Zambia: reviews from our travellers

"Everything from beginning to end was beyond our wildest dreams. All on our wish list had been ticked. The Zambian people are exceptionally friendly.

We felt Expert Africa organised the safari overall very effectively. Staff at Expert Africa, especially Lucy, were always helpful and informative. The overall operation of the safari by Norman Carr was exceptional, everything went like clockwork.

Thank you Expert Africa for an experience of a lifetime!!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"We have brought home wonderful memories and had an amazing trip from start to finish. The whole experience was everything we wanted it to be - and more! As we left the Uk , I was concerned that I had seen so many documentaries and David Attenboroughs that I might be disappointed. How wrong could I have been - it was was above my expectation, there was real wildlife as soon as you left camp and often in it.

The staff were overwhelmingly friendly, nothing was too much trouble and we met some interesting staff and visitors alike.

Suggestions for improvements:

Tipping - this was all a bit difficult. Chris Macintyres book mentioned and I'm glad it did. There were guidelines to suitable amounts in each camp , which were different from camp to camp, which seemed odd. Everything was set based on the average wealthy American family, who live with a culture of tipping. The British don't, the Americans we spoke to said if those were the suggested amounts they felt they should pay more and we just felt mean! I was very glad to have thought this through from home. Maybe its something you could emphasise more in your useful information.

I didn't engage enough with the Wilderness safari culture and ethical stance before I went, due to lack of realisation and time but I'm glad we chose the things we did, given the difference it makes to parts of the country and opportunities it presents. It could be somethign you make more reference to or raise the profile within Expert Africa" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"We had a wonderful trip and hope to repat it again before too long. All was a s expected and even better !

Suggestions for improvements:

Hard to think of improvements." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"The trip was a very good experience." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 4 on a Zambia safari

"Chris & Lisa's comments -

This was our third trip to Africa with Expert Africa and we would not travel with anyone else! We went to Namibia in 2004 (our honeymoon) and to Zambia for the first time in 2007.

Anna had organized our previous trip to Zambia and was so helpful & enthusiastic we felt we had to ask her to help us to arrange a return trip. Her knowledge was invaluable in helping us to decide when we wanted to return and where we were to stay. The fact that Anna returns to Zambia for her own holidays shows just how much she loves the country and this is evident whenever you talk to her. Her passion for Zambia is infectious!

After talking to Anna so many times (I am sure she must be fed up with me by now!) and booking two trips with her I feel as though I am talking to a friend even though we have never met.

We fell in love with Zambia on our first trip & knew we had to return. We chose to go back at a different time of year (our previous trip was in October) to see the Luangwa Valley at the beginning of the dry season rather than at the end, and to see the Victoria falls at high water. It was lovely to experience this beautiful country in another season, the valley was as wonderful as last time and the falls were certainly different - there was water coming over them (a LOT of water!).

We hope to return to Zambia and will certainly be back in touch with Anna. Thank you for helping us to arrange another amazing trip!

John & Uschi's comments -

We are very grateful that Chris and Lisa asked us to come along. We had been to Africa a lot before (more than 10 times), but this was our first time to Zambia. And we were not disappointed. It is a wonderful country full of great wildlife and scenery and extremely friendly people.

We have loved some African countries for a long time and have put Zambia on that list." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"The whole trip was excellent in it`s organisation. Every connection was on time with drivers, camp staff etc all waiting for us.
Our highlights were the beautiful location of our tent at Kwara and the off road driving , the boat trip on the Chobe river with Muchenje Lodge and Santantadebi Mobile camp for all sorts of reasons as mentioned previously. [Ed: in the reviews below!]

We did see many wonderful animals but we can`t deny a little disappointment at the minimal sightings of the big cats.

We felt in need of exercise after 2 weeks of doing nothing but sitting in the jeeps and eating!

We had many interesting and fun conversations with the other guests all of which made the holiday memorable.

Suggestions for improvement:

The only negative I have is that the information on prices at Victoria Falls was inaccurate eg we expected the helicopter ride to be $100 but it was $130, similarly the cost of meals had risen sharply." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Our honeymoon was amazing.

From initial planning with Lucy, who was very patient, knowledgable and friendly we had high hopes for our trip and all our expectations were exceeded!! Thanks so much" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"Our Botswana trip was a truly magical and amazing experience.

Expert Africa did a great job of meeting our needs and our budget for a fantastic trip. Heading to Tanzania next and will use them again.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Everything was positive." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Botswana safari

"The response by Expert Africa was great, well organized and responsive to requests.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

It is good to have feedback from people who have been to the resorts.
Makes a real difference." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zambia safari

"We were not scheduled to go to Chitabe lodge however we were transferred there after it became clear that the Siba camp was unacceptable for a 3 day stay.

The chitabe camp was EXCELLENT. Our guide, Ebs, was fabulous. The game viewing was incredible and the location beautiful. The staff in general was very accomodating and friendly.

Expert Africa and Wilderness Safaris were both helpful in arranging this transfer from Siba to Chitabe." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari