Zimbabwe: reviews from our travellers

"It exceeded our expectations for just about everything.

For your adventurist guest, when staying in Victoria falls, take a rafting trip on the Zambezi river and don't forget to do the Gorge swing if you don't have a heart condition! Botswana may be more expensive that other African countries for you Safari, but if you are concerned about the well being of the local people, we have been told that your money actually goes to free health care and education for their people. The Zero tolerance for poaching by the government appears to be working.

Its a very special place and without recommendations from Maruska Adye of Expert Africa, we would have never known what we were missing.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

You need to update the info on laundry. There is no limits on what they wash. Shinde, Okuti and Muchenjie all provided flash lights and had plenty of medical supplies. No need to supplement this when trying to keep baggage to a minimum. Trip itinerary was flawless. All of the connections to and from camps, while "open" went off like clock work.

Thanks Again Maruska!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Botswana safari

"Excellent trip to Vundu Camp, Mana Pools, Zimbabwe. Beautiful setting on the banks of the Zambezi, with highly knowledgable guides.

The highlight was a canoe trip down the Zambezi River, getting close to the hippos and crocs and enjoying sundowners on the bank. The rooms and service were faultless.

I would highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for a safari with different activities and a personal service." Read full review: 3 nights in Africa; 3 on a Zimbabwe safari

"Everything was beyond our expectations." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Overall, we were very, very satisfied with our first safari.

The advice we received from Maruska at Expert Africa was spot on and prevented us from making common mistakes, such as trying to fit to many camps into our allotted time.

Communication with Expert Africa was always accurate and timely and all of the lodging, flights, and transfers were expertly organized and came off without a hitch. We would be happy to use their services again and we will recommend them to our friends and colleagues." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"An amazing safari experience. Surpassed all expectations.

The expanse of the Botswana wilderness and the African sky is impressive as were the number and variety of wildlife.

An experience of a lifetime and would go back for more!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"A holiday of a lifetime - so many different experiences on a variety of levels.

Beautiful country, lovely people

Overall - amazing!" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 17 on a Namibia trip

"All as planned. Transfers etc like clockwork

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not one of your more-challenging itineraries, but it all worked. Thanks Nick." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 4 on a Zambia safari

"We had such a super trip! Having just spent a week at Kruger Park, I was worried the kids would be 'safari-ed" out, but it turns out that each location had a special charm and offered us something new and exciting.

Though we 'saw' a sleeping lion in Kruger, we saw a whole pride of lions walk by our car in Chobe. Thought we 'saw' a leopard in Kruger, we saw a leopard in a tree trying to protect a kill from hyenas underneath. We loved the sounds of the Delta - the natural heartbeat of birds and frogs and so on that greeted us every morning and night. We loved the service of our lodges -- we felt very taken care of.

Mostly, I really appreciated that all the logistics were so smooth -- the pick-ups (and, in particular, border transfers) were on time and professional. The shuttle services (Wilderness safaris, African Odyssey, etc) were excellent. Having meals and inclusive private safaris added to the trip cost, of course, but were essential for traveling with a family and making it care-free.

Our favorite part of the trip was assuredly Machaba Camp -- my youngest son (age 3) hit it off with our guide (Moreri) and we are still missing him! Mostly, they were so accommodating with times and meals, that we relaxed into our vacation in a very real way. Thanks for making all these logistics so smooth!!!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Honestly, it was excellent and I would recommend your services again -- worth the pennies to have all those logistics sorted out. We had a great time!

I might just add two small things - I might have missed the part about Ilala being in USD, and USD prices. Since we were coming from South Africa, this obviously seemed more pricey to us than we were expecting (and the only part of our trip that was not all-inclusive) and we could only get USD from the ATMs. Not a huge problem, but might be good to have included that in the trip info (perhaps I missed it - if so, sorry).

Also, we were essentially bribed at the VFAirport...the guys asked us if we wanted to upgrade to business class for $200 and when I agreed, he said it had to be in cash. Ugh -- by this point, he had already booked the tickets so we had no real choice, but it was clear I was not going to be getting a receipt for that one. I am sure he saw our American passports. I felt very duped, but since everyone else had been so honest and helpful our entire trip (and since the VFA airport is so beautifully new and professional!), this took me by surprise. Folks should be on the lookout for scams like this (especially as Americans).

Otherwise, super duper trip!!! Happy to answer any other questions." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari

"Amazing. A trip of a life time" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Botswana safari

"Great trip and definatly worth to visit during the Green Season!

Wonderfull Hwange NP and Zimbabwe!" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zimbabwe safari