Travel reviews by Mrs J from Henley
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
5
Excursions taken
0
My Oct 2024 trip
Tanzania and 1 other country between 21 Oct 2024 and 2 Nov 2024
"This was our first safari, and overall the trip exceeded expectations. Jessica really took the time to understand the kind of thing we were looking for and her recommendations and advice were spot on.
It was nice to bump into Chris (the boss) on our trip - once on one of the flights and again at Mdonya. He's clearly extremely knowledgeable and passionate about all things safari.
We loved the two camps, and it was great to visit two different areas as the experience was different at each. In particular we loved the fact that both parks were relatively quiet and on the game drives we rarely saw other people.
We expected both of the camps to be quite basic in terms of facilities, but we felt really spoilt at both, the tents were lovely and the food was excellent. Probably because of this, the time in Zanzibar, which we were anticipating being a bit of luxury at the end, fell a bit short in comparison (although Jessica's first recommendation wasn't available).
Overall, I'd highly recommend Expert Africa and we hope to be able to book another trip with them one day!"
It was nice to bump into Chris (the boss) on our trip - once on one of the flights and again at Mdonya. He's clearly extremely knowledgeable and passionate about all things safari.
We loved the two camps, and it was great to visit two different areas as the experience was different at each. In particular we loved the fact that both parks were relatively quiet and on the game drives we rarely saw other people.
We expected both of the camps to be quite basic in terms of facilities, but we felt really spoilt at both, the tents were lovely and the food was excellent. Probably because of this, the time in Zanzibar, which we were anticipating being a bit of luxury at the end, fell a bit short in comparison (although Jessica's first recommendation wasn't available).
Overall, I'd highly recommend Expert Africa and we hope to be able to book another trip with them one day!"
Arranged By Jessica Plumb
Four Points by Sheraton Dar es Salaam
"Four Points by Sheraton Dar es Salaam review"
1 night
Arrived
21 Oct 2024
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Average
Service
Good
Facilities
Good
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Lake Manze Adventure Camp
"Lake Manze Adventure Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
22 Oct 2024
"We had an amazing time at Lake Manze! It's in such an incredible setting, Sean and Millie are wonderful hosts and are so accommodating.
The camp was quiet while we were there so it felt very intimate. Despite being 'no-frills', the tents were really comfortable and had everything you need. We actually really enjoyed having no power or wifi!
We are a family of four, so we had an extended tent with a section at the front for the children with two single beds. The food was wonderful and we loved sitting out in the open for dinner. Bush lunches and breakfasts were another highlight, served up on a beautifully laid table in some incredible locations.
Our guide Omari was incredibly knowledgeable, and he showed us so many wonderful things. The highlight has to be watching a pride of lions taking on a herd of buffalo, picking off a young one and devouring it, all before breakfast! Every drive was different, the landscape is so varied and we very rarely saw any other people.
It was magical."
The camp was quiet while we were there so it felt very intimate. Despite being 'no-frills', the tents were really comfortable and had everything you need. We actually really enjoyed having no power or wifi!
We are a family of four, so we had an extended tent with a section at the front for the children with two single beds. The food was wonderful and we loved sitting out in the open for dinner. Bush lunches and breakfasts were another highlight, served up on a beautifully laid table in some incredible locations.
Our guide Omari was incredibly knowledgeable, and he showed us so many wonderful things. The highlight has to be watching a pride of lions taking on a herd of buffalo, picking off a young one and devouring it, all before breakfast! Every drive was different, the landscape is so varied and we very rarely saw any other people.
It was magical."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
5 sightings
Eland
1 sighting
Elephant
3 sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Hippo
10+ sightings
Lion
4 sightings
Spotted Hyena
3 sightings
Wildebeest
2 sightings
Zebra
2 sightings
Mdonya Old River Camp
"Mdonya Old River Camp review"
3 nights
Arrived
25 Oct 2024
"Mdonya is a really special place. The staff are all so attentive and nothing is too much trouble.
It's a very similar set-up to its sister camp Lake Manze (which we stayed at first), but with it's own vibe. The tents are nicely spaced out and a highlight was having an elephant up close one evening before dinner. Not what you'd normally expect to see from your shower! We were glad of the masai expertly escorting us to and from the tent on that occasion. The food was excellent and we loved having pre-dinner drinks around the fire.
We were guided by Jonas with driver Denis, both were fantastic. Their knowledge not just of the animals but also the birds and the plant life was exceptional.
Compared to Lake Manze, we saw larger groups of animals here (elephants, giraffes, zebra). Our highlight was seeing a group of elephants digging for water in the dry riverbed, we sat and watched as more and more appeared, and we loved seeing the babies learning how to do it with varying success."
It's a very similar set-up to its sister camp Lake Manze (which we stayed at first), but with it's own vibe. The tents are nicely spaced out and a highlight was having an elephant up close one evening before dinner. Not what you'd normally expect to see from your shower! We were glad of the masai expertly escorting us to and from the tent on that occasion. The food was excellent and we loved having pre-dinner drinks around the fire.
