Reviews of safaris to Mana Pools National Park

"I was really happy that finally I traveled to Mana Pools. I had to postpone this trip for 2 years and had to change my itinerary many times.

Covid-19 pandemic is going to be over soon and we are starting to get back our normal.

Thank you Claire, for being patient and supportive. I will plan my trip to African countries with Expert Africa again." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zimbabwe safari

"A big shout-out to Maruska who held our hands through extraordinary times. We had to delay the trip by a year, and then became very much the vanguard of the African safari tourists because of Covid.

We felt as if we essentially had the continent to ourselves--which was wonderful but a bit weird too. The pandemic complicated things quite considerably because of the need for timely PCR tests, flights disappearing, places closing, etc., but Maruska helped get it all organized and all the facets of the trip she organized came together perfectly.

This is our second trip with Expert Africa, the first the result of a recommendation from a friend. Elizabeth, who organized our first trip, did a fabulous job, and now that high bar of service continues. We are likely to go on safari again, and we will most certainly use Expert Africa again--and will recommend your services to friends.

Again: thank you for taking such great care of us, Maruska. I very much appreciated your solicitous and friendly professionalism.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Maintain that high standard!" Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari

"Despite the challenges of postponing from August of 2020, traveling during a pandemic, and having to deal with last minute camp closures, I can't imagine having a better experience." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 18 on a Zimbabwe safari

"My biggest fear of going on safari was not acquiring COVID but having testing for one or all of our 5 party members significantly impacting the trip.

I put my faith in Expert Africa, and everything went seamlessly. From pick up and testing at JNB airport for our initial tests for Zimbabwe to all the planes and vehicles along the way, there were conscientious staff on time waiting to assist us.

While it was a leap of faith, we were rewarded with camps with few other travelers giving us undivided attention and spectacular game viewing.


Here a few things I felt were important in making my trip such a success so that you might consider duplicating them for future clients.

First, I feel the order of the camps is crucial. Somalisa Acacia in Hwange national park was a good place to start. The camp itself is luxurious and beautiful, and the game viewing is very good. If guests can request a guide, I highly recommend Calvit. He made the experience. This camp, however, is about 10° colder than the others. I think going from cold to warm is much easier to adapt to than the other way around.

Steve Edward’s camp at Lake Kariba is significantly different than the other two camps. It is largely water-based which offers a different experience from typical game drives. I think it was a nice way to break up the land based parks. While I felt the game viewing wasn’t as good as the other two locations, the ability to go to the fishing village and see how a large portion of Zimbabwe lives was the most interesting thing I experienced on the trip. An opportunity not to be missed by any of your clients. Also fishing was tremendously fun for my boys.

Finally, I cannot praise the final camp at Mana Pools enough. Its location along the Zambezi river with an expansive view and extraordinary game was by far the highlight of the trip. No camp will surpass it and by having it last, the vacation ends with a crescendo. Also, we found Mash to be an excellent guide again to be recommended if possible.

The Armadale Lodge was very pleasant with large private grounds if a day in Harare is required. My wish is that others may have our experience.

Once in a life time experience!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari

"Our fourth trip to Africa with Expert Africa was another memorable adventure.

Expert Africa has always done an excellent job putting together workable itineraries that meet our (sometimes particular) travel goals. For this trip they had to deal with the vicissitudes of COVID testing requirements as well. The result was a wonderful sequence of adventures across beautiful Zimbabwe and Tanzania and was everything we hoped it would be.

Many thanks to our friends at Expert Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No suggestions" Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari

"Great safari experience throughout Zimbabwe in a luxurious Setting in diverse places. Great lodges and especially in view of current economic struggles of the Country a very professional infrastructure for national park tourism. While nature was suffering from the 2019 drought, nevertheless unique game viewing experiences.
Information on the Website of ExpertAfrica was very detailed and accurate, we planned our trip with Tom who was very helpful and knowledgable, we ended up with a trip that was everything (and more) we expected, highly recommended." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari

"The trip as a whole was fantastic - all arrangements worked like clockwork with every single transfer being on time and with friendly smiling staff - our thanks to Expert Africa.

The combination of Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta and Mana Pools was ideal and we saw a huge variety of wildlife and had some amazing experiences. The lodges were great - with Nyamatusi in Mana Pools being the best - so totally luxurious and in a stunning setting.

Thank you all.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No - it was all great thank you." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zimbabwe safari

"Spectacular! Feel hugely privileged to have seen and experienced all that we did during our time in these 2 countries.

Variety is the spice of life and every day on the trip brought some new highlight, be it a particular wildlife sighting or interaction, a scenic location or an activity. The trip has re-kindled our addiction for Africa and has only served to convince us to seek more! We would happily return to any of the locations we visited and on each occasion, when it was time to move on, we wished we could linger on at each place - a sure sign of our appreciation.

We are especially indebted to Tracy Lederer for her knowledgeable guidance and patience during the planning and booking process. We acknowledge that we were not the easiest clients to deal with but only because of the need to "get it right" for these once in a lifetime trips and Tracy was spot on with her recommendations and reassurances. It was obvious that her advice was informed by her personal experiences of the various locations.

Logistically, pretty much everything went without hitch. (Even a trekking pole which was left at Muchenje somehow found its way back to us at Maun airport on the way home - don't know how, but Tracy located it and engineered its reunion!!). Appreciating the remote locations reinforces our admiration for the efficiency of your operation, working with the local teams.

We would fully recommend your services and would have no hesitation in approaching you ourselves for future trips in Africa. Till next time..." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 16 on a Botswana safari

"Everything worked out well. We started with the simplest accommodation and worked our way up as far as comfort and luxury of the camps were concerned.

Only Imvelo camps don't yet use refillable water bottles which you can either take home or return at the end of your stay.

Malcolm Lodge in Harare is also a lovely place to stay and very up to date - they knew about a flight problem we had before we did.

The transfer from Hwange Main Camp to Vic Falls arrived 30 minutes late - he was 'delayed' but we suspect the delay was visiting his home village on the way to collect us, which meant that the 2 guides who had brought us there from Somalisa had and extra wait." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zimbabwe safari

"A fantastic 2 week trip.

Hardly another vehicle to be seen whilst on safari, great wildlife sightings, excellent accommodation and superb guides." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari