Reviews of holidays to Mafia Island

"Really excellent holiday.....only small problem was nobody met us at Dar domestic terminal to take us to the International terminal so we had to get a taxi after waiting to see if anyone came for us.

The arrangements from when we started discussions with Freddie to our return home were excellent and we can’t wait for another safari holiday in two years time.

This was our sixth safari holiday and just about the best." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari

"We had a wonderful time overall and met some very interesting people.

We would have no hesitation in doing the same trip again, but I don't think we would take in Mafia Island. I think it's just us - we've outgrown just going to the beach. If we were planning this again I think we would stay an extra night and chill out at Beho Beho (in fact, Beho Beho offers far more luxury than Pole Pole and was much more comfortable) and then maybe a day at Oyster Bay in Dar before coming home." Read full review: 20 nights in Africa; 18 on a Tanzania safari

"Our trip was amazing. We went to 4 of the 5 countries of East Africa. Saw the gorillas in Uganda, swam with Whale Sharks in Tanzania, climbed Kilimanjaro, kissed giraffes at Giraffe Manor, and had the best safari experience at Laikipia and Masai Mara!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Kenya safari

"The trip was fabulous.

The staff at expert Africa gave us good advice about where to go and made the planning straightforward.

Going to three different camps allowed us to see animals in different landscapes.

Because we went to two Nomad and then a different company camp there was a lot of disappointment about not staying with Nomad. This however was a good idea as the food is quite similar at each camp and you might get bored of it!

The driving distances in the northern circuit aren't that large and it may be that a combination of driving and flying would result in greater exposure to the countryside.

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Not really it was all great. We will be ringing you to go again next year!

I guess as a first time safari-gooer I didn't really realise how close we would come to the animals and how we would feel part of their world (them looking at us as well as the other way around!) The joy of seeing the cycle of life that plays out each day is an unforgettable experience!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari

"My husband and I had a truly memorable honeymoon which successfully balanced our wishes for a rustic safari experience whilst providing the creature comforts to make the trip a truly relaxing and enjoyable one. We loved the unspoilt charm of the Selous and Ruaha and that they were not overrun with tourists. The snorkelling at Mafia was some of the best we've both done with the reef, whilst noticeably damaged, still maintaining diverse life.

All transfers were pretty seemless so we really had no stress for the whole two weeks we were away." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari

"4.5 points overall" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"Katavi and Mafia are both fairly off-the-beaten-track, which I loved, although there was quite a lot of travel in between locations. Flight schedules also meant having to spend a day at either end of the trip in Arusha, which was probably not the most efficient use of time, especially for a short holiday.

However, Katavi and Mafia were both places I really wanted to visit and I wouldn't have changed that." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari

"As requested Expert Africa did not arrange our flights or the accommodation in Stone town.

All that they organised was just as promised and to a very high standard." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"All around very satisfied with the trip and the interaction with Expert Africa.

Lyndsey and James were very very helpful in helping us choose what was right for us.

Extremely knowledgable, patient and flexible to accommodate our constantly changing requests.

I would definitely book with Expert Africa again and am happy to recommend them.

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Keep doing what you are doing..." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"We are huge Africa fans, and once you get away from their shambolic cities and airports, you get to see the best of the continent.
Our experiences at Nairobi airport, both with Coastal and Kenyan Airways/immigration sadly tainted a great trip.

I would probably not repeat the mobile camp stays, which in loo and shower terms were not satisfactory.
The quality/experience of guiding in Serengeti and Ngorongoro was not a patch on Selous Impala and Ruaha in Southern Tanzania, nor compared to Robin Pope camps in Zambia.
Our guide at the crater was lazy and not motivated - probably due to lower absolute level of tips from only two clients.
Lamai was a unique setting and well set up.

Pole Pole had a fantastic location, but was let down by poor maintenance of the showers - no hot water in that climate, and at that price is not good news. The staff were friendly, but not nearly as professional as at Kaya Mawa in Malawi. The Dive and watersports centre made our visit to Mafia memorable, in particular the fish BBQ on the sandbar after snorkelling at the reef." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari