Eastern Zanzibar Accommodation Guide

Hi there Melinda, 
 
What a wonderful trip we had!  
 
The direct flights were magic, even getting the visas there was not that much of a train smash, the guys were waiting for us at the other end, the cold towels and water when we climbed into the taxi were a very nice touch, and even the introduction to Zanzibar traffic and road rules were made easier by the guide giving us a whole introduction to the country on the way to Mapenzi. 
 
And then there was Mapenzi! A stunning place with very friendly staff without the luxury hotel feel. We enjoyed our stay tremendously. If you do have contact with them, please convey our sincere thanks to making our stay a very memorable one. It is very difficult to pick out any of the staff; all were extremely friendly and helpful, but I still want to mention 4 in particular, Sunday, Francis, Rosemary & Rhoida. We think back to the holiday and these 4 bring back many fond memories. 
 
Thanks again for your professional assistance. We will certainly make use of your services again.

Hi Farzanah, 
 
We had a really fantastic time! The accommodation was outstanding and we would highly recommend the suites at Neptune, they are really wonderful. The food was pretty good and the hotel facilities are great – really good choice! The company who met us at the airport were also excellent and in fact we used them so that we could spend a day in Stone Town. I must say that I preferred Stone Town 10 years ago! Although the traders were fairly irritating then, they have become seriously painful now! Still a most beautiful country and one which we would visit again. 
 
Anyway, we had a wonderful week and thank you so much for the assistance 
 
Kind regards 
Sean

Hi 
 
We were extremely happy with the service we received from both African Encounters and Kilima Kidogo Guest house.  
 
I would like to say a HUGE big thank you to DINA and her wonderful staff for making our stay soooo very special. We had so many good laughs together, so many memories created and the taste of the delicious food will remain for a very long time. We can't wait to return one day. 
 
Please send regards to Dina and all her staff for making our stay so special

We had a lovely time, people are extremely friendly, thank you for all you co-operation and we have no complaints on our side.

Hi Neo, 
 
Thank you for your e-mail and most importantly thank you for arranging such a great honey moon for my wife and I.  
Neo we had a great time in Zanzibar, Ngallawa Beach Village was so great, the hospitality was out of this world, we were really treated like Kings and Queens, I would certainly recommend this place to any couple looking for a honey moon destination, it was really great Neo thank you very much! 
 
Will speak to you later 
 
Warm Regards 
Charles

Hi Lucrezia, 
 
The driver Hlali and Guide Bori were fantastic. Hlali was a super careful driver, and once he realised that we wanted to take photos from the bus, he slowed down even more so to accommodate us. Nothing was too much trouble. They fetched us really early and sometimes we only got back to the hotel after 7pm. We stopped off for a pre-wedding in process and a HIV Aids awareness rally to take photos. 
 
The fan belt broke whilst we were shooting at a ruin, and in no time at all, a replacement vehicle was there for us. You can really recommend them to any of your clients. 
 
Weather – good 
Rooms – good 
Stonetown – very good (they went there 3 times) 
 
All in all, the ladies had a fantastic time, and would go on 1Time, back to Mapenzi and definitely use the same company for transfers / guide. 
 
Thanks again for all your help Lucrezia  
 
Rgds 
Noleen

Hi Lucrezia 
Sorry for the late reply. Been hectic. I totally loved Karafuu and would definately go back again. Le Gemme also a great place but found Karafuu more personal. Everything ran like a clock without a hitch. Thanks you for putting it all together and making things work so smoothly. Zanzibar is definately a destination I would go back to. Have been to quite a few islands, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar etc but I enjoyed Zanazibar the most. Would love to go back and will definately be in touch again. 
Thanks again for making it all happen so smoothly. 
Regards 
Aukelien

Hi Lucrezia 
The holiday in Zanzibar was just wonderful. I cannot say enough good things about Karafuu – it was really well run and the food was amazing, in fact there was far too much, but of course the guests seem to be able to finish off everything in sight! The best of all were the staff at the hotel – I have travelled a lot to many different places and I have never come across such wonderful, friendly and happy people who were only too willing to help and assist at every turn. A special word should go to the managers at the hotel – The Front Office Manager, and the Dining Manager as well as Katoka the Bar Manager. They were specially great and always had a happy and smiling face which was so welcoming for us as guests. They are a true asset to the hotel. 
I would love to go back to Zanzibar sometime and would definitely want to stay at Kerafuu again – it made the holiday special and they are definitely a 10 out of 10! 
Thank you too for all your help – the ground transfers and the tour guides were really good – also so friendly and know their country well and are proud to show it off to their guests. 
Regards 
Jean

Hi Dear 
 
Firstly, I must thank you for your assistance, and the great service we got from African Encounters. 
 
