Zambezi Expedition, Victoria Falls
Zambezi Expedition Travel and Tours
- Office In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2016)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $1,735 to $10,407 per person per day (MXN, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
Email Danilo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very disappointed and dissatisfied after reading so many positive reviews - not my experience at all
I was so disappointed and dissatisfied with my recent safari with Zambezi Expedition. I had previously been on three other safaris with different companies and hence had a good idea of what to expect since those previous three were all brilliant and extremely enjoyable. Unfortunately, however this was not my experience with Zambezi Expedition, and I felt very let down. The safari I went on was advertised as 3 Days / 2 Nights Victoria Falls and Hwange Camping Tour with all meals provided. The 1st day was essentially spent with them collecting me from Victoria Falls at 10am and being driven to a Lodge for Lunch arriving at approx 1.30pm. Despite the fact that the advertisement claimed, "all meals provided", after Lunch I was told that I was expected to pay for my own Meal which was contrary to the advertisement. The remainder of the 1st day was then spent travelling to a sanctuary nearby where I saw 2 wild dogs, then onto the Lodge where I slept for 2 nights. So there was no Game driving or safari type activity on the 1st day.
On the 2nd day, at approx 7am after Breakfast, I was taken in the vehicle to the entrance of the park to pick up another couple, then we went for a short drive around in the park but then had to return again to the entrance to collect another couple and then finally embarked on the Game drive. I felt that the morning had been wasted with going to and fro collecting people. The 2nd day concluded with Dinner at the lodge.
On the 3rd day, after breakfast, I expected like with the other 3 safaris I had previously been on, that I would be taken again for a final Game drive however that did not happen. I literally waited at the Lodge until approx 9.30am and was simply picked up and driven back to the starting point at Victoria Falls. I would hardly consider this a "3 day safari" when essentially the only time actually spent on a Game drive per se was Day 2. There was too much idle time siting around the Lodge which could have been better utilized for animal viewing, like I had done on the previous 3 safaris. There was inadequate activity provided for the cost so I felt that this was very poor value for money.
None of this Review should come as a surprise to the Owner since he did approach me afterwards at Victoria Falls because my dismay had been communicated back to him and I re-iterated exactly what I have written here.
On a positive note, the food which was provided was excellent, as well as the staff and the accommodation. The Driver was an excellent safe driver but the whole trip was let down by the complete lack of activity. I would not recommend this particular safari tour unless they make considerable changes to their Itinerary.
FR
Email Zineb | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
needs to significantly improve the organization of their safari trips and the overall quality of the
We recently participated in a safari tour with Zambezi Expedition Tour and Travel for 9 days from June 6th to 15th, and we want to express our disappointment with several aspects of the experience. As experienced safari travelers, we expected better.
Firstly, we booked and committed to this trip for a specific amount, but once there, Oscar asked for an additional 1000 euros. I had to send the signed quote for him to remember the agreed amount.
The accommodation plan for Chobe National Park, as published on Safari Booking, indicated lodges. However, upon arrival, it turned out to be a camping lodge, which did not match the pictures of the rooms shown in the plan.
We complained to Oscar about this, but he claimed it wasn't mentioned in the commitment plan. Eventually, he upgraded us to the room specified in the plan and the quotes. The game drive in Chobe National Park was organized by another safari company. They asked us to be at the hotel reception at 8:30 AM for an 8:45 AM pick-up, but the driver was 40 minutes late, resulting in a shortened game drive in the morning.
The accommodation at Victoria Falls was also supposed to be a lodge, but again, we were surprised to find it was a tent. It was too warm during the day and too cold at night, making it very uncomfortable.
All the tour plans and activities were organized by other travel companies, giving the impression that Zambezi Expedition is merely an intermediary that finds clients for other travel companies without caring about the quality of service offered to their clients.
On a positive note, the best activity of the trip was the Okavango Delta. It was well organized, and the guide and cook were very nice people.
We chose our trip with Zambezi Expedition Tour and Travel after reading all the good reviews on Safari Booking, but we were disappointed. We have been on many other safaris and enjoyed them, but this one did not meet our expectations.
Reply from Zambezi Expedition Travel and Tours
Posted on Jul 1, 2024Thank you very much for the review expressing your disappointment with the safari which you chose,it is our duty to ensure all our Guest receive a quality service as per our previous Guest experienced exceptional service with all our safari experiences, Zambezi expedition Travel and tours is very committed in making sure all our Guest enjoy and we take each complain seriously. For the safari which you selected was a Budget Camping tour and it is heighted on the tour you selected. Camping within lodges apparently site the pictures of the hotel however the itinerary itself explains clearly that it is camping tour within these facilities. I understand that camping during our winter time is sometimes uncomfortable, as an organisation we understood where you did not want to stay in a tent and you opted to stay in a lodge and we had to pay an upgrade for you whereas we were not supposed to do so as we are selling this tour as a Budget camping. Again when you arrived in Victoria falls we explained your itinerary and you understood that you were staying in a tent and you seemed to be happy. in our previous communication you were aware that you will be camping and that was the reason why you asked us to book an upgrade at Rainbow Hotel for your last night. i would like to express my apologies for your late pick up in Botswana for your Safari that was due to the first pickup Guests delayed to come out from the room, i will talk to our partners to make sure they always keep time when they pick our Guests, I am very happy that you enjoyed your trip in Okavango Delta.
NL
Email Gianmaria | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Nice but improvable value for money
Good-meaning agency, especially Silence who took a lot of care of us pre-departure, and we went during the green season
Overall a few critical points we observed:
1. the list of payed add-ons has low value for money, and we believe it catered specifically to a particular type of (red, white & blue) tourists
2. We don’t understand why so many meals were excluded: they could add it on top of the Safari package price for an additional +10% difference, a risk we feel not worth the major extra bother of autonomy imposed onto the customers itself.
3. WhatsApp comms with the agency didn’t work while on tour, relied on agency guide on tour (when available). Had to arrange to a cab ourselves go for dinner in VFalls, owing to miscommunication.
4. Little proactivity from agency guide on tour, available mainly when prompted, clarity with briefing can improve significantly.
5. Overall, it’s quite poor in terms of game drives, we added 2 extra bringing the total to 4 drives, to extract maximum wildlife exposure time. The game drives plan per se needs revisiting, as they planned a jeopardisingly-late departure at 8am instead of common practice ~5.30-6am for a morning game drive. We also felt that 2 days in VFalls were too many as we only cared for the falls there.
6. On the bright side, the Hwange Safari Lodge accommodation was magnificent and highly recommended for a stay, and the last-mile guides (on game drives, at the falls, on the Zambezi cruise) were very well prepared, kind and available.
GR
Email Sideris | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Friendly and polite
Good organisation, value for money with however last minute change of hotels upon arrival (one of which with downgrading). In addition be aware of a 3% card service fee in case you don’t have cash with you…
Always available, responsive and flexible to all our requests
Zambezi Expedition Travel and Tours was very responsive from the start by sending us a plan and estimate based on our specific requests and adjusted it as per our desires even during the trip. Their feedback and response to our questions and requests were always timely and positive. Almost all accommodations reserved (except for one that was basic) were amazing. Although they are based in Zimbabwe, they efficiently arranged our trip section in Botswana with their partner agencies based there.
Email owen nyoni | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Good attention to detail
We found them to provide reliable and good service and support. We would recommend them without hesitation
Email Josh | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Overall very good experience, reasonably priced.
The Zambezi team put together a lovely, no-frills travel experience. The time in Okovango Delta hosted by a local tribe was particularly special. Only real criticism was at times poor communication from organizers and I had to follow up regularly to check times and plans for the next day. Very good value for money!
IT
Email Ylenia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Great safari in Zimbabwe and Botswana!
We were a group of three travelers who chose Zambezi Exp for our shared safari to Zimbabwe and Botswana. Overall, we had a positive experience with the company. We were always in touch with Silence from the office, who was always ready to respond to our questions and needs during the trip. Our driver, Francis, was extremely friendly and willing to help us with all our needs.
The major problem we experienced was the lack of details in the program provided by the company. It was a mutual mistake, as we didn't ask for more details prior to the trip, and their program was very general. I would recommend adding more details so that travelers know exactly what they will do during the safari, as many activities and meals were not included in the total price or were not clear (for example, the experience in the bush).
Despite that, the team organized last-minute activities for us that were not included in our package, and we enjoyed all the safaris. The guides were very knowledgeable about the wildlife and parks. The accommodations were perfect for our needs and corresponded to what we had paid for. We did have some dietary misunderstandings with some accommodations and a lack of options (the three of us are vegan), but overall, we had access to plant-based options. This needs to be addressed better.
As for the activities, we really loved the quieter safari and wildlife-watching experiences and enjoyed them more than the "sundowners," which were more crowded and loud. I'd rather have those as optional activities and include birdwatching and other safaris as part of the paid program.
I highly recommend the company promote the use of refillable water bottles and water jugs instead of single-use plastic bottles, as plastic waste is a major concern.
Despite these points that need to be addressed by the company, I recommend Zambezi Exp for their promptness and kindness in assisting us. I hope to see you guys on another adventure!
Email Zac | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Good communication and excellent value
Would recommend for good communication, service and excellent value.
I was picked up at my hotel in Vic Falls early in the morning, transferred to guide (John from Puku Safaris) at the Botswana border (Kazungula but did not get to see the bridge). I was then taken by safari vehicle on highway 18km to Chobe National Park for game drive where we saw an impala carcass that a leopard put in a tree (but no leopard), a lion pride, many elephants bathing, tusk-wrestling and playing in the river, birds, giraffes etc. Despite having done 25 safaris, I still saw and learned quite a few new things!
This was followed by a superb buffet lunch at Chobe Safari Lodge and then drove upstream to board an 12-seat motorboat that John navigated down the Chobe river along the Botswana-Namibia border. Good guide with interesting information. We circuited the large Sedudu island, saw a large crocodile very close, some cape buffalo, hippos etc.
The only negative was that on the way back it was quite stormy which made for a rather uncomfortable ride in the safari vehicle.
Email Carissa | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very accommodating and helpful!!
Really nice evening sunset cruise! Very accommodating! Made things happen no matter the difficulty. Because of the pandemic, these are just organizers of our trip through Botswana and Victoria Falls, rather than full guides. Victoria Falls, they still just arranged transportation. They found us an opening to go rafting! Super accommodating! There may have been booking extra activities through them.
Reply from Zambezi Expedition Travel and Tours
Posted on Sep 27, 2021Many thanks Carissa for such a wonderful review. It was not easy to run the trip during this pandemic but through your effort and keen to visit Africa we both managed to cooperate and came up with a successful tour between Botswana and Zimbabwe.