15 independent reviews for Tanzania Selous safari holiday & Zanzibar
Reviews for Tanzania Selous safari holiday & Zanzibar
Stephen Walby review 26 Feb 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The extraordinary variety of wildlife, every day brought new experiences.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The quality of your safari will depend on your guide. Make sure you have a guide with plenty of experience, ours was amazing, we saw things other travellers missed.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Locals and guides do seem to respect the rules within the national parks, we saw no litter and no road kill. Our driver would steer carefully around dung beetles! It did fell a little uncomfortable the number of safari jeeps crowding around wild animals in very close proximity.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent, exceeded our expectations. Everything was well planned and executed, staff everywhere were lovely, accommodation and food all very good.Annie Bird review 11 Jul 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hunting with lions in the Masai Mara2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You can never have too many dollars .. so many wonderful people to thank / tip ! Expect to come home with a slightly expanded waistline !3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes our trip felt very much intertwined with all these ideals4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Outstanding. We loved it from start to finishS Zimmerman review 20 Jun 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Most of it was both memorable and exciting. The gorilla trek was extremely tough but worth it and an adventure in its own right. Four days in Ruaha Park in Tanzania brought a huge number of sightings at close proximity as well as wonderful accommodations that we will remember forever.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be aware that the trek in Uganda is very demanding. Hire a porter even if you're not carrying much - he will make the difference in getting you up the mountain.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Everywhere we stayed used solar power and was very low impact generally. No big hotels or other than local construction. Most of the lodges also served local artisans through sales of products. Staff everywhere seemed happy and well treated, especially at Ikuka in Ruaha.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Exceptional. A few bumps in the days of transition - travel days. The first lodge we stayed at in Kibale in Uganda, was very pleasant except the food was truly abysmal. Otherwise a wonderful holiday that met and exceeded expectations.Karen Shreefter Blair review 25 Feb 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Everything. The tour operator made the best suggestions and incredible logistics. I will never be able to thank them enough.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring more cash for trips.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I hope so.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Annie Bird review 2 Jan 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hunting with lions in the Masai Mara2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You can never have too many dollars .. so many wonderful people to thank / tip !Expect to come home with a slightly expanded waistline !3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes our trip felt very much intertwined with all these ideals4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Outstanding We loved it from start to finishYasmin Mirdamad review 30 Sep 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The amount of wildlife we were able to see due to the beautiful remote locations we were booked onto made it so unique.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Give your agent as much information as possible including how you like to "holiday", your interests and what activities you enjoy doing.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we felt like we were away from the major tourist scene and supporting local jobs and businesses while we were there.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
An absolute 10/10. We loved every minute, we felt so looked after and that our agent, Josh, really understood what we wanted while adding his experience in travel and conservation to shape our trip.Katina Wilson review 14 Aug 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The lodge accommodations and wildlife viewings were most memorable!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Stay communicative and responsive throughout the planning process; the staff are always doing their best to make the vacation its best!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was superb.Jerry Lockspeiser review 8 Jan 2020
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It was in 3 parts - safari in Ruaha (not Selous as your title says), Scuba diving from Mafia Island (not Zanzibar as your title says), and Tree House accommodation on the small Chole Island. All had their high points, I wouldn't say anyone was better than the others.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Check the weather at the time of year and its consequences - the safari was in the short rain season so anilas were harder to find than in the dry season, although still plentiful, and the diving visibility was limited due to a lot of planjkton and disturbed sand in the sea due to heavy winds (although still good enough to see the incredible aquarium of fish, corals and fauna)3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, all 3 places we stayed were conscious of these points and tried to support them, Ikaku camp in Ruaha and the people running Chole Mjini specially4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Fantatstic. It was a perfect balance of interest and environments for us.Suzanne Lyons review 4 Sep 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The safari element and because it’s possible to go off road in Selous we got really close to the animals.The beach element was Mafia not Zanzibar and was beautiful and we snorkelled with the whale sharks which had made an earlier than normal appearance.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you take a lot of insect repellent, the tense flies were relentless and plenty of dollars for tipping.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We were told by locals that if Selous can attract enough tourists it will eventually phase out trophy hunting so I really hope we’ve supported conservation. On Mafia all the people working at the hotel were local so hopefully.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was a very memorable holiday and we wouldn’t have changed anything.Melinda Rees review 19 Aug 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The lagoon that surrounds the island is spectacular for making for the best sea holiday ever. All the staff and teams throughout our holiday experience have been absolutely exemplar.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Check climates and locations as you may need to bring anything from bikinis to trekking gear. Try everything!!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we were very aware of the environmental issues and the careful approach to tourism to conserve the beautiful island. We were continually educated by Mauritian people who are so proud of dignified and respectful of their environment.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Best holiday we have ever had.Hanna Nedrud review 13 Apr 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We loved every part of our holiday! Seeing all of the animals in The Naboisho Conservancy was incredible. Learning about Masai culture around the campfire from our guides was very meaningful. Ending our vacation at a small boutique resort on the coast was perfect.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
We would recommend going on safari for at least 3 days. We stayed at Basecamp Wilderness Camp. Basecamp has multiple sites so it would be fun to stay at a couple different locations next time. Pinewood Beach Resort is not in the main area of Diani Beach, a bit off the beaten trail. We recommend it for folks who want to stay at the hotel an relax by the pool and beach all day!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Basecamp, the company we stayed with in the Naboisho Conservancy, is doing a great job in their conservation efforts and work to benefit the local community.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Amazing! Felt well organized and supported by the tour operator's staff.Gordon Halton review 28 Oct 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There were so many; the people were so friendly helpful and could not do enough for you, seeing the animals in their habitat was amazing, the quality of the accommodation was out of this world. To my partner who adores elephants was me seeing the smile on her face when we drove past an opening in the trees and there infront of us stood 5 or 6 elephants including a couple of babies.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do it and don't worry about anything both in Selous and Zanzibar the service provided and flexibility with it by the staff was second to none.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Most definitely and that was most definitely reciprocated in their approach to us.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A holiday of a lifetime...............I want to live twice so I can go again!Mark Thompson review 9 Oct 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The safari in Selous was wonderful. Every day there was a surprise. The staff and guides are so friendly and the camp is perfect.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Don't trust Kenya Airways not to lose your bags, take a little of everything in your hand luggage just in case. The Rock restaurant near Paje is worth going to, unique location and delicious food.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I think so. I don't think Selou gets as much press as some other reserves so it was definitely good for our guides. We went on a Blue safari which was run by a local group of gentlemen who were keen to stress that a lot of the blue safari tours are not locally owned businesses (while the trip had a variety of things to do, each of them was pretty crowded so I'm not sure we'd do it again).4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was amazing. Selou was great. We stayed in the Hakuna Majwe which was perfect for kitesurfing at Paje. Then we went to the Pongwe Beach hotel which is probably our favourite of all time, so relaxing.Ann Evans review 7 Oct 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Lake manze camp was the most memorable and exciting part of the holiday. It was absolutely perfect in every way. The variety and sheer number of animals and birds was beyond expectation, and all the staff we met, our drivers, the managers of the camp etc really went out of their way to do everything to delight us. It was a joy to be there, I only wish we could have stayed longer.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You don't need a fleece in Selous. It's warm, at least, in September! US dollars accepted everywhere. Don't bother exchanging for tanzanian schillings. Lake manze camp does not take credit cards. Nowhere takes travellers cheques. Lightweight trainers are fine for this holiday. Towels provided. Breezes hotel splendid, beach towels provided. Reef shoes useful but can hire for £1 a day. Excellent food and cocktails! Excellent massage at the spa facility.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Certainly of benefit to local people both in Selous and in Zanzibar. Lake manze staff all local and ditto Breezes, who told me the hotel was a good employer. Not sure about environmental impact, although both locations showed evidence of attempts to reduce effects by e.g. not renewing towels except when requested.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It simply could not have been better. Even Air France failing to get our luggage back from Paris to Heathrow on our return could not detract from the superb experience. (It was delivered to our house the next day).Paul Rae review 15 Jun 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The elephant walking past my tent most mornings. The friendly staff, the amazing views.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Budget for cab fares from pongwe beach hotel to do some activities.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Overall my holiday was amazing and I would recommend this trip to anyone.Holiday Reviews
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