Zambia

- Zambia

Charlotte and Emma from Suffolk (and London) travelled to South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi in Zambia

Dear Rob, firstly thank you for once again putting together a marvellous holiday for Emma and I. We had a fabulous time. You had advised that it would be hot – but we had not realized quite how hot. It reached 43c at Jeki the day we arrived at the airport! Kaingo and Tafika both offered re-hydration salts which was much appreciated. KAINGO is an excellent camp. It sure does work you hard with three activities a day, but we would not have missed the elephant, Carmen bee-eater, hippo hides, for anything. Game viewing was superb and the guides knowledgeable and helpful. TAFIKA is a very comfortable camp, our ‘family’ room perfect in an idyllic position. It is very much the Coppinger family home and they are not very good at telling you all about their additional benefits e.g. the hide on the edge of camp or more importantly the Carmine bee-eater hide which was superb (we only found out about it from another guest). Its position is at an angle to the bank where the birds are nesting so they are flying all around you. Please tell Mary that I did go on the microlight which was – as she said it was – amazing. OLD MONDORO – was everything you said it would be. We loved it. Old Mondoro had the happiest atmosphere of the three camps we visited and we suspect this is very much down to the superb managers Jason and Michaela. Fabulous game viewing – including an aardvark. We went out with all three of their guides Levy, James and Sebastian who were really knowledgeable and keen to find what we were interested in, in particular leopard, and at which they were successful. Thank you Rob for all you did to put together such a wonderful trip. The level of accommodation was perfect for us, the game viewing fascinating and it was lovely not being surrounded by loads of other vehicles. All in all it lived up to all our expectations and I’m now happily going through more than 2,000 photographs of a fabulous ten days.

- South Africa

- Zambia

Tony and Tina from Hampshire travelled to Zambia and South Africa

Hi Mary, The holiday was amazing. You did so well – everything was perfect and went like clock work. We saw some wonderful sights and stayed in amazing places. Waterberry – well what can you say. Such lovely people. Nothing was too much trouble. Winchester Mansions – what a lovely hotel, really quirky. The people were so nice everywhere we went. I would recommend all of them. We had fantastic views in all the places we stayed in. Lavender Manor – the whales were unbelievable we didn’t expect to see them so close. The rooms were lovely. Candlewood Lodge – we had fantastic views and again the rooms were lovely. The owners were very nice too. Knysna was a lovely area. Kichaka Game Lodge – that was amazing. We saw lots of animals and saw hippos and elephants from our room. Those rooms are amazing. Again the people were lovely and nothing was too much trouble. The game drives were brilliant. We would love to go back to Africa again one day and will certainly be in contact when we do. Thank you again so much Mary, you made our holiday very special.

- Malawi

- Zambia

Peter and Anne from Cambridgeshire travelled to Zambia and Malawi

Rob, back in the mad world after three weeks in paradise! Great trip in every way. Kaingu was superb and Busanga Plains were definitely worth a visit (including a balloon ride); Chamilandu was superb and game sightings excellent. Mumbo Island was just wonderful (surprisingly, one of the highlights of the trip); then we had a good time at Mvuu before Huntingdon House (maybe an acquired taste and not quite what we were expecting but nevertheless worthwhile) then finishing up at Makulamadzi in Majete – a fab camp/lodge; great hosts and good guiding. Thanks again for getting our trip absolutely spot on!!

- Zambia

Ross and Shona from West Sussex travelled to South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi in Zambia

Dear Mary, Shona and I had a wonderful safari in Zambia and thank you for your help in organising it all. Safari Consultants have been excellent. On the camps, we started at Kaingo and saw good game throughout. There was, however, a disconnect between the ownership and the running of the camp. Whilst we would exempt the excellent Yvonne we felt that standards were perhaps just not quite as high as if the owners of the enterprise were more visibly committed. Tafika by contrast embodied these aspects in spades. One couldn’t help but be enthused by the care and commitment of John, Carol and Jenny Coppinger and by the way this fed through to their on-site management and staff. The selection of game at Tafika was also excellent. Chiawa was both stylish and professionally run. Game viewing was perhaps a little light but following South Luangwa was always going to be hard in that respect. All three camps offered exciting extras – hides, air and water activities –and the standard of food was remarkable. Anyway as I said we had a wonderful safari and hope that the comments above are helpful to you as you advise other guests.

- South Africa

- Zambia

Jack and Rachel travelled to Zambia and South Africa

Mary, just wanted to say thank you so so so so so so so much for an utterly stunning 19 days. The precision and care you took was so obvious and so brilliant – from the way the hire cars were delivered – to the middle of the nowhere – to the awesome two man plane – to the brilliant lodges. Just back – on our tube going home – and had to say an immediate and vociferous THANK YOU.

- Zambia

Richard and Jackie visited the South Luangwa in Zambia

Dear Michele – many thanks for organising our trip to Zambia, we both think the quantity and sheer variety of game this trip was the best ever (list too long to include!). At Tafika we witnessed a pack of 19 Wild Dog and pups playing and enjoying life – a highlight of our stay there, as well as the microlight flight and village visit. However, the trip just got better and better by the day (and hotter and hotter). Everyone at Chamilandu, Kuyenda (MAGIC) and Mfuwe Lodge, without exception was helpful, knowledgeable and enthusiastic and the game glorious and plentiful. We loved it – thanks again.

- Botswana

- Zambia

Keith and Sylvia travelled to Botswana and Zambia

Dear Safari Consultants team, we returned home today, and Sylvia has already rung to leave special thanks to Mary for arranging our wonderful trip. Everything worked flawlessly (except when I managed to leave a bag behind – see separate email thanking those who remedied the situation for me). The locations were all excellent and there were none that we left without regret, whilst also of course looking forward to the next. The guides and camp teams were all impressive. We have returned with unforgettable memories, many close-up photographs to review, many ticks in the bird book, recollections of many pleasant acquaintances met, and a fondness for Botswana in particular. As intended, once in Zambia we considered ourselves off safari, although the bird walk at Waterberry topped up our bird list considerably. The Victoria Falls from Livingstone Island experience, even at low water, was marvellous. Thank you once again for arranging such a superb experience for us.

- Kenya

- Zambia

Alan and Norma travelled to the Masai Mara in Kenya and then the Lower Zambezi in Zambia

Well up to expectations. Up there as being one of our many memorable safaris.

- Botswana

- South Africa - Zambia

Julie and Isabella travelled to South Africa, Zambia and Botswana

I have never used a specialist company before or booked a safari holiday therefore have nothing to compare with. However this will remain the case when booking future holidays to Africa as I would not consider risking travelling with another company such was the level of the service I experienced. From my first telephone enquiry no question was left unanswered even before I had indicated I would be using their services. Absolutely no hard sell just factual answers and practical advice. All I knew was that I wanted to visit Victoria Falls and go on safari. From this the most perfect itinerary was arranged within my budget. Throughout the process I was consulted to ensure I was happy with arrangements. Every last detail was considered and addressed. For example early on in the process I mentioned my reservations about camping on safari and safety. When we arrived at our first destination, the manageress told us that Safari Consultants had recorded of our concerns and asked for accommodation to be nearer the main camp. This was so reassuring and is a demonstration of the quality of service I received. In conclusion services provided by this company are second to none in relation to itinerary, accommodation and service. However it is the attention to the smaller detail that truly sets it apart.

- South Africa

- Zambia

Lita and Keith travelled to South Africa and Zambia

Hi Mary just got back from our wonderful holiday and wanted to thank you for all you have done to make this holiday special. Everything went like clockwork, no problems with air transfers or hire cars, everyone and everything had been arranged superbly, all of the accommodation first class. We could not have wished for a better time. We loved Zambia and South Africa and will hopefully return someday. I will be letting everyone know about you and Safari Consultants as we have been very impressed throughout. Thank you again.