Travel reviews by Mr D & Mrs B from UK
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
2
Lodges stayed in
5
Excursions taken
0
One to remember!
Tanzania and 1 other country between 8 Feb 2011 and 22 Feb 2011
"We believe we got the balance and standard just about right. Gibbs Farm was the only disappointment. We would certainly return to Tanzania to include the Selous but we wouldn't necessarily wish to include Zanzibar again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Your attention to detail prior to the trip was first class. We look forward to future trips with you."
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Your attention to detail prior to the trip was first class. We look forward to future trips with you."
Ras Kutani, Tanzania (this camp has since closed)
"Great starting point"
3 nights
Arrived
9 Feb 2011
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Average
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Not currently featured by Expert Africa
Gibb's Farm
"disappointing given reputation"
3 nights
Arrived
11 Feb 2011
"Not sure why we didn't fly on to be met at Lake Manyara airport so as to minimise road travel.
Accommodation and setting were great. Service was patchy (lack of apparent leadership) Some individual staff were helpful.
Solar hot water didn't work resulting in cold showers. Internet access very poor. Food poorest durng our trip.
We understand there has been a change of ownership and marketing now to American tour groups. During our visit, several tour groups arrived for one day/night. Independent travellers such as ourselves were marginalised. Overall our stay was disappointing given the reputation of Gibb's Farm. With hindsight we think we would have preferred to stay at the Serena Crater lodge"
Accommodation and setting were great. Service was patchy (lack of apparent leadership) Some individual staff were helpful.
Solar hot water didn't work resulting in cold showers. Internet access very poor. Food poorest durng our trip.
We understand there has been a change of ownership and marketing now to American tour groups. During our visit, several tour groups arrived for one day/night. Independent travellers such as ourselves were marginalised. Overall our stay was disappointing given the reputation of Gibb's Farm. With hindsight we think we would have preferred to stay at the Serena Crater lodge"
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Good
Service
Average
Facilities
Poor
Rooms
Good
Food
Poor
Feedback response
Gibbs Farm responded with the following comments:
There are four issues for this recent complain and I have put our actions/comments for future travellers.
1) Cold Water.
We have discovered the error in the hot water solar settings and corrected them. We apologize for this.
2) Our food quality not up to standard
We are spending more time in the kitchen to ensure our standards do not slip again.
3) Lack of apparent leadership
This comment starts with the check in, Pre-registration and bag system - we have discussed this.
Greeting in the dining rooms, and escorting to Jacaranda or Dining room, starting at the front of the lodge. We will improve this.
4) Independent Traveler needs special attention
It is sometimes true, that tour groups can spoil the atmosphere. This problem will be sorted out in the next few months as we will renovating the main house/main dining room and we will make sure we look after smaller groups just as well.
Once again very sorry about this and we will make sure that this sort of complaint will not happen again in the future.
There are four issues for this recent complain and I have put our actions/comments for future travellers.
1) Cold Water.
We have discovered the error in the hot water solar settings and corrected them. We apologize for this.
2) Our food quality not up to standard
We are spending more time in the kitchen to ensure our standards do not slip again.
3) Lack of apparent leadership
This comment starts with the check in, Pre-registration and bag system - we have discussed this.
Greeting in the dining rooms, and escorting to Jacaranda or Dining room, starting at the front of the lodge. We will improve this.
4) Independent Traveler needs special attention
It is sometimes true, that tour groups can spoil the atmosphere. This problem will be sorted out in the next few months as we will renovating the main house/main dining room and we will make sure we look after smaller groups just as well.
Once again very sorry about this and we will make sure that this sort of complaint will not happen again in the future.
Olakira
"A great safari experience"
3 nights
Arrived
14 Feb 2011
"Pascal clearly runs a very efficient and customer service orientated operation. Nothing was too much trouble for him and his staff. Attention to detail was remarkable given the temporary tented environment.
The tents were first class and hot water always available when we wanted it. The food was and the ambience were excellent.
Our driver/guide Fazzo provided excellent serivce and we enjoyed all our time on safari."
The tents were first class and hot water always available when we wanted it. The food was and the ambience were excellent.
Our driver/guide Fazzo provided excellent serivce and we enjoyed all our time on safari."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Matemwe Lodge
"Relaxing wind down"
4 nights
Arrived
17 Feb 2011
"Good reception from Jolene especially after the the uncomfortable last couple of miles over truly appalling roads.
Accommodation was wonderful with a perfect setting. Service was excellent.
Breakfast and lunch were always good but dinner was patchy and the barbecue food was poor. Internet service worked well. Good relaxing bar and ambience overall excellent.
Unfortunately the snorkelling trip was cancelled which we understand happens quite often."
Accommodation was wonderful with a perfect setting. Service was excellent.
Breakfast and lunch were always good but dinner was patchy and the barbecue food was poor. Internet service worked well. Good relaxing bar and ambience overall excellent.
Unfortunately the snorkelling trip was cancelled which we understand happens quite often."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Average
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Serena Inn
"A grand finale"
1 night
Arrived
21 Feb 2011
"Just what we needed for our last night. Interesting tour of Stone Town.
Hotel very efficient especially as we had an early start (pity about the fire alarm at 3am). Excellent seafood terrace restaurant for last dinner."
Hotel very efficient especially as we had an early start (pity about the fire alarm at 3am). Excellent seafood terrace restaurant for last dinner."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
The sand paths to our suite provided good excercise. Only disappointment was the lagoon walk."