Tanzania: reviews from our travellers

"An excelent trip.

Suggestions for improvement:

I found Expert Africa's assistance really useful in planning the trip." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari

"As a whole, despite the negative aspects of the holiday, the overall feeling we have come back with really relates back to the Safari section of our holiday. In hindsight, I would have spent longer on Safari and just a few days in Zanzibar. We've realised that we're really not lying around and chilling type people. We like to be doing things and experiencing exciting adventures! It has been a dream of mine to go on Safari since I was a child and Selous Impala Camp enabled all my dreams to come true! It truly was a wonderful experience and one I will never forget. What I saw of Africa was exactly how I had always imagined it - wild and beautiful and the wildlife we experienced was incredible. It was inspired me to want to visit other African countries to experience different safaris and cultures now!

Zanzibar was nice but it really has not made a huge impression on me. It could be that we did not go to the right resort for us? I don't know. It could just be that the Safari experience was so amazing, Zanzibar was always going to have alot to live up to?" Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Zanzibar holiday

"I was very impressed with Expert Africa and would use the company again like a shot. We had an idea of what we wanted and they understood completely and tailor-made our holiday.

We had to change some arrangements and, far from it being an inconvenience to Expert Africa, they were cheerful about it and even enthusiastic, which I thought was very good indeed.

All the transfers, documentation and arrangements went like clockwork. And the website is great.

Suggestions for improvement:

No, just keep up the good work." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 5 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Well done Expert Africa! Ellie was really well informed and helped us throughout.

Everything was organised perfectly and both Ellie and Claire were well informed about the Impala Camp, Fumba and Zanzibar Coffee House. I think it really helped that they had actually been there (saw Claire in the Impala visitors' book!!)

A great service. You were recommended to us by friends and we wouldn't hesittate to do the same should any of our friends be thinking about travelling to Africa.

The guide book was a good read too....

Suggestions for improvement:

Not really! A very presonal, well informed and very efficient service. Not much to improve on here...

Perhaps could have mentioned that buying a visa on arrival in Tanzania for $50 was an option? Wouldn't have really affected us but might be worht mentioning if anybody forgets before going." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Our overall experience was what we dreamed of. Africa is a unique untouched beauty. We would definitely recommend this trip to our friends excluding the Beyt al Chai experience. In the end we did accepted this as an adventure at Zanzibar island, but it wasn't a pleasant thing to happen since it was our honeymoon, if it was in other trip we wouldn't have been so disappointed.

The game drives were great, even with the fact of missing the migration at the Serengeti. The CC Africa lodges are amazing, the staff is very friendly. Everything is great there! It's a worthwhile experience. No one should miss it!

The Matemwe Retreat is all fantastic..and as we said before our butler was tireless!

This trip was everything that we expected. We are very looking forward to go back to Africa very soon." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday

"Nothing much to add to all the comments here. We all enjoyed the holiday throughout. Such a range of experiences!
I think overall the standard of accommodation at Selous and Pongwe was 'under=-sold' and the quality of the food was higher than we expected.

Only thing we didn't think was worth it was trip to Prison Island, which we organised ourself- but it was quite an overcast and choppy day so we ducked out of the snorkelling which might have added to it.

Also I think the advice against taking travellers cheques should be rather more strongly stated; although we were able to cash them directly for dollars in Stonetown we did have to do a bit of shopping around and quite a high commission rate. I'm not sure we would have any success with sterling.

Suggestions for improvement:

Nothing to add to the various comments above. We will certainly speak positively of Expert Africa and recommend to anyone looking for a similar experience." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"Having waited for our son to be 12 so that we could take him on safari, when it actually came to it I was worried it would not live up to my expectations and that I might resent the huge amount of money we spent. Happily it did and I don't.

We had a fantastic two weeks, the two lodges (Manze and Impala in Tanzania) contrasted in style, terrain and game viewing. I was really pleased that the Selous Reserve offered the choice of game drives, boat trips and walking safaris and feel we would have been a bit jaded had there not been that variety.

Tanzania is a good to choice if you want a bit of beach time and I was especially please that we elected to go to Mafia rather than Zanzibar. A lot of other travellers went on to Zanzibar, but on Mafia the ex pats from Dar es Salaam rated our choice the better one.

I was really impressed with how everything went without any hitches. I'm sure this is no small part down to the background work and research done at EA. When time is limited you don't want to put up with the things that are usually part and parcel of travel in developing countries and that was what I was hoping to avoid by booking through a specialist agent. The time spend finding out our requirements and expectations meant that it was no accident taht everything went so well.

Your expert advice was worth every penny." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Tanzania safari

"Overall our trip was a fantastic experience. Pretty much every piece of advice from Expert Africa turned out to be spot-on, and our requirements were captured perfectly. Everything went seamlessly from start to finish.

We flew from Arusha to Katavi, Katavi to Mahale and Mahale back to Arusha. All of the arrangements for the internal flights were taken care of, and all of our guides and hotels were aware of when we were arriving and departing. An unexpected bonus was flying over the Serengeti and Ol Doinyo Lengai on the way back to Arusha from Mahale.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Expert Africa and the tour operators, Sokwe/Asilia and Nomad, that they arranged for our trip. Thanks to Ellie and the rest of the team at Expert Africa." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari

"We couldn't have asked for a better holiday - both on safari and in Zanzibar.

Suggestions for improvement:

If only Expert Africa dealt with the rest of the world!

It was a pleasure to deal with Eleanor and her knowledge of all aspects of our holiday was spot on. Every single transfer went to plan, all on time, and the accommodation at all the venues was exactly as she had described it to me.

It was Eleanor's suggestion for us to spend 3 days in Ruaha and we wouldn't have missed it for anything.

Thank you." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari

"Staying at three seperate and different sites was the perfect way to get a wide spectrum of experiences. An excellent balance of comfortable facilities and excellent food with a feeling of excitement and really being out in the African bush.

Exceeded all expectations - the staff at all the camps were fantastic, the variety ofgame and birds we saw amazing.And I left knowing this was the best holiday I could have had. Especially pleased as travelling with two children (9 and 11) and they were constantly thrilled and excited by each new experience and never once complained about sitting in cars, funny food or not seeing something -

Thoroughly recommended and thanks for the expert advice that enabled us to enjoy it so much.

Suggestions for improveent:
Not really - had to phone for clarification about what currency to take but otherwise was totally satisfied." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 12 on a Tanzania safari