Reviews of holidays to Mafia Island

"I don't think that I can really commit all my expectations, experiences and wonderment otherwise I will go on and on .....

Expert Africa did a terrific job, they organised everything for a fantastic holiday, we got everything and more that we could have expected or hoped for. You are so far out of your comfort zone, after a comfortable life in UK that so see what we did, the country, how it's people live and work, the animals, just everything will stick and be remembered.

All I can say is tell Expert Africa what you really would like and not like and I am sure they will come up trumps, we did and will never reget it. I have just had the holiday of my lifetime and would highly recommend it if you only do it once, the rewards will outweigh any cost involved." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"A holiday of a lifetime - and it lived up to it.

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You are extremely professional and it shows. expert sums it up." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"Very satisfactory doesn't really convey how happy we were with our trip. Everything was excellent. Right from the start when we first contacted Ellie it was obvious that we were dealing with someone who was really doing everything possible to ensure that we had a great holiday and we really did, apart from the fact that she couldn't conjure up sightings of Wild Dog and Whale Shark ( and I'm sure she would have if it were possible!) it really was a memorable holiday which all four of us would happily do again. Particular thanks are due for the recommendation to stay at Butiama Beach on Mafia which really was just the place we were looking for to unwind before returning home. We certainly would have no hesitation in recommending both Ellie and Expert Africa to friends and family and will definitely be contacting them again when next we return to Africa." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari

"Overall it is hard to see how the trip could have been better. The trip was just right for us in that it was fairly active but in non-intrusive luxury.

Impala being on the River Rufiji gave a great amount of variety to the safaris. It wasn't a pampering experience - we were not looking for that - but fairly luxurious by most standards as long as you don't want AC, chandeliers and carpets. mAfia Island again suited us perfectly. It isn't really a beach holiday and again that is not what we were after. The island has a gently undeveloped feel - again it depends what you are after. The possibilities for marine activities are good for beginners and experience scuba divers with as rich a diving experience as one can get in the best of locations.

The team at EA obviously know their onions. Elizabeth did a great job taking over from where my own research had got to, with helpful recommendations and all at short notice.

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Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari

"This was our first time to Africa. We were overwhelmed by the vastness of the country, its rich culture wildlife and complexities of its people and history. More of an experience than a holiday, we would probably concentrate on 2 destinations next time as we felt rather tired with all the flights.

One thing is for sure, once you have been Africa stays with you, and you will quite possible never look at the world the same way again!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"We found all the arrangements for our trip excellent and we had no problems with any of our travelling arrangements.

We saw lots of game and our guides were superb, very safety conscious but determined to give us an excellent safari experience which they succeeded in doing. Their knowledge of the game was brilliant and they were very informative.

In retrospect travelling with a 23 and 25 year old we might have been better going to Zanzibar instead of Mafia, we found Mafia very undeveloped and therefore relaxing , they found it a bit quiet with some of the other activities expensive.

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No you did a brilliant job." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari

"We enjoyed it" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari

"We organized our own safari in Kenya staying at 'Topi House' in the Massi Mara as we have done on 2 previous occasions.

Claire organized all other parts of our trip around this, and she could not have done better. The flights and transfers left us the with the maximum possible time at Pole Pole so we had 6 nights 7 lunches! Where else do we want to be spending our time?! Thank you very much." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari

"Amazing time to go to Africa, love the green season and we were lucky with the weather and sightings.

Did see leopard in two areas, cheetah, serval and lots of lion. Wildebeest migration as far as the eye could see was amazing. A great trip not too far distances between the different camps and areas.

Pole Pole was lovely just wished we could have taken longer here." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"We had a lovely holiday and would recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone.

It was a lovely combination of beach and safari and the areas of Selous and Ruaha were totally different experiences. The snorkelling on Mafia was unexpectedly wonderful. Expert Africa certainly guided us to some lovely places and it is one of the best experiences of Africa we have had. All our connections went very smoothly and we were well looked after." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari