Reviews of safaris to Majete Wildlife Reserve

"Megan was exceptionally patient and helpful as we were planning our trip - we ended going to exactly the places that were right for us. Sometimes it is difficult to envisage each camp and their facilities and in this respect Megan was very supportive. The additional detailed information gained from Megan before our trip ensured everything ran smoothly and there were no nasty surprises.

We were pleased that our trip turned out to be very well balanced as we had hoped. South Luangwa obviously has greater game density than our other locations but the Lower Zambezi and Malawi gave different perspectives. The boat trips on the Zambezi were special and the friendliness and birding at Mkulumadzi were a great variation.

It was pleasing to feel that we not only visited an established camp in Zambia but also a brand new luxury camp in its first season. In addition we went to a reserve in Malawi that is trying hard to re-establish itself and really needs and deserves our support.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

The only point relates to photographic equipment. We did not have any problems but the weight issues could be a problem for other travellers or ourselves in future. It is almost impossible to stay within the 5 kgs hand luggage limit on the internal flights - it would be better if the airlines specified a maximum total weight including hold luggage. It is never really an issue on the flights as the hand luggage is stowed in the back of the plane." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"All arrangements worked as clockwork (except one seat reservation of one leg of the flights but that was soon sorted out).

Lovely to be met at all stages of the journey, and thank you Ellie and Martha for all your help." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"Overall, we had an excellent holiday with beautiful, luxurious lodges, great settings and excellent staff. we enjoyed the varied experience, very efficient transfers, with everyone friendly and willing to help. We particularly enjoyed being able to customize our stopping points during transfers which gave us a broader view of Malawi and its friendly people.

We'd like to thank everyone for making our trip so enjoyable." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Malawi trip

"Just a shame that Blantyre was closed for my arrival date - the 6 hour drive from Lilongwe was tough after long flight out from the UK.

But having said that, Robin Pope Safaris made it as hassle free as possible.

Otherwise all was excellent." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 5 on a Malawi trip

"Malawi was absolutely wonderful, one of our best holidays ever. Would love to go back some day.

Weather in Cape Town was variable, from sun to hail, through wind and rain, so we couldn't do a couple of things that we wanted to do (go up Table Mountain and visit Robben Island). We did see whales at Hermanus, which was on our to-do list, and penguins at Betty's Bay. City bus tours were good for getting to know the city. We were very glad we hired the car for two days as this enabled us to see the coast and the wine area.

All arrangements worked like clockwork, thanks a lot, Claire., for putting it all together for us." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Malawi trip

"Interesting - African Parks are doing a fantastic job given the previous situation in the Reserve. I guess the trip is for people who want something different from their safari experience. In my view the Reseve will progress in the years to come, because African Parks do have a clearly laid out plan of development. In terms of game, they need some more cats in the Reserve, because the antelope population could support this.

The natural beauty of the Reserve is again fantastic, and a rather different experience from other places in Africa." Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Malawi trip

"Everything Expert Africa arranged worked like clockwork with one exception when a camp messed up the schedule but Proflight sorted it out.

Our only confusion is where your letter to us said that all Zambian departure taxes had been paid by you but this was not accepted ny the airport or your representative at the airport when we flew to Malawi. Consequently after some hassle we paid the equivalent og USD78 in local currency as they only accepy Visa credit cards and I have Master Card. This was an unnecessary trauma that should have been avoided.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 15 on a Zambia safari

"mkulumadzi is just perfect. Punulani very good. Kaya Maya needs improvement. Faultless internal flights." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 11 on a Malawi trip

"Fantastic.

Malawi and Zimbabwe proved to be two great countries to combine on this trip. There were many similarities. We found the staff in the camps and the people we met along the way to be very friendly, helpful and interested in us. The high standards of our guides impressed us, from Chris the manager at Mkulumadzi who personally took us on a walk and on a boat up the Shire River, to Richard Chamwala at Mvuu who delighted in sharing all things big and small with us. In our book you can always tell the best guides when they like finding the little birds and bugs to point out, not just the hippos fighting 30 feet away from the boat, both of which Richard did.

Our guide Nduduzi Ndlovu at Camp Amalinda in Matobo Hills was great at listening to us and discovering our interests, as evidenced by the wonderful day we spent with him driving through the park and the local communal lands, visiting a school, and hiking up to a cave with ancient paintings. He not only knows 7 languages but also knows where to find a zonkey!

Even our drivers that took us from one camp to another (or to an airport) were excellent, like Mike from Wilderness Safaris who stopped the car several times so we could see and talk to people and who also helped me buy a tchenge (those colorful traditional fabrics that woman wear as a wrap) in a roadside market.

We went to both countries in the hope that our visit would encourage and support the conservation of wildlife and wild areas. We also came to really appreciate the people of these two countries, where life has not been easy but there is a great determination to carry on and do better.

Claire at Expert Africa, with assistance from Chris, shared many insightful comments from personal experience so that we came up with this list of places to visit that really suited us. As usual, all details were handled and executed perfectly on the ground. This is really saying something because we gave quite short notice of our desire to travel.

And next time I will really believe you when you say that it gets cold in July at night!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari

"I had been counting the hours until I left for my trip. It was exactly what I needed. I returned home re-engergized and reinvigorated.

This was my fifth trip with Expert Africa, and every trip went perfectly. I have a lot of trust and confidence in Expert Africa and would highly recommend them to anyone considering a trip to Africa.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 6 on a Malawi trip