Zambia: reviews from our travellers

"we were in the bush for 12 days and wondered whether this was too long. It wasn't!

The combination of bush walking (Zebra Plains), vehicle based (Tafika) and water based (Old Mondoro worked really well and we saw some great game. It did seem that some of the game denisty had dropped since our last visit to Zambia in 2003 but we were glad to be back.

As usual Maruska was a star; patient and helpful in knitting together a perfect trip at short (4 weeks) notice.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

none" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"We would rather have put EXCELLENT but 'very satisfactory' will have to do!

We have recommended our trip to everyone on our return and will certainly be exploring some future opportunities to travel on safari again with Expert Africa!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Nothing to suggest - it was all excellent!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"This was my 3rd time to Africa and my husband's first. We were celebrating our 25th anniversary and my dream of seeing Victoria Falls. The trip was a dream come true - for both of us. David couldn't imagine how something as large as an adult elephant could be 'hidden' right next to us. And, the guides, wildlife, camps and staff never disappointed us.

Now I just need to figure out a way to take our 3 children (ages 19/21/23) to Africa to show them why I've always said 'imagine we are the zoo and the animals are us'. They roam freely and still give me such joy!!!!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Maruska was excellent in that she had visited some of the camps we stayed in and had other guests whose comments she shared with us.
She took the time to really listen to our wants and needs to what we were looking for and picked out some really good options and helped us pick the best. I will recommend Expert Africa to friends and family.

Thank you Maruska for a fantastic vacation / 25th wedding anniversary!!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"We had a fabulous holiday in three parts which were all very different experiences but all we would do again. I did not expect to return home as rested and refreshed as we did; I thought we would be tired, stressed and in need ofsun and a good beach to chill out on. Far from it - we came home buzzing and wanting more.

I also appreciated the personal email from Ellie on our return rather than just this form.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

More of the same please!" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari

"We had the most marvellous trip. It was particularly nice to see that Nkwali and Tena Tena are managed by highly professional and courteous local staff. (Last year in Tanzania, the management was white imported and the staff local) Robin Pope lived up to their reputation of having superlative guides. The skills and knowledge of Victor and Julius were incredible. Every animal, every bird, every tree, they knew it all - add to that brilliant customer service, first aid and vehicle maintenance (Not used) and being able to mix a very decent gin and tonic. What more could you ask for.

The food would have done a good class London restaurant proud. The accommodation was roomy, comfortable, in fact just luxurious.
Absolutely First Class in every respect

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I cannot think of any improvements - how rare it is to say that,
Just got to decide where next!" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari

"It was a very enjoyable and happy trip that lived up to or exceeded our highest expectations!

We were surprised that there was no game meat and if we have one comment to all the camps it would be that they should serve less "safe European" and more local food (especially game meat). Also whilst the service was always very efficient perhaps at times it could be a bit more relaxed, especially when there are only a small number of guests?

My wife was particularly grateful for all the hot water bottles!

Thank you Claire and all involved!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

none" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari

"The trip took us to two great locations which fully lived up to their billing. The Shenton safari camps were fantastic and the Bushbuck River House was also a great find. All-in-all we had 12 wonderful nights in Zambia.

The South Luangwa national park is certainly somewhere I will want to revisit several times as it has such an interesting eco-system and headline game interaction.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The big trick with Zambia, I'd think, is to stay up-to-date and to ensure E.A. can offer sound advice over both the best of safari locations/timings as well as accommodations. With camps opening / closing and the camp operators changing it must be uncertain whether a safari will retain its quality year-to-year. I had high expectations of Shentons and they were met, a bonus was them having new (quieter) vehicles and not rushing sighting-to-sighting over radios." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zambia safari

"I was very pleased with the quality of the service of Expert Africa.

Travelling is my passion and even though I normally book everything myself, I feel that I could not have booked this trip in Botswana without Maruska Adye's help. She really was attentive to all my requests and could advise me regarding my time and budget. I also think that even though this was an expensive trip (Botswana is a very expensive country) I got good value for money, which is very important when travelling. I'd like to thank Maruska and Expert Africa for their help and would certainly ask for their help in future visits to Botswana or other countries in Southern Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

It was difficult for me to coordinate flight schedules with the trip and the best rates I was being ofered with Expert Africa. I know that this would be very difficult but it would be easier if you could also help us with international flights.

All in all, the service was excellent! Congratulations!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 4 on a Botswana safari

"The trip was worked out around our wish of spending 3 weeks in Zambia including North and South Luangwa, doing as much walking as possible plus Kawaza village. On Maruska recommendation Lower Zambezi was added. We also asked for camps/lodges were game viewing was the main focus.

Hence we had quite a few camps and lodges that we stayed in, all in all 9. The logistics between the camps, including the flight connections were as one would say in modern consultancy terminology seamless. The only mishappening was our luggage to Kawaza village, but Proflight worked it out.

The mix of camps was very good as well as the choice of areas, it gave a very good insight in what is available on the eastern side of Zambia. This must have been one our best trips/vacations ever.

As we do quite extensive research ourselves in beforehand we knew what we had to expect, at least to some extent. we understood that this was not the case for all and every one.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

As you know we missed our first day due to Lufthansa delay in Johannesburg. The delay was due to the aircraft, the new Airbus 380 with more than 500 passengers. It took more than 30 minutes to get off the plan. Apart from 15 min late arrival. 1h50 was not enough to make the transfer. We had booked the flight, this is more for you to be aware of the potential risk of delays with these immense aircrafts." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 17 on a Zambia safari

"Fantastic! Apart from the lengthy journey back, everything fell into place, and was amazing." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari