Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs K from Hampshire
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
1
Lodges stayed in
2
Excursions taken
0
good bar pole pole beech
Tanzania between 14 Sep 2013 and 24 Sep 2013
"All lovely bar pole pole beech - see comments. Should we use expert africa again we do need to get the beech/relax part sorted as this has been a problem three times now and, as I said, I had mentioned how important this would be to us given Zanzibar and mozambique."
Mwagusi Safari Camp
"exceptional! Friendly, helpful.Food amazing"
5 nights
Arrived
15 Sep 2013
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Pole Pole
"very friendly"
4 nights
Arrived
20 Sep 2013
"Pole pole was great. The staff so helpful and always smiling. All did their best to improve my Swahali speaking skills! The chef went out of her way to cook alternatives for me as, for example, I eat no shellfish except prawns. It was never forgotten and the alternatives were unfailingly delicious. The daily complimentary excursions were very good - in particular the dow trip to a reef where we snorkelled then on to a sandbank where were given fish grilled on the beach while we lazed in the sun
The one problem we had was with the beach. The tides were dramatic. At high tide there was no beach and at low tide the water so far out swimming was not possible. Also the current was strong as the tide was going out and,again, we could not swim. We were disappointed as we had not had a good experience in Zanzibar (razor sharp rocks by the shoreline making it impossible to enter the water) and expressly asked for a location where we could lie on the beech and swim in the sea.
This should not realky be marketed as a beech holiday (the photo in your brouchure is misleading). Fortunately there was a lovely swimming pool and that is where we spent much of out time quite hapily. The spa was a welcome luxury."
The one problem we had was with the beach. The tides were dramatic. At high tide there was no beach and at low tide the water so far out swimming was not possible. Also the current was strong as the tide was going out and,again, we could not swim. We were disappointed as we had not had a good experience in Zanzibar (razor sharp rocks by the shoreline making it impossible to enter the water) and expressly asked for a location where we could lie on the beech and swim in the sea.
This should not realky be marketed as a beech holiday (the photo in your brouchure is misleading). Fortunately there was a lovely swimming pool and that is where we spent much of out time quite hapily. The spa was a welcome luxury."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Average
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Average
Feedback response
We are delighted that these travellers enjoyed Pole Pole generally and especially the pool and the spa.
However, we were concerned about their beach comments. As with all beach places in Mafia and Zanzibar, the tides do affect the beach and the options for swimming. Pole Pole has a better beach than many other Mafia lodges, with a significant area of soft sand, and fewer mangroves than elsewhere. Swimming from Pole Pole's beach is possible during high tides, while at low tide the lodge also offers excursions to exposed sand bank islands (which these travellers enjoyed) large beaches where you can always swim. These daily trips are included in the rates.
That said, Mafia's beaches aren't like Zanzibar's. We always try to discuss this with our travellers; were sorry if we didn't emphasise the differences enough.
We've assured these travellers that the picture of Pole Pole in our brochure was like every single other picture in our brochure taken by one of our team when they visited the lodge, and it hasn't been edited in any way.
However, we were concerned about their beach comments. As with all beach places in Mafia and Zanzibar, the tides do affect the beach and the options for swimming. Pole Pole has a better beach than many other Mafia lodges, with a significant area of soft sand, and fewer mangroves than elsewhere. Swimming from Pole Pole's beach is possible during high tides, while at low tide the lodge also offers excursions to exposed sand bank islands (which these travellers enjoyed) large beaches where you can always swim. These daily trips are included in the rates.
That said, Mafia's beaches aren't like Zanzibar's. We always try to discuss this with our travellers; were sorry if we didn't emphasise the differences enough.
We've assured these travellers that the picture of Pole Pole in our brochure was like every single other picture in our brochure taken by one of our team when they visited the lodge, and it hasn't been edited in any way.
Our driver and guide's 'spotting' skills were amazing. We saw leopard, cheetah and lion. We could just sit in the bush watching zebra, elephant etc - soaking up the atmosphere. I read an article describing being in the African bush as "spiritual nourishment" - I agree. I spent the time between an excellent lunch and the afternoon/evening game drive lying in the most comfortable hammock I have ever lain in.
The evening game drive was followed by superb food - so much choice - and very good company. Thank you all at Mwagusi."