Tanzania: reviews from our travellers

"We started out at the White Sands Villas and Spa in Paje beach on Zanzibar which is beyond beautiful. It just opened in 2014 and the grounds are spectacular and the rooms are really small compounds with two buildings, a private pool and private garden that opens on to the beach. It was the perfect place to relax and get used to the time zone change.

Then off to the Selous game reserve for a week of safari. The reserve is amazing and had many different landscapes which made you feel like you were exploring a number of different reserves, rather than just one.

All our lodges were great and the whole trip went smoothly and according to plan. We would definitely visit here again!" Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"The trip was fantastic and a trip of a lifetime. We will have so many memories of the wildlife and Tanzania. Many thanks to Ellie for arranging the trip and giving guidance and recommendations as to the Camps and itinerary.

We should also like to recommend our guide Albert who we had for 8 days, who was very personable and extremely knowledgeable and made the trip so enjoyable.

We were probably slightly disappointed with Zanzibar as a place to visit and if we were arranging the trip again might go for the mainland coast or go for one of the other islands." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"A great trip. The plan to work westwards from the beach to Lake Tanganyika worked out really well.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Nothing to add; we are very happy with everything you have done for us." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 15 on a Tanzania safari

"Overall experience was excellent with the exception of the Zanzibar Coffee House and the Fishermen tour organization.

The tour mostlly functioned as a taxi-they were on time and pleasant but not helpful." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 4 on a Rwanda safari

"Until our flights home, we had a magnificent holiday and would recommend all the places. We have one minor and one major complaint about the trip ( I should however say at this stage that Ellie was hugely helpful from the beginning to the actual holiday.

Minor:- having spent £15k on the holiday, I felt that,unlike other travel agents we have dealt with, the lack of a personal call on our return and the failure to send us this form until I requested it was not very good PR for Expert Africa.

Major:- on our return, our flight itinerary expected us to sit for five hours at Dar airport ( outside on the roadside on uncomfortable chairs) while we waited for our connecting flight with Kenya Airways to Nairobi. As we were flying business class from Nairobi to London, why were we not on the earlier Kenyan Airways flight so that we could at least wait in a comfortable lounge?

For some reason I had a fever with temperature of 103 and insisted on taking the earlier flight ( they nearly would not let me fly and wanted me to go to the hospital to see a doctor) Because we were flying economy, we had to pay 130 dollars to change flights. On this flight were many of the guests we had met during our holiday that were also on the London BA flight.

As your client it is not up to us to check all the flight times as we have already made it clear that we would want all the most sensible connections. Also,the earlier flights were not new as one guest we had spoken to had booked a long time ago like us and because BA cancelled their Wednesday flights out to a nairobi just before we were going, necessitating a change in flights all round, you could have rechecked then. We do expect to hear from you on this matter as it is not satisfactory and left a bitter taste after such a wonderful holiday up until then." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 4 on a Tanzania safari

"We had the most wonderful trip and saw so much more than we ever expected. We particularly enjoyed living in the tented accommodation being surrounded by nature and learning so much about the wildlife. This was largely due to the skill of the guides, notably Silvanus who drove us around and acted as our guide for several days in different locations of Tarangire, Lake Manyara and The Ngorongoro crater. His knowledge was amazing and his patience with two novices was truly boundless.

We like to mention how impressed we were with the safari outfit used by Expert Africa and would highly recommend this company to anyone. Their operations were run smoothly and efficiently with a constant desire to improve their services and environmentally friendly camps even further. Their training policy and opportunity for further development seemed to be very much appreciated by their employees. All their staff were happy and proud working for them which we felt speaks for itself.

The balloon trip over the Serengeti at dawn was an unforgettable experience, which we would highly recommend. The pilot was very experienced and his expert handling of the balloon allowed us to fly extremely low. Gliding across the Mara River and seeing the sun rising over this amazing landscape was truly magical.

Zanzibar offered a completely different type of holiday. We were especially interested in the history and culture of the island. The 'Princess Salme' tour was particularly fascinating and took in several different experiences: a very informative visit around the Mtoni Palace given by the project manager of the restoration project, followed by a Dhow trip, a coffee ceremony as well as a fascinating spice tour led by a guide with real knowledge of the subject and finally a delicious meal provided by the plantation owner. We would highly recommend it as it is designed for very small groups and provides a real insight into what made the island what it is.

A special mention should also go to Nick at Unguja Lodge who is a very competent and professional diving instructor who enabled me to fulfil my long held wish to complete my diving certificate.

Expert Arfrica did deliver exactly what we had asked for in our original brief and more. They enabled us to choose companies and lodges, etc which benefit their local communities and this had been one of our priorities. It also allowed us to see some very well run local projects during our travels which are all equally worth while supporting in the future.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

A suggestion might be that while on safari, to consider having a day in camp to digest what had been experienced. This could take the form of a walk with guides followed later by an evening drive. Having some time to just sit in front of our tent for a few hours and to watch the wildlife from there or reading a book was rather enjoyable especially after several days of non stop action. We think people should be made aware of this option." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"We'd not used Expert Africa before but our experience was excellent and we'd certainly use them should we decide to take another safari.

We had a good conversation initially talking about what we'd done before and wanted to do on this safari - they understood our requirements and put together a great itinerary for us.

Any emails we sent were replied to very quickly.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

As I've indicated we had a very enjoyable experience and can't really suggest any ways to improve your service." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari

"This holiday ( planned over almost 2 years - to celebrate a 'special' birthday) proved to be be all we hoped for and more. It was fantastic

Throughout the long planning period Eleanor was wonderful. She gave us a great insight into the places we wished to visit, her advice was perfect e.g. It was definitely better to visit Katavi before Mahale. Thank you Ellie you were great !

We have used Expert Africa on many occasions and have always been delighted with our trips. Chris and his team are efficient and very knowledgeable - Chris ensures that any place that clients wish to visit have been vetted by him or one of his team.

We look forward to our next Expert Africa trip though it will not be somewhat different as we are hoping to take our young grandchildren to introduce them to the wonders of this great country.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Keep up the good work!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 17 on a Tanzania safari

"Out of this world! We will definitely be contacting James again in the near future, funds permitting!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"This was our seventh safari trip to Africa (all arranged by Expert Africa!), but our first trip to Tanzania. We had very much hoped to see a crossing of the Mara river by the herds of migrating of wildebeest, and we were fortunate to do so. A lasting impression is of the huge herds of wildebeest, zebras, buffaloes and elephants that we saw both in the Tarangire and the Serengeti.

All the arrangements worked perfectly, and we enjoyed our trip very much indeed.

Two general comments regarding safaris in Tanzanian National Parks:

(a) the need to be back in camp before sunset does not allow for the sundowners in the bush experience that we have enjoyed in other African countries, such as Zambia;

(b) in our view, the open vehicles available at the camps, are essential to enjoy a true safari experience. As Tanzania does not allow open vehicles outside of National Parks, many guests 'safaried' in closed vehicles, having driven from airports / other National Parks." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari