Zanzibar + Safari

[andrew311]

Been weighing up various honeymoon options of late (a few threads of mine still active on here). Just can’t decide but have started looking into a safari with a beach location in Zanzibar. My other half has always wanted to visit Marrakesh too so I’m going to look into how feasible it would be to include a few nights there too. Kenya or Tanzania would both seem feasible options?

Also been looking at cruise and stay options, and the Far East but the weather seems a bit iffy for when we plan to travel.

[LuS1fer]

We spent 2 weeks at the Mapenzi Beach Resort on Zanzibar in October 2004. Many did a safari the first week and all enjoyed it (October was the wildebeeest migration). We did a few of the tours - Blue Safari was the best but also did Stonetown (be prepared to be followed round by hawkers) and Prison Island (full of Giant Tortoises).

None of the tours arranged by the resort were cheap save we hired a minibus and did the Jozani forest (we missed the official one) with the monkeys ourselves and it was vastly cheaper and far less people.

Some of the locals object to the resort tours as all the money goes to the foreign investors not the local economy which is a very fair point so I gave the guy $20 and he was happy. Some used the local tour hawkers on the beach and were full of praise though there may be safety issues. On the other hand, beware the motorbike ride along the beach as someone got robbed further down the beach doing that.

The hawkers mean the beaches aren't really useable but the resorts front the beach and the locals aren't allowed in.

Millions of sea urchins around the coast and you pay a "guide" to thread you through them but cover up as it's a long way and very hot. Take dollars not Tanzanian currency which no-one wants - we used ours paying for the resort tours.

We went for a walk along the beach to a local school and there you can feel guilty about the true poverty of the island and you will feel less worried about being charged double by the locals for their trinkets.

Edited by LuS1fer on Wednesday 29th June 08:55

[black1]

some great beaches in tanzania. if you go to dar es sallam go to the area called kigamboni
a lot of beaches down there you can stay in nice a double room for around £30 a night
when in kenya or tanzania dont expect any form of customer service !
and when you go into any shop you as a tourist will be charge double,so you must haggle
and the usual rules apply dont flash your phone, wallet etc

Edited by black1 on Wednesday 29th June 07:30

[The jiffle king]

Loved Tanzania last year, it was a cracking place and yes take dollars and be prepared to barter. We went on safari for 5 days which was cracking and really had a great time. The lodges are great, but it´s when you get into the massai villages that you see what really happens.
Less keen on Kenya, but still enjoyed the Sarova white sands beach hotel and would go back.

[black1]

white sands beach, now you talkin thats in mibezi beach area
was there cpl years ago sheer class

but i dont get all this take dollar thing i have been going to kenya/tanz for about 10yrs now
but i never had dollars so am i missing something ?

Edited by black1 on Wednesday 29th June 15:01

[Catz]

andrew311 said:

Kenya or Tanzania would both seem feasible options?

It depends when you're going. We had thought Kenya for our honeymoon which was in July but out travel organiser suggested we'd not see as many animals at that time of year as we would in Tanzania.

We ended up doing safari in Selous, Tanzania. Not a very well known area but we saw stacks of animals! We were also able to do walking and river safaris, as well as the usual jeep. Pretty quiet so you're unlikely to bump into a load of other tourists all clammering to see the animals. We stayed in Selous Safari Camp and had an amazing time!
We then stayed in Swahili House in Stonetown before heading to the island of Pemba and staying at Fundu Lagoon.
A fabulous honeymoon and I'd love to go back!

This is who we used to organise everything, it was a few years ago now but they were very helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. It's a good site just to get info about different areas and what's available too.
http://www.africatravelresource.com/

[LooneyTunes]

Catz said:

We ended up doing safari in Selous, Tanzania. Not a very well known area but we saw stacks of animals! We were also able to do walking and river safaris, as well as the usual jeep. Pretty quiet so you're unlikely to bump into a load of other tourists all clammering to see the animals. We stayed in Selous Safari Camp and had an amazing time!