Our holiday in Paradise:  
 
Our tour guide, took us through to Paje from the airport, and that drive was a great experience, driving through the local village on a long stretch of road and lots of bicycles, scooters and a few taxes, it is amazing to see how organised they are when on the road. I think they are more alert than us, the road is narrow, but they all give way for each other in a calm manner.  
We also noticed the oxen pulling carts, very slow though but the people seem so calm, unlike us who use horses.  
We spent our first day at the beach. 
 
The room was cosy, I noticed a display on the bed, what they do is fold their towels like a swan and a heart on the bed with fresh flowers and the word welcome on the bed which is done with the flowers. An Each morning they have a different display on the bed. And of cause I asked the ladies to teach me how to do the displays with the towels, interesting. 
 
The breakfast is very healthy, fruit, and eggs with pancakes, juice and tea or coffee. The fruit juice tastes like milkshake amazing. 
Oh before I forget, I was in the kitchen baking bread, Zanzibar style. 
An Arabian Nights hospitality was beyond the call of duty. 
 
Site seeing was a wonderful experience, Spice Farm, , wow what an experience, we learnt so much and had an opportunity to taste the fresh fruits from the tree yummy, we also received gifts at the end of the tour, i.e. handmade bag, a crown and a tie which was made of Palm Tree leaves, interesting the people are very talented with their hands.  
 
Stone Town Tour, the buildings are pretty ancient, architecture and the history of Slave trade most interesting.  
We also seen the Anglican church were the arch bishop is buried. 
The market, very busy, what an experience. We also sat at a lovely hotel where one can watch the sunset over the water, tranquil. This is a full day trip. 
 
Safari Blue Tour, we were supposed to leave at 9 the morning but off cause we set our alarm on south African time ha ha ha. 1 Hour behind, nothing unusual that’s us, laid back. 
And buy the time we got from Paje to the tour, the dhow had left already, we then had to take a small motor boat just the two of us and one guy, what a trip, we then caught up with the dhow, and in the middle of the ocean we had to climb onto the dhow from the motor boat it was fun. 
Included in this tour was scuba diving, dolphin watching, snorkelling, a full seafood lunch, fruit and free drinks 
The days that followed we pretty much spent on the beach and relaxed at the pool, playing in the water like kids, it was cool. 
 
We met the locals from the villages, Bob made friends with the Beach Boys. 
We took walks into the village and met a family, lots of children.  
We bought biscuits for the kiddies and they were so excited, we gave the biscuits to their mother. And when I told the manager of the hotel how the little ones asked for biscuits, the manager told me that these children are not used to luxurious if they get biscuits once a month they are lucky, otherwise once a year, shame that really made us sad. But I am so glad we could make them happy for the moment. 
 
I must say this entire trip was an adventure, a true paradise holiday. I was saying we need to think about doing another trip to Zanzibar and perhaps take some family and friends with us next time, for the experience. 
 
Last but not least when in Zanzibar you must know how to bargain, my husband is an expert at bargaining, so we managed to buy some lovely gifts which was really worth it. 
I enjoyed typing this mail, it took me back to Zanzibar.  
 
Keep well and stay on top of your game, doing what you do best, thank you for all your help. 
Regards 
Ursula & Keith (Bob).

Hi Farzanah 
 
Many thanks to you for recommending Arabian Nights, it was truely an experience my husband and i will never forget. The staff were all very friendly, the rooms were clean and comfortable and the food was was tasty. We cannot stop complimenting the Arabian Nights team and would surely hope to return one day.