Zambia: reviews from our travellers

"We were extremely pleased with our holiday and really recommend Zambia as a safari destination. The locals were very friendly, the game viewing was varied and exciting, and the 3 camps we visited (Kaingo, Mwamba and Old Mondoro) really complimented one another.

We were glad we experienced 2 national parks, as South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi offer completely different landscapes. We saw perhaps more game in South Luangwa but there was the added bonus of water activities in Lower Zambezi.

Everything was well organised and worked out very smoothly." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"We had a fabulous adventure in Zambia - we feel that Expert Africa's organisation and attention to detail made the logistics a breeze.

The camps we chose more than met our expectations in terms of location, comfort and facilities. The guiding was, without exception, superb - not just the spotting but the sharing of experience and the clear passion all the guides had for their job.

This must surely be one of our very best holiday experiences and makes us wish for further safari adventures ... just hard to chose our next destination as we are sorely tempted to return.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really - it's your area of expertise and your business and this experience of EA tells us that you've got it cracked for travellers like us!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"The trip was one of our best holidays ever. Zambia fulfilled all our expectations and more. The camps were fabulous and the game viewing must be some of the best in Africa.

The trip went without a hitch and all connections were carried out perfectly.

It would have been good to get information beforehand on how breakfast was to be handled at 8 Reedbuck as the staff did not seem to be sure.

The only really annoying thing was that we were told that our bags for Proflight could not have wheels so we spent £50 buying new bags only to find that about 90% of passengers on both flights were using bags with wheels despite the aircraft being full. This was very annoying as there were times when we had to carry our bags some distances while others used wheels.

I think Expert Africa need to question Proflight on their rules and ask why they do not adhere to them." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"All arrangements made by Expert Africa worked flawlessly. We are very impressed with the level of service and follow-up, and certainly would use them again. Thank you!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"Amazing. We never thought it could possibly be this good. We just couldn't believe that our holiday got better and better as we moved from camp to camp.

Right from the start, being met even before going through immigration and carefully ushered through all the formalities, changing currency, domestic air taxes, etc. right to the departure gate for Proflight.

On arrival Mfuwe,we were met by Norman Carr Safaris and taken care of thereafter.

There was always a welcome at each camp - cool cloth, drinks, and friendly staff. The guides were superb, exceptionally knowledgeable and a pleasure to be with. We learned so much from them.

We were also impressed with the fact that all the staff introduced themselves, and remembered our names throughout our stay.
The food was magnificent at all the camps, and we loved the freshly baked bread and cakes. Morning coffee in the bush and sundowners, too.

We enjoyed the walks between camps, the morning treks and evening drives, and were overcome by the number of animals - we didn't go looking for them - they were all around us, and even in the camps at times.

This holiday surpassed all our expectations. We would thoroughly recommend it to others" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

""Wow". Words fail me when it comes to summarising our trip to Zambia and Zimbabwe.

We had done our homework before engaging the assistance of Expert Africa with Claire and the team including a lenghty chat with Chris where we asked many questions, so while we were first time safari travellers we did know what we wanted and we recognized and truly appreciated the expertise and the great suggestions offered. We planned our three week trip as our one chance to go to Africa and we wanted to do it right, and see the majesty and the wildness of Southern Africa while it was still there.

The two main areas we visited, South Luangwa in Zambia and Mana Pools in Zimbabwe provided us exactly what we were hoping for and in many ways exceeded our expectations. The grandeur of the vistas and the abundance and variety of the wildlife was impressive. The staff at each of the camps couldn't do enough in their genuine desire to make your stay pleasureable and memorable.

We were chatting with one of the other guests staying at the Tafika camp. They had a similar ideas to us a few years earlier which was to come once and make it good. They have been back many times since. I think we may also he headed down that same path. They offered up a quote I have re-used a few times since. "If you don't want to come back to Africa, then don't go to Africa."

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We returned home just yesterday from our trip.

The only hassles we experienced were due to airline troubles (delayed flights - LOST BAGGAGE!) and these had nothing to do with the great plans and logistics made by Expert Africa that made getting around remarkably simple.

Just as a side note. I am not one who is prone to exaggeration, and rarely give ratings of 'Excellent' as there are usually areas where improvements can be made. But here I have made an exception. We had the time of our lives on these safaris. It is difficult to point out where Expert Arfica could have improved our experience - and my rating reflect that.

Congratulations on a job well done. If (when) we go back to Africa, you will be the first call we make after we figure out where and when we will go. I have already recommended Expert Africa to my relatives who are considering a Southern Africa trip in 2013." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"If you love Africa and safari but are less keen on the cost of Botswana or crowds in Serengeti or Maasai Mara then try South Luangwa or Lower Zambezi in Zambia. Expert Africa, and Maruska Adye in particular, organised a wonderful and faultless trip.

After several visits to Africa we can confirm that the continent's best accomodation, and best value, is the Albida Suite at Chongwe River Camp!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No - great service, thanks." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"We had five wonderful days in South Luangwa. Everything was very well organized by Expert Africa and their communication with the camps.

Being in one larger camp and one small was a good experience, on Flat Dogs you could pass the time as you pleased, and on Tena Tena you became more of a family eating your meals together at a long table getting to know the people working there.

The experience of the safari as a whole is very guide dependant since that is how you spend most of your day. So all the good things of how the food is and how the camps are, comes second." Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zambia safari

"We did have a great time, but all the little things mentioned before just meant that we had a good time and not a special time which we felt we had when we came back from Tanzania the last time we went on safari (and to be fair I expected for the amount of money we spent). For example in Tanzania the camp manager would sit down with us the evening before and discuss our activities for the next day, the communication was not very good on this holiday, we were not given a choice on drives or told where we were doing except in Nsefu. When we went to go on an alternative route in Tena Tena we had to turn around as the guide said we cannot go that way as they are going there (which was the two French guys).

At Robin's house Helen was given a lot of food she could eat that was especially made, and whilst Polly made an effort at mealtimes, Helen was limited with snacks etc at both Nsefu and Tena Tena, ( I put on weight eating all the cakes etc and she lost weight). But Helen did have sandwiches on the last day from Tena Tena out of rice flour.

The holiday was a 9 or 9.5 out of 10 but so easily could have been a 10 which was the disappointing part for all of us but especially Helen with it being her first safari.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I was very pleased with the service we received from both Maruska and you as a company, I would certainly recommend you and would be keen to book with you again." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Botswana which is a wonderful country.

We would recommend it to others." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari