Zambia: reviews from our travellers

"We had an excellent holiday that exceeded expectations. Saw loads of animals and birds plus wonderful scenery. Ate well, too much and too often. While this was our first visit to sub-saharan Africa and our firast safari we met manyother first-time travellers but also several seasoned safari riders who were on their tenth trip!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"We thought you might wish to hear from us now we have returned from Zambia and Botswana. We had the most wonderful time in both countries, we met some lovely people from all parts of the world and we were well looked after by the management and staff of all three camps.

Finally, thanks once again to you Chris, Expert Africa and Wilderness Safaris for organising and re-organising our trip which we much appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed. Below, I will select you, Chris, who at the end of the day made things happen for us and went that extra mile to ensure we had a terrific experience under what were very difficult circumstances but I would also like to make a special mention to Maruska who helped us through the initial choices of camps and bookings - she was very professional, knowledgeable and helpful.

It goes without saying that you and your collective help and service will be recommended by us to others. Please pass on our comments to those you think would like to hear from us.

These travellers commented about their flights:

All Sefofane flights were a fantastic experience. They were great fun, exhilarating and provided superb views of the landscape and the Okavango Delta. The pilots were skilled,helpful and very informative. The flight schedules were punctual and safety procedures made passengers feel at ease.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I have none at this stage." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"outstanding trip - botswana has more than lived up to expectations and compares very favourably to other safari's i have been on (south africa/kenya)

the game is superb and the camps/staff outstanding

if going to victoria falls it is more than worthwhile upgrading to royal livingstone

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

as mentioned if staying over in joburg ensure stay is in an onsight airport hotel" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"Wonderful experience from planning stage to returning home. The variety of lodges/accomadation suggested by Tracy were superb, possibly our best holiday ever !!.

Car hire; Tracy recommended a 4x4 when pushed, accepted it was possible in a 2 WD, as indeed all brouchers indicate, not just EX AF. I would happily tell anyone that I made a mistake, and a 4x4 is essential. The gravel roads are so variable in quality throughout Namibia some rutted so badly or loosely laid that grounding is unavoidable at 20Kph, the C14,C19, C27 for example, in Etosha water flooding the road -- how deep?, fortunatly we remained dry.
Thanks Tracy for a wonderful trip

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No --- keep up your high standard of good work." Read full review: 31 nights in Africa; 15 on a Namibia trip

"Virtually every aspect of our holiday was wonderful.

We knew what to expect from Kapani and Kakuli from our previous visits, and we weren't disappointed; in fact, if anything, we'd forgotten just how marvellous a place Kakuli is. At both lodges, the Norman Carr staff - especially the guides - are an inspiring lot!

We are delighted we 'took the plunge' and went in the rainy season. As foreseen, the bird viewing was extraordinary, but the big game viewing was equally fruitful and - on occasions - dramatic." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"We were very pleased with the overall selection of camps and the pacing of the holiday generally. We felt that going to the Kalahari first was a good move as it might have seemed a bit low key if we had ended here. The efficiency of the transfer arrangements including help with immigration was outstanding.

The advice regarding the "green season" was good and we have no regrets about going at this time. We only had two occasions when the heavens opened and one of the game drives had to be abandoned. Several times we had spectacular lightning without any rain. Viewing at the Victoria Falls was restricted due to the very high water levels.

It would have been nice to have spent a little time in Maun before flying onwards as it seems to be the centre of the universe as far as the Delta is concerned. The Kwando Safari organisation (including Moremi Air) seemed well organised and we liked their camps. We enjoyed meeting Sue Smart at Kwara.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The warnings about space in passports for visas etc proved unnecessary. We took wet weather jackets but this was not really necessary as ponchos and umbrellas were provided at all camps." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"It was a wonderful trip. We were aware that we were not doing this trip at an ideal time of the year, but, it enabled us to see a different side to Namibia having exprienced the South and the deserts previously this was totally different.

We found the driving along the Caprivi Strip rather monotonous, but, it certainly gave us a feeling of being the real Africa with the small Villages along the way and cattle, goats and children scattered in the road until the occasional car/lorry approached. Everyone we stopped to speak to were friendly and happy to communicate with us.

It was interesting that apart from Waterberg all the other lodges we stayed at were on islands which again made it very different to our last visit and allowed us to see the wild life of the rivers and wetlands.
The Victoria Falls was our highlight which we wanted it to be.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No. This is our 2nd trip with you and we would highly recommend you to all our friends and family." Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 5 on a Namibia trip

"Before going out to these places, I had very high expectation. Nothing and nobody changed my opinion. I have once again seen what I wanted to see and achieved just what I wanted.

South Luangwa, still the best, Northern Botswana a close second. Very happy and I hope to produce a Dvd that will be sent to all the lodges and camps concerned, last year's Dvd has already been shown and went down rather well. It has been a pleasure to go and stay at these magical places, where the animals, the birds, the grasses and inland seas humble me. Africa beckons, please go and see for yourselves.

Thankyou to everyone that contributed in making this another special trip to 'minha' Africa.

Ashante sana.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The bush camps that Norman Carr safaris operate can be a great selling point, Kapani lodge is already perfect." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"This vacation – our fourth in four years with Expert Africa – was definitely the best we have done so far. We achieved in full our two main objectives, ie seeing Africa green from the rains (including a storm in the Kalahari while we were there); and focusing primarily on birds (with copious help from our expert guides, nearly 200 species identified over 12 days including some real rarities). Furthermore, we managed to see more species of mammals than we have on any of our previous three trips despite the more abundant vegetation and the national park restrictions in the Kalahari; and, of course, we had the pleasure of the Victoria Falls.

The high bird count was in part a reflection of the season. But we also felt that we benefitted in that respect – and similarly with mammals – from staying in four very different terroirs during our trip, ie the “mighty Zambezi” just above Vic Falls, Linyanti, the Delta and the Kalahari. And, needless to say, we would not have been anything like as successful without expert guides in all four camps in which we stayed.

Given the amount of moving around we did – more than usual, especially when one includes the day-trip into Zimbabwe – we should also note that the logistics worked throughout with commendable smoothness thanks to a combination of your planning and extremely competent and pleasant people looking after us locally.

In sum, this was a great trip." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"this was a great trip after Mr. S had finished a 2-month work placment and Mrs S joined him for a well-earned holiday!

The accomodation was all excelelent and the support given by Lucy to Mrs S. when she was booking all this holiday was great.

We loved Zambia, haver made many new friends and intend returning in 2010!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No .................apart from ................keep up the good work and a BIG thanks to Lucy for all her hlep with our trip!" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 17 on a Zambia safari