Reviews of Vamizi Lodge

"We are so pleased we chose to visit this beautiful island despite the apparent travel difficulties. In the event the flight from Dar to Mocimbas was very good and then I had the thrill of my first helicopter flight to the island - all very well organised. The ground staff involved were extremely efficient especially in getting our visas passed, and getting us to our flights. The pilot was good and entertaining.

To our delight, on landing, we met an old friend Meg who provides wonderful, highly recommended treatments in your own banda. She and Rob were excellent hosts ensuring that our stay was idyllic. The food was delicious and well cooked. We had a very good 'host', Charlie who attended our every need and who brought us our breakfasts, teas and sun-downers all the way up the beach, as well as thoughtfully providing a wonderful lime-drink as we arrived ashore from a snorkelling trip.

We went on 2 snorkelling trips which were expertly guided by Saluma and Safari who made sure we saw many wonderful things. The reef is beautiful and certainly the most pristine we have seen. There is an Conservation project on the island, behind the dive centre where you can report whale sightings - we saw one on our first afternoon from the beach- and where we sampled some delicious Ibo coffee (highly reccommended)

This is a place we would certainly love to revisit - though for a longer stay than our 3 nights." See all these reviews: 14n in Tanzania; 3n in Mozambique

"Well the big whole in our trip was what we thought would have been the greatest pleasure of all. Everything started perfectly and the scenery was perfect the managers are great and really helpfull and the stuff is the same way.

The trouble started when we had rats in our villa and one them woke me up one night because it was on the bed around my left shoulder. From then on we were not able to sleep properly since I had to escort Maria to the bathroom during night. They suggested they change the villa we hav given to another villa, when we were gathering our things, I found a snake in the closet, a harmless one nevertheless a snake and I hate snakes. In the new villa we were given there still was a rat problem but fewer of them and smaller. Again we had a bat problem and we could not sit and relax on our veranda after dark.

Aside the rat, bat, snake problem the accomodation is nice but I believe they could do a better job maintaining, like the showers need to be decalsified more often and some new refrigirators will not hurt nobody, especially with the amount paid per / night.

I have marked food average because I did not want to be mean and mark it as poor and because breakfast and service were adequate. Most of the dishes served were tasteless despite the fact that ingredients were fresh and good.

I have to admit people were really nice and organized a really nice pic nic for us at the light house with all the nicest food and wine, regreatfully we dozed for 10 minutes before we had lunch and we found a rat snacking on our table when we woke up, the effort from their side still remains the effort and it was a really great prepared pic nic.

What it was great was the diving and the diving center where I had 5 dives the only comment I have is that since they saw I really liked diving they should have informed about taking the course to become a PADI certified open water diver.

Overall and considering the value for money factor it was low average stay and I would consider suggesting or going back there only if I was assured that they have taken care of their rat and bat problem. Last but not least I would like to distinguish the rat, bat snake problesms at Vamizi from the high quality stuff and management services, they are really great but sometimes problems you have not foreseen might left you exposed." See all these reviews: 11n in Mozambique; 6n in Tanzania

"Felt like luxury on a Robinson Crusoe island. Beautiful setting and beach. Very personalised, friendly but professional service.

Wonderfully private accomodation and very comfortable. A great place to relax but with a variety of activities available

I was pleased to appreciate the involvement of the resort with the local community and financial input to various projects." See all these reviews: 10n in Mozambique; 6n in Tanzania

"Above our expectation: a real paradise, well managed with style and human touch.

We would highlight splendid cuisine, very professional staff, activities well managed (excellent dive center with smile) and the conservation project seems convincing to us. Two points to consider: better connect the charter flights with the LAM timeschedules to Pemba (so to avoid waste of days) and use of more local food products albeit of non perfect western standard

Thank you in particular to Didi, Paulo, Isabel, Leyla, Adamo." See all these reviews: 8n in Mozambique; 5n in Zambia; 1n in Tanzania; 1n in South Africa

"We had a superb time on Vamizi Island. When we arrived, the management of the resort had recently changed hands and they seemed to be making various changes.

The food was absolutely delicious.

For the price, we expected the actual accommodation to be a little more luxurious. We appreciate that the beauty of Vamizi is that the accommodation etc is in keeping with the surroundings but some of it was looking a little worn.

The activities were good although when we were there, the usual, larger, fishing boat was out of service and the fishing trips/island day trips had to be conducted on a much smaller, very basic boat, which again, for the price, seemed a little surprising.

These things aside, we found the hosts to be very welcoming and the island itself to be very beautiful." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 6n in Mozambique