Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs S from Birghton
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
5
Excursions taken
0
Another fabulous holiday with Expert Africa
Tanzania and 1 other country between 20 Aug 2011 and 2 Sep 2011
"This is the second time we have travelled with Expert Africa (and our third time with Sunvil) and I wouldn't hesitate to use your services again. From start to finish Liz could not have been more helpful and knowledgeable – particularly as I had in mind a fairly complicated itinerary built round a special wedding anniversary and including a surprise bush camp night.
Everything went smoothly from start to finish; the accommodation recommendations were spot on; the advice was first class; and all my questions and concerns were answered very promptly. I have recommended Expert Africa to several friends and colleagues, and passed a couple of your cards to fellow travellers along the way!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just one thing: more specific advice on tipping at each place would be helpful, although I realise this is a difficult proposition. We were given a benchmark of $10 per person per day on safari, but when we were at Beho Beho $5–$10 was suggested as appropriate for the lodge staff, but guides were also to be tipped $10 per person per drive/walk. We had already put our tip in the general tips box only to discover that this was for house staff only and that we should tip the guides personally. It was all rather awkward.
We also did not know how much was appropriate as a tip for Thadeo, our 'butler' at Matemwe Retreat, so we just had to guess."
Everything went smoothly from start to finish; the accommodation recommendations were spot on; the advice was first class; and all my questions and concerns were answered very promptly. I have recommended Expert Africa to several friends and colleagues, and passed a couple of your cards to fellow travellers along the way!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just one thing: more specific advice on tipping at each place would be helpful, although I realise this is a difficult proposition. We were given a benchmark of $10 per person per day on safari, but when we were at Beho Beho $5–$10 was suggested as appropriate for the lodge staff, but guides were also to be tipped $10 per person per drive/walk. We had already put our tip in the general tips box only to discover that this was for house staff only and that we should tip the guides personally. It was all rather awkward.
We also did not know how much was appropriate as a tip for Thadeo, our 'butler' at Matemwe Retreat, so we just had to guess."
Arranged By Elizabeth Chapman
Beho Beho
"Amazing hospitality at Beho Beho"
4 nights
Arrived
21 Aug 2011
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Beho Beho Tree-house
"Luxury in the Bush"
1 night
Arrived
25 Aug 2011
"I arranged a night at the bush camp as a surprise for my husband for our 10th wedding anniversary. Ian, Kimberley, and the whole team went out of their way to keep it a secret until we literally walked into the camp at sundown.
The camp itself is even more beautiful than I expected, with every last detail thought of. After sundowners we sat by the fire with drinks and canapes before enjoying a delicious meal and very pleasant company. The camp is intimate, personalised, and it was a privilege to enjoy this real once-in-a-lifetime experience."
The camp itself is even more beautiful than I expected, with every last detail thought of. After sundowners we sat by the fire with drinks and canapes before enjoying a delicious meal and very pleasant company. The camp is intimate, personalised, and it was a privilege to enjoy this real once-in-a-lifetime experience."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Mchanga Beach Lodge, Zanzibar (this camp has since closed)
"Liad back Mchanga"
2 nights
Arrived
26 Aug 2011
"You'd be hard pushed to find softer, whiter sand than at Mchanga Beach Lodge – the beach is simply stunning. You can kick off your shoes here and quite happily leave them off until it's time to leave. Though driving through the village to reach the lodge is rather sobering, the lodge itself is very charming in a chilled out, low-key way. The service was very friendly with all the staff introducing themselves by name, and the food was good and plentiful.
After the luxury of our Selous safari camp the simplicity of the room here was a stark contrast. Given the setting and the service the room was actually a little disappointing – ours was dark (although this did help to keep it cool), the drains were a bit smelly and there was no hot water in the shower.
In fact our toilet broke and started to leak, although it was fixed very promptly. Having said this, we really only used the room to sleep and shower – the beach is the star here. Overall this is a good, basic place for some post-safari relaxation."
After the luxury of our Selous safari camp the simplicity of the room here was a stark contrast. Given the setting and the service the room was actually a little disappointing – ours was dark (although this did help to keep it cool), the drains were a bit smelly and there was no hot water in the shower.
In fact our toilet broke and started to leak, although it was fixed very promptly. Having said this, we really only used the room to sleep and shower – the beach is the star here. Overall this is a good, basic place for some post-safari relaxation."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Good
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Matemwe Retreat
"Wonderful Matemwe Retreat"
3 nights
Arrived
28 Aug 2011
"Matemwe Retreat could not be more appropriately named – it is a relaxing haven with all you could wish for in an idyllic setting. The rooms are beautiful with rustic-chic styling, and the top deck with the plunge pool is simply stunning. We were very well looked after by Thadeo who was attentive, friendly, and a mine of information on island life and culture.
We did the snorkelling trip one morning and it was well worth the early start – a sailing trip on a dhow, amazing marine life, and a delicious, simple picnic on a deserted sandbank. The main lodge at Matemwe is beautiful, too, and Thadeo was our waiter there on the couple of occasions we chose to venture out to the main restaurant.
We had 3 days here, but we could happily have stayed for a couple more. It is the perfect mix of elegance and sophistication with a relaxed, laid back vibe."
We did the snorkelling trip one morning and it was well worth the early start – a sailing trip on a dhow, amazing marine life, and a delicious, simple picnic on a deserted sandbank. The main lodge at Matemwe is beautiful, too, and Thadeo was our waiter there on the couple of occasions we chose to venture out to the main restaurant.
We had 3 days here, but we could happily have stayed for a couple more. It is the perfect mix of elegance and sophistication with a relaxed, laid back vibe."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Beyt al Salaam
"Charming Beyt al Chai"
2 nights
Arrived
31 Aug 2011
"This is a charming, authentic guesthouse in a great setting near to the seafront, the Forodhani Gardens, the old city, and The Africa House.
On arrival we were delighted to be upgraded to the Sultan room and given a cold bottle of bubbly as they knew it was our 10th wedding anniversary. This was a lovely touch.
In the evening we ate at the Beyt al Chai restaurant and enjoyed a really great seafood dinner with a nice bottle of wine. We stayed here for two nights, which was a perfect amount of time to explore Stone Town."
On arrival we were delighted to be upgraded to the Sultan room and given a cold bottle of bubbly as they knew it was our 10th wedding anniversary. This was a lovely touch.
In the evening we ate at the Beyt al Chai restaurant and enjoyed a really great seafood dinner with a nice bottle of wine. We stayed here for two nights, which was a perfect amount of time to explore Stone Town."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
There was great flexibility on where and when you could walk or drive, so it was possible to drive in the morning and walk in the afternoon, or vice versa. Often on the drives you had the jeep and guide to yourself so it was very personalised and the guides' knowledge was second to none.
The bush camp is spectacular and makes for a very memorable experience. Ian, Kimberley, and the whole team went out of their way to keep the surprise a secret and everything was expertly and attentively arranged. It is rare to go somewhere where the people, the food and the service are equally impeccable and I would not hesitate to recommend this very special place."