Zambia: reviews from our travellers

"Overall very positive, most enjoyable and memorable trip. Some exceptional animal and bird sightings - eg leopard with young one.

The only negative points were the transfer from Kasane airport to Chobe Game Lodge, our stay at Lianshulu, and the stopover at Ghanzi, which we felt was unnecessary and not particularly enjoyable (though we did get to see another side of Botswana!)" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 10 on a Namibia trip

"I booked this trip as a Birthday treat for my partner. I wanted it to be spectactular, exciting, interesting, and memorable. It was all of those things and more.

Claire Scott listened to my wishlist and produced an itinerary which allowed us to see more than we thought possible in the limited time we had available.

One of the reasons I chose Expert Africa was I wanted someone else to do the organising this time, so as not to have to worry about connections bookings etc. Well, it certainly was properly organised. We even had someone meet us BEFORE passport control in Lusaka who organised our visas for us, and we didn't have a raise a finger on our own behalf for the whole trip.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really, but thanks to Claire for not laughing when I told her how much I expected to pay for the trip! ;)" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"The arrangements from the outset were carefully researched, and you put together a fairly complex itinerary in which we tried to fill time between BA flights in and out of Lusaka on the available days. It is unfortunate that no longer will BA fly Lusaka direct.

For us Premium Economy was an advantage, though others may well find economy is satisfactory.

Each of the arrivals, transfers and departures was eased by the reps involved, looking out for us, and aware of our plan ahead.

The choice of game parks was excellent for us and staff were outstanding. Good value for money compared with our experience of two hotels. The small numbers at Lodges made a better holiday of it, and contact with staff was informal, informative and careful attention was given to individuals. So often a hotel visit is a commercial exercise, Lodges at once suggest they are there for us.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I do not recall seeing a brochure, wish I had one, but might have passed it to another member of our party of four, but we could not find it. The Bradt guide was an excellent companion in advance, and will be a fine reference book.

I could have done with more detail in breakdown in price. After an estimate we were shown minor differences, as adjustments were made. If I had done everything myself I may have saved some money, but your price gave us the confidence of expertise and back up that was essential for a trip of this complexity not least since our combined age is over 320! We were at no time anxious about planning or arrangements as they happened without problems, and with the assistance we anticipated at every stage." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"Very, very good trip. Met and exceeded all of our expectations.

One comment. When trips have been organised, even though we were taken to the locations by the organisers, the people meeting us at the trip required vouchers. The documents that we had were enough for them and we had a few furrowed brows. So there is. Need for a voucher for each trip.

The transfer from Zambezi Sun to Botswana was a bit of a worry as we had heard from anybody about the pick up time. the hotel had to phone Munchenje. We we got back to our rom at 11:00pm there was a message waiting from the transfer company.

All trips organised were fantastic. all highly recommended, white water rafting, micro light flights." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 4 on a Botswana safari

"Great" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"fabulous trip. interesting to see how things were different to 2009. Much drier and hotter in both parks.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

better access to information regarding special offers" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"Special thanks to Ellie, for sorting out my ridiculous mistake with the booking. You were brilliant.

Made the holiday rather more expensive than I'd anticipated(!) but was thoroughly worth it. Your initial advice about where to go was spot on too. Thank you.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

In a word - No. Whole experience was superb." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"Great varied holiday.

For a month long holiday there was only one minor one hiccup so that's pretty good. The Wild Horizons road transport from Zambezi Sun to Livingstone Airport didn't turn up. They then didn't answer any of the contact numbers incl their emergency mobile so that is probably more of a concern. No problem we just got the hotel to order us a taxi. A Wild Horizons rep finally called the hotel & said their vehichle wouldn't start that morning & they had another vehicle on the way. We said that given the time we were now taking whatever turned up first (which was the taxi). To their credit Wild Horizans must have contacted the taxi driver and told him to return the fare to us.

Proably the only thing we would have changed on the holiday was to sway Tafika camp in Sth Luangwa NP for one that was on a perennial river with watersports such as canoeing (eg Lower Zambezi NP)

Maruska was extremely helpful with planning our trip and very responsive to our questions .. thanks Maruska

PS: We don't normally have our trips organised by a travel agent and only initially contacted Expert Afrika for the Busanga & Tafika bookings .. but then Maruska offered to book most of the other accn & transfers & that's what happened. Very unusual for us to have transfer cars waiting at an airport etc with our name on a card & we don't see much of an advantage over just getting a bus/taxi .. but i can see that some folks would love the certainty of transport waiting for them

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No" Read full review: 21 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"Fabulous trip. Really impressed with everything.

I would love to go back to Zambia, so I'll have to fit it in when I've gone through everywhere else on my list." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"We had the trip of a lifetime!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari