Travel reviews by Dr H & family from London

"Lake Manze's setting is delightful, sensitively blending in with the beautiful Selous bush and the lake in the foreground. The tents are very comfortable and all the facilities (showers, loos etc) work well. The communal area allows people to mix but also to remain in their separate parties if they wish. The food was excellent, freshly prepared and very tasty.

Lake Manze's staff were all friendly, welcoming and gracious. Our driver was a great character, who got on very well with everybody in the group, aged from 16-53, and worked hard, with his guide colleagues, to ensure that we saw the full range of game - hinting dogs, leopards, lions etc,. We had two guides for walking and driving safaris, both were excellent, providing detailed information and answering all of our questions. Our second guide was outstanding with excellent English and detailed knowledge of game and birds, despite being the youngest guide at the camp.

Our boat safaris and fishing trips were equally enjoyable, with plenty of opportunities to view the spectacular birds, hippos, crocodiles and other game and good advice on fishing - we caught two catfish of 8 and 10 kg respectively. All three managers were excellent and the trip went smoothly from beginning to end.

Our day trip to the hot springs was particularly enjoyable but the biggest surprise was the spectacular bird life."

"Chole Mjini was certainly the highlight of the trip. Jean, Ann and all their staff make a great team. Jean can come across as a bit gruff but he clearly loves the place and both he and Ann are clearly highly committed to providing a tourist resort that is sustainable, both in its impact on the local community and the environment.

Jean's knowledge and his skills as a dive teacher are outstanding and Ann is charm personified. All of the staff are helpful, charming and exceptionally welcoming from the kitchen to the nightwatchmen, but particularly the boatmen who are skilled and delightful characters.

Chole Mjini's setting is magical, the tree houses seem to float above the baobab trees and the ancient ruins, mangroves and ruins merge together to create a beautiful place and atmosphere. This is particularly so at night when the absence of electric lighting makes walking through the site enchanting.

The food is quite exceptional, delicious, subtle flavours, fresh local produce and a great balance - the breakfasts were scrummy, with fresh baked bread, the lunch light but just right and the suppers mouthwatering. We prepared for each meal with excitement, knowing that we would be met with a new culinary masterpiece.

We tried a range of day time activities: snorkelling, sandbanking, walking through Chole itself, observing the turtles hatching and the divers in our party took two dives. They both said it was the best diving they have seen with an amazing array of fish and coral and exceptional support from Jean and Ann. The same was true of the snorkelling. Observing the turtles was extraordinary and raised a whole series of questions for us which Jean and Ann answered patiently and knowledgeably.

Finally the island itself was fascinating, from the fruit bats to the ruins. It was clear that the island was more prosperous than surrounding islands, our impression was that the Chole Mjini Trust was having a very positive impact on the whole island community."

"We only spent two nights at the Zanzibar Coffee House but very much enjoyed our stay. It is nestled in the maze of streets of Stone Town and so gives you the opportunity to experience the town at first hand.

The staff are delightful and the rooms were all clean and beautifully proportioned with A/C if needed. The coffee was excellent and the breakfast, with fresh fruit and delicious freshly baked pastries. It was a great place to end a brilliant holiday."