Travel reviews by Dad from UK
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
5
Excursions taken
0
Our Trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar
Tanzania and 1 other country between 10 Feb 2018 and 25 Feb 2018
"I was able to research our trip with the help of your excellent website and conversations with Lyndsey and book a holiday which exceeded my expectations. I was keen to avoid crowds at safari camps and therefore avoided the Serengeti and crater and choose Ruaha and Selous. Both were fabulous and we enjoyed visiting at this time of year when the areas were so green and lush. Ruaha with its baobab trees was particularly beautiful. We also enjoyed the contrast of Selous with the river and lakes and the option of boat safaris to see crocodiles and hippos.
I was pleased to have had 2 nights in Stone Town. What a fascinating town. We booked a historic tour for 8.30am before it became too hot and found our guide well informed. The last 3 nights at Mtembwe Lodge were wonderful. The place was paradise and we really didnt want to leave. All in all a super holiday.
The only plan I would have changed would have been to have stayed 3 nights at Ras Kutani instead of 2 nights, as the journey seemed too long from Dar es Salaam for just what ended up to be one whole day there as we only arrived at 6pm and had to leave at 7.30am. The hotel was good but we couldn't really appreciate it in the time allowed."
I was pleased to have had 2 nights in Stone Town. What a fascinating town. We booked a historic tour for 8.30am before it became too hot and found our guide well informed. The last 3 nights at Mtembwe Lodge were wonderful. The place was paradise and we really didnt want to leave. All in all a super holiday.
The only plan I would have changed would have been to have stayed 3 nights at Ras Kutani instead of 2 nights, as the journey seemed too long from Dar es Salaam for just what ended up to be one whole day there as we only arrived at 6pm and had to leave at 7.30am. The hotel was good but we couldn't really appreciate it in the time allowed."
Arranged By Lyndsey Marris
Ras Kutani, Tanzania (this camp has since closed)
"Ras Kutani review"
2 nights
Arrived
11 Feb 2018
"Our stay there was very good. The lodge overlooking the lagoon was super. I enjoyed sitting on the verandah with binoculars and spotting kingfishers and heron in the early morning and seeing the fish eagles scanning the sea. We only had 2 nights and 1 day there which was too short. We should have had 3 nights there to really unwind and appreciate all the facilities."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Mwagusi Safari Camp
"Mwagusi Safari Camp"
3 nights
Arrived
13 Feb 2018
"We loved this camp. We enjoyed the group dining and our group safari drives. Alex, the manager made us extremely welcome. In fact all her staff were great. The food was excellent. The chefs presenting the buffet seemed proud of their dishes. Our tented camp overlooking a dry river bed was very attractive and we loved the large verandah where we could retire to and our drives.
Our guide and driver were knowledgeable and good company.
Better lighting for reading in bed would be ideal, but we appreciate that camps in the bush are not known for great lighting and we did have our head torches."
Our guide and driver were knowledgeable and good company.
Better lighting for reading in bed would be ideal, but we appreciate that camps in the bush are not known for great lighting and we did have our head torches."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Impala Camp
"Selous Impala Camp"
3 nights
Arrived
16 Feb 2018
"First impression of the camp as you arrive is very good. The staff were attentive, particularly our waiter Victor. We enjoyed having a Masai guard to accompany us to our lodge each time. He was very polite and helpful.
Dinners were spectacular. I commented that the chef could compete with a Michelin star chef in London.
We were disappointed to have separate game drives. It is more fun to share a jeep with a couple of others, to share the experience. One felt all guests were being separated both for dining and drives, which was a shame, particularly after our experience at Mwagusi. But perhaps some people prefer that.
The lodge was lovely. Very comfortable bed.
Having a swimming pool was an added bonus. We could relax there after a drive."
Dinners were spectacular. I commented that the chef could compete with a Michelin star chef in London.
We were disappointed to have separate game drives. It is more fun to share a jeep with a couple of others, to share the experience. One felt all guests were being separated both for dining and drives, which was a shame, particularly after our experience at Mwagusi. But perhaps some people prefer that.
The lodge was lovely. Very comfortable bed.
Having a swimming pool was an added bonus. We could relax there after a drive."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Emerson on Hurumzi
"Emerson on Hurumzi"
2 nights
Arrived
19 Feb 2018
"We enjoyed staying in an historic house in the middle of the town. We had to have our driver carry our bags some way as cars cant reach the hotel. I was slightly jealous of those hotels along the beachfront with swimming pools, until I heard they were hassled by street sellers every time they left the hotel and went on to the beach or surrounding area, whereas we had no problems whatsoever. There were invitations to visit inside the shops but not too pushy.
The staff were helpful. The breakfast was in a small courtyard. It would have been lovely to have been on a terrace overlooking the town. I believe there was a restaurant on top, but the reviews I read did not give it a good write up, so we chose other restaurant for our evening meals. 2 nights and 1/5 days were just the right time, as it is extremely hot walking around the town."
The staff were helpful. The breakfast was in a small courtyard. It would have been lovely to have been on a terrace overlooking the town. I believe there was a restaurant on top, but the reviews I read did not give it a good write up, so we chose other restaurant for our evening meals. 2 nights and 1/5 days were just the right time, as it is extremely hot walking around the town."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Good
Service
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Matemwe Lodge
"Matemwe Lodge Review"
3 nights
Arrived
21 Feb 2018
"We loved this hotel. It was a super place to spend our last 3 nights in Africa. Initially we were assigned Room 12, which was a long way from the restaurant and swimming pool, so the manager kindly us transferred us after the first night to Room 1, which was ideal. The pool area and dining areas were beautiful overlooking the ocean. We made us of the facilities, taking a snorkelling trip and a Reef walk.
We enjoyed having the hotel so near a vibrant village. Fishing boats passed by all the time and we went to watch the fish auction in the village. The staff were very helpful and there were plenty of dry towels available.
The choice of food was excellent. Lunches were particularly good. The safari lodges were able to provide chilled water in flasks which was much appreciated. We suggested to Ross, the manager, that it might be a good idea to also provide chilled water, as warm water is not nice to drink."
We enjoyed having the hotel so near a vibrant village. Fishing boats passed by all the time and we went to watch the fish auction in the village. The staff were very helpful and there were plenty of dry towels available.
The choice of food was excellent. Lunches were particularly good. The safari lodges were able to provide chilled water in flasks which was much appreciated. We suggested to Ross, the manager, that it might be a good idea to also provide chilled water, as warm water is not nice to drink."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
