Reviews of holidays to Mafia Island

"We had looked forward to this holiday, and it exceeded all our expectations, with the possible exception of the diving at Mafia Island which is possibly not as good a site as advertised, during the SE Monsoon.

It was very well organised by Expert Africa, alongside their local agents, and we felt secure in the knowledge that we were visiting the right places and that our travel and accommodation arrangements were secure.

The wildlife was plentiful and the Serengeti vast and unforgettable.

These travellers commented about their guide: Ayoub, a memorable guide

Ayoub was our guide, provided from Arusha. He picked us up from the airport at Arusha, and stayed with us through our visits to Lake Manyara, Ngorngoro Crater and to Dunia Camp in the southern Serengeti.

The vehicle, although old, was very comfortable, reliable and extremely well stocked with drinks, biscuits, cushions, sandbags for resting cameras on and tissues. Ayoub was totally dedicated, and informative on all manner of subjects. He knew how to find the game, could see lions on rocks or in the distance minutes before we had spotted them, and was very experienced in the areas we visited. His timekeeping was excellent and he knew when we had to leave as early as 5.30 for instance to avoid the long queues to enter the Ngorngoro Crater and Manyara NPs. His knowledge of the wildlife and birds was also excellent.

He anticipated our needs, ordering the picnics we would need from the places we were staying, and always managing to find a washroom or suitable bush whenever we needed one. The vehicle was always clean and tidy in the morning when we set off.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

We would be happy to use Expert Africa for future holidays." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari

"A good trip overall but slightly disapointed by Kinasi. Safari was good as far as game drives went but I think they could make time at the camp a little more special.

Oyster Bay was the 5 star start and end to the trip" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"The holiday was a great success, especially the week on safari.

With a lot of travel arrangements things could easily have gone wrong but everything went like clockwork." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari

"We had a great time and it was everything we expected that it would be. Ellie was so helpful in the booking process and answering my questions.

We loved Tanzania and we agreed that the safari here was better than other countries we had visited. Our driver from Asilia (Albert) was very friendly and knowledgeable. He was always prompt and the vehicle was always spotless.

We undertook a couple of trips with Wayo at the Serena Hotel at Lake Manyara:

1. The night drive into the park made us feel very special as we were the only people in the park on that night. I love the expectation of what you might see and this is what anyone who does this trip needs to bear in mind. It is highly unlikely that you will see Lions and whatever you do see unless you have a very good camera and are very quick at taking the picture you won't be able to do this. So it's best to just sit back and enjoy the trip. We saw different notcturnal animals - porcupine, genet, hippos feeding, bush babies etc.

2. Whilst we enjoyed the bike ride, there are a few factors that anyone doing this needs to think about. It was about 30km and whilst a lot of it is down hill the hot wetaher can take it out of you so take come water (we weren't offered any by Wayo, although our Driver gave us some) and plenty of sunscreen, a hat etc. The bikes are ok, but the seats are a bit worn and uncomfortable (we were talking to the guy who took us and he told us that they wanted to order the gel seats but had to get these form Europe). I had thought that the visit to the village was going to be about meeting people who lived and worked there - we actually visited a curio shop. We then biked into the park and down to the lake and then back up to the village where our driver met us. So overall we enjoyed it but a few things to consider for anyone else.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

I really can't think of any." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 18 on a Tanzania safari

"great time had by all. would recommend.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
no" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari

"A wonderful trip for our 10th wedding anniversary and we've had some really great trips to other African destinations with Expert in the past but this was a bit special at times - particularly as Claire had notified the camps of our anniversary.

We were fortunate to have had some of our best ever wildlife sightings. Mwagusi and Beho Beho certainly are best in class in our experience and Pole Pole made for a lovely relaxing option on the coast.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Keep doing what you do and we'll keep being customers" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari

"Compared to the prior trips were there were (with few exeptions) no other tourists in sight, this experience was too crowded for my taste - but given the destination, Serengeti during migration time, this is probaely difficult to avoid.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

See you next year" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"Brilliant ; one of the best holidays we've
ever had . Beho Beho and Chole Mjini
are two of the best places we've ever
stayed anywhere . Overall a great combination
of sea and safari , luxury and outdoor life .

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No contine as you are ! Expert Africa seems
to have a good reputation with the camps .
Continue offering the breadth of choice you do
including places like Chole Mjini .
We're keen on Zimbabwe next !!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 13 on a Tanzania safari

"A magical trip. Wonderful lodges and abundant game in both Selous and Ruaha.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

This is the second time we have travelled with you. We will consider using your services again should we return to Africa and certainly recommend you to others." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari

"We put this into our top three holidays - but we're not sure what the other two might be! We were delighted with our choice of camps which we alighted upon after full answers to our detailed questions: which suggests to us that you made a good effort at trying to understand what we were looking for (and made us think about what we really wanted).

Beho Beho managed to create a really welcoming safari house party atmosphere (probably helped by the fact that the owner's mother "Mrs B" was staying). Seasoned safari folk might find it a little too sanitised and soft but we enjoyed it all the same.

Kwihala really does deserve a higher profile. it's not the poshest but it's for real, in a genuine piece of wilderness. Pietro was really enthusiastic. He really has a passion for lions which, perhaps almost got in the way of the wider safari experience such as simply stopping and looking at the "normal" wildlife. Also chasing the lions meant that breakfast and lunch almost went forgotten. Now, we know that nothing is predictable in the field but it did mean that on a couple days the gap between lunch and dinner was almost indigestably short.

Pole Pole was a complete downshift in pace, and a totally welcome one too. All services were delivered faultlessly and effortlessly. The atmosphere in the village was good too." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari