Reviews of trips to Stone Town
343 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Stone Town.
Mr & Mrs F
Sussex
"My Oct 2022 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 8 Oct 2022 and 25 Oct 2022
"Our whole trip went like clockwork.
We enjoyed all of the recommended accommodation and wouldn’t have made any changes to the itinerary.
Both Selous and Ruaha are remote and quiet parks to visit and point camps were small and exclusive. The short flights and transfers were all seamless.
We recommended Expert Africa to other guests that we met at Kichaka who had been unhappy with their own agent.
Good idea to give us business cards to hand out!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
We enjoyed all of the recommended accommodation and wouldn’t have made any changes to the itinerary.
Both Selous and Ruaha are remote and quiet parks to visit and point camps were small and exclusive. The short flights and transfers were all seamless.
We recommended Expert Africa to other guests that we met at Kichaka who had been unhappy with their own agent.
Good idea to give us business cards to hand out!" Read full review: 17 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs C
Windlesham
"My Sep 2022 trip"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 9 Sep 2022 and 23 Sep 2022
"It was the best. All the different things we saw and did, my absolute favourite type of holiday.
Thank you for making it so easy for us.
Just wish we could do it every year!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just continue as you are, letting clients talk to you !" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zanzibar holiday
Thank you for making it so easy for us.
Just wish we could do it every year!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Just continue as you are, letting clients talk to you !" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Jenny
Faversham
"A wonderful and memorable trip"
I visited Zanzibar and 2 other countries between 4 Sep 2022 and 17 Sep 2022
"I planned my trip two years ago, then COVID struck and I needed to defer.
I was returning to one camp, Namiri, now a lodge - all other destinations were new. The standard of guiding was excellent and I was thrilled by the number and quality of animal sightings. Spending time on Mnemba Island was a perfect and relaxing interlude before ending in Stone Town. Overall, the experience was remarkable, wonderful.
Some of the airstrip transfers were a tad chaotic, but my luggage and I arrived as planned on each occasion. The meet and greet at Kilimanjaro was great and made for a totally stress free experience.
Thank you Expert Africa, and Lyndsey, in particular." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
I was returning to one camp, Namiri, now a lodge - all other destinations were new. The standard of guiding was excellent and I was thrilled by the number and quality of animal sightings. Spending time on Mnemba Island was a perfect and relaxing interlude before ending in Stone Town. Overall, the experience was remarkable, wonderful.
Some of the airstrip transfers were a tad chaotic, but my luggage and I arrived as planned on each occasion. The meet and greet at Kilimanjaro was great and made for a totally stress free experience.
Thank you Expert Africa, and Lyndsey, in particular." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms E.
London
"My Aug 2022 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 2 other countries between 24 Aug 2022 and 12 Sep 2022
"Great trip.
But we should have just stayed in one Northern Serengeti camp as the two were so close. Ideally Sayara for 4-5 night, but with different staff. All guides were great." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
But we should have just stayed in one Northern Serengeti camp as the two were so close. Ideally Sayara for 4-5 night, but with different staff. All guides were great." Read full review: 19 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Dav & Kay
Manchester
"Definitely the holiday of a lifetime"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 23 Jul 2022 and 6 Aug 2022
"We had the most amazing time, definitely the holiday of a lifetime. We feel incredibly lucky that we were able to go on this trip, and would love to plan another adventure in the future with Expert Africa.
We felt that we got the best of everything, from hotels, food and service to individual guides and practically private planes, we were treated like royalty and will have treasured memories for a long time to come. We haven’t been able to stop telling people about our experience.
We are so pleased that we went with the Red Colobus Monkey suggested itinerary as it was just the most wonderful holiday. Thank you.
We thought it was the most amazing holiday." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
We felt that we got the best of everything, from hotels, food and service to individual guides and practically private planes, we were treated like royalty and will have treasured memories for a long time to come. We haven’t been able to stop telling people about our experience.
We are so pleased that we went with the Red Colobus Monkey suggested itinerary as it was just the most wonderful holiday. Thank you.
