Zambia: reviews from our travellers

"We are quite experienced Africa travelers, and so we know pretty much what we are to expect. It is important that we have an agent who understands Africa as well, and we always find that with Expert Africa. Another well organised and most enjoyable safari holiday" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"We hadn't been on a safari before and this trip exceeded our expectations in every way!
The standard of food and accommodation was excellent. The Norman Carr guides were very knowledgeable and only too happy to answer questions. We learnt a lot about the animals and birds and the environment they live in, which we found very interesting. The hosts and their teams in the camps were all very friendly and helpful, doing their utmost to make our stay very enjoyable.
Maybe we were lucky because we went to the South Luangwa Valley at one of the best times for wildlife viewing but we were amazed at the amount of animals we saw, especially whilst walking, when we hadn't really expected to see much.
The best part of the whole safari experience, for us, was definitely the bush camps and the walking. We loved the thrill of seeing the animals from ground level and the feeling of being "away from it all" at the camps. It was a fantastic experience." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"Congratulations to Expert Africa for making our trip so enjoyable and stress-free.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Sorry none. You do it right." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"A memorable experience.There are some things we would do differently, but not everyone has the same tastes or expectations.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I think that all the lodges,camps etc need to be made aware of the problems involved in the usage of mobile phones.

It was a definite intrusion in one of our camps where a large party of guests insisted on being transported to an area where there was mobile reception.This so happened to be outside one of the Shenton hides.You can imagine what happened next.

I didn't make issue at the time because I felt the guide had been forced into this position.Surely the policy should be to deny all knowledge of reception." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zambia safari

"A very memorable trip.

Everything fell neatly into place especially considering the complexity of the itinerary. It was very comforting to see somebody holding a board with our name on at each new venue.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Perhaps each camp could provide anti-histamine cream along with the mosquito repellent?
We did get bitten and used a whole tube of anthisan." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"This was our second Expert Africa safari, and we are as happy with the planning and service as we were on our first trip. We think that you have the best website and brochure available anywhere, and it makes the planning process much easier.

We initially had difficulty deciding whether to go to Botswana or Zambia, so when we called to discuss the differences we were connected with Chris McIntyre. Chris spent almost an hour on the telephone with us discussing the merits of each country, and thoroughly explaining the differences between the safari experiences in them. When we got off the phone, we were both captivated by the idea of travel in Zambia because of the possibility of walking treks with well-trained guides.

From there, Claire Scott became our contact and helped us decide which camps best suited our wishes. Her recommendations were perfect!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Only one minor thing...... Since we were visiting Victoria Falls in September at a time when the river flow is low, we wish that we had been advised that the viewing is better from Zimbabwe. We would have arranged for a 2-entry Zambian visa and allotted time to cross the border" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"I had a fantastic time saw so much learnt so much and met some wonderful people

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I only want to say a huge thank you the holiday was all that you advertised but in fact it turn out better than I hoped so yes keep up the good work and thanks once again from a very happy client" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari

"Am aware that have not been able to offer any constructive criticism! It was beyond our expectattions and would offer the following.
Your advice regarding the itinery was spot on:
A break in Livingstone set us up after the long journey
Leballa - a really great introduction to Africa, the attitude of the staff was tangibly happy
Kwara - enabled full activities and so was a good mid point
NAxi Pan - peaceful and laid back, a great place to finish our trip.

Most impressed by all the transfers which all went off without a hitch, the drivers/pilots/airport staff all very keen to help, however a pocketful of $1 bills probab ly heped!!. Perhaps in you notes you could list a rough exchange rate for Rands, Kwacha and Pula as we got a bit confused at times esp in the airport souvenir shops! At one point were intriged to have a bill for 1.3 milliod kwacha for out Zambezi Sun extras ( about £170!). Perhaps beware of the prices in the Camp souvenier shops, pricey but there again reasonable when you consider having to transport it all there.

Really had a fabulous time and have started saving up for a repeat trip, perhaps in the rainy season next time.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Soory to not have any suggestions, really impressed by your service - better than your rivals!!

The animal book you sent us was great, just enough to whet the appetite, they guides all carried very detailed books in the jeeps for really detailed identification. The availability of laundry facilities allowed us to cut down on our packing, we both managed on 10kgs total and so had no probs with getting our cases on the small planes. Your notes for travellers were very detailed and helpful" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"We had the most spectacular trip with one of the highlights visiting Livingstone Island on the Victoria Falls and making our way to the "Devil's Pool" - although I had no idea how dangerous it was until I was halfway there!!

Thanks so much for helping us organise a fabulous week in Africa and making our journey so special. It all went unbelievably well and I will send you my detailed blog posts on the trip as and when I write them.

Or check out my blog here in the next few weeks http://familyaffairsandothermatters.com

Thanks again.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Claire also helped us hugely and no, I can't think of ways of improving your service at the moment - apart from hiring me as your new Zambia expert!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"This was a wonderful trip. We were fortunate to have excellent lodges, very good service and some fantastic game viewing and guiding.

The only slightly disappointing part was aspects of our stay in Livingstone but overal these did very little to affect our impression that this was one of our best holidays ever.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

None" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari