Zimbabwe: reviews from our travellers

"We take an international trip every year, and this Africa trip, compared to other trips, was very excellent in that it was culturally different from the other trips that we've taken.

We visited Africa primarily for the safaris and it is the safaris that made the trip memorable. Seeing the animals, in their natural habitats, doing what they normally do, without cages, boundaries, restrictions." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Botswana safari

"We cannot wait to embark on a second safari soonest possible. We would most definitely like to have an experience similar to the one we had with Kwando. The same spirit, not too polished and with emphasis on quality rather than on luxury.

Expert Africa has been attentive to all of our needs and requests. Thanks.

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Great job ... keep it that way !!!" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 6 on a Botswana safari

"The trip was very good.

The Silver Tours transfer to and from the Hwange Main Camp were 1/2 to 1 hour late each way. Next time, we would likely schedule and earlier pickup time than 10:30 AM, since they're likely to be late anyway. We would also fly in and out of Livingstone Airport. Even with the construction, it seemed better to us than Victoria Falls Airport. We would probably arrange the Devil's Pool activity later in the day, since it includes breakfast on the island in the morning - when we already have breakfast provided at the hotel." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zimbabwe safari

"Expert Africa has consistently supported travellers going to Zimbabwe. Why did we wait so long! This was a great trip which gave us a real insight into a complex country and its history. We would encourage other travellers to go.

Everything worked very smoothly in terms of transfers and the camps did not disappoint. We decided not to try and cover too much and spent our time in Hwange, Matopos and Bulawayo which gave us a great mix of experiences. We saw a good range of game, some important historical sites and met a great mix of people. We look forward to going back." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari

"see comment - it ended up being an absolutely great trip, but I have to come back another time for a Mana Pools to the Gorge trip.

The only point of critique I have, is that I wished I would have been informed about the possibility to go from Mana on downriver through the Zambesi Gorge." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 2 on a Zimbabwe safari

"A really fantastic experience, our first visit to Botswana, lovely country, friendly proud people, so much wildlife, excellent travel company . Would highly recommend.

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Would never have recieved this feedback form had I not chased it up and I was keen to give feedback because it helps other travellers etc. Very easy to fill in.

Think I would like to make a comment about all the various vouchers that are issued. Nobody asked for them at all except the Illala lodge and even then we only had one between us because one had been lost,but it didnt seem to matter. It all seems a bit of a waste of paper and something else for the client to carry (or loose!)." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 5 on a Botswana safari

""Wow". Words fail me when it comes to summarising our trip to Zambia and Zimbabwe.

We had done our homework before engaging the assistance of Expert Africa with Claire and the team including a lenghty chat with Chris where we asked many questions, so while we were first time safari travellers we did know what we wanted and we recognized and truly appreciated the expertise and the great suggestions offered. We planned our three week trip as our one chance to go to Africa and we wanted to do it right, and see the majesty and the wildness of Southern Africa while it was still there.

The two main areas we visited, South Luangwa in Zambia and Mana Pools in Zimbabwe provided us exactly what we were hoping for and in many ways exceeded our expectations. The grandeur of the vistas and the abundance and variety of the wildlife was impressive. The staff at each of the camps couldn't do enough in their genuine desire to make your stay pleasureable and memorable.

We were chatting with one of the other guests staying at the Tafika camp. They had a similar ideas to us a few years earlier which was to come once and make it good. They have been back many times since. I think we may also he headed down that same path. They offered up a quote I have re-used a few times since. "If you don't want to come back to Africa, then don't go to Africa."

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We returned home just yesterday from our trip.

The only hassles we experienced were due to airline troubles (delayed flights - LOST BAGGAGE!) and these had nothing to do with the great plans and logistics made by Expert Africa that made getting around remarkably simple.

Just as a side note. I am not one who is prone to exaggeration, and rarely give ratings of 'Excellent' as there are usually areas where improvements can be made. But here I have made an exception. We had the time of our lives on these safaris. It is difficult to point out where Expert Arfica could have improved our experience - and my rating reflect that.

Congratulations on a job well done. If (when) we go back to Africa, you will be the first call we make after we figure out where and when we will go. I have already recommended Expert Africa to my relatives who are considering a Southern Africa trip in 2013." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"The fact that we have now made ten trips with EA since 2006 speaks for itself - and this one was right up there with the best. We continue to have no hesitation recommending Chris and his team to others." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zimbabwe safari

"We enjoyed our stay in Zimbabwe and found a very warm welcome from everyone we met. There is obviously a strong desire to promote tourism and in Victoria we were thanked for going there.

Many friends questioned the safety of our choice of destination before we went and so we ended up saying safari in Africa after a while! We encountered no problems nor any hostility towards us at all. We will now be able to tell people so.

Cash purchasing is all important so take plenty of it - 4 of the places we stayed had safe facilities. No one wanted travellers cheques, and credit machines seldom worked.

In Victoria, vendors are persistent but not aggressive - just keep in mind they just want to make a $. There are plenty of tourist police on hand if need be.

The Falls are stunning and well worth the visit. We had 3 nights in Victoria. Two is more than enough if it is only the Falls that you wish to see and in fact we did that on arrival so 1 night would have been sufficient for us with more time on safari.


Importantly the game viewing is excellent and the regions offer a great deal of contrast so it is worth doing as much as you can afford! I would not recommend less than 3 nights in any camp/area if travelling between regions as the travelling is long and tiring. Travel arrangements need improving overall including communication about them.

The guiding was all of a very good standard with obvious enthusiasm.
We had hoped to do more walking, but were constrained by our travel arrangements. This is a great pity. For the nervous, think carefully before choosing Goliath as the proximity to wildlife is challenging and could be very uncomfortable for some. For those who would like the experience, it is awesome.

We would recommend Zimbabwe from the experience we had. Just plan your route carefully" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari

"Overall, we had an extremely enjoyable holiday. The variety of wildlife experiences exceeded our expectations. Accommodation was all very good or excellent. All the arrangements within the control of Expert Africa, whether for accommodation or transfers, worked out fine, without any problems.

The holiday wasn't one of Expert Africa's standard holidays. We spent some time working out the itinerary with them. That was time well spent and their expert advice was invaluable. Thanks very much to Gwynneth and also Nick for his advice on Botswana early on.


A couple of specific comments which don't fit in elsewhere:

1. We had two flights with Mack Air and had a good experience with them both times: friendly pilots and good flights. In addition, we had arranged for suitcases to be flown on separately from Maun to Kasane. This was handled efficiently and there was no difficulty retreiving the suitcases at Kasane airport.

2. We had a transfer with Wilderness Safaris from Kasane airport to Victorial Falls. This was handled efficiently so that we were able to complete the border formalities on entering Zimbabwe without a hitch.

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No - well organised holiday, plenty of helpful information." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 7 on a Namibia trip