Reviews of safaris to Manda Wilderness

"We enjoyed the whole trip very much although the travel days were very long. Transiting in and out of Mozambique was like something out of a Graham Green novel. Dirt roads, run down buildings but very friendly people" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari

"Great trip. Everything happened as per plan. The only reservation was about the new Robin Pope camp and that needs commencing to the owners.

Otherwise, an amazing experience, and we saw far more wildlife than we were led to expect from the literature.

The country felt safe and friendly and the lack of hordes of visitors made you feel you were experiencing the real Africa." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 12 on a Malawi trip

"Thank you Expert Africa, especially Maruska, for making our honeymoon such a dream.

We had a fabulous time in Africa and we enjoyed all three places (Nkwichi Lodge, Mwamba Bushcamp and Old Mondoro) enormously.

We absolutely intend to return to Africa - next trip Botswana!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Something we had not fully understood (being first time Safari goers) is how much time we would spend with other guests.

We had such a terrific time at Nkwichi Lodge with like-minded people; suffered terribly uncomfortable dinners at Mwamba Bushcamp with a taciturn guest; and felt as if we had to be on our best behaviour at Old Mondoro with the terribly middle-aged and middle class Britons.

We do acknowledge it is the luck of the draw and I think Maruska did a great job of planning for us. But next time we will ask to be with people in our demographic as much as possible :-)" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"A wonderful trip - thank you - our third trip with you and just as good as the others.

The second half (post safari) was an attempt by us to get closer to the real Africa again and we most impressed at Kawaza, Kaya Mawa and Nkwichi by the responsible tourism and how the lodges are working sucessfully with the local people" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari

"Before going, all the information and organisation had been extrremely good and this was refelected in the actual trip where everything went so smoothly and we could not fault it. The local agents (Wilderness, Kwando and Robin Pope) were wonderfully helpful and efficient.

However, one or two tips to pass on - firstly, forget travellers cheques on a trip like this - no one was interested in having or cashing them - cash dollars are king. Secondly, both in Nkwichi and Kaya Mawa, there are no advertised tariffs and although we could have asked, and we are aware that we had to pay for these extras, it would be helpful, particularly as cash is king, to know what you are letting yourself in for. Thirdly, forget immodium, carry Ciprin antibiotic for any stomach bug.

Finally many thanks to Claire for interpreting our requirements so well and ensuring that the places we went fulfilled all our ambitions for the trip. Oh and don't go to Luangwa or Nkwichi if you don't like snakes (particularly in your bedroom!)!" Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zambia safari