Zambia: reviews from our travellers

"The safari company in Rwanda.
Excellent, exceptional even. The Driver/Guide was very good: always on time, always helpful, always interesting and well informed. And a good driver. What the Toyota safari wagon lacked in comfort it made up for in space and really came into its own in tackling some of the poor tracks as we drove to our trekking departure points. On all three trekking days he looked after us well at the ranger station and made sure we got onto trekking groups well suited to our (limited) ability.

The Transfer Company.
Very good. Punctual, helpful and willing. They went out of their way to take us to an exchange and a chemist and on each occasion escorted us through the airport with an efficiency we could not have matched. Their help was much appreciated.

The Trekking.
Each of the treks start over farm land using the paths used by workers to reach the wall (a wall that marks the boundary between the National Park and the Farm land which was built to keep the buffalo and elephant out of the farm land) for up to an hour, followed by up to four hour more strenuous walking to the habituated group you have been allocated to visit.

Our trek to the Golden Monkeys was about 90 minutes and fairly easy at a modest pace. It was a pleasure to watch and photograph the monkeys for an hour or so as they moved gently and quietly through the trees and bushes. On the return trek we were luck enough to bump into a gorilla group, unique we were told.

Our first gorilla trek was about two hour in total to their location, the pace was leisurely over gradually ascending terrain with just the occasional more difficult clime. On our second trip the family were only just over the wall, so a fairly easy walk.

The experience of being with the gorillas was unforgettable and difficult to verbalise; memorable, moving, emotional, exciting, almost unimaginable; having a silverback just a couple of yards from you is a truly amazing experience." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zambia safari

"I really enjoyed my safari trip and was very pleased with all the camps.

I was very happy with the help planning that was provided by Expert Africa. I was very pleased with the honest reviews of camps that were given and if I am ever planning another safari, I will definitely make use of Expert Africa's services. Thanks very much to Elie and Nick.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I was thoroughly impressed by the services provided by Expert Africa and have no suggestions. I began planning my trip very late and was impressed by how helpful everyone was even though I was so late booking." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"We had a dream to go to Africa and it was all an amazing dream when we were there. Expert Africa had organized every detail extremely well with all our connections and trips. Words cannot describe it all. Nick was patient and kind with all my questions and concerns Thank you.

Hopefully one day we can return to Africa." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 4 on a Botswana safari

"The trip was fantastic. My only recommendation might be to have stayed at one less camp and that way we weren't moving after 2 nights each time. We loved all the camps but felt in transit a lot. I think for our first safari we were so blessed to have seen and experienced so much. Thank you for setting up a trip of a lifetime.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I wanted to let you know that we didn't have to pay the airport tax twice if our second flight was a domestic flight. We ended up having someone from Robin Pope let us know that and he went to customer service and got us a waiver from the fee. It was nice of them to let us know." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"We've now been on 10/12 safaris and this was one of the best yet. Very well organised by Expert Africa and their Senior Consultant Claire Scott who listened to what we required and crafted the itinerary over several iterations.

The S Luangwa National Park in combination with the Lower Zambezi is a good combination for all considering a trip to Zambia. If going to the S Luangwa area don't miss out on the Robin Pope Bush Camping experience with Deb for 3 days, it was the highlight of the trip with a very knowledgeable, and patient, guide." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari

"We had the most wonderful holiday and we could not get over how helpful and charming everybody was, from when we first started to plan our holiday to our return home. The accommodation and food was excellent where ever we went, including the village lunch and we were made to feel that all the guides really cared about us having a good time and getting to see everything. All our transfers were well organised and well driven!

I would highly recommend going to see the Victoria Falls, taking the longer helicopter ride (30 minutes) over it as you then fly down the gorges which is very exciting and helps you understand the formation of the landscape. The buffet breakfast at the Royal Livingston Hotel is also an experience not to be missed.

All the Zambians we met were so genuinely friendly we can not wait to return." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"Fantastic.

Malawi and Zimbabwe proved to be two great countries to combine on this trip. There were many similarities. We found the staff in the camps and the people we met along the way to be very friendly, helpful and interested in us. The high standards of our guides impressed us, from Chris the manager at Mkulumadzi who personally took us on a walk and on a boat up the Shire River, to Richard Chamwala at Mvuu who delighted in sharing all things big and small with us. In our book you can always tell the best guides when they like finding the little birds and bugs to point out, not just the hippos fighting 30 feet away from the boat, both of which Richard did.

Our guide Nduduzi Ndlovu at Camp Amalinda in Matobo Hills was great at listening to us and discovering our interests, as evidenced by the wonderful day we spent with him driving through the park and the local communal lands, visiting a school, and hiking up to a cave with ancient paintings. He not only knows 7 languages but also knows where to find a zonkey!

Even our drivers that took us from one camp to another (or to an airport) were excellent, like Mike from Wilderness Safaris who stopped the car several times so we could see and talk to people and who also helped me buy a tchenge (those colorful traditional fabrics that woman wear as a wrap) in a roadside market.

We went to both countries in the hope that our visit would encourage and support the conservation of wildlife and wild areas. We also came to really appreciate the people of these two countries, where life has not been easy but there is a great determination to carry on and do better.

Claire at Expert Africa, with assistance from Chris, shared many insightful comments from personal experience so that we came up with this list of places to visit that really suited us. As usual, all details were handled and executed perfectly on the ground. This is really saying something because we gave quite short notice of our desire to travel.

And next time I will really believe you when you say that it gets cold in July at night!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari

"Maruska has set the standard for all future travel agents. I cannot recommend her highly enough!

I talked to several travel agents in the US before deciding to work with Maruska. I had called Expert Africa to inquire about the small group trips on the Wild About Africa site. When I started questioning Maruska about the trips, it was immediately clear to me that she was the most knowledgeable agent I had talked to so far.

She efficiently helped me put together my dream trip to Africa, and also helped me to prepare for the trip. Many thanks to her for being unfailingly responsive to my many emails about the practical details of traveling in Africa (money, vaccinations, clothing, etc.).

I'm already looking forward to my next trip to Africa!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No suggestions, as I felt that the service was outstanding." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari

"This was a truly memorable trip.

It was our third trip to Africa, and the best in terms of wildlife viewing. The whole safari experience was wonderful from start to end." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"One of the most fantastic family adventures we've ever had.

Will definitely recommend Expert Africa to others, and would use them again for more travel to Africa. Thank you." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari