343 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Dar es Salaam.
Mrs & Mrs M
New York
"An extraordinary experience!"
I visited Tanzania between 12 Aug 2011 and 27 Aug 2011
"We just got back from our trip to Africa. I'm swamped with work right now but wanted to take just a few minutes to tell you that the two-week Safari you orchestrated for us in Tanzania came off flawlessly. That means that all of the multiple travel transfers went off without a hitch, the camps you put us in more than exceeded our expectations, the guides we had in the various camps were without exception excellent.
I know I speak for my wife Audrey, and Ann and Kevin when I send you a very warm and enthusiastic “thank you” for turning our many phone conversations back in December into such an extraordinary experience.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Clearer guidelines on how much cash one needs to bring to cover tips and drinks (such as Lake Manze, where drinks were not included and credit cards not accepted) would have been a great help. We had only one opportunity to use an ATM (which worked for us but not for our friends), which was quite lucky in terms of the timing when we'd run out of cash, and the location, being the one day we were driving through Karatu where there is an ATM. Not having enough cash, and not being sure of where or when we could get some, caused a fair amount of anxiety and stress that would have been eliminated if we'd simply brought enough to begin with.
We also didn't realize that everyone accepted U.S. dollars even for cash tips, so could have bypassed all the trouble trying to get Tanzanian shillings in the right amounts." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
I know I speak for my wife Audrey, and Ann and Kevin when I send you a very warm and enthusiastic “thank you” for turning our many phone conversations back in December into such an extraordinary experience.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Clearer guidelines on how much cash one needs to bring to cover tips and drinks (such as Lake Manze, where drinks were not included and credit cards not accepted) would have been a great help. We had only one opportunity to use an ATM (which worked for us but not for our friends), which was quite lucky in terms of the timing when we'd run out of cash, and the location, being the one day we were driving through Karatu where there is an ATM. Not having enough cash, and not being sure of where or when we could get some, caused a fair amount of anxiety and stress that would have been eliminated if we'd simply brought enough to begin with.
We also didn't realize that everyone accepted U.S. dollars even for cash tips, so could have bypassed all the trouble trying to get Tanzanian shillings in the right amounts." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs H & Mr S
UK
"The Hellicar and Smiths go to Tanzania!"
I visited Tanzania between 9 Aug 2011 and 21 Aug 2011
"The whole trip was simply fantastic. Everything went to plan, there were no hold-ups or problems and all the complicated arrangements worked like clockwork. We were touched by the kindness and helpfulness of the Tanzanians and have swapped addresses with one of our waiters.
We experienced three very different camps but they were all superb for different reasons. Flying from the Selous to Ruaha was amazing and we loved the contrast in landscape between the two locations. We were very pleased that we did not do the usual finishing off on a beach in Zanzibar that most people seem to do but used our time to see more of the wild, stunning Tanzania with its lovely people and fabulous creatures.
Many thanks to Liz for all her help and advice. It was the trip of a lifetime and went way beyond all our wildest dreams. Thank you.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No!!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
We experienced three very different camps but they were all superb for different reasons. Flying from the Selous to Ruaha was amazing and we loved the contrast in landscape between the two locations. We were very pleased that we did not do the usual finishing off on a beach in Zanzibar that most people seem to do but used our time to see more of the wild, stunning Tanzania with its lovely people and fabulous creatures.
Many thanks to Liz for all her help and advice. It was the trip of a lifetime and went way beyond all our wildest dreams. Thank you.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No!!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
The L family
London
"A great holiday"
I visited Tanzania between 6 Aug 2011 and 21 Aug 2011
"We had looked forward to this holiday, and it exceeded all our expectations, with the possible exception of the diving at Mafia Island which is possibly not as good a site as advertised, during the SE Monsoon.
It was very well organised by Expert Africa, alongside their local agents, and we felt secure in the knowledge that we were visiting the right places and that our travel and accommodation arrangements were secure.
The wildlife was plentiful and the Serengeti vast and unforgettable.
These travellers commented about their guide: Ayoub, a memorable guide
Ayoub was our guide, provided from Arusha. He picked us up from the airport at Arusha, and stayed with us through our visits to Lake Manyara, Ngorngoro Crater and to Dunia Camp in the southern Serengeti.
The vehicle, although old, was very comfortable, reliable and extremely well stocked with drinks, biscuits, cushions, sandbags for resting cameras on and tissues. Ayoub was totally dedicated, and informative on all manner of subjects. He knew how to find the game, could see lions on rocks or in the distance minutes before we had spotted them, and was very experienced in the areas we visited. His timekeeping was excellent and he knew when we had to leave as early as 5.30 for instance to avoid the long queues to enter the Ngorngoro Crater and Manyara NPs. His knowledge of the wildlife and birds was also excellent.
He anticipated our needs, ordering the picnics we would need from the places we were staying, and always managing to find a washroom or suitable bush whenever we needed one. The vehicle was always clean and tidy in the morning when we set off.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We would be happy to use Expert Africa for future holidays." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
It was very well organised by Expert Africa, alongside their local agents, and we felt secure in the knowledge that we were visiting the right places and that our travel and accommodation arrangements were secure.
The wildlife was plentiful and the Serengeti vast and unforgettable.
These travellers commented about their guide: Ayoub, a memorable guide
Ayoub was our guide, provided from Arusha. He picked us up from the airport at Arusha, and stayed with us through our visits to Lake Manyara, Ngorngoro Crater and to Dunia Camp in the southern Serengeti.
The vehicle, although old, was very comfortable, reliable and extremely well stocked with drinks, biscuits, cushions, sandbags for resting cameras on and tissues. Ayoub was totally dedicated, and informative on all manner of subjects. He knew how to find the game, could see lions on rocks or in the distance minutes before we had spotted them, and was very experienced in the areas we visited. His timekeeping was excellent and he knew when we had to leave as early as 5.30 for instance to avoid the long queues to enter the Ngorngoro Crater and Manyara NPs. His knowledge of the wildlife and birds was also excellent.
He anticipated our needs, ordering the picnics we would need from the places we were staying, and always managing to find a washroom or suitable bush whenever we needed one. The vehicle was always clean and tidy in the morning when we set off.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We would be happy to use Expert Africa for future holidays." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs P
Waterloovi
"south tanzania"
I visited Tanzania between 2 Aug 2011 and 10 Aug 2011
"apart from land rover overcrowding at mdonya the trip was very good
i do feel the information provided should be clear around the scarcity of the leopard/cheetah/wild dogs in the parks as had we not seen these on our previous african trips this would have been a major disappointment
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
ensure that the specific trip goal eg leopard opportunities is fully understood" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
i do feel the information provided should be clear around the scarcity of the leopard/cheetah/wild dogs in the parks as had we not seen these on our previous african trips this would have been a major disappointment
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
ensure that the specific trip goal eg leopard opportunities is fully understood" Read full review: 8 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Good
Ms F
C London
""
I visited Tanzania between 2 Aug 2011 and 12 Aug 2011
"A good trip overall but slightly disapointed by Kinasi. Safari was good as far as game drives went but I think they could make time at the camp a little more special.
Oyster Bay was the 5 star start and end to the trip" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Oyster Bay was the 5 star start and end to the trip" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Good
Mrs D
France
""
I visited Tanzania between 27 Jul 2011 and 7 Aug 2011
"very good averall experience.
It started not so well with kearsley (the agency in Dar) driving us to the wrong hotel and then failing to call back the hotel to confirm the time of our pick up the next day for the airport and we had a big disappointment and surprise when we found out we could not dive everyday of our stay in Matemwe because it was fully booked.
Apart from that, it was great, no worries and everything seems to be in palce and taken care of... which is great when you are on holiday!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
It started not so well with kearsley (the agency in Dar) driving us to the wrong hotel and then failing to call back the hotel to confirm the time of our pick up the next day for the airport and we had a big disappointment and surprise when we found out we could not dive everyday of our stay in Matemwe because it was fully booked.
Apart from that, it was great, no worries and everything seems to be in palce and taken care of... which is great when you are on holiday!" Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
The R Family
London
""
I visited Tanzania between 26 Jul 2011 and 14 Aug 2011
"The holiday was a great success, especially the week on safari.
With a lot of travel arrangements things could easily have gone wrong but everything went like clockwork." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
With a lot of travel arrangements things could easily have gone wrong but everything went like clockwork." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Miss M & Mr D
Kent
"A fantastic honeymoon we didn't want to end!"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 25 Jul 2011 and 12 Aug 2011
"We really enjoyed doing the relaxing part of our honeymoon on the beach at Zanzibar first, and would definitely recommend this order to stressed wedding planners! It also gives us time to reflect on the wedding day itself before starting on a more active safari. Equally we loved finishing the holiday at the more luxurious of the camps.
On reflection, 2 nights in Stone Town was probably a little long for us as we enjoyed the other elements of the trip significantly more. All transfers worked smoothly, with clean, comfortable vehicles, and friendly drivers.
Thank you very much for organising such a wonderful honeymoon, we will definitely recommend you to any friends and family planning a trip to Africa.
Rhona & Nick
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
A final payment reminder for honeymooners would be very helpful as you have so much else to be organising at the same time! Liz was very good at letting us know when monies had been received and sending quotations etc. Thanks!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
On reflection, 2 nights in Stone Town was probably a little long for us as we enjoyed the other elements of the trip significantly more. All transfers worked smoothly, with clean, comfortable vehicles, and friendly drivers.
Thank you very much for organising such a wonderful honeymoon, we will definitely recommend you to any friends and family planning a trip to Africa.
Rhona & Nick
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
A final payment reminder for honeymooners would be very helpful as you have so much else to be organising at the same time! Liz was very good at letting us know when monies had been received and sending quotations etc. Thanks!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms W
Bedfordshire
"A real holiday of a lifetime"
I visited Zambia and 1 other country between 7 Jul 2011 and 4 Aug 2011
"We have all come back with so many lovely memories.
When anyone asks me about our holiday I say that I had such a lovely time and that the experiences exceeded my expectations - and I mean it! I think that it was really the people that made the difference. Everywhere we went we meet people who really wanted us to enjoy our holiday and who went out to there way to make sure we did. We only wish we could have stayed longer!" Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari
When anyone asks me about our holiday I say that I had such a lovely time and that the experiences exceeded my expectations - and I mean it! I think that it was really the people that made the difference. Everywhere we went we meet people who really wanted us to enjoy our holiday and who went out to there way to make sure we did. We only wish we could have stayed longer!" Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs W
Herts
"An truly amazing experience"
I visited Tanzania between 5 Jul 2011 and 15 Jul 2011
"One of our best trips ever. The camps, safari and the over-all experience were truly amazing.
Expert Africa made it all come together and made it easy and simple to bring it all together. Will definitely use them again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
A great experience, will use them again." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Expert Africa made it all come together and made it easy and simple to bring it all together. Will definitely use them again.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
A great experience, will use them again." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
343
reviews of Dar es Salaam by travellers since August 2007
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