We were guided by Jonas with driver Denis, both were fantastic. Their knowledge not just of the animals but also the birds and the plant life was exceptional.
Compared to Lake Manze, we saw larger groups of animals here (elephants, giraffes, zebra). Our highlight was seeing a group of elephants digging for water in the dry riverbed, we sat and watched as more and more appeared, and we loved seeing the babies learning how to do it with varying success."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Sightings report
Buffalo
1 sighting
Elephant
10+ sightings
Giraffe
10+ sightings
Hippo
1 sighting
Lion
6 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Zebra
10+ sightings
Zanzibar Pearl Boutique Hotel
"Zanzibar Pearl Boutique Hotel review"
4 nights
Arrived
28 Oct 2024
"We weren't hugely impressed with the Zanzibar Pearl. All the staff were very friendly but the service was incredibly slow.
Two of our family have allergies and they weren't taken seriously at all. The rooms (we were in an Oyster Villa) were very tired and dated. The fourth bed was a pretty uncomfortable camp bed.
We had a problem with our shower which they kept saying they had fixed but they hadn't, it was sorted on our last day.
However, the pool was nice and kept the kids occupied. We also did the snorkelling trip with One Ocean which was good (they have a desk in the hotel where you can book).
The beach is nice but you can't really swim - it's very shallow out to the reef."
Two of our family have allergies and they weren't taken seriously at all. The rooms (we were in an Oyster Villa) were very tired and dated. The fourth bed was a pretty uncomfortable camp bed.
We had a problem with our shower which they kept saying they had fixed but they hadn't, it was sorted on our last day.
However, the pool was nice and kept the kids occupied. We also did the snorkelling trip with One Ocean which was good (they have a desk in the hotel where you can book).
The beach is nice but you can't really swim - it's very shallow out to the reef."
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Good
Service
Average
Activities
Good
Rooms
Average
Food
Average
Facilities
Good
Feedback response
We were pleased to hear that this family enjoyed the pool, snorkelling trip and beach at Zanzibar Pearl. It's true that the tide goes far out on the east coast of Zanzibar, meaning swimming from many beaches is only possible around mid-to-high tide.
We were very concerned that these travellers’ food allergies were not taken seriously, having stressed these details to the hotel when we first booked it. The management apologised profusely for the mistake, and assured us they take allergies very seriously. They explained that unfortunately the fault had arisen with a basket of mixed bread, some of which was sprinkled with sesame seeds. They fully accepted this was a bad error, and sesame seeds should never have appeared at their table. We are always at pains to pass on allergy information and stress that travellers should reiterate their allergies and food requests on arrival to double-check the message has been received loud and clear by the chef.
Regarding the extra beds for the children, the lodge confirmed that they provide standard foldaway hotel beds with high-density latex foam mattress, and while we understand that wouldn’t be suitable for heavier adults they confirmed that they added an extra topper to improve comfort for the child upon learning that it was uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, the hotel didn’t comment on the shower issue and stated they felt this guests’ villa was in good shape after recent refurbishment. They sincerely apologise, however, for the general shortcomings of their experience.
In light of the experience this family had, we are reviewing our partnership with the hotel, and very much hope its standards and attention to detail will improve.
We were very concerned that these travellers’ food allergies were not taken seriously, having stressed these details to the hotel when we first booked it. The management apologised profusely for the mistake, and assured us they take allergies very seriously. They explained that unfortunately the fault had arisen with a basket of mixed bread, some of which was sprinkled with sesame seeds. They fully accepted this was a bad error, and sesame seeds should never have appeared at their table. We are always at pains to pass on allergy information and stress that travellers should reiterate their allergies and food requests on arrival to double-check the message has been received loud and clear by the chef.
Regarding the extra beds for the children, the lodge confirmed that they provide standard foldaway hotel beds with high-density latex foam mattress, and while we understand that wouldn’t be suitable for heavier adults they confirmed that they added an extra topper to improve comfort for the child upon learning that it was uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, the hotel didn’t comment on the shower issue and stated they felt this guests’ villa was in good shape after recent refurbishment. They sincerely apologise, however, for the general shortcomings of their experience.
In light of the experience this family had, we are reviewing our partnership with the hotel, and very much hope its standards and attention to detail will improve.
Senior Africa Specialist | East Africa
Kisiwa House
"Kisiwa House review"
1 night
Arrived
1 Nov 2024
"We only stayed for one night in Kisiwa House before we flew home.
The hotel is beautiful with comfortable rooms, and the staff are excellent.
We were given a map and some tips about how best to spend our afternoon in Stone Town. Dinner at the hotel's rooftop restaurant was delicious.
We had an early start in the morning but they sent us off with a packed breakfast which was much appreciated."
The hotel is beautiful with comfortable rooms, and the staff are excellent.
We were given a map and some tips about how best to spend our afternoon in Stone Town. Dinner at the hotel's rooftop restaurant was delicious.
We had an early start in the morning but they sent us off with a packed breakfast which was much appreciated."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
We were picked up at 6am and there was some confusion between different staff about getting an early takeaway breakfast."