We thought it was the most amazing holiday." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Simona
London
"My Jul 2022 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 22 Jul 2022 and 1 Aug 2022
"I think I made a mistake and gave my overall experience comment at the very beginning of the survey.
Bottom line: excellent guide, David, who made each game drive special.
Asilia lodges absolutely top notch, especially because of the staff and the overall atmosphere.
The trip was unforgettable, probably the best I have ever done." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari
Bottom line: excellent guide, David, who made each game drive special.
Asilia lodges absolutely top notch, especially because of the staff and the overall atmosphere.
The trip was unforgettable, probably the best I have ever done." Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Ms C.
Seattle
"My Feb 2022 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 1 Feb 2022 and 1 Mar 2022
"Our trip was quite the odyssey. A long itinerary with lots of moving parts.
I was surprised and impressed by Expert Africa who took care of the hiccups and responded quite promptly to take care of the unforeseen circumstances that pop up on a trip like this.
I wish I could book EA for all of my trips, easily the best agency I have ever worked with.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, you are top notch." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 21 on a Tanzania safari
I was surprised and impressed by Expert Africa who took care of the hiccups and responded quite promptly to take care of the unforeseen circumstances that pop up on a trip like this.
I wish I could book EA for all of my trips, easily the best agency I have ever worked with.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, you are top notch." Read full review: 28 nights in Africa; 21 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Annabel
Somerset
"My Jan 2022 trip"
I visited Kenya and 1 other country between 25 Jan 2022 and 9 Feb 2022
"Brilliant.
The trip had been postponed once because of Covid so I'd waited a long time and was in danger of being disappointed but, really, it was much better than I'd hoped or even imagined.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No suggestions." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari
The trip had been postponed once because of Covid so I'd waited a long time and was in danger of being disappointed but, really, it was much better than I'd hoped or even imagined.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No suggestions." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Kenya safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs. K
Minnesota
"Experience of a Lifetime - Safari Aug. 2021"
I visited Tanzania and 2 other countries between 13 Aug 2021 and 29 Aug 2021
"Our safari was truly a trip of a lifetime. My husband and I planned this trip as our honeymoon, and it was originally supposed to take place in Summer 2020. When Covid hit, the Expert Africa team made what seemed like a terrible stressful thing (changing our honeymoon plans) a breeze. I cannot speak enough to the professionalism of the Expert Africa team. They rescheduled our trip, and made doing so stress free.
This trip was planned to perfection, and the details all fell into place without a hitch. We are looking forward to planning future safari trips, and I know that I will be coming back to Expert Africa for the knowledge, skill, and genuine kindness we experienced while planning this one. You won't be disappointed if you plan your safari with Expert Africa!
Thank you Olivia for a perfectly planned trip and for giving us a honeymoon we will never forget. I blame you now for the fact that I'm already dreaming up the next opportunity for safari.
It was perfect. Thank you!
And sorry for doing this form over a year after our trip! It's been a crazy year." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
This trip was planned to perfection, and the details all fell into place without a hitch. We are looking forward to planning future safari trips, and I know that I will be coming back to Expert Africa for the knowledge, skill, and genuine kindness we experienced while planning this one. You won't be disappointed if you plan your safari with Expert Africa!
Thank you Olivia for a perfectly planned trip and for giving us a honeymoon we will never forget. I blame you now for the fact that I'm already dreaming up the next opportunity for safari.
It was perfect. Thank you!
And sorry for doing this form over a year after our trip! It's been a crazy year." Read full review: 16 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mandolin
Surrey
"The trip of a lifetime."
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 25 Oct 2020 and 5 Dec 2020
"For a long time we thought we wouldn't be able to have our holiday because of the Coronavirus and as it happens, we had to cancel our visit to Botswana. But with the help of Maruska at Expert Africa we were still able to visit Tanzania and Zanzibar. Everything was very fluid with plans changing almost daily right up until the date of departure (and beyond)! due to airline cancellations because of Covid. However, Maruska was incredibly patient and helpful in identifying solutions and alternatives and she also proactively (and mostly successfully) sought refunds for the parts of the holiday that we couldn't undertake (a couple of lodges in Botswana offered to postpone our bookings but were reluctant to give refunds but they succumbed to Maruska's charms eventually). And although I didn't book our international flights through Expert Africa, Maruska kept an eye on all of our travel arrangements, even whilst we were away, and alerted us when our return flight was cancelled.