Selous is sublime - we were at Sand Rivers a few years back. Not cheap but highly recommended due to both atmosphere and service. In comparison, the nights spent on a small island just off the coast of Zanzibar just didn't do it for us. When we next go, we'll forgo the beach part and spend more time on safari.

One thing to perhaps bear in mind: We found that the safari lodges that are all inclusive (inc alcohol) were much friendlier than those where drinks were extra. We have many fond memories of evenings spent watching the sun go down and chatting with other guests over fantastic food and a couple of G&Ts/wines too many. More of a "dinner party" atmosphere and a huge contrast to ones where folk were a little shy of the bar and simply vanished as soon as dinner was finished.

[DubaiJohn]

We got back from doing just that last Friday and we can't wait to go back. We booked via PureZanzibar.com

We started out with 4 days at Kilindi in Nortern Zanzibar, which is bar none the finest hotel I have stayed at. We will be booking to go back next year just for a beach holiday.

Then we did 5 days in Tanzania at Oliver's camp (highly reccomended), Plantation Lodge (good, but we would not go back) and then Dunia Camp (highly reccomended)

Then we finished of with 4 days at Fundu Lagoon on Pemba. Really nice and relaxing, not really our cup of tea but still easily one of the top ten hotels we have stayed in.

Bear in mind that there will be some transfers on some pretty small planes, it did not really bother us but some of the passengers were a bit concerned flying thorugh rain clouds and doing crosswind approaches in a rain storm!
Would be pleased an answer any questions you have.

[LooneyTunes]

DubaiJohn said:

Bear in mind that there will be some transfers on some pretty small planes, often to/from landing strips that appear to require a degree of optimism on the part of your pilot (who may bear an uncanny resemblance - both physically and in terms of attitude - to "Howling Mad Murdoch"). It did not really bother us but some of the passengers, especially the "co-opted" co-pilot who had never before sat in the front seat of a plane, were a bit concerned flying thorugh rain clouds and doing crosswind approaches in a rain storm!

EFA based on my experience.

Oh - and don't forget that the weight limit could be VERY low (10kgs). Don't worry though, the camps all do laundry for you so you can actually get away with taking very little.

[andrew311]

Thanks for all the replies. Plans have changed somewhat this week.....

We now started looking into going to South Africa, few nights in Cape Town, drive the garden route, onto Kruger National Park, The fly to a beach destination. We hope that Zanzibar is still doable as part of this (flights aren't availible yet).

If Zanzibar isn't attainable due to hassle with flights and/or expense Mauritus seems the most main stream option or maybe Mozambique.

[havoc]

We did a few nights in Zanzibar after a safari, and TBH it was a disappointment - felt very third-world and as a result you were stuck in your hotel or the few nearby. Beaches weren't exceptional either, for the money you paid.

I'd consider flying to the safari destination via Dubai, and then detouring from there to the Maldives (4hr flight + 30-50min seaplane transfer) on the way back. Make sure your connections work though - our return from the Maldives took c.24hrs from leaving the resort!


Your SA idea sounds pretty cool as well though - supposed to be some nice beaches down there.

[andrew311]

havoc said:

We did a few nights in Zanzibar after a safari, and TBH it was a disappointment - felt very third-world and as a result you were stuck in your hotel or the few nearby. Beaches weren't exceptional either, for the money you paid.

I'd consider flying to the safari destination via Dubai, and then detouring from there to the Maldives (4hr flight + 30-50min seaplane transfer) on the way back. Make sure your connections work though - our return from the Maldives took c.24hrs from leaving the resort!


Your SA idea sounds pretty cool as well though - supposed to be some nice beaches down there.

Been to the Maldives twice before, tbh will have probably spoiled any future beach holiday for pure r&r I don't think it can be beat. I think it's a bit too much of a diversion and too much of an expense with flights to consider though. It's worth a look though. Started looking at Mozambique too SA beaches will be too cool in May/June time which would have been the easier choice.