Zambia: reviews from our travellers

"We had a great trip.

In the future we think we would spend less time travelling to different places but rather spend more time in certain localities. It all goes so quickly that time spent travelling between places feels like lost time.

This trip certainly confirms for us that we much prefer being in owner led, authentic, well managed, unpretentious lodges or camps like Tafika. We would certainly want to spend more time their on our next visit, there was so much to do and it would be good to do it at a more leisurely pace.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We feel that Expert Africa is as good as it can possibly be, we have always been extremely satisfied with your service and would not wish to use any other company to help us with our trips to Africa.

The level of knowledge processed by the team is second to none and is borne out of first hand experience which is invaluable." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"This was around our seventh trip to the valley, and everything was managed the way it should be. A very enjoyable holiday.

The ground agents made our progress through immigration on the way out and check-in on the way home, quick and easy" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"It was although expensive it was good value.

The organisation of the trip was spot on and logistics were superb." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"This was the perfectly orchestrated trip, introducing us to southern Africa. Maruska's ability to listen and plan an experience for complete strangers is uncanny.

Her recommendations assured us of perfect days, every day. To be met at a remote airfield, an hour late, by a jeep who dropped us at a waiting boat at the side of the river, met at the other side and taken to a hotel, all by kind, proud, and efficient staff is an amazing feat. It never occurred to us to be worried - we just accepted each step as part of our wonderful journey.

Looking back it could have been a series of mishaps - but it was perfect! Graeme never wants to travel anywhere else because we enjoyed sights and experiences we never imagined - endless desert, rich delta, the power and beauty of the animals, the kind and gentle people, and moving music. Thank you for the gift!" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip

"Botswana was our 5th trip to Africa on safari holiday. We had very high expectations on the basis of outstanding previous experiences. But we returned very disappointed. There were few exciting moments and our memories, quite honestly, are of relative dullness. Our photos convey this; we have relatively few and those which we have are not as good as others taken on previous trips. The meerkats and vic falls were the exception but this was an extremely expensive way to see them!!

There was just no excitement. We were expecting the delta to be lush and teeming with wildlife but in reality it is just a series of islands interspersed with wet bits. We went all the way to Botswana and didn't even see a hippo! And we saw just one elephant in the water. You see more in Kenya! The country is also very flat and visually dull. Even the short flights are boring.

The guides are all very pleasant but come across as bored. Where is the enthusiasm?

It's hard to put it onto words without coming across as overly moany. We regret going, to be honest, as it is an expensive country (why???) and we could have had 4 good other holidays in place of this one. We won't be recommending Botswana to anyone.

This appears to be a country which is cleverly marketed but fails to deliver in reality." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Botswana safari

"A great holiday, very well organized by Expert Africa. The suggestion to stay at the Islands of Siankaba was spot on, we really enjoyed our time there, as well as on the day trip to Chobe. To our surprise, the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge was a really nice place, which we did not expect from some of the comments we read on Trip Advisor earlier on.

Our only mild disappointment were the falls themselves (out of the hands of all that had to do with this trip) - there was so much water and hence so much spray in the air that it was not easy to really see the falls, but the good glimpses we got were fantastic.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We were very impressed with the friendliness and efficiency of both Megan Ingoldby who handled the initial contact and Maruska Adye who led us through the steps and finalized the program - you could not really do better - and in such a cordial manner! Your brochure and guides as well as your website are amazing, never have I seen better!

We will certainly keep you in mind when we organize our next trip to Africa." Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 3 on a Zambia safari

"Wonderful holiday with fabulous memories" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 12 on a Botswana safari

"AS above - once in a life time experience apart from the last day of our stay.

But then, we are glad that we met some very good people in the safari parks, ate amazing food, fortunate enough to see all Big 5s and were looked after by 2 very good teams in the lodges.

Will certainly consider RPS again." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari

"All arrangements worked out perfectly, the ground handling was greay all in all a very positive experience" Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari

"it could have been perfect. but it wasnt quite
delayed baggage didn't help but that was BA and Air Botswana mixup but five days late ! luckily I had a spare T shirt and bought a hat at Maun.
stolen phone,...at Maun airport in jacket pocket.
baggage hold not checked at Little Kwara strip.. seats not checked either before take off,.. caused me distress and a lot of work for Chan Gu and other staff.. shame really.
in order.. we loved Footsteps , we really liked Little Kwara , Bushbuck River lodge was agood location with helpful cheerful owner..and good value, delicious food there.. Siankaba was a lovely place to end our safari and get ready to leave...the views across the river and the staff were so freindly.. evening cruise is still remembered.

Thanks Maruska for helping to put a good package together" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari