Zambia: reviews from our travellers

"DIfficult to know where to begin: it was such a wonderful experience: our first time on safari - total beginners: we didn't know what to expect.

The planning and organisation by Expert Africa was excellent: we felt that the EA team in London really gave us personal treatment. The mixture of different styles of camp and environments in Zambia and Botswana which Expert Africa suggested gave us a great perspective.

Overall, our preference was for the more remote camps with the close-to-nature feel. The combination of water and grass and woodlands was particularly interesting not only for their beauty but also for the variety of animals and birds to be seen. The Luangwa and the Zambezi rivers are stamped forever on our memories.

There seemed to be a very good team spirit particularly in the small, locally run camps. All 8 camps were impeccable, well run and there was always a warm welcome. We were amazed at the wonderful homemade food in such remote places. We only took 10kgs each of baggage (plus cameras) but could have managed with less as the same-day laundry facilities were very good and there was no time to "dress-up" in the evenings. We were impressed by the policy of training local staff from humble jobs right up to management: they all seemed very proud of their jobs and their country.

We had first-class guides everywhere - very skilled and well informed and good company.

We were amazed at how many guests had been on safari numerous times before, often to the same camps. We met some really nice people both local and guests from all over the world - which is important as you are all thrown together both in the jeeps and round the campfires. We were also amazed at how close one comes to the animals in the bush - even lions and leopard. We were not previously bird-watchers - but the variety of beautiful birds and the dawn chorus was so different to what we know in Europe.

Would we go back? We are starting a bit late in life but we have wonderful memories of this experience and hope we will be able to go back.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Some of the non-English-speaking guests could have been helped if the camps/guides had some field guides in other languages e.g. French. A couple of our guides (Dukes in Selinda, Bibi in Chitabe Lediba) were interested to learn French or Italian which could be a way of attracting more guests from other parts of Europe. The majority of guests were either from UK or USA.

A couple of ideas for the gift-shops: post-cards of the camps and of local scenery (+ stamps). If postcards were available they were mostly of animals. Small gifts such as letter openers, hair clips and hair accessories made of wood or bone. CD's of local music.

In two camps in Zambia (Tena Tena & Chiawa) we were given aluminium water bottles to use during our stay and keep as souvenirs. This was an excellent idea. Also the local filtered water was excellent and gave us no tummy problems. Only in Chitabe did the water have a strange smell and taste." Read full review: 52 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zambia safari

"Once again, it was a great trip and we're missing the sound of the animals at night already!

By the way, we now have 3 copies of the Zambia book by Chris McIntyre - you offered us another book if we wanted and we would love to have a copy of any other book which you think might be useful." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"expensive but unforgettable.

Most of the lodges are so nice one wants to live there, at least for a long time. Gwynneth was extremely helpful and efficient when we needed her (we had to made some last minute arrangements because we were not able to cross the border to Botswana - our fault) but she fixed it and the outcome was excellent" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 5 on a Namibia trip

"Excellent trip.

Claire Scott was careful to not overstate any details, and we are already beginning to plan next year's safari." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"Excellent

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really :-)" Read full review: 4 nights in Africa; 3 on a Zambia safari

"A superb experience." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"Trip was extremely well put together. Claire was very efficient and could not have been more helpful.

We had an issue with the transfer from Kaingo to Rukomechi. With hindsight had we realized it would take over 11 hours we would have probably made a different decision about the combination of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Secondly, there was a mix-up between Executive Air (Safari Logistics) and the booking for the transfer from Mana Pools Airstrip to Hwange. The plane arrived at 11:00 AM, which was his scheduled arrival according to his sheet but was an hour before we were expected to be picked up. Luckily the pilot waited for us and the two other passengers. We arrived at Hwange Airport at 2:15pm and there was no vehicle there from Camp Hwange. Again the pilot waited as he did not want to leave us at a closed airport building with no means of contacting the Camp. Finally a vehicle arrived at 3:15 pm.(the driver said he had been told to arrive for 3:30pm). The pilot Janade Krarim left with the other two passengers bound for Victoria Falls. Without the kindness of the pilot we could have been stranded." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari

"Overall it was very good: the variety of locations and wild life mix, top guides, generally very good catering and personal attention. Good advice from Expert Africa. The basic itineray was discussed and fixed with Lucy Copson. Nick Hobbs and Megan Ingoldby helped very active and constructively fixing issues and final arrangements. I cannot select one team member (see below), so I indicated Chris McIntyre. You should change the question to the team members (multiple) who assisted." Read full review: 26 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"We were very pleased with our holiday. Everything worked out smoothly and it exceeded our expectations.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Perhaps a couple of comments on the trip notes. We arrived on time in Lusaka early on Saturday morning, but immigration was dreadful at nearly 1.5 hours and we were worried we would miss the connecting flight; the notes don't give any advice on what to do if that happens. Further, the banks were shut at that time so it wasn't possible to change dollars. However, after the initial panic we were told we could pay the internal departure fees by credit card (Visa or Mastercard). And that proved to be true at Livingstone as well as Lusaka. Making that clear in the notes would have lessened the stress somewhat." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"Excellent. This was a very special trip for us and it all came up to scratch. We wanted small remote camps and theey bothe fitted thee bill, especially Old Mondoro. Mondoro was special because thee guides were so good withe thee exception of thee guide we had once on thee 4the day who really showed how good thee otheer 2 were! Also thee activities were varied and thee walking very good and exciting yet safe.

Claire was very good coping withe my questions and worries and we got upgraded at Kaya Mawa , just as we did when we went to Sands River Selous 3 years ago. So Expert Africa have a certain magic about theem as far as I am concerned. We will use you again when we return to Africa. Kaya Mawa said thee EA staff who came last year were very theorough and wanted to know lots of details.

Thank you for delivering again" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari