Tailor-made S. Tanzania Safari Traveller Reviews

Amboseli is, of course, best known (and rightly so) for its iconic vistas and wonderful elephants. But it should also be highly rated for its birdlife, the primary aim of our trip. We opted for six nights (more than the norm based on what we saw of other guests while we were there) in part because of the frequency of Kenya Airways flights from Livingstone (where we live) and in part because we wanted to have a decent break and really explore Amboseli and the Selenkay Conservation Area where Porini is based. We are also very interested in camps which are owned and (largely) run by the local community. this being the fourth at which we have stayed in Kenya. Six nights was not too long. This is not a high end camp. But it is comfortable and offers good standards of service. Acting Manager Daniel did an excellent job while we were there, keeping everything running smoothly. In the mess tent, John ensured that drinks and meals were well provided in a timely manner. All the staff were friendly and helpful. The Conservation Area is a very worthy and well run project. From next to nothing two decades ago the community has created a hub for a whole range of animals - including four of the 'big five'. The game is plentiful and habituated, attracted by permanent water. It lives alongside the Masai cattle which are protected by the lion guardians whose job it is not only to protect the lions but also to keep distance between the two prides and the cattle herds, thereby avoiding clashes between the people and the cats. The area offers several micro-environments which means that there is a great range of birds there. Add to this Amboseli NP itself, less than an hour drive away, and it isn't surprising that we logged 214 species in our six-night stay, despite being out of peak (ie inward migration) season. All in all, strongly recommended both in its own right and as a base for exploring the NP. Principally on Expert Africa's recommendation we paid for private guiding by Wilson for the five full days of our six night stay. As it was we had the benefit of his expertise for seven days, ie from when we landed at Amboseli at 0830 on Day 1 until our flight back to Nairobi departed at 1530 after our final night. We also did some 'homework' before our departure and discovered. among other positives, in the process that Conde Nast named Wilson as one of the five best of the 'next generation' of guides in 2013; based on our experience on safari over the past 11 years this accolade was well deserved. Other than our two days in Amboseli itself, we spent a good deal of the time walking with him in the Selenkay conservation area where Porini Amboseli is situated. After a phenomenally successful first birding day (112 in total including 80-odd in Amboseli NP) we set ourselves a target of 200 species for the totality of our stay, a challenge which Wilson was more than happy to take on and which we hit on the morning of our final full day (we finished at 214 including 17 lifers). Wilson deserves much of the credit for this; indeed, I don't recall a single bird we set out to find which he didn't manage to track down except a Brown Snake Eagle (a species which is plentiful where we live in any case). He has a phenomenal ear as well as outstanding vision, skills which are enhanced by his familiarity with all corners of his 'back yard'. When we were on the truck, Wilson was aided by our excellent driver Malita. They are a well-established and formidable team and we greatly enjoyed our time with them both. In between birding, the two of them also put us in front of a good range of mammals - 30 species in all including close encounters with lions, hyenas and, of course, the wonderful elephants.

My wife, Clare, and I first traveled with Expert Africa in 2006 when we returned to live in London from New York. It was Clare's first visit to Africa and I really wanted it to make a good impression on her so spent some time researching agents before plumping for EA. We went to Ruaha and Selous in southern Tanzania and Clare fell in love with Africa. By late 2009 and our fourth trip with EA she had decided that she wanted to live here and we finally relocated to Livingstone Zambia in mid-2015. We have now made 20 trips with EA (with a 21st coming up in August) and have never had anything other than 24 carat service and great vacations We have also recommended EA to friends on many occasions and those who have followed up have not been disappointed.

Our Holiday consisted of Safari at Beho Beho, Tanzania - then a beach holiday in an eco-lodge in Zanzibar and then a few days in Stone Town enjoying both the atmosphere and its fascinating heritage. All totally different experiences but together giving us a very real understanding of Africa.

Expert Africa. Cannot praise this operator high them enough. Listened to what we wanted and delivered a holiday that was both high quality,spectacular and memorable.

For a long time on the bucket list we decided to go to Ruaha, Katavi and Mahale National Parks in Southwest Tanzania. We travelled end February early March thus in the green season. Game viewing in Ruaha was also excellent with the elusive leopards and close contact to wild dogs plus numerous lion sightings. Also Katavi offered its best side with mostly sunny weather despite the time of the year, nice groups of elephants and many herbivores (eland, topi, reedbuck, kudu, etc.) plus even a leopard nicely in a tree close to the Katsunga plains. Otherwise the bird experience in Katavi was next to none at least for beginners like ourselves. Finally Mahale was magic, with lake Tanganyika at your footstep and chimps less than one hour hiking away. Apart from chimp trekking, swimming in crystal clear water - 25 degrees - fishing or for those who like snorkelling among hundreds of cichlid species give the visitor a complete and exclusive holiday experience. Having travelled Southern - Eastern Africa for 20 years, this trip was for sure one of our highlights.

We asked various operators for quotations including itinerary proposal and Expert Africa provided the best and most comprehensive proposal. Whenever we had questions the response came back very quickly and as lodge availability was constrained, Expert Africa communicated quickly and offered good alternatives. The material we got as pre reading was very informative and on top a Guidebook for Tanzania. They also followed up with us to ensure we provided needed pre information like travel insurance.

Wonderful lodge, good viewing and guiding,and food and drink. Lovely scenery, wildlife. Excellently and competitively organised.

Profesional, competitive, helpful and friendly.

The holiday involved visiting two game parks (Ruaha and Selous) and a visit to Zanzibar. Total length of the trip was just short of three weeks.

As already indicated, Expert Africa were knowledgeable, helpful and efficient.

The Best Trip ever. Loved each and every moment, from the Tanzanite experience in Arusha to all the Animals seen in Tanzania parks to Zanzibar at the Breezes hotel with swimming in the Indian Ocean. It was very special and was treated royalty, including going business class on Qatar Airlines.

Went through the company Nomad and our tour guide was extremely special also. He went out of his way, made his job seem simple but he put in a lot of effort to make my adventure great and safe.

We did and 8 night safari staying 4 nights at Mdonya Old River Camp in Ruaha and 4 nights at Lake Manze Camp in Selous. We loved both camps. We had a great safari and saw loads of wildlife. We would happily return

The charged good price for the trip and all bookings were made as agreed.

The safari, to Selous and Ruaha, was the best we have ever been on, both in terms of the game to see and the quality of the accommodation. It was really well organised, and all went like clockwork but with a very human touch. The week we had on the north eastern Zanziabar coast aftervthe safari was really relaxing in a beautiful place with really good friendly service.

Expert Africa are excellent, both in terms of expert advice based on local knowledge, and superb organisation. We have used them before and would not hesitate to use them again.

Since my birthday and the solar eclipse were so close I decided to knock something off my bucket list as a birthday gift. My husband and I went to Tanzania on safari to see the solar eclipse and snorkel off Zanzibar. We spent time in Ruaha and Selous. Both parks had lovely "glamps" and plenty of game and bird sightings. I would not have gone to Tanzania except that the eclipse was best seen there. I was wrong. It was better than my previous trips to Namibia, South Africa, Zambia or even Botswana.

I have been to subsaharan Africa 7 times but this is the first time I used Expert Africa. Their website caught my eye and proved to be a superb resource. Ellie was prompt pleasant and professional. When I had trouble paying the final installment on the web I shot off an email and they returned it almost immediately (even though it was 1 AM GMT). Turned out it was my fault as I didn't know my husband had already made an account. I will use Expert Africa for any future travel to Africa even though they are in England and I am in the USA.

4 Nights at Lake Manze camp in Selous and 4 nights in Mwagusi camp,Ruaha.

James at Expert Africa was very helpful and organised exactly what I requested.