Zimbabwe: reviews from our travellers

"This was our sixteenth trip to Africa and has been one of the most enjoyable. We love Zimbabwe and given the chance would certainly go back.

We have travelled several times with Expert Africa and would always recommend them to anyone planning a safari. Everything worked smoothly and without a hitch. The mixture of bush camps and lodges worked very well for us. We enjoyed meeting all the staff and guests and sharing experiences past and present.

Thank you to everyone involved, especially Claire and Chris.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Perhaps the Painted Dog Conservation Centre could be included in the brochure as a possible activity. They rely very largely on donations, and tourists could provide a valuable addition to their income. Local children stay for a week free of charge but children from private schools and schools farther afield pay.

Incidentally, for information, on the outward flight bags were checked straight through to Vic Falls without reclaiming at Johannesburg but on the way back it was clear we had to reclaim at Johannesburg and check them in again for Heathrow." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari

"The whole trip was a superb experience.

I learnt a lot about the countries I visited, had some great experiences, saw some superb sights including brilliant views of birds, mammals and reptiles and had some insight into different cultures. I was looked after well and had the freedom to explore as I wanted. It was very well organised and ran smoothly.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

It is worth bearing in mind the difference in the cultures of the countries to be visited and the UK. Some people may be unprepared for what they may experience when compared to the UK and Europe." Read full review: 24 nights in Africa; 13 on a Namibia trip

"My trip was a full succes. All the arrangements were as I had wished and it will certainly not have been my last journey with Expert Africa.

I am especially grateful of how generous my problems were settled.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I can`t think of an improvement being necessary" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zimbabwe safari

"GIven the relative lack of tourism over the past 10 years, we were expecting things to be a bit chaotic. However, this was only the case on arrival at vic falls airport, where a computer issue meant over an hour to get a visa and enter the country. After that, everything went like clockwork and was comparable to other trips we have done around Africa.

The only noticable differences were in the food portion sizes (smaller) and the room laundry (bed linen and towels - less frequent). The guiding, especially in Mana Pools was excellent. It was a very long day to get there though and a bit depressing to fly over and then not to arrive for another 8 hours....

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Perhaps more detailed information on the website to try and reduce the amount of time needed to be on the phone" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zimbabwe safari

"Well thought out trip - excellent recommendations based on evident local knowledge & adapted to our requirements which were wide-ranging. We were after more than a safari experience - desert, dunes, activities, culture & Victoria Falls were all on our 'list'. Kept us up to date on waiting lists which eventually got us into Sossus Dune & Nxamaseri Lodges - both excellent. Overall, the lodges, accommodation & game viewing trips were good to excellent.

Thanks to Angela & all the team who helped for a first class trip.


Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No" Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 9 on a Namibia trip

"The trip as a whole was wonderful. Everything went smoothly despite being in Africa!!

Driving in Namibia is really straightforward and the distances were not a problem at all.
Everybody very friendly.

We went mainly for the scenery and landscapes and were not disappointed.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We stopped at Tsumeb by chance which was a lovely town. Maybe you could make suggestions to your clients for 1 or 2 hr stops in nice places along their route to wander around or for lunch.

I know we needed to stop at / near Swakopmund because of length of journey from Sossus to Kipwe but apart from the kayaking which we enjoyed the town did nothing for us. So easy to be wise after the event but 1 night here and an extra one at Wolwedans or Okonjima would have been a much better use of time for us." Read full review: 26 nights in Africa; 18 on a Namibia trip

"Robin Pope Safaris run a very very good operation and they set the standards of exellence without ever feeling the need to shout about it or shove it in one's face. We asked to go 'back stage' at Tena Tena and found a whole city of people working on our behalf - all smiling and just as happy as front of house. RPS deserve great credit for not jumping on the bandwagon and charging a single room supplement to the many people who choose (or have no choice) to travel independently.

The guiding and game viewing were excellent and it was so nice to enjoy the company of wildlife without, in most instances, anyone else around to spoil the perfect experience.

South Luangwa is a very beautiful place with a surprisingly varied landscape. It is a great destination for those who really want to appreciate an African safari rather than simply ticking the boxes and going back home.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Although we recieved a large bundle of vouchers, these were only required in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe is a much better place to view Victoria Falls during the dry season and it really should be suggested as an option when putting together itineraries for visits to Zambia .

We recommend pre booking some activities at the Falls. We did this for the Flight of Angels but not for the sunset cruise and we only managed to get on one of the smaller more exclusive boats owing to a last minute cancellation. There is no point in going all that way to be disappointed" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari

"Had a wonderful time, very well organised trip & felt very safe in Zimbabwe.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The information on the website about recommended ages for children initially put me off booking as most of the camps recommended children age 16 & over.

For Vundu, our kids age 10 & 12 had a great time & we had game drives throughout most of the day so they had no time to get bored." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zimbabwe safari

"We all enjoyed it thoroughly and got a great insight into the country. Three nights at each place worked perfectly. 2 would be fine in Vic Falls and is enough in Bulawayo.

The trip was very varied and rounded so things like the connection to Mother Africa and the more cultural/historical dimension of Matobos made a perfect balance.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really, we were thoroughly satisfied." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zimbabwe safari

"It surpassed our expectations in every way. We couldn't have asked for more.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No suggestions; it was all perfect." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 3 on a Namibia trip