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:
- Price Range:
- $200 to $1,500 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
Email Grania | 65+ years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
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
Email Ross | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
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
Email Carine Vercaempt | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
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
Email Miranda | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
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
Email Jane Gray | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
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!
US
Email Elana Samad | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Courteous, professional, helpful and very responsive.
We had an amazing Safari experience in Malawi through Crafted Africa. Tiwonge, the representative who facilitated our trip was very responsive, efficient and friendly. Everything went smoothly and we would definitely recommend this company to anyone planning a Safari in Malawi or any other country they service. The lodge we stayed in was beautiful and the staff extremely warm and responsive to our every need. The food was delicious and accommodations excellent.
IT
Email Micaela | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
They organised and excellent trip, leaving us carefree! Accurate, reliable, caring.
Our experience has been relaxing, carefree and fantastic!
We booked this trip at the very last minute, only thanks to Mike and crafted Africa everything has been possible.
Mike gave us great advices on planning the trip, he kindly accommodates our wishes and needs and he promptly handled a change of plans the day before arrival.
Last minute reservations in the best resorts (amazing services, rooms and food), private transfers, by plain, car and boat, everything has been thought out in detail.
We enjoyed a wonderful carefree holiday, because everything has been organised in details by Mike.
Thank you!
Email Laura Church | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Incredible tailored family travel experience
Crafted Africa designed and delivered a trip of dreams for my family and I (2 adults / 2 boys aged 10 & 12). The team was passionate, knowledgeable and fantastic to deal with from start to finish. We leaned heavily on their expertise to shape our plans and the Malawi-Zambia-Mozambique itinerary they created for us was perfect, with a thoughtful mix of luxury and eco travel and daily once-in-a-lifetime adventures. From safari to wale-watching, scuba diving to starlit dinners, our trip was jam-packed with unbelievably special moments. Our Crafted Africa guide, Eddie, was knowledgeable and a great host in Malawi and Zambia and the transfers arranged for us by Crafted Africa in Mozambique were seamless. It was evident at every stop of our journey what high esteem Crafted Africa is held in among the lodges and activity providers and we felt incredibly fortunate to benefit from red carpet treatment from start to finish on our trip as a result of their hard work and best-in-class reputation. I recommend Crafted Africa without hesitation for family travel to the region and will personally work with them again at the earliest opportunity.
DE
Email Heike | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Top service - highly recommended!
We went on a 16-day safari and beach trip (Lower Zambezi - South Luangwa and Lake Malawi) in November, organized by Crafted Africa based on our personal preferences. It was a fantastic collaboration from the first moment of contact. Mike and his team were always available before and during the trip. Any inquiries were promptly addressed. We booked the international flights ourselves; however, Crafted Africa took care of everything else, and it all went seamlessly: shuttle services, domestic flights, accommodations – everything was impeccable!
Not to mention the unique nature experiences – Mike didn't promise too much! We had the pleasure of experiencing most wonderful moments and are very, very grateful to Mike and his team.
NL
Email Stijn & Natascha | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Top notch from start to end
Even though Crafted Africa is not very active in the Netherlands, I was very lucky that I contacted them for my safari trip. I contacted Lotte and only after a short conversation she knew enough to come up with a nice proposal. Especially the nice online itinerary looks great and makes you enjoy your trip even at home. Via Lowe Zambezi and South Luangwa witch were both great we went to Lilongwe NP in Malawi. They do advertise with it but it is really true. The people in Malawi are so welcoming that within no time you feel at home. We stayed at Kuthengo which is the smallest but warmest and best lodge I've ever been to. Great personnel, from back office to guides. But special thanks to Sam (our trainee guide). After our lovely stay at Kuthengo we were invited by Mike and Lotte to enjoy some delicious wines. Their wines and wings shop makes you feel you are in the middle of the winelands. I can recommend Crafted Africa to everyone who is looking for an unforgettable experience. They sorted everything from a to z. My next trip to Africa will definitely be with Crafted Africa.
