Statement My Experience with Expert Africa My Experience with…
Statement Regarding My Experience with Expert Africa.
I am a seasoned safari traveller with extensive experience across Africa. In 2017, I booked a five-camp safari tour in Botswana with Expert Africa, which was a success.
In 2023, I returned to Expert Africa to plan a similar five-camp itinerary for 2024. This time, the experience was troubling from the outset.
My initial agent, Mr. T, misled me. As a solo traveller, I was informed—repeatedly and insistently—that several camps required me to pay for a private vehicle and guide, adding USD 500–700 per day. Based on my background in the travel, airline, and hospitality industries, I immediately questioned the validity of this claim. I requested to know which camps had this policy, as I would have preferred to replace them. Mr. T refused to disclose the information.
This lack of transparency led me to escalate the matter to the General Manager, Chris. Only then did it become clear that a single staff member at one camp, new to her role, had suggested the private vehicle setup. The claim that multiple camps required this was false.
I changed agents and began working with Ms. M, who was professional, responsive, and informed. The tour was finalized and carried out.
As part of my commitment to help other travellers, I wrote detailed, five-star reports on each camp—except for Kanana, a Ker & Downey-operated camp. My experience there was unacceptable: serious safety lapses, poor service, and unprofessional staff. I left after just 24 hours. For me, safety in a wildlife setting is non-negotiable.
My report was factual, detailed, and forwarded to Ker & Downey. Their response was dismissive, defensive, and failed to acknowledge any wrongdoing—no apology, no ownership.
Worse yet, when I submitted the report to Expert Africa’s platform, it was edited and effectively whitewashed by agent Maruska. She downplayed my experience, portrayed me as unreliable, and undermined the credibility of my report—this despite my other camp reviews being well-received, consistent, and clearly written.
This behaviour is alarming. When a travel company edits guest feedback to protect supplier relationships, traveller trust is broken. They lied, withheld critical information, and tried to discredit me.
My advice: Do not rely solely on Expert Africa for camp reviews or booking advice. Cross-check with independent traveller forums and platforms not linked to commercial partners. Transparency and integrity matter—this company failed on both counts.