Travel reviews by Caro from Bucks

"Impala Camp was pretty much faultless. The staff were polite and obliging at all times, always ready with a smile and a warm greeting. We arrived late in the afternoon, frazzled after almost two days of travel from London and were a bit taken aback when our guide Frank said we'd be stopping en route - we just wanted to get there! But pausing to have a refreshing drink whilst we watched sunset was the best thing ever as the holiday started right there! Even the drive from the airstrip to Impala was like a game drive, with Frank pointing out giraffe and warthogs. Over the next four days Frank led us (me, my husband and our 15 year old daughter) to some incredible wildlife sightings including leopard - twice on two separate days, during the day, also a bull elephant, two male lions, water buffalo, Angolan colobus monkeys, plus much more.

Our room, number six in the camp, was vast and very well situated close to the main area. I hesitate to call it a tent as it was so well appointed. It was good that it had two shower rooms, so my daughter had her own. More of a curtain to cover the loo area would have been appreciated as it didn't pull across properly or hang down very far. The complimentary laundry service was a lovely touch and also the 6am drinks to the room, though we only did that once, opting for later game drive departures on two of the three days, leaving at around 8.30 - 9am. (The later departures were the two days when we saw leopard.) It was reassuruing to have the Masai on hand to accompany us around the camp. During our night drive, Frank was accompanied by a rifleman and a torch man, so we felt secure at all times, and were rewarded with civet and spotted hyena sightings.

The food was really excellent. We thoroughly enjoyed the fresh fruit at breakfast and the cooked offering. And Frank taking us out for a bush breakfast was a special treat and very nicely done. I think the lunches were our favourite meals, but it was a very high bar. We liked the presentation of salads plus a meat/fish dish on large wooden boards. So even if one did not appeal there was more to choose between. A particular lamb dish with spices and dates was amongst the best lamb I've tasted. Dinners were also tasty and filling. When describing the camp, Maruska spoke of the bush babies at the dinner table. And this was something all our family was excited about. And, sure enough, they'd come and visit in the evenings, not actually on the table, but close enough to appreciate them!

We also enjoyed the sundowners on the river which was part of our boat trip/boat drive. Being in the habitat of /so close to potentially dangerous animals gave pause for thought but we never felt unsafe due to Frank's unwavering calm and clear, extensive knowledge of all the places he showed us and the animals he found for us. Not forgetting the birds. Frank was also very knowledgeable about all things avian."

"We weren't sure what to expect, coming to Stonetown from Impala Camp. Huge contrast between the wild and the bustle of the city. On arrival we had to walk some metres from where the taxi dropped us to Zanzibar Palace Hotel, dragging our wheeled luggage over unmade alleys with lots of pits and potholes. Once inside we were greeted with a refreshing drink and then had to wait some time to be shown to our room as they were busy with other guests.

The room was Quirky with a capital Q. Spacious with our own private ante-room/lounge to leave our luggage that had a big internal window that looked over the hotel staircase, so curtains needed to be kept shut. A large bathroom and enormous bath with overhead shower hose that served as a shower. Not the easiest bath to get in and out of, risk of slipping. Of some concern were the small steps throughout the room. All painted one colour, dark green, and hard to see. In the comments at the hotel we suggested perhaps painting the step a different colour as they really were a tripping hazard. The double bed was a small double, yet a superking would have fitted. I shared it with my daughter and my husband had the single bed. The decor was lush and vibrant, gold trims, rich greens and mustards, plentiful sequins. Excellent aircon and good mosquito nets were appreciated. Rodrick behind the desk was helpful and smiley. Spoke with an Italian lady also (owner?manager?) who was very helpful, making sure our driver from Fishermans Tours (or similar name) was going to arrive in time to get us to the boat for Chumbe.

Breakfast was tasty and service good. The crispiest bacon, delicious!"

"Again we did not know what to expect. The boat crossing began with dolphin sightings which put us in the mood for all the marine life that lay ahead. We did not pack light and wished we had taken smaller bags just for the Chumbe island bit of our as our luggage had to be carried through low tide waters, staff wading out to the waiting boats, and it felt unnecessary to have brought so much, particularly as the sea air with all its moisture meant everything was slightly damp all the time!

Chumbe Island lodge was an experience like no other. It is the nearest I could imagine to ever being shipwrecked on a tropical island, castaway style! And yet with enough modern conveniences to make it a pleasurable experience. From the giant coconut crabs, as big as a human head, to the huge array of smaller crustaceans scuttling along the sand, I have never seen so many crabs in one place.

The absolute highlight for me and my daughter was the snorkelling. We went out on a midday snorkel trip two days running and were lucky enough to see a reef shark on one of them. The marine life and corals were quite simply spectacular. The experience was not so good for my husband who, though he had snorkelled before in Antigua, where we went in from the shore, was not prepared for the different sensation of jumping into water out of his depth and with delicate coral beneath that he was trying very hard not to tread on. The stress of it led to him getting out of breath, taking on sea water and having a panic attack. I think, had the team that took us out snorkelling checked in with everyone individually, prior to the boat trip to ask about different levels of ability and experience, he would have been able to explain he'd only been once (he did not know how different it would be to Antigua) and might have had a better experience with more guidance and support, even an offer of equipment like a buoyancy aid.

The food on Chumbe was good. We liked the all day coffee, and other drinks being on offer. The tour of the forest was interesting, as was the trip up to the top of the lighthouse to see the view. The Chumbe experience, was an absolute gem overall."

"Arriving at Breezes after dark and after a long journey , with our last accommodation having been castaway style on Chumbe island, was a phenomenal contrast! We were greeted by Ali who guided us to huge, comfortable wooden sofas in an impeccably decorated and subtly lit foyer which set the tone for the resort. Luxury and refinement all the way.

We enjoyed three days of relaxing by the pool strolling on the fine white sand beach and eating delicious meals. The sea, whilst gorgeous to look at, was not so great if you wanted to swim as the tide went out very far and, underfoot, once past the tide line, the white sand gave way to sharp little rocky patches. The nice big pool was good for a dip and there were plenty of sunbeds with excellent shade that lasted all day so you didn't have to keep shifting your sunbed.

The breakfast buffet stood out for its variety. The lunchtime starters were also great and, we felt, sufficiently big that main courses weren't needed at lunch. We enjoyed using the gym and had fantastic massages at the spa where my 15 year old daughter and I were invited to both have our treatments in the same room, which was appreciated. When some bites on her legs flared up, the hotel arranged for their onsite doctor to bring along a prescription cream that helped. We weren't charged for the consultation, just the cream.

All staff were very friendly and obliging."