This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

Skip to main content

Talk to an expert 1-800-242-2434 Lines now closed

User menu
Stone Town
Stone Town
Stone Town
Stone Town
Stone Town
Stone Town
Stone Town
Stone Town
Stone Town

Stone Town was constructed during the 19th century...

...and hasn’t changed much since then.

You can enjoy beautiful views of the ocean...

...and discover what remained...

...from its rich history.

Stone Town is something of a labyrinth...

...with small alleys that offer places to shop and eat.

The atmosphere is unique and romantic...

...and you can watch some beautiful sunsets over the ocean.

Stone Town

Reviews of trips to Stone Town

355 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Stone Town.

Showing 41-50 of 355
Duration
Arrival date
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
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
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
Traveller
Teddington

"Trip to paradise"

I visited Zanzibar between 19 Aug 2018 and 2 Sep 2018
"We had a wonderful holiday in Zanzibar and owe a big thank you to Jessica at Expert Africa for making sure that the accommodation was top notch and that everything went super-smoothly for us." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 12 on a Zanzibar holiday
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
Overall trip
Excellent
Mike & Janette
UK

"Fabulous trip"

I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 18 Jun 2018 and 4 Jul 2018
"Great with the disappointment of no diving in Zanzibar" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Couple
London

"Great Trip "

I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 8 Jun 2018 and 24 Jun 2018
"Great Trip with a good mix of safari, beach and town.

Seemed the timings were just perfect thanks to your advice! Safari was so well organised could relax and enjoy ourselves.

So glad we included seeing stone town to break it up slightly and the beach recommendations were just what we needed!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Everything was great, wouldn't have been able to do it without you!" Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Dad
UK

"Our Trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar"

I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 10 Feb 2018 and 25 Feb 2018
"I was able to research our trip with the help of your excellent website and conversations with Lyndsey and book a holiday which exceeded my expectations. I was keen to avoid crowds at safari camps and therefore avoided the Serengeti and crater and choose Ruaha and Selous. Both were fabulous and we enjoyed visiting at this time of year when the areas were so green and lush. Ruaha with its baobab trees was particularly beautiful. We also enjoyed the contrast of Selous with the river and lakes and the option of boat safaris to see crocodiles and hippos.

I was pleased to have had 2 nights in Stone Town. What a fascinating town. We booked a historic tour for 8.30am before it became too hot and found our guide well informed. The last 3 nights at Mtembwe Lodge were wonderful. The place was paradise and we really didnt want to leave. All in all a super holiday.

The only plan I would have changed would have been to have stayed 3 nights at Ras Kutani instead of 2 nights, as the journey seemed too long from Dar es Salaam for just what ended up to be one whole day there as we only arrived at 6pm and had to leave at 7.30am. The hotel was good but we couldn't really appreciate it in the time allowed." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms Donna H
USA

"My Feb 2018 trip"

I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 9 Feb 2018 and 22 Feb 2018
"Considering all the details involved in booking this trip, I was extremely satisfied from my initial phone call, to the day I returned home.

I think Justin returned my calls and replied to my emails within 10 minutes, and there were a lot of them! And thanks for procuring the binocs! The trip he planned turned out as perfect as it could be. The Rhotia Valley stay was really a genius choice. As a physician, I bonded with the owners and was invited to join them for meals so we could continue our conversations. I expect to have an ongoing relationship with them, and hope to return.

I see no place to comment specifically on my guide, so I’ll do that here. Nathoo was incredible. He knew every plant, animal, constellation. I had my Swahili lessons while driving around. There can’t possibly be anyone better!

I would say this trip exceeded my expectations, and was worth every penny.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

No, I don’t!" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Showing 41-50 of 355
98%
355 reviews of Stone Town by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
339
17
1
3
0
Filter by month
Inspire me

Looking for inspiration on where to travel next?

Visit our trip chooser to explore your options and find inspiration for your perfect African adventure

Inspire me

Where to stay in Stone Town

Our suggestions for places to stay in Stone Town


Zanzibar Coffee House

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.


84% (65 reviews)
Serena Inn

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.


91% (63 reviews)
Zanzibar Palace 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.


89% (51 reviews)
Beyt al Salaam

Beyt al Salaam

The Beyt al Salaam is a pleasant, boutique hotel with only six rooms and atmospheric and stylish Zanzibari décor.


82% (44 reviews)
Dhow Palace Hotel

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.


79% (40 reviews)
Emerson Spice

Emerson Spice

Emerson Spice is a beautiful small hotel in the heart of Stone Town with individually designed rooms adorned with gorgeous fabrics.


91% (26 reviews)
Kholle House

Kholle House

Kholle House offers an atmospheric Stone Town stay in a historic building, and is very good value for money.


82% (19 reviews)
Jafferji House

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.


81% (19 reviews)
Swahili House

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.


82% (11 reviews)
Tembo Hotel

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.


63% (8 reviews)
Emerson on Hurumzi

Emerson on Hurumzi

Emerson on Hurumzi was Stone Town's first boutique hotel, featuring antique furniture, unique, stylish rooms and a superb rooftop restaurant.


80% (7 reviews)
Mbweni Ruins Hotel

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.


92% (5 reviews)
Maru Maru Hotel

Maru Maru Hotel

In the heart of Stone Town, Maru Maru combines contemporary style and creature comforts with a Zanzibari twist.


80% (2 reviews)
Park Hyatt

Park Hyatt

The Park Hyatt Zanzibar is a high-quality example of this group, with excellent facilities and service.


100% (2 reviews)
Kisiwa House

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.


100% (1 review)
The Seyyida Hotel

Seyyida Hotel

The Seyyida is a characterful old hotel near the seafront in Stone Town, with the rare bonus of a swimming pool.


No reviews yet

Login to Expert Africa

Sign in with password

Sign in with email link


New to Expert Africa? Create an account

Forgotten your details?

It's free & quick to set up

  • Save your wish-list
  • Send us an enquiry
  • Pay online for your trip
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • Give us feedback on your trip
  • Full site benefits of the site

Need some help? Talk to our team

Newsletter background

Stay in the know with Expert Africa

Join our newsletter. Get the latest on new camps and lodges, insights from our team, uplifting conservation stories and more...

A few more details and you're subscribed

Thanks!

Almost there! We've sent you an email to confirm your subscription. Just click on the link and you'll soon be receiving our newsletter in your inbox.

In the meantime, take a look at our previous Bush Telegraph newsletters.
Africa