Travel reviews by Mr & Mrs C from Twickenham
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
3
Excursions taken
0
We really enjoyed the whole experience.
Tanzania and 1 other country between 5 Feb 2009 and 15 Feb 2009
"The title says it all really, we had a really great time at both the camp and the beach lodge. Would we go there again? To Tanzania....possibly, to Zanzibar....probably not, but we're really pleased that we did what we did. At no point were we left waiting for someone to pick us up or for something to happen - all the transfers were seamless and a credit to the organising team back at base, so thankyou Ellie, for organising us so well!
We would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Expert Africa to any and everyone who wishes to travel to Africa and we look forward to dealing with you again.
Suggestions for improvement:
Absolutely none."
We would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Expert Africa to any and everyone who wishes to travel to Africa and we look forward to dealing with you again.
Suggestions for improvement:
Absolutely none."
Mwagusi Safari Camp
"Mwagusi Camp review"
4 nights
Arrived
6 Feb 2009
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Good
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Mchanga Beach Lodge, Zanzibar (this camp has since closed)
"Mchanga Beach Lodge review"
4 nights
Arrived
10 Feb 2009
"Once you get there, the Mchanga Beach Lodge is really nice and the owners, Gloria and Thomas, go out of their way to make you very welcome.
The location of the Lodge, right on the most wonderful beach is superb, BUT, the village that you have to go through to get there is worse than "Third World".
This put us off any excursions outside the Lodge, simply because we felt so unsafe, particularly when allied with the stories of hostility that Gloria and Thomas faced when they were building the Lodge."
The location of the Lodge, right on the most wonderful beach is superb, BUT, the village that you have to go through to get there is worse than "Third World".
This put us off any excursions outside the Lodge, simply because we felt so unsafe, particularly when allied with the stories of hostility that Gloria and Thomas faced when they were building the Lodge."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Average
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Feedback response
Mchanga Beach Lodge stands on one of the stunning beaches on Zanzibar’s east coast, beside a typical Zanzibari fishing village, Pwani Mchangani.
Like many of Zanzibar’s other coastal villages, Pwani Mchangani isn’t quaint, pretty or pictureque. However, it is very typical of the island which, as these travellers have pointed out, is very much in the ‘third world’. Some may not want to see this poorer side of Zanzibar, but it is the reality and, indeed, representative of many places in Africa.
Perhaps we should be clearer: Zanzibar is not just a stunning beach. It is a small island in a developing Africa country, where poverty is common. Tourism is helping to reduce poverty and improve Zanzibar’s economy, and we’re proud that the small lodges which we support have a direct and positive impact on the lives of many islanders. However, in addition to helping by simply coming on holiday here, we urge visitors to take time to learn about Zanzibari life, to visit these villages and meet some of the people. Even from the poorest, the welcome is often warm; visitors are more likely to be humbled by the experience than upset.
When asked about their comments on the “stories of hostility” mentioned to these travellers, Gloria and Thomas explained that the context in which comments had been made were during the early days of their starting to renovate the lodge and the establishement of relationships. This doesn’t surprise us, as we know that it takes time to build trust and develop good relationships with neighbours, even in Zanzibar. There was no reference made to the safety and well being of either themselves or their guests.
Gloria and Thomas have advised us that several of their guests wander through the village of Pwani Mchangani on their own, whilst some others go with guide. They have never had any negative feedback from guests who have visited the village here who felt threatened or harassed.
Like many of Zanzibar’s other coastal villages, Pwani Mchangani isn’t quaint, pretty or pictureque. However, it is very typical of the island which, as these travellers have pointed out, is very much in the ‘third world’. Some may not want to see this poorer side of Zanzibar, but it is the reality and, indeed, representative of many places in Africa.
Perhaps we should be clearer: Zanzibar is not just a stunning beach. It is a small island in a developing Africa country, where poverty is common. Tourism is helping to reduce poverty and improve Zanzibar’s economy, and we’re proud that the small lodges which we support have a direct and positive impact on the lives of many islanders. However, in addition to helping by simply coming on holiday here, we urge visitors to take time to learn about Zanzibari life, to visit these villages and meet some of the people. Even from the poorest, the welcome is often warm; visitors are more likely to be humbled by the experience than upset.
When asked about their comments on the “stories of hostility” mentioned to these travellers, Gloria and Thomas explained that the context in which comments had been made were during the early days of their starting to renovate the lodge and the establishement of relationships. This doesn’t surprise us, as we know that it takes time to build trust and develop good relationships with neighbours, even in Zanzibar. There was no reference made to the safety and well being of either themselves or their guests.
Gloria and Thomas have advised us that several of their guests wander through the village of Pwani Mchangani on their own, whilst some others go with guide. They have never had any negative feedback from guests who have visited the village here who felt threatened or harassed.
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Serena Inn
"Serena Inn review"
1 night
Arrived
14 Feb 2009
"If you put this hotel almost anywhere else in the world but Stonetown, then it would undoubtedly rate an "excellent". The room was fine, the staff were superb, the food was outstanding (particularly in the Terrace Restaurant) and the facilities available in the hotel were good.
But, Stonetown is such a God-awful place; it was filthy, run down, (even the taxi driver apologised for the state of the place, and this without us saying anything!) and expensive. How people manage to find it "fascinating" (this comment from someone else staying at the Mchanga Beach) is completely beyond us."
But, Stonetown is such a God-awful place; it was filthy, run down, (even the taxi driver apologised for the state of the place, and this without us saying anything!) and expensive. How people manage to find it "fascinating" (this comment from someone else staying at the Mchanga Beach) is completely beyond us."
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Good
The size of the banda overall was amazing and the "entertainment" area which opened out on to the river bank was absolutely amazing - especially the double swing.
The public dining area was great and the concept of pre-prandial drinks round the camp fire led to convivial evenings.
The staff at the camp were excellent but were eclipsed by the brilliance of our guide who knew absolutely everything about absolutely everything to do with the park."