Reviews of trips to Stone Town
351 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include Stone Town.
Ms C
Vista
"Unforgettable experience in Africa"
I visited Tanzania and 2 other countries between 12 Feb 2014 and 24 Feb 2014
"All the way through our trip we were grateful to individuals that gave so much to help make our vacation so spectacular. Certain people were left out in the previous feedback. I want to give special thanks and kuddos to our guides in Rwanda, Hussein, our driver guide, as well as the amazing gorilla trekking guides. Fernando was an amazing gorilla trekking quide and teacher who ensured that we had a special, memorable experience watching these amazing creatures but also learned at the same time. How did he manage to learn all of our names in such a short time, incredible! If you have any interest in gorilla trekking I would jump at the chance. It's an experience of a lifetime! And please employ the local people as porters as this helps support them in a positive way instead of poaching.
Don't put off going on safari. So many species are under pressure from humans and habitat loss to survive.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Thanks to Ellie for her patience with our labored and prolonged itinerary planning. And thanks to Claire when she filled in during Ellie's absence. We benefitted enormously from her knowledge and suggestions.
Thanks so much to all for another amazing and unforgettable trip to Africa that we will never forget!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari
Don't put off going on safari. So many species are under pressure from humans and habitat loss to survive.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Thanks to Ellie for her patience with our labored and prolonged itinerary planning. And thanks to Claire when she filled in during Ellie's absence. We benefitted enormously from her knowledge and suggestions.
Thanks so much to all for another amazing and unforgettable trip to Africa that we will never forget!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 5 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs R
Canada
"My Jan 2014 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 19 Jan 2014 and 31 Jan 2014
"I think the ecstatic would be a better description. You didn't ask about the safari. Our tour guide, Ayoub, was fantastic. I had my 86yr old mother with me and he treated her like gold. She was "Beebee" the whole trip and he stopped and got her a stool when he saw that getting out of the jeep was hard for her. I'm pretty sure he had bought new picnic seats and table for us as he was taking the wrapping off of the . He was so knowledgeable and had eagle eyes. He made the trip, I can't say enough good about him. Going with a 15 yr old and and 86 yr old I was a bit concerned but he put us all at ease and was so very ,very nice.
Also Maruska did a great job, we heard of guides who were in the central area worried about finding animals as they were all near us!! thank you for putting us down into the south we saw all the big 5 plus a cheetah, lepoard, lion hunt,elephants fighting, new born wildebeests and huge troops of baboons. Thank you for considering our jet lag and suggesting Arusha Nat pk it was a perfect introduction.
It was to be the trip of a lifetime for my mom and it lived up to its billing and then some. She will never forget it. Thank you.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, You did a fantastic job. I have recommended you to my cousin who is planning a trip." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 4 on a Tanzania safari
Also Maruska did a great job, we heard of guides who were in the central area worried about finding animals as they were all near us!! thank you for putting us down into the south we saw all the big 5 plus a cheetah, lepoard, lion hunt,elephants fighting, new born wildebeests and huge troops of baboons. Thank you for considering our jet lag and suggesting Arusha Nat pk it was a perfect introduction.
It was to be the trip of a lifetime for my mom and it lived up to its billing and then some. She will never forget it. Thank you.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No, You did a fantastic job. I have recommended you to my cousin who is planning a trip." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 4 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mrs V & Mr H
Greece
"Life changing. Planning our next trip already"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 9 Jan 2014 and 23 Jan 2014
"This was our first time to Africa. We were overwhelmed by the vastness of the country, its rich culture wildlife and complexities of its people and history. More of an experience than a holiday, we would probably concentrate on 2 destinations next time as we felt rather tired with all the flights.
One thing is for sure, once you have been Africa stays with you, and you will quite possible never look at the world the same way again!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
One thing is for sure, once you have been Africa stays with you, and you will quite possible never look at the world the same way again!" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
The M-W family
London
"My Dec 2013 trip"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 25 Dec 2013 and 7 Jan 2014
"Based on a 'general idea'of what we wanted - Angela put together an absolutely perfect itinerary for us as a family. Her expert knowledge really guided us in our final choices and she spent plenty of time over quite a few calls discussing different scenarios and timetables of how to organise the trip.
Up to the time of leaving - Angela was regularly answering queries about the trip - always being available to guide and reassure us on preparations." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zanzibar holiday
Up to the time of leaving - Angela was regularly answering queries about the trip - always being available to guide and reassure us on preparations." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs AR
UK
"Nov 2013 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 8 Nov 2013 and 22 Nov 2013
"Very good trip all round, excellent accommodation and very well organised."
Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 4 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Miss L
Bedford
"October 2013 trip"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 8 Oct 2013 and 20 Oct 2013
"Absolutely amazing!
Thankyou to Liz for suggesting all of these places to visit. We had the most perfect time for such a special occasion.
We would gladly recommend your company to any of our friends and family wishing to travel to Africa and wouldnt hestiate to also get in touch if we decided another holiday here." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
Thankyou to Liz for suggesting all of these places to visit. We had the most perfect time for such a special occasion.
We would gladly recommend your company to any of our friends and family wishing to travel to Africa and wouldnt hestiate to also get in touch if we decided another holiday here." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Mopane squirrels
UK
"My Oct 2013 trip"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 5 Oct 2013 and 18 Oct 2013
"This was a great trip. We enjoyed it all. Although there was some negative observations about Impala we nevertheless enjoyed it . I do not think we would again travel to east Africa as late in the year as on this occasion. It was extremely hot and certainly in the Selous the rains came early. Rains were also expected in the Ruaha the day we left, again early for that region. Weather predictions as unstable in this region now as they are in the rest of the world.
Our itinerary was perfect and everything went like clockwork.
I believe this is our third African trip with you. Your company is very reliable with knowledgeable advisors offering trips that are competitively priced. We would not hesitate to travel with you to Africa a fourth time." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
Our itinerary was perfect and everything went like clockwork.
I believe this is our third African trip with you. Your company is very reliable with knowledgeable advisors offering trips that are competitively priced. We would not hesitate to travel with you to Africa a fourth time." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs D
Rochester
"Wonderful Safari"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 27 Sep 2013 and 11 Oct 2013
"The Safari was fantastic and our guide, Kevin Mlay, was excellent and really knowledgeable. He knew where to go to give us the best chance of seeing the animals and nothing was too much trouble for him.
When we arrived in Tanzania, the drive from Kilimanjaro to our first village walk was about four hours, which was far too long after a night flight. It might have been better to fly to Arusha rather than Kilimanjaro.
It was just a short drive to Zanzibar airport where were it was the worst part of the holiday. The porters were only interested in grabbing your money. A major, major problem at the end of the holiday was to find that there was a departure tax of £80 to pay! We were not advised of this and had not budgeted for it at all. It was fortunate we had the money put by for our taxi fare from Heathrow to home which we used. That interfered with paying the taxi drive once we got home. Surely Expert Africa must know about this tax but there was no mention of it in any of the information we were given. It really spoilt the end of the holiday." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
When we arrived in Tanzania, the drive from Kilimanjaro to our first village walk was about four hours, which was far too long after a night flight. It might have been better to fly to Arusha rather than Kilimanjaro.
It was just a short drive to Zanzibar airport where were it was the worst part of the holiday. The porters were only interested in grabbing your money. A major, major problem at the end of the holiday was to find that there was a departure tax of £80 to pay! We were not advised of this and had not budgeted for it at all. It was fortunate we had the money put by for our taxi fare from Heathrow to home which we used. That interfered with paying the taxi drive once we got home. Surely Expert Africa must know about this tax but there was no mention of it in any of the information we were given. It really spoilt the end of the holiday." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs B
Avon
"A truly memorable safari in Southern Tanzania"
I visited Tanzania and 1 other country between 25 Sep 2013 and 9 Oct 2013
"We had a fantastic time and are already planning our next game viewing holiday with Expert Africa. Many thanks"
Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari
Overall trip
Excellent
Mr & Mrs S
Swindon
"My Sep 2013 trip"
I visited Zanzibar and 1 other country between 14 Sep 2013 and 26 Sep 2013
"LOVED IT!
What a fab itinery! Thank you so much for your time and efforts in securing this for us. I appreciate we looked at many options but can tell you that we would not have changed any of the time or locations we have stayed in.
In fact we met a new rep from Audley Travel whilst in Beho Beho and she was so enthusiastic about our itinery I suspect this may be lifted for others booking Tanzania with Audley!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zanzibar holiday
What a fab itinery! Thank you so much for your time and efforts in securing this for us. I appreciate we looked at many options but can tell you that we would not have changed any of the time or locations we have stayed in.
In fact we met a new rep from Audley Travel whilst in Beho Beho and she was so enthusiastic about our itinery I suspect this may be lifted for others booking Tanzania with Audley!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zanzibar holiday
Overall trip
Excellent
351
reviews of Stone Town by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
Filter by month
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.
Maru Maru Hotel
In the heart of Stone Town, Maru Maru combines contemporary style and creature comforts with a Zanzibari twist.
Park Hyatt
The Park Hyatt Zanzibar is a high-quality example of this group, with excellent facilities and service.
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.
Seyyida Hotel
The Seyyida is a characterful old hotel near the seafront in Stone Town, with the rare bonus of a swimming pool.
