Reviews of holidays to East Coast Zanzibar
203 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include East Coast Zanzibar.
Mr & Mrs S
Weymouth
"My Feb 2019 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 2 Feb 2019 and 16 Feb 2019
"We loved the trip and could not believe how close we were able to get to lions etc. Guides and drivers were excellent at both Reserves.
Reserves were relatively quiet so they were no queues of vehicles waiting to see specific animals.
Accommodation at both Reserves was as expected with a good bed, hot water and a toilet. Zanzibar as a place was a disappointment." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari
Reserves were relatively quiet so they were no queues of vehicles waiting to see specific animals.
Accommodation at both Reserves was as expected with a good bed, hot water and a toilet. Zanzibar as a place was a disappointment." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs & Mr S
USA
"Trip of a Lifetime!"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 14 Jan 2019 and 29 Jan 2019
"The majestic landscapes. The rich culture. The contagious joy from locals. Africa is magical! It gets down in your soul and you fall in love. Tanzania was perfect and having the opportunity to do both a safari in the Serengeti and a beach holiday in Zanzibar was a spectacular way to see this glorious country. We felt safe and welcomed everywhere we went. We can’t wait to return for another African adventure.
Expert Africa is a great company to work with and our agent Maruska did a fantastic job arranging our trip! The safari camp and hotels she chose for us were a perfect match for our taste and personalities. Everything was arranged including all shuttles. We had no worries (acuna matata). Maruska even had an anniversary surprise set up at all hotels for us. We will definitely be using Expert Africa on our next trip. Thanks Maruska!!! We absolutely loved everything!!!!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zanzibar holiday
Expert Africa is a great company to work with and our agent Maruska did a fantastic job arranging our trip! The safari camp and hotels she chose for us were a perfect match for our taste and personalities. Everything was arranged including all shuttles. We had no worries (acuna matata). Maruska even had an anniversary surprise set up at all hotels for us. We will definitely be using Expert Africa on our next trip. Thanks Maruska!!! We absolutely loved everything!!!!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms P.
Minneapolis
"My Oct 2018 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 25 Oct 2018 and 12 Nov 2018
"My daughter and I absolutely loved our safari and bush experiences. The bush camp staff were exceptionally committed, knowledgeable, and hospitable.
Unfortunately, we were terribly disappointed with the last part of the trip in Zanzibar." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari
Unfortunately, we were terribly disappointed with the last part of the trip in Zanzibar." Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mary
Cornwall
"Tanzania and Zanzibar Experience Oct/Nov 2018"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 24 Oct 2018 and 8 Nov 2018
"This was a wonderful trip and our first experience of a safari holiday. It exceeded all our expectations.
We didn't have to worry about any of the arrangements and were met when we were supposed to be met and given clear instructions of timings to be collected. The safari camps were different in their own way but were both most satisfactory. The free laundry service was an added bonus and our rooms (tents) were kept spotlessly clean and tidy. At Impala Camp we had our own Masai man to escort us to and from our tents in case there were any visiting animals. He was always there and yet was unobtrusive.
The only concern was the tipping system, particularly in Mwagusi Camp. Here it appears the staff were only given their tips once a year, including the guides. We would have preferred to tip the guides separately as we did in Impala. We were put in a difficult position and this needs to be sorted.
It is essential to have cash! Neither camp had the facility to pay by card. We also needed to pay by cash at the hotel in Dar es Salam because their internet was down.
Pongwe Beach Hotel was almost the icing on the cake." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
We didn't have to worry about any of the arrangements and were met when we were supposed to be met and given clear instructions of timings to be collected. The safari camps were different in their own way but were both most satisfactory. The free laundry service was an added bonus and our rooms (tents) were kept spotlessly clean and tidy. At Impala Camp we had our own Masai man to escort us to and from our tents in case there were any visiting animals. He was always there and yet was unobtrusive.
The only concern was the tipping system, particularly in Mwagusi Camp. Here it appears the staff were only given their tips once a year, including the guides. We would have preferred to tip the guides separately as we did in Impala. We were put in a difficult position and this needs to be sorted.
It is essential to have cash! Neither camp had the facility to pay by card. We also needed to pay by cash at the hotel in Dar es Salam because their internet was down.
Pongwe Beach Hotel was almost the icing on the cake." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs C.
Horsham
"My Sep 2018 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 16 Sep 2018 and 26 Sep 2018
"An excellent first trip to Africa and on safari. It exceeded our expectations and was hugely enjoyable.
Suggestions to help us improve
Thank you so much. You were recommended to us and we would recommend you to others." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari
Suggestions to help us improve
Thank you so much. You were recommended to us and we would recommend you to others." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs C.
Beaconsfield
"My Sep 2018 trip"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 14 Sep 2018 and 27 Sep 2018
"We had a brilliant holiday. We enjoyed our stay in Stone Town, a very interesting place, and our stay at Pongwe Beach was very relaxing and everything we could ask of a beach stay. Our safari experience was on a different scale, exceeding our expectations on every level. It’s hard to imagine how it could have been bettered. More than half of the people we met at the Kicheche Mara camp were repeat customers. They really have got everything right."
Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs P.S.
Baldock
"Dream first safari"
I visited Tanzania and 2 other countries between 13 Sep 2018 and 28 Sep 2018
"It was amazing. I am glad that we had 3 nights in both camps in Serengeti. Camps were great fun and driving in open sided vehicles a definite bonus. 4 in a jeep seemed an ideal number.
We saw more animals than we could have hoped for, including 2 leopards up trees. We were disappointed not to have tour of slave museum which had been main reason for going to Stonetown.
Matemwe Lodge at the end was perfect although it was only about half full so would have been even better with a few more guests around in the evening. I could have done with 5 days there!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
We saw more animals than we could have hoped for, including 2 leopards up trees. We were disappointed not to have tour of slave museum which had been main reason for going to Stonetown.
Matemwe Lodge at the end was perfect although it was only about half full so would have been even better with a few more guests around in the evening. I could have done with 5 days there!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
R & J
Richmond Hill
"Our September 2018 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 9 Sep 2018 and 23 Sep 2018
"This was a trip of a lifetime and we had an outstanding time. The number of different animals on safari was incredible and the differences between Ruaha and Selous made the trip complete. Great camps, great service, great food and great activities. Who could ask for anything more? Memories to last a lifetime."
Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr M
Sao Paulo
"My Aug 2018 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 26 Aug 2018 and 6 Sep 2018
"perfect holiday. very good organization and structure from the places we stayed"
Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs S
Leatherhead
"First Family Trip to Africa"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 18 Aug 2018 and 1 Sep 2018
"This was our first 'adventurous' trip with the children and it felt well organised, safe and most importantly, left us with incredible memories. Everything Richard organised; airport pick-ups, transfers etc all worked like clockwork. We were well looked after.
I cannot recommend Kicheche Mara and Pongwe Beach enough - we were so sad to leave! This has been our best family holiday to date - I'm not sure how we can top it!
Thank you.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Perhaps warn travellers about Nairobi airport!
We were inundated with mosquitos there (had packed repellent) and both my husband and daughter got food poisoning from the food court!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zanzibar holiday
I cannot recommend Kicheche Mara and Pongwe Beach enough - we were so sad to leave! This has been our best family holiday to date - I'm not sure how we can top it!
Thank you.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Perhaps warn travellers about Nairobi airport!
We were inundated with mosquitos there (had packed repellent) and both my husband and daughter got food poisoning from the food court!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
203
reviews of East Coast Zanzibar by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
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Where 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.
