Reviews of trips to Stone Town

"From the moment of my first contact with Expert Africa (late one night - and I got straight through to Maruska in the New Zealand office!) I had nothing but praise for the friendly professionalism that guided us through the planning of our special family holiday to Tanzania. Expert Africa had been recommended to us by friends who had been on several safaris (the first ones with other companies) and we were delighted with the service provided. Having established the hopes of our group for the trip, Maruska helped me through planning the details with clear explanations about the pros and cons of any choices and the range of options available. Maruska's responsiveness as I articulated various preferences of the group was marvellous and the recommendation, quite late on, of spending our last 3 nights on Chumbe Island was inspired.

The actual trip went like clockwork. Every detail had been planned for and was delivered brilliantly All the fights and transfers worked smoothly and everywhere we went we were expected and welcomed. All the accommodation was just right - and just as we expected. Above all, we had the most brilliant driver/guide on our week-long safari. We were delighted to be with Asilia, a well regarded Tanzanian company with excellent credentials and our assigned guide, Stanford, was absolutely fantastic. He was calm, considerate, efficient and good humoured, but beyond that he was incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful, flexible and humourous. And he worked so hard! He undertook the duties of driving, guiding, communicating in excellent English and responding to any requests with a calm composure that ensured we had the most wonderful experience. We would like to put on record our enormous gratitude for this - and to thank Expert Africa and Asilia for assigning him to us!

The safari was very special and we loved the camps. I worried a few times before we left the UK whether 7 days on safari might seem like too much of a good thing but I needn't have worried. Stanford's skill enabled us to learn more and more about animal behaviour as the week went by and we were as interested on the morning of day 8, en route to the airstrip and our flight to Zanzibar, as were were on day 1 when, after a night flight, we set off at lunchtime for Arusha National Park. Tarangire, Lake Manyara and the Serengeti built brilliantly on this start

Finishing our holiday in Zanzibar was also wonderful. The tropical beaches were gorgeous and the relaxed vibe was enjoyed by all 7 of us. And the final three days on Chumbe - absolutely magical! The entire trip surpassed our (always high!) expectations and it will remain a very special experience for our family. We just wished we could have spent more time everywhere!

Thank you Expert Africa, with special thanks to Maruska - and to Liz who picked up a few queries right at the end. We have already recommended you to friends and hope one day to travel through Africa under your expert guidance again." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"Very well thought out trip with a great balance of beach and safari. Having two days on the beach first is definitely recommended to relax after the wedding / flight.

For safari would definitely recommend Beho Beho - Selous is a great options as we saw lots of game but without the crowds (some days we didnt see another jeep at all).

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not sure if its possible, but think about using another carrier than Costal Air.

Thank you for organising such an amazing honeymoon for us." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Given this type of holiday is nothing like our usual family holiday I think perhaps we needed more advice and more of a steer than was realised or acknowledged.

In particular, I think I was looking for something quite luxurious when spending £4k on a 10 day break. Luckily Fumba Beach Lodge met our expectations." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zanzibar holiday

"All the way through our trip we were grateful to individuals that gave so much to help make our vacation so spectacular. Certain people were left out in the previous feedback. I want to give special thanks and kuddos to our guides in Rwanda, Hussein, our driver guide, as well as the amazing gorilla trekking guides. Fernando was an amazing gorilla trekking quide and teacher who ensured that we had a special, memorable experience watching these amazing creatures but also learned at the same time. How did he manage to learn all of our names in such a short time, incredible! If you have any interest in gorilla trekking I would jump at the chance. It's an experience of a lifetime! And please employ the local people as porters as this helps support them in a positive way instead of poaching.

Don't put off going on safari. So many species are under pressure from humans and habitat loss to survive.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Thanks to Ellie for her patience with our labored and prolonged itinerary planning. And thanks to Claire when she filled in during Ellie's absence. We benefitted enormously from her knowledge and suggestions.

Thanks so much to all for another amazing and unforgettable trip to Africa that we will never forget!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari

"I think the ecstatic would be a better description. You didn't ask about the safari. Our tour guide, Ayoub, was fantastic. I had my 86yr old mother with me and he treated her like gold. She was "Beebee" the whole trip and he stopped and got her a stool when he saw that getting out of the jeep was hard for her. I'm pretty sure he had bought new picnic seats and table for us as he was taking the wrapping off of the . He was so knowledgeable and had eagle eyes. He made the trip, I can't say enough good about him. Going with a 15 yr old and and 86 yr old I was a bit concerned but he put us all at ease and was so very ,very nice.

Also Maruska did a great job, we heard of guides who were in the central area worried about finding animals as they were all near us!! thank you for putting us down into the south we saw all the big 5 plus a cheetah, lepoard, lion hunt,elephants fighting, new born wildebeests and huge troops of baboons. Thank you for considering our jet lag and suggesting Arusha Nat pk it was a perfect introduction.

It was to be the trip of a lifetime for my mom and it lived up to its billing and then some. She will never forget it. Thank you.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No, You did a fantastic job. I have recommended you to my cousin who is planning a trip." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 4 on a Tanzania safari

"This was our first time to Africa. We were overwhelmed by the vastness of the country, its rich culture wildlife and complexities of its people and history. More of an experience than a holiday, we would probably concentrate on 2 destinations next time as we felt rather tired with all the flights.

One thing is for sure, once you have been Africa stays with you, and you will quite possible never look at the world the same way again!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"Based on a 'general idea'of what we wanted - Angela put together an absolutely perfect itinerary for us as a family. Her expert knowledge really guided us in our final choices and she spent plenty of time over quite a few calls discussing different scenarios and timetables of how to organise the trip.

Up to the time of leaving - Angela was regularly answering queries about the trip - always being available to guide and reassure us on preparations." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Very good trip all round, excellent accommodation and very well organised." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 4 on a Tanzania safari

"Absolutely amazing!

Thankyou to Liz for suggesting all of these places to visit. We had the most perfect time for such a special occasion.

We would gladly recommend your company to any of our friends and family wishing to travel to Africa and wouldnt hestiate to also get in touch if we decided another holiday here." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 4 on a Tanzania safari

"This was a great trip. We enjoyed it all. Although there was some negative observations about Impala we nevertheless enjoyed it . I do not think we would again travel to east Africa as late in the year as on this occasion. It was extremely hot and certainly in the Selous the rains came early. Rains were also expected in the Ruaha the day we left, again early for that region. Weather predictions as unstable in this region now as they are in the rest of the world.

Our itinerary was perfect and everything went like clockwork.

I believe this is our third African trip with you. Your company is very reliable with knowledgeable advisors offering trips that are competitively priced. We would not hesitate to travel with you to Africa a fourth time." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari