Reviews of trips to Stone Town
357 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Stone Town.
"whole trip feedback"
Very well organised trip and good advice about where to stay and length of time etc.
Would like to note that our transfer from zanzibar airport to shooting star never arrived, so we waited a while, and then had to take a taxi to the eco and culture tours office in stonetown, they check and stated they has us down to be picked up a month later, and didnt really appear very apologetic. We also then had to continue in the taxi ( with no air conditioning) - wasnt sure why they could not have taken us from there. Howevere they did turn up promptly for our other transfers. This was the only thing that went wromg, and meant we arrived at the back about 2 hours after we would have got there." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
"Tanazian Adventure"
The rest of the trip schedule was perfect - Arusha, Mahale & then Selous.
All in all, it was a wonderful experience!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari
"Lake Manze and Zanzibar honeymoon"
We enjoyed our holiday and everything ran very smoothly. The connections were excellent.
We chose Expert Africa because Eleanor was so positive and helpful and gave us a really good idea of what our holiday would be like.
Suggestions for improvement:
Remember to mention whether departure taxes are included.
We weren't sure and so held on to USD$30 each in case but discoved these were already included.
Another idea would be to ask the local agents to be more proactive in selling excursions or trips. Not to force these on people, but if there had been a "price list" we would have been interested but instead we were put off by the driver trying to get us a good deal." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 4 on a Tanzania safari
"Ewen and Amy feedback"
I would recommend Tanzania as a honeymoon destination.
Suggestions for improvement:
I though the service provided by the Expert Africa team was excellent" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zanzibar holiday
"Excellent trip overall"
Suggestions for improvements:
Extremely difficult to pick fault with any aspect of the service from Expert Africa." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 3 on a Tanzania safari
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"Ruaha and Selous perfect combination"
If we were organising again I think we would do 3-4 days in Zanzibar first to wind down and get into holiday mode and then go to the Ruaha and Selous to get maximum benefit from the safari. We loved both parks and they provide an excellent combination with contrasting scenery, fantastic game viewing and game animals and different activities. The camps were quite exceptional and we would love to visit them and perhaps go all the way to Katavi.
The organisation and those all involved in it here and locally went entirely smoothly.
Suggestions for improvement:
I know this is probably not that helpful but this is the third trip you have organised for us and on each occasion your service has been exceptional, we would not dream of going to Africa with anyone else - many thanks." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
"Zanzibar review"
The service we received from Expert Africa was excellent and the trip ran very smoothly and to the itinerary that was provided beforehand." Read full review: 6 nights in Africa; 1 on a Zanzibar holiday
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"100 hours in Zanzibar"
Fisherman Tours the Expert Africa representatives were really helpful and helped to arrange a Spice Tour (good idea to do on the trip between the east coast and Stone Town) and also a walking tour of Stone Town. It might have been a good idea to have had a list of possible activities that they coudl arrange before leaving home as quite a lot of information was given to you on the trip from the airport to hotel.
Good idea to get a Zantel SIM and 10,000Zsh credit before leaving Stone Town area - we made loads of calls to mobiles and UK and still didn't run out of credit by end of week.
Safari Blue (www.safariblue.net) was a brilliant decision to take up - we read about it at Shooting Star and as total novices had been a bit nervous about doing a day trip with dhow sailing and snorkelling but this was a really well organised but friendly and informal activity and excellent value for money at $55 per preson for an all inclusive whole day of dolphin watching, dhow sailing, coral snorkelling, great food, chilled drinks, a trip in a traditional fishing katamaran, flooded mangrove swimming all in a friendly and helpful atmosphere. Good also to see the company using some of the profits to reinvest in local communities - definitely to be recommended.
Taking a walking tour on first afternoon in Stone Town was a good idea as it meant we enjoyed the subsequent time more as we felt confident about where things were and more happy to venture off the main routes and see more than we would have done if not." Read full review: 5 nights in Africa; 4 on a Zanzibar holiday
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Inspire meWhere to stay in Stone Town
Our suggestions for places to stay in Stone Town
Zanzibar Coffee House
The Zanzibar Coffee House is a small quiet hotel tucked away in the back streets of Stone Town, with lovely, simple rooms.
Serena Inn
Now trumped by the nearby Park Hyatt, the Serena Inn, in its historic building, was formerly Stone Town's only international-style hotel.
Zanzibar Palace Hotel
The Zanzibar Palace Hotel is a highly regarded boutique hotel with very personal service and just nine rooms, all of them Zanzibari in style.
Beyt al Salaam
The Beyt al Salaam is a pleasant, boutique hotel with only six rooms and atmospheric and stylish Zanzibari décor.
Dhow Palace Hotel
The Dhow Palace is a very good-value, mid-range hotel, full of Swahili character, and the pool makes it appealing to families.
Emerson Spice
Emerson Spice is a beautiful small hotel in the heart of Stone Town with individually designed rooms adorned with gorgeous fabrics.
Kholle House
Kholle House offers an atmospheric Stone Town stay in a historic building, and is very good value for money.
Jafferji House
Jafferji House is a converted old house that blends modern facilities with traditional style. The ten, unique rooms are show great attention to detail.
Swahili House
Swahili House is a traditionally styled boutique hotel furnished to a high standard with a convenient location in the centre of Stone Town.
Tembo Hotel
The Tembo Hotel is a good-value, family-friendly hotel right on the seafront in Stone Town, with 36 rooms and a good-sized swimming pool.
Emerson on Hurumzi
Emerson on Hurumzi was Stone Town's first boutique hotel, featuring antique furniture, unique, stylish rooms and a superb rooftop restaurant.
Mbweni Ruins Hotel
Mbweni Ruins Hotel is very convenient if you want to stay on the beach, but very close to Stone Town, or visit Chumbe Island.
Maru Maru Hotel
In the heart of Stone Town, Maru Maru combines contemporary style and creature comforts with a Zanzibari twist.
Park Hyatt
The Park Hyatt Zanzibar is a high-quality example of this group, with excellent facilities and service.
Kisiwa House
Kisiwa's central location in the heart of Stone Town's Shangani area makes it a great base to explore this fascinating town.
Seyyida Hotel
The Seyyida is a characterful old hotel near the seafront in Stone Town, with the rare bonus of a swimming pool.
