Zambia: reviews from our travellers

"A few thoughts I had: I think it would be better to have a minimum of 3 nights at each camp or lodge as I found 2 nights was not enough especially as I lost a day due to a flight cancellation/postponement. If I'd had 3 nights at Plantation Lodge I could have still done the Ngorongoro crater safari. I know there are cost implications but in hindsight it is worth it for a better experience. And Plantation Lodge was my favourite accommodation and I only got one night there!

I would also prefer to stay in camps that are not too long a drive from the airstrips. I found more than one hour quite difficult as you just want to get there and it can also be a long drive back to camp after a safari. I would consider this if I was doing another trip.

Needless to say I preferred the luxury camps in Botswana which had a pool and included drinks and laundry, although I realise they cost more, and I did enjoy the other camps which felt closer to the wildlife etc. as a contrast. Paying for drinks and laundry was not expensive so that did not put me off.

The support and help from my Expert Africa agents with the few challenges I encountered was wonderful and
I can't speak highly enough of the quality of your company. Of course I don't know how you compare with others but having met agents from other companies and having feedback from other guests at the camps I felt very glad that I had chosen EA.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Perhaps to warn travellers about the potential for things to go wrong such as flight cancellations and injuries and talk through what to do in these situations. i know this in included in your written material but it is a lot to take in especially when having to get visas and vaccinations in preparation for the trip. I had read the information but still felt stressed when things happened. However your responses were so helpful and reassuring which helped me to calm down. Big thank you to Chris in this regard - I could only nominate one agent above but it is the sign of a good manager/owner to be prepared to step in out of hours to help a client." Read full review: 36 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari

"This was the trip of a life time. Once we got to Lusaka everything went like clockwork. All the transfers and people meeting us at the airport was so helpful, all the drivers were friendly and informative about their community. We were not expecting the level of service we received all the way through, we are now spoiled for future trips. As our usual trip planner it was a great relief for me.

In hindsight I think going to 2 camps might have been better, but don't know what/which we would exclude. We definitely would have enjoyed more time at Flat Dogs. I think we saw more at Flat Dogs and Anabezi. I think this is because there were more guides driving around so more eyes looking and as we passed another vehicle they would relay information (or radio). At Tafika, we were the only vehicle in the camp so sightings were a little haphazard.

We were impressed with the amount of knowledge all three of our guide possessed. They knew about birds, mammals, vegetation, insects, tracking...and could relate facts on sight! They were also good at tailoring our drives to what we wanted, as the trip went on we no longer wanted to stop at every zebra or elephant sighting, but were looking for predators and hoping to see a kill. We never saw a kill but saw a leopard and lionesses attempt kills. We watched the wild dogs two nights in a row waiting for them to hunt but only saw them sleep and scratch!

The beauty of the land, the morning sky and night sky are indelibly etched in my mind (and in photos). I'm glad we went to the Lower Zambezi park because the landscape was just a little different, the mountains around the park are so pretty and make a beautiful backdrop. When they get the black rhino reintroduced to the Lower Zambezi, I'd love to go back!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"Nothing more than already stated in my review of Camp Kaingo!" Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 4 on a Zambia safari

"I was most impressed by the organisation which was seamless.

Being 85 and a lone traveller I was a little apprehensive as to how I would stand up to it all, but the staff were without exception caring and supportive without overdoing it.

One word of caution - the flight on Emirates was long and taxing and the airport at Dubai was a monster!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"I really enjoy Luangwa at this time of year as the wild dog sightings are consistently excellent, the scenery is stunning and such a contrast to dry season, and the birding is great.

It's also very relaxing just spending a whole week at one camp. See my Nkwali review for more info!" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"An excellent trip. Worth going all that way just for five nights at Nkwali." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zambia safari

"- Great service during the entire trip, we were always picked up on time and helped at the airports

- Input was always taken into account and the trip put together in a very careful and thought through way

- Very professional and reliable customer handling, we always felt we were in good hands

- We would choose Expert Africa any day as we consider them to be the best" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 11 on a Malawi trip

"Another excellent trip with Expert Africa (thank you Claire) and Robin Pope Safaris.

Already planning another trip for 2024!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari

"It’s not the first time we have visited Mfuwe Lodge and the bush camps, and will not be our last! As always, all the staff were efficient and friendly, and the guiding was exceptional. It was great to see that people living and working in that environment all the time are still so passionate about the wildlife around them. The available activities of game drives and walks in the bush camps was a good combination.

With all wildlife you can never guarantee what you will see, and it is very much dependent on time of year and weather conditions. Overall, we had an abundant and excellent wildlife experience to make for a really great safari, and one we will never forget! In particular the numerous sightings of leopard, a tiny lion cub being carried out of the bush by its mother, and a pack of 31 wild dogs! I could go on, but there is too much to mention!!

This trip was a long time coming – originally booked pre-pandemic for travel in November 2022 – it was so good to get back to the bush!

We would like to thank both Expert Africa and The Bushcamp Company for happily deferring our trip not just once, but twice, through the pandemic, and the changes to the itineraries it involved. And also, to Chris from Expert Africa, for taking time out to reply to me whilst he was on holiday, to reassure us everything was covered should another outbreak/variant occur. This allowed us to relax a bit more and look forward to a return to Africa after a 3-year absence!" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 19 on a Zambia safari

"Very happy with the trip.

We wanted to take the kids on a classic safari for the experience and that was what we had." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari