Reviews of holidays to East Coast Zanzibar
206 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include East Coast Zanzibar.
Dr & Mrs B
Altrincham
"My Sep 2022 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 26 Sep 2022 and 14 Oct 2022
"This was a return trip, and a fairly similar itinerary to 5 years ago.
Aided by Expert Africa again, we stuck to what we knew had worked. All the camps continued to be oustanding and the wildlife experience was once again wonderful yet completely different than last time.
We fell in love with Tanzania the first time, and we love it even more now.
Simply magical.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Absolutely not, its been amazing from the outset, and even through the Covid nightmare you managed to keep us up beat and informed.
The only sadness this trip was the relocation of Olakira away from the river which was enforced by local authorities apparently. A great shame because the game experience and game drives were decidely poorer for the extra driving and diversions away from some riverside areas that this relocation requires. Can't be helped and of course if we'd not been there in 2017, we'd have no comparison.
We were only disappointed by the quality of the wine offered with meals. It really was at best average.. We had been spoiled by having Stellenbosch wines in 2017! And we do appreciate that economies may be necessary after the Covid pandemic." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Aided by Expert Africa again, we stuck to what we knew had worked. All the camps continued to be oustanding and the wildlife experience was once again wonderful yet completely different than last time.
We fell in love with Tanzania the first time, and we love it even more now.
Simply magical.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Absolutely not, its been amazing from the outset, and even through the Covid nightmare you managed to keep us up beat and informed.
The only sadness this trip was the relocation of Olakira away from the river which was enforced by local authorities apparently. A great shame because the game experience and game drives were decidely poorer for the extra driving and diversions away from some riverside areas that this relocation requires. Can't be helped and of course if we'd not been there in 2017, we'd have no comparison.
We were only disappointed by the quality of the wine offered with meals. It really was at best average.. We had been spoiled by having Stellenbosch wines in 2017! And we do appreciate that economies may be necessary after the Covid pandemic." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs C
Windlesham
"My Sep 2022 trip"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 9 Sep 2022 and 23 Sep 2022
"It was the best. All the different things we saw and did, my absolute favourite type of holiday.
Thank you for making it so easy for us.
Just wish we could do it every year!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just continue as you are, letting clients talk to you !" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zanzibar holiday
Thank you for making it so easy for us.
Just wish we could do it every year!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just continue as you are, letting clients talk to you !" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Jenny
Faversham
"A wonderful and memorable trip"
I visited Zanzibar and 2 other countries between 4 Sep 2022 and 17 Sep 2022
"I planned my trip two years ago, then COVID struck and I needed to defer.
I was returning to one camp, Namiri, now a lodge - all other destinations were new. The standard of guiding was excellent and I was thrilled by the number and quality of animal sightings. Spending time on Mnemba Island was a perfect and relaxing interlude before ending in Stone Town. Overall, the experience was remarkable, wonderful.
Some of the airstrip transfers were a tad chaotic, but my luggage and I arrived as planned on each occasion. The meet and greet at Kilimanjaro was great and made for a totally stress free experience.
Thank you Expert Africa, and Lyndsey, in particular." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
I was returning to one camp, Namiri, now a lodge - all other destinations were new. The standard of guiding was excellent and I was thrilled by the number and quality of animal sightings. Spending time on Mnemba Island was a perfect and relaxing interlude before ending in Stone Town. Overall, the experience was remarkable, wonderful.
Some of the airstrip transfers were a tad chaotic, but my luggage and I arrived as planned on each occasion. The meet and greet at Kilimanjaro was great and made for a totally stress free experience.
Thank you Expert Africa, and Lyndsey, in particular." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms E.
London
"My Aug 2022 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 2 other countries between 24 Aug 2022 and 12 Sep 2022
"Great trip.
But we should have just stayed in one Northern Serengeti camp as the two were so close. Ideally Sayara for 4-5 night, but with different staff. All guides were great." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
But we should have just stayed in one Northern Serengeti camp as the two were so close. Ideally Sayara for 4-5 night, but with different staff. All guides were great." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs J
Leeds
"My Jun 2022 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 21 Jun 2022 and 6 Jul 2022
"Simply wonderful from the moment we arrived in Tanzania.
Never been to Africa before and tents are not our usual accommodation - but this was an exceptional environment and we felt privileged to be so close to the animals we came to see 24/7." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Never been to Africa before and tents are not our usual accommodation - but this was an exceptional environment and we felt privileged to be so close to the animals we came to see 24/7." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
B & C
London
"We could not hope for a better honeymoon"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 21 Jun 2022 and 5 Jul 2022
"This was the most amazing trip of our entire life (so far at least). It made us feel special from start to finish.
We almost teared up as we left some of the places. We can't thank Olivia and Jessica enough for helping us create such unforgettable memories.
We could not hope for a better honeymoon.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We really liked the wildlife survey but it could have been more comprehensive." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
We almost teared up as we left some of the places. We can't thank Olivia and Jessica enough for helping us create such unforgettable memories.
We could not hope for a better honeymoon.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We really liked the wildlife survey but it could have been more comprehensive." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & MrsF
Northampton
"Supa Dupa Trip 2022"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 17 Jun 2022 and 29 Jun 2022
"From beginning to end our trip was the most excellent experience, and we would like to thank Lyndsay, Sean, Millie, JJ & KK and all of the Team at Manze and a huge thank you to Wilson and his team at Pongwe."
Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Flying Dutchmen
NL
"My Oct 2021 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 21 Oct 2021 and 4 Nov 2021
"We were very happy with our trip as a whole and the help we got from Lyndsey.
Of course there are always some details. We didn't receive our pre-travel package in time, probably because of Brexit. When we returned we saw that there was only a guide of Zanzibar and not of Tanzania in the package. The covid rules were even easier than you told us. There is a list of countries that should do an extra antigene test when arriving. UK is on that list, the Netherlands not. We found out ourselves but we think in this case Expert Africa is just a bit too UK-minded because we were told that we probably should do that test when arriving. The list is on the Tanzanian government website.
Fisherman Travel did a good job but one driver had a bottle of water for us the other didn't. When arriving on Zanzibar from Dar the driver was too late. So I had to fight off dozens of "helpful" taxi drivers, some became a bit too intrusive so i had to act angry and aggressive to get rid of them. After ten minutes our driver arrived. No big deal but sometimes details are important.
But as we said, this is our second journey with Expert, and we are still very happy with the service and the overall experience." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Of course there are always some details. We didn't receive our pre-travel package in time, probably because of Brexit. When we returned we saw that there was only a guide of Zanzibar and not of Tanzania in the package. The covid rules were even easier than you told us. There is a list of countries that should do an extra antigene test when arriving. UK is on that list, the Netherlands not. We found out ourselves but we think in this case Expert Africa is just a bit too UK-minded because we were told that we probably should do that test when arriving. The list is on the Tanzanian government website.
Fisherman Travel did a good job but one driver had a bottle of water for us the other didn't. When arriving on Zanzibar from Dar the driver was too late. So I had to fight off dozens of "helpful" taxi drivers, some became a bit too intrusive so i had to act angry and aggressive to get rid of them. After ten minutes our driver arrived. No big deal but sometimes details are important.
But as we said, this is our second journey with Expert, and we are still very happy with the service and the overall experience." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs P
Barcelona
"a wonderful holiday"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 21 Feb 2020 and 8 Mar 2020
"Everything worked very well. We were met and well looked after wherever we went.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No. We hope to travel with you again in the near future." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zanzibar holiday
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No. We hope to travel with you again in the near future." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr &Mrs W
Bamford
"My Dec 2019 trip"
I visited Kenya and 1 other country between 20 Dec 2019 and 5 Jan 2020
"Amazing family holiday. A first trip to Africa for 3/4 of us - We felt very well looked after and all arrangements worked well. So pleased with Richard's recommendations for us. Many many thanks."
Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 8 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
206
reviews of East Coast Zanzibar by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
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Inspire meWhere to stay in East Coast Zanzibar
Our suggestions for beach lodges in East Coast Zanzibar
Pongwe Beach Hotel
Pongwe Beach Hotel is comfortable, good-value, family-friendly beach lodge, with a lovely pool, secluded beach and good food.
Matemwe Lodge
Matemwe Lodge is one of our favourite beach lodges. With only 12 cottages right on the edge of the old coral cliff, it is personal and relaxing.
Shooting Star Lodge
Shooting Star Lodge has a friendly atmosphere and a beautiful infinity pool, sitting above a stunning stretch of beach on Zanzibar's east coast.
Mnemba Island Lodge
Mnemba is a private island resort with 11 chalets, fringed by some of the best coral reefs in the Zanzibar area.
Matemwe Retreat
Matemwe Retreat is one of the most exclusive lodges on Zanzibar, with four split-level villas each with their own veranda, sun terrace, plunge pool.
Sunshine Marine Lodge
Sunshine Marine (sister of Sunshine Hotel) is located in a secluded part of the east coast, with a first-rate, in-house dive centre.
Zoi Hotel
Located right on the beach, with bright rooms and a colourful garden, the Zoi Boutique Hotel has a lively, relaxed atmosphere.
Zanzibar Pearl
Formally known as Matemwe Beach Village, Zanzibar Pearl Boutique Hotel is one of the newest properties on the island
Melia Zanzibar
Melia Zanzibar is a very large resort hotel on Zanzibar’s east coast and is well equipped for business and leisure trips.
Tulia Zanzibar
Tulia Zanzibar Beach Resort is a 16-room boutique beach hotel that opened in 2016 on Zanzibar's east coast.
