Zanzibar: reviews from our travellers

"Overall a fantastic trip, lots to see and take in. Missed the great migration but will go back some other time. Almost sensory overload and after 6 days of continuous safari driving we took a half day off just chilling and taking in the view from the veranda.

Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti was an excellent combo with diverse landscapes and different scenery. Zanzibar is a very nice resort location and Stonetown was an interesting surprise with the slave museum well worth at least an hour.

Tarangire was originally our "backup option" but turned out to be our favorite of the trips as we love elephants and the local staff and walking guides offered a fantastic experience, not only in the jeeps but also on foot walking which is well worth promoting as not all parks do guided walks." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"We usually book everything on our trips ourselves but as it was our honeymoon, we decided to get some back-up from a travel agent should things go awry.

We chose Expert Africa from two other companies for our safari and beach trip to Tanzania. All the other agents we approached were very knowledgable about Africa, but we felt that Lyndsey at EA was more down-to-earth, friendlier and open to our ideas of what we wanted.

The process of booking the holiday was actually good fun and most importantly we really did have a honeymoon that was memorable for all the right reasons.

Plus, the fact I've spent a good chunk of my day writing up all the feedback on this website must tell you that we thought it was worth telling someone about it! Just don't ask to see the photos, or you'll be here all month ;)" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Our Agent, Richard Trillio did a great job helping us put together a Safari in three different environments, first at the Mara Plains Camp where we got a feeling of the wildlife at the plains then see the massive number of animals that are in the migration at Alex Walker`s Serian South Serengeti Camp and at last see the uniqueness of the environment at the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and having a great introduction to wild animals at our arrival at Africa in Nairobi while staying at Giraffe Manor and then the more relaxed ending of our trip while enjoying the quietness and the beach at The Palms Zanzibar. Thank you!!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari

"The best recommendation I can give is that I would use Expert Africa again, and I would recommend them to anyone going to Africa.

I would also recommend Nomad Tanzania to anyone going to Tanzania. Expert (Eleanor and Olivia) did a great job during the lengthy period of planning the trip, answering questions, responding by email in a timely fashion, alerting me to details that I needed to complete, nudging where appropriate, offering unbiased advice.

In short, our two week trip to Arusha, Gibbs Farm, the Ngorongoro Crater, Southern Serengeti, Northern Serengeti (Lamai), Stone Town and Zanzibar beaches was terrific and I would do it again. Especially the Serengeti. And no question that Serengeti Lamai was the highlight of the trip. A unique spot. I found it very moving to contemplate the origins of our species a million years ago arising from the very same surroundings, surviving the challenges of hunter and prey, and literally standing up on two feet and becoming the dominant species of the planet. Really powerful.

Well done, Expert Africa!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"Fantastic!" Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zanzibar holiday

"My only adverse comment is that we could have been warned before booking of some of the disadvantages of individual camps and lodges. I might have selected different locations, had I been in possession of the excellent Bradt guide before booking.

I also wonder whether the scarcity of game in the area of the Selous that we chose might be something that was predictable and about which we should have been warned." Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"We started our one month trip in Zanzibar which is an ideal base to leave your main luggage before flying off on safari. Selous was our first stop.

Selous is in our opinion a very pretty park and in the right season you can choose between river or land Safaris. Our return trip this time showed the park and game to be in desperate need of rain. We encountered many hippo carcasses where the hippos had come out to graze and just did not have the strength to return to the little water that was about, it was easier to just lie down and die. All the animals were extremely thin and we have never encountered so many hippos trying to graze during the day.

Sadly we left Selous with the memory of so many painfully thin animals and dying hippos! However Selous will be remembered not just for this but it's flaming red lilies, leadwood trees in full bloom smelling so fragrant in the morning and night and lastly the amount of Bee Eaters that swooped in and around the vehicle catching insects disturbed by the vehicle.

Next stop was Ruaha where in the past we have seen 57 lions in one day! Not to be this time, there is a definite shortage of lions. The few we saw were very thin, even the poor cubs looked under nourished. Both of us were not only shocked but definitely sad at the distinct lack of animals in Ruaha compared with our 2 previous trips.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Completely satisfied with the service given and received." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari

"I enjoyed the contrast between town and coast; my driver between the two was brilliant." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zanzibar holiday

"We have been fortunate to have travelled a lot and found Expert Africa by researching potential companies and reviews. They accommodated our requirements and produced an itinerary that worked perfectly.

The good quality A5 wallet that was supplied made finding supporting documentation easier and was of manageable size.

The resorts were excellent and the staff brilliant. We would thoroughly recommend Expert Africa.

The website gives plenty of detail about the resorts and areas which is very helpful." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 13 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Superb Holiday with three totally different experiences. Our Thanks to James Denny for listening to us and gauging us so well. Every part of the holiday worked from the locations to the transport in between. Many thanks" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari