Travel reviews by Mrs C from Cambridge
Review Distribution
Total number of trips
1
Countries visited
3
Lodges stayed in
6
Excursions taken
0
TANZANIA TO ZANZIBAR
Tanzania and 2 other countries between 14 Jun 2016 and 6 Jul 2016
"By ignoring the Zanzibar 5 nights I can leave the trip at Very Satisfactory. While agreeing we needed a rest after all the early starts, 3 days here would have been more than enough, though in truth it was completely the wrong call."
Feedback response
We were sorry to hear that this traveller did not enjoy their trip as much as they could have done. We have spoken to them at length to ascertain precisely why and in hindsight, a shorter stay on Zanzibar would have been preferable.
Sand Rivers Camp
"FLY CAMPING A MUST"
4 nights
Arrived
15 Jun 2016
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Jongomero Camp
"TRYING TOO HARD - CLINICAL"
3 nights
Arrived
19 Jun 2016
"It is hard to separate lodges from locations, as although much more game here than Sand Rivers I would not recommend the lodge. The hosts are very 'professional'. The manner the chef announces dinner is very grand and serious. Its their way, but not for us. The lunches here were better than Sand Rivers, dinners OK.
Tsetse flies do spoil some of the drives, smoke blows across photos from burning elephant dung, and also affects eyes, especially when you stop. Although they vehicles go off roads, compared to other more central lodges in Ruaha we saw more animals in the Kwahala camp, that may be why the camps are placed there?
Zipped tents - good accommodation -"
Tsetse flies do spoil some of the drives, smoke blows across photos from burning elephant dung, and also affects eyes, especially when you stop. Although they vehicles go off roads, compared to other more central lodges in Ruaha we saw more animals in the Kwahala camp, that may be why the camps are placed there?
Zipped tents - good accommodation -"
Average
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average
Location
Average
Service
Average
Activities
Average
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Average
Feedback response
These travellers visited Jongomero very early in the season (following the rainy season) when Tsetse fly numbers are slightly higher. The team at Jongomero did all they could to limit the fly's influence on game drives and we're sorry if the smoke interfered with photo opportunities. With management we feel that it is perhaps better to be very professional, than not professional enough. I’m sure that as the season goes on the managers will settle into their roll a bit more, creating a more relaxed atmosphere in camp.
Kwihala Camp
"GREAT CAMP"
3 nights
Arrived
22 Jun 2016
"Tam, the host is exceptional. Different staff announced evening menus, in informal, fun way. Food was good. Tents were more than adequate. Location great.
Great guides and they really tried to find the animals people wanted to see. The day we left the morning drive found pack of dogs, knowing I wanted to see them, they radioed back and a driver took me out, but we missed them. That was really good of them, as they need not have told us, as we were leaving for flight
Got the balance right between individuals and groups and kept smooth running of drives and camp. I should have added on the Jongamer one that it seemed we were always rushing back because it was meal times, and could not be late. Here and other camps they were less stressed, and 5-10 or 15 minutes after curfew was fine, as everyone met for drinks before dinner anyway."
Great guides and they really tried to find the animals people wanted to see. The day we left the morning drive found pack of dogs, knowing I wanted to see them, they radioed back and a driver took me out, but we missed them. That was really good of them, as they need not have told us, as we were leaving for flight
Got the balance right between individuals and groups and kept smooth running of drives and camp. I should have added on the Jongamer one that it seemed we were always rushing back because it was meal times, and could not be late. Here and other camps they were less stressed, and 5-10 or 15 minutes after curfew was fine, as everyone met for drinks before dinner anyway."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Good
Food
Good
Facilities
Good
Beho Beho
"The Extra Mile"
5 nights
Arrived
25 Jun 2016
"Wonderful location, wonderful guides and wonderful manager and staff.. One point, I was nervous about walking safari and agreed with husband I'd do it here due to Zim Pro guides, only to find out they no longer exist there. While I have absolutely no concerns having now done the walk I did have serious wobbles.
Your hotel info needs updating.
The 'little extras' they do - eg heard husband loved fried food, so often little fried sun downer nibbles. Heard I'd missed the dogs, and they tried all areas of park and last night we struck lucky and I saw 6.
Tree house is phenomenal - BBQ dinner etc and 5* breakfast.
Also the lake trip - with the surprise 5* breakfast is also a highlight. The only slight downside is that husband is quite deaf and that's why we sometimes choose to have dinner on separate table as lots of 'background' means he can't hear anything - this is not allowed here, but was fine, as there was a max of 2 other guests!. if it had been full it would have been difficult at times."
Your hotel info needs updating.