The holiday itself was way beyond our expectations partly, I suspect, because there were so few other tourists about. In some of the lodges we visited we were the only guests which meant that we were treated like VIPs. And what lodges! The Lemala camps were excellent and Maruska negotiated a very good deal for us by using only Lemala for our safari accommodation and the deal included our own vehicle and guide throughout, which meant that we could go where we wanted to go, when we wanted to go, instead of being tied to a strict timetable for game viewing. As far as the game viewing was concerned, having been told by a couple of friends that their experiences included having to vie for a view of the animals with 100s of other vehicles, we instead found ourselves to be in splendid isolation with almost every animal we saw. The only downside was having to come home." Read full review: 41 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
The holiday itself was way beyond our expectations partly, I suspect, because there were so few other tourists about. In some of the lodges we visited we were the only guests which meant that we were treated like VIPs. And what lodges! The Lemala camps were excellent and Maruska negotiated a very good deal for us by using only Lemala for our safari accommodation and the deal included our own vehicle and guide throughout, which meant that we could go where we wanted to go, when we wanted to go, instead of being tied to a strict timetable for game viewing. As far as the game viewing was concerned, having been told by a couple of friends that their experiences included having to vie for a view of the animals with 100s of other vehicles, we instead found ourselves to be in splendid isolation with almost every animal we saw. The only downside was having to come home." Read full review: 41 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
343
reviews of Stone Town by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
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Where to stay in Stone Town
Our suggestions for places to stay in Stone Town
Serena Inn
Now trumped by the nearby Park Hyatt, the Serena Inn, in its historic building, was formerly Stone Town's only international-style hotel.
Zanzibar Coffee House
The Zanzibar Coffee House is a small quiet hotel tucked away in the back streets of Stone Town, with lovely, simple rooms.
Zanzibar Palace Hotel
The Zanzibar Palace Hotel is a highly regarded boutique hotel with very personal service and just nine rooms, all of them Zanzibari in style.
Beyt al Salaam
The Beyt al Salaam is a pleasant, boutique hotel with only six rooms and atmospheric and stylish Zanzibari décor.
Dhow Palace Hotel
The Dhow Palace is a very good-value, mid-range hotel, full of Swahili character, and the pool makes it appealing to families.
Emerson Spice
Emerson Spice is a beautiful small hotel in the heart of Stone Town with individually designed rooms adorned with gorgeous fabrics.
Kholle House
Kholle House offers an atmospheric Stone Town stay in a historic building, and is very good value for money.
Jafferji House
Jafferji House is a converted old house that blends modern facilities with traditional style. The ten, unique rooms are show great attention to detail.
Swahili House
Swahili House is a traditionally styled boutique hotel furnished to a high standard with a convenient location in the centre of Stone Town.
Tembo Hotel
The Tembo Hotel is a good-value, family-friendly hotel right on the seafront in Stone Town, with 36 rooms and a good-sized swimming pool.
Emerson on Hurumzi
Emerson on Hurumzi was Stone Town's first boutique hotel, featuring antique furniture, unique, stylish rooms and a superb rooftop restaurant.
Mbweni Ruins Hotel
Mbweni Ruins Hotel is very convenient if you want to stay on the beach, but very close to Stone Town, or visit Chumbe Island.
Park Hyatt
The Park Hyatt Zanzibar is a high-quality example of this group, with excellent facilities and service.
Maru Maru Hotel
In the heart of Stone Town, Maru Maru combines contemporary style and creature comforts with a Zanzibari twist.
Seyyida Hotel
The Seyyida is a characterful old hotel near the seafront in Stone Town, with the rare bonus of a swimming pool.
Kisiwa House
Kisiwa's central location in the heart of Stone Town's Shangani area makes it a great base to explore this fascinating town.
