Travel reviews by Carolita from UK

"I arrived Saturday evening after the taxi had thronged through a really vibrant and busy end of day market. The road was narrow and strewn with hundreds of people selling everything from carrots to chairs and mangoes to shoes.
When the gates were opened into Lake Duluti the contrast was immense.

My room had been prepared with the mosquito nets drawn and was immaculately clean. I could not have wished for a more lovely place and room in which to spend my first night in Tanzania.
Although the dining room seemed empty with plenty of staff, they did everything to make me feel safe and comfortable.

The following morning I saw what a beautiful setting it was with views over the lake and set in exquisite gardens.

This was where I met my guide and the receptionist who introduced me to his language of Swahili. I was sent off with printed pages of common words and phrases and huge laughter.
More importantly, I accidentally left my phone charger in my room. Some days later, my guide discovered where it was and the staff at Lake Duluti put it in an envelope and flew it to Namiri !!!! I still have the envelope with its travel stamps on it. I thought that was beyond excellent care, thank you so much."

"The Sopa lodge seemed much bigger and busier rhan the Duluti near Arusha. Arriving up on the ridge was exciting in itself and one can not fault the staff. Entertainment in the form of a short Masai dance or similar occurred each evening before dinner which added to the thrill.

The back of the hotel which was like being on a precipice looking over the pool and down into a vast caldera and its squally changing micro climate was fascinating to see giving an air of mystery to the whole crater rim."

"There are no words to describe this place as it was my very first time in the bush and even camping. My tent was like a Bedhouin palace, one of 8 and I pray they never increase its size.

It has an indelible place in my heart, not just for the nightly roar of the lions, the amazing staff and gourmet food under a starry African sky, or the hot water bottle in my bed at night, the outdoor shower or a tray of coffee at 3,30am one morning but so much more than that.

I will return, and thank you to all the staff there. This was the supreme section of my trip.

Mama Carol x"

"The journey from the airport and the west coast by Stone Town across to the north eastern side of Zanzibar was more than worth it. Firstly I experienced the drive through multiple villages and changes in the vegetation. I went to Marine lodge principally to take up my diving again from 7 or so years ago.

The location with an infinity pool that stretches across the Indian ocean towards Mnemba atoll was stunning and more so because my lodge with its wooden balcony looked straight across at it. Set in a jewel of winding gardens and a lazy holiday atmosphere it was perfect for healing my broken heart at leaving the Serengeti.

A refresher dive in the pool and 2 days of diving helped cure all of that. I had swapped grassland for the ocean with octopus, groupers, stone fish and shoals of rainbow coloured fish. Tea and cake between dives was great and their level of attention and safety was extremely good.

I'm no chicken and although not a large person…gettin me into the water kitted up, well they deserve medals. We laughed a lot.

The hotel gave me everything I asked for, trips to the Spice farm…well worth itt…and the Stone town visit as well as a dubious sail in a small mango boat were on my agenda but the funniest part was the trip to the beach. The boat for transport to the little beach was broken so the barman would drop everything to taxi me to and fro, quite charming and bizarre at the same time. If I wished for anything, it would be that the plastic bottles washed up could be cleared away, such a beautiful coastline."

"Just one night and sleep in The Eka hotel. It was sophisticated, efficient and really restful. Because I was only there for a few hours, room service and lovely food came quickly as well as a packed breakfast at 4am the following morning.

The drive from Nairobe airport to the hotel let me catch site of a thriving westernised city."

"It was like a step back to a by-gone time. This sprawled out genteel colonial hotel was elegant and timeless.

I didnt eat there apart from breakfast as I took the Zambezie river cruise that served food and champagne, but the breakfast was the most comprehensive I have ever experienced, even from a top flight Hong Kong hotel.

The setting was tropical and the staff were attentive and couteous. My room looked out over the grounds at the back directly in front of the famous bridge that separates Zambia from Zimbabwe."