Reviews of trips to Lusaka area

"On return we could not fault the advice and guidance we were given by Lucy at Expert Africa.

The Robin Pope Safari experience was of a very high standard with the quality of guiding and camps expertly selected. The transfers were all very well done with no lost time as these are treated as being part of the driving safari experience. The camps hostess and the good humour of the guides ensured that the visit was good fun all the way through.

We could not fault the techinical knowledge of the camp guides and they certainly added to the experience.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Whole trip was completely faultless and ran totally trouble free so sorry but can't make any good suggestions here!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"This was the best holiday we have ever had, and we've had some excellent holidays.

All travel arrangements went smoothly. Our itinerary was excellent with a great choice of camps. We liked every camp and everthing went so well that we arrived home feeling completely rested and relaxed. Other guests and guides or managers who saw our itinerary in South Luangwa said we had made very good choices. I'm pleased we chose camps that offered walking as we grew to love starting the day with a walk.

We are already thinking about our next trip and will use Expert Africa again. Thanks Maruska for arranging this wonderful trip.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None. The trip was perfect." Read full review: 27 nights in Africa; 22 on a Zambia safari

"This was my 3rd time to Africa and my husband's first. We were celebrating our 25th anniversary and my dream of seeing Victoria Falls. The trip was a dream come true - for both of us. David couldn't imagine how something as large as an adult elephant could be 'hidden' right next to us. And, the guides, wildlife, camps and staff never disappointed us.

Now I just need to figure out a way to take our 3 children (ages 19/21/23) to Africa to show them why I've always said 'imagine we are the zoo and the animals are us'. They roam freely and still give me such joy!!!!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Maruska was excellent in that she had visited some of the camps we stayed in and had other guests whose comments she shared with us.
She took the time to really listen to our wants and needs to what we were looking for and picked out some really good options and helped us pick the best. I will recommend Expert Africa to friends and family.

Thank you Maruska for a fantastic vacation / 25th wedding anniversary!!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"We had the most marvellous trip. It was particularly nice to see that Nkwali and Tena Tena are managed by highly professional and courteous local staff. (Last year in Tanzania, the management was white imported and the staff local) Robin Pope lived up to their reputation of having superlative guides. The skills and knowledge of Victor and Julius were incredible. Every animal, every bird, every tree, they knew it all - add to that brilliant customer service, first aid and vehicle maintenance (Not used) and being able to mix a very decent gin and tonic. What more could you ask for.

The food would have done a good class London restaurant proud. The accommodation was roomy, comfortable, in fact just luxurious.
Absolutely First Class in every respect

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I cannot think of any improvements - how rare it is to say that,
Just got to decide where next!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"Unforgettable! Even now we are finding it difficult to assimilate evrything we have seen and done. Everyone at the camps went out of their way to ensure that we enjoyed every aspect of our stay, for example on our way back to Mfuwe we had lunch at Kapani and a room was made available for our use which was much appreciated. Andrew our guide turned our last morning into a special experience instead of just a sad farewell.

Also much appreciated the help given at Lusaka airport on our arrival. Would also recommend a visit to Tribal Textiles, the tour of the workshop was particularly interesting.

To summarise, we both have had the experience of a lifetime and will remember all the lovely people we have met for a very long time." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"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