Travel reviews by Mr & Ms Lion cub from UK

"From the moment we arrived at Selous Impala Camp, we were looked after like Royalty! I've never felt so spoiled and cared for at a resort. The staff were warm and welcoming and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. The accommodation - our tent - was fabulous! Really luxurious and yet natural and in keeping with the whole safari experience - all mod cons catered for.

The layout of the camp was fantastic. It felt very natural and we really felt like we were in the middle of the bush! The restaurant and bar areas were beautiful - the decoration and layout were stunning as was the location, overlooking the Rufiji River - absolutely beautiful. The food was amazing - such choice and variety - a very talented chef indeed! Staff members were friendly, knowledgable and very professional.

Just an absolutely wonderful experience in every possible way! We would not hesitate to recommend Selous Impala Camp to anyone!"

"I think by the time we arrived in Zanzibar, we were on such a high from our Safari stay at Selous Impala Camp that Zanzibar had a lot to live up to! Shooting Star Lodge was very nice, but from the moment we arrived, we realised how much more laid back and relaxed everyone was compared to our Safari - slightly less attentive I think?

I think we were surprised by the weather too - it was very cloudy and not that warm.

Our room was lovely and we had everything we needed in it. Sadly I lost my camera on the first evening at dinner - it was dropped in the restaurant area and nobody handed it in which I was extremely upset about and quite disappointed that no staff members had seen it or found it?

The food was nice but not of the standard of Selous Impala Camp. There was not a great deal to do there either - we imagined there would be a local village or town or restaurants along the beach etc, but we felt very much confined to the Lodge. Fisherman Tours organised a few trips for us.

The Blue Safari day down to Fuma was fantastic! A wonderful trip - worth every penny and so well organised. However, the Spice Tour combined with Jozani Forest trip was very disappointing and not worth the money we paid for it.

Overall, I think if I returned to Zanzibar, I might consider an alternative area of the island? Overall, the experience was good but not fantastic and it hasn't really stayed with me since returning home."

"We were only at this hotel for a few hours. The location was probably not the prettiest or easiest to find- set in a back street next to the main market. When we arrived, they were not ready for us and we had to wait about an hour and half for our room to be ready.

We hired a guide through the hotel who spent the afternoon with us and he showed us around and was great - if a little expensive! The room at the hotel was really nicely decorated - very authentic and quite quirky being a coffee house downstairs. Sadly, our toilet did not flush which was not very good.

The staff were friendly if not a bit chaotic! Overall, for an overnight stay, it was quite pleasant. However, having seen various other hotels during our tour throughout the day, I think I would choose a more picturesque setting next time overlooking the sea?"