip that was in all respects what we had hoped for, no unpleasant surprises, very efficiently organised without any delays. Thank you, Claire

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Maybe some more attention for Kafue would help the development of this enormous park. More facilities and more tourism may help in the struggle against poaching.

The same goes for Kasanka which is interesting for birders." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari

"This is a star holiday. All the senses are fully alert during the walking trips which is what we like best. Zambia is such a friendly country and the lodges work very well. We simply love these trips and hope to return.

Many thanks to Claire and Chris who helped us choose once again to go back to this bit of paradise.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I would like an easier, more transparent view of lodge costs to help rule out the unsuitable early on in the selection process." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari

"Just amazing.

We wanted to experiment a walking safari and it was like a dream out of space, out of time.
We appreciated to spend five days with a very small group of people that we got to know better than in a car safari.
We enjoyed visiting Kawaza village and school to meet local people.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Maybe , find another place for the last night in Lusaka" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"We thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of our holiday. A wonderful experience! (except for tsetse)

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Carry on with the good work!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"Very pleased with our trip. Anna selected Shentons for us and it really suited us.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

no you seem to have thought of everything" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari

"Management, guides, general staff superb.

Transfers worked like clockwork and there was always someone to guide us to the next destination.

Apart from Busanga game was excellent as were the three camps.
Shiwa was an wonderful experience as already mentioned.

Only downside was the tsetses in Kafue, would actually prevent us returning there.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

As previous users of Wilderness camps in other African countries it would be helpful to see in your brochure which ones belong to them." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"We stayed in some great places and saw more wildlife than ever before (as much leopards as on our five previous trips to Africa combined).

We met a lot of nice people, some of who we will try to stay in contact with. We will definitely return to Zambia someday. A very diverse trip!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Perhaps you should market yourself more in the rest of Europe (outside the UK). During our trip we only met British people who booked with Expert Africa. People from other countries (e.g. the Netherlands) would not immediately think of Expert Africa when looking for a travel agent, while you're definitely the best we've had so far (after many Dutch disappointments)." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari