This Tour Is Offered By
Crafting the perfect escape across Malawi & Beyond
Crafted Africa
- Office In:
- Size:
- 10-20 employees (Founded in 2009)
- Member Of:
- African Travel & Tourism Association
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
-
MWMZZM
Malawi's leading tour operator, Crafted Africa specialises in high end adventure travel in Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique. Our experienced and knowledgeable experts blend local knowledge with international standards, offering quick responses and personalised service to craft intricately tailored trips. We focus on independent and sustainable boutique lodges, combined with guided transfers and a myriad of adventure activities, from walking and canoe safaris to helicopters and hot air balloons.
Reviews72
A wonderful experience beautifully curated by Crafted Africa
Our UK-based expert - Helen Kirby of African Leap Safaris - helped us design our month-long trip to Malawi and Zambia, drawing on the expertise of Mike and his team in Lilongwe.
We were delighted with the choice of lodges and the great variety of experiences in a very well chosen route from game lodge; to tea plantation; to forest plateau; to a second game lodge; to Cape Maclear on the edge of Lake Malawi; to Mumbo Island; to a game reserve in Zambia and back to our starting point in Lilongwe with a day to explore the capital.
As an indication of the thought behind our itinerary, we can’t answer when friends say what was the highlight of the trip - because each of the places we stayed was so different and so fascinating that each one was a highlight!
From the start of the planning process, the Crafted Africa team was so quick to respond to questions and to make suggestions that ae felt in very safe hands.
Once we arrived in Lilongwe, we were looked after very well by Lawrence before we flew the following day to Blantyre where we were met by Mathias, our driver and guide.
We immediately felt comfortable with Mathias, who drove with great skill and guided us through the local history and culture as we drove around the country.
Malawi is a beautiful country and we felt privileged to have the chance to learn so much from Mathias.
The quality of the accommodation and food was exceptional and we were looked after at each lodge with great courtesy and good humour - and all praised Mike and his team for the way they are encouraging tourists to explore Malawi in a sustainable way that brings income to local communities and helps the country’s efforts to protect its wonderful wildlife.
All in all, the quality of our experience was worth every penny.
Crafted Africa rightly deserves its reputation as the best tour operator in Malawi.
US
Smooth booking process, but miss on value for money with properties booked
Crafted’s team worked with us through several iterations to design a trip that we thought matched our requirements. Their team from reservations to finance to the driver they arranged for us was kind, efficient, and customer-oriented.
Ultimately, however, our experience staying in the lodges Crafted advised and had assured us were top-quality didn’t meet expectations. There was a complete misalignment in terms of value for money. I recognize the experience at the lodge ultimately falls on the management of that lodge, but we felt like Crafted either didn’t adequately calibrate expectations or hadn’t recently visited the properties as they had assured us the properties we booked were of highest quality and that our trip represented very good value. I think what made all of this most disappointing is we opted to pay ~15% more to book with Crafted than a competing tour operator whose properties were likely of higher quality and included a private air transfer instead of one of the long drives we had.
BE
Perfectly planned and executed trip with several waw moments
What a great trip, with plenty of variation, great locations and lodges, great service and a lot of waw moments. Emmanuel our guide and ‘safety first’ driver played an important role in making this happen. Overall strongly recommendable
US
Amazing Tour Company!
I honestly cannot say enough wonderful things about Crafted Africa. They made our Malawian family vacation absolutely wonderful and relaxing and perfect. I lived in Malawi 30 years ago as a young volunteer, and this summer I returned with my husband and two sons to share the beauty of the country with them. I thought about doing a self-drive tour to save money ... but I am SO glad I decided to let Crafted Africa do the bookings and arrange for the car and driver. Our driver, Eddie, was just such a great guide and driver and person that I can't imagine having done the trip without him. He was so helpful and friendly and generous and knowledgable. He knew all about the country and the flora and fauna. He elevated our entire experience from the moment he picked us up at the airport. Our flight had arrived late and our luggage was delayed, so when we left the airport we were tired. He was there to greet us warmly with a beautiful clean vehicle filled with snacks and treats and bottles of South African wine. He made us feel instantly relaxed and safe and cared for. Our entire trip went flawlessly. Everything was beautifully arranged and Eddie was like our fixer, helping us with any issue or question or request. He knew which roads were closed due to maintenance or flooding, he was always prepared with suggestions to help us have the perfect vacation experience, he knew lots of people around the country - including police officers as road stops - that always helped us to avoid any hassles or issues. My whole family was SO SAD we couldn't bring him with us to Tanzania for the second half of our holiday. I had thought that our time in Malawi would be harder than our time in Tanzania - because it's less of a popular tourist destination - but it was the other way around. I am SO glad that Crafted Africa helped me with the trip arrangements. Sure it cost a bit more than doing it myself, but it was SO worth it! I can't recommend them, and Eddie, highly enough!!!!
HK
Seamless and Amazing Experience 🤩
I was a solo traveller treating myself for a special birthday and the whole experience could not of been better. My guide/drive Lawrence was simply the best - relaxed, friendly, thoughtful and very kind!
Everything went according to plan - my various lodges were exceptional, food amazing (I am vegetarian) and the game drives were some of the best I have been on (and I have been on a lot!) I concentrated on Southern and Central Malawi and South Luanga NP, Zambia - everything I did was amazing! I have am very well traveled but this trip was one of my favourites!