The 'little extras' they do - eg heard husband loved fried food, so often little fried sun downer nibbles. Heard I'd missed the dogs, and they tried all areas of park and last night we struck lucky and I saw 6.
Tree house is phenomenal - BBQ dinner etc and 5* breakfast.
Also the lake trip - with the surprise 5* breakfast is also a highlight. The only slight downside is that husband is quite deaf and that's why we sometimes choose to have dinner on separate table as lots of 'background' means he can't hear anything - this is not allowed here, but was fine, as there was a max of 2 other guests!. if it had been full it would have been difficult at times."
Excellent
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location
Excellent
Service
Excellent
Activities
Excellent
Rooms
Excellent
Food
Excellent
Facilities
Excellent
Unguja Lodge
"TOO BIGGER GAP FROM PREVIOUS ACC."
5 nights
Arrived
30 Jun 2016
"A breakdown in communication between you and us, as this is far too bigger drop from previous accommodation.
First impressions - damp smell, especially in luggage room.
Generally tired cushions and soft furnishings.
Garden outside seaview accommodation had not bee cleared and generally around rooms as cut back and left - loads of brown leaves and general tidy up not being done.
New manager, Martien apparently the Dutch couple mentioned again in your hotel information no longer go there- they've gone home to Netherlands, although one son was there as he's schooling in Arusha.
Far too remote, nowhere to walk to apart from a litter strewn village. Although I knew it was quiet, this was far to run down and alone - felt imprisoned. In the time we were there 4 people came for 2 nights - other than that it was empty. Taxi trips everywhere if you wanted trips. I don't think the windy weather helped, as it prevented snorkelling, but even so, we'd have not done that everyday."
First impressions - damp smell, especially in luggage room.
Generally tired cushions and soft furnishings.
Garden outside seaview accommodation had not bee cleared and generally around rooms as cut back and left - loads of brown leaves and general tidy up not being done.
New manager, Martien apparently the Dutch couple mentioned again in your hotel information no longer go there- they've gone home to Netherlands, although one son was there as he's schooling in Arusha.
Far too remote, nowhere to walk to apart from a litter strewn village. Although I knew it was quiet, this was far to run down and alone - felt imprisoned. In the time we were there 4 people came for 2 nights - other than that it was empty. Taxi trips everywhere if you wanted trips. I don't think the windy weather helped, as it prevented snorkelling, but even so, we'd have not done that everyday."
Poor
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Poor
Location
Terrible
Service
Average
Activities
Poor
Rooms
Poor
Food
Average
Facilities
Poor
Feedback response
Zanzibar has high levels of humidity, so keeping all of the rooms completely dry is a challenge. Unguja have assured me that this isn’t an issue that’s raised often. However, following these comments they are now trialling keeping the ceiling fans on during the day to create more air movement in the rooms.
Unguja are working on improving their soft furnishings at time of writing.
Paths are cleaned twice a day, but strong winds make it difficult to keep them clean all of the time. The natural environment is very much part of the beauty and charm of Unguja Lodge – and it attracts wildlife to the gardens as a result.
From our discussions we understood that these travellers wanted to go to quiet, un-touristy areas and we're sorry if we misjudged this. There is not much within walking distance of Unguja Lodge - it is really off the beaten track.
Sadly waste disposal is a huge issue throughout the whole of Zanzibar; it is not a just a problem around Unguja. Zanzibar is a very poor island, with poor governance – and very limited public services, like rubbish collection.
Unguja are working on improving their soft furnishings at time of writing.
Paths are cleaned twice a day, but strong winds make it difficult to keep them clean all of the time. The natural environment is very much part of the beauty and charm of Unguja Lodge – and it attracts wildlife to the gardens as a result.
From our discussions we understood that these travellers wanted to go to quiet, un-touristy areas and we're sorry if we misjudged this. There is not much within walking distance of Unguja Lodge - it is really off the beaten track.
Sadly waste disposal is a huge issue throughout the whole of Zanzibar; it is not a just a problem around Unguja. Zanzibar is a very poor island, with poor governance – and very limited public services, like rubbish collection.
Eka Hotel
"Eka Hotel review"
1 night
Arrived
5 Jul 2016
"short stay, but efficient, good quiet rooms and near airport. Modern and clean"
Good
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location
Good
Service
Good
Rooms
Good
The fly camping was the highlight, beautiful, magical evening with shooting stars and gin!
I guess the rooms could do with a small uplift, just starting to look a little tired.
River trip also a pleasant change.
Game drives disappointing due to scarce wildlife, and some of what we saw was very skittish due to hunting over river and poaching. We were luck in seeing 2 elephants, others saw none during their stay, and no lions."