Zanzibar

Hi

My wife and I are looking for a holiday in July (to celebrate me
finishing a long period of study!)

July is a hard time to find good weather for a beach holiday (Outside
europe) but it would appear that zanzibar would fit the bill.

We are thinking of one of two hotels at the moment, the Mapenzi beach
club hotel and Breezes beach club.
Does anyone have any experience of these hotels? Do you have any other
suggestions (not too expensive!).

Any other comments about Zanzibar as a destination? Are there any decent
excursions? If so how much do they typically cost?

Sorry for the barrage of questions but I like to be prepared!

Cheers

Dave

I will suggest you to go in Nungwi (north of zanzibar).
You have only to take the flight ticket

In Nungwi you have a lot of accomodations (from 25$ to 50$ for two persons);
very nice beach, place and accomodations (local not big villages).

Cheers,
Stefano


"Dave B" wrote in message
...
Hi

My wife and I are looking for a holiday in July (to celebrate me
finishing a long period of study!)

I wouldn't be too worried about resorts,my wife and I went there and
hired a little Suzuki jeep and drove all over the island staying at
some really nice places on the beach for very little money. Zanzibar
has some amazing beaches and you don't have to stay in the resorts to
enjoy them. There are some amazing little places to get fresh bbq'd
seafood and sit drinking cold beer so you don't need a resort toeat in
a sterile restaurant. The best beaches are the north point and run down
the east side of the island.
From Nungwe you can take lots of trips to
see dolphins, snorkle etc. From Stone Town you can go to prison island
etc. save your money from resorts and spend the money on 'doing' the
island.
You'll love it, I wish we had been there longer instead of
staying in Mombassa!


--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Unfortunately th beaches in some areas of Nungwi have washed away, and
specifically at Nungwi Village Beach Resort, the beaches look terrible. All
you see are blue bags filled with sand where they have tries to re-capture
the beacvh. You are safe staying at either Mapenzi or Breezes, both are very
good.

Regards

Rodger


"Desert Dweller" wrote in message
...

I wouldn't be too worried about resorts,my wife and I went there and
hired a little Suzuki jeep and drove all over the island staying at
some really nice places on the beach for very little money. Zanzibar
has some amazing beaches and you don't have to stay in the resorts to
enjoy them. There are some amazing little places to get fresh bbq'd
seafood and sit drinking cold beer so you don't need a resort toeat in
a sterile restaurant. The best beaches are the north point and run down
the east side of the island.
From Nungwe you can take lots of trips to
see dolphins, snorkle etc. From Stone Town you can go to prison island
etc. save your money from resorts and spend the money on 'doing' the
island.
You'll love it, I wish we had been there longer instead of
staying in Mombassa!


--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Hi !
I stayed at Mazsons Hotel, Kenyatta Road, Zanzibar. That was about
7 years ago, when I was still a flight attendant, so I don't know if
it's still there !
It was ok - pretty basic and they had problems with
the electricity supply if there was a storm etc. The beach was not that
nice but we got a local to paddle us over to Prison Island where we
spent all day walking around/lazing on the beach. Very hot and very
strong sun so be careful. The airport is awful - very haphazrd - do not
just walk through on arrival - make sure they stamp your passport,
otherwise it is very hard to leave the island on departure!!!
(yes,
this happened to one of our passengers !!)
Instead of Zanzibar, I would
recommend Dar es Salaam. We stayed in a lovely resort (sorry can't
remember the name) - restaurant, bar, 'hut' rooms with grass roofs on
the beach, mosquito nets over the beds - also don't forget your
mosquito pills - before you depart , while you're there and after
getting back home. Also only drink bottled water that you open.
Have
fun.
Tracy in Texas.


--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com

Hi

We stayed in the Mapenzi Beach Club 3 years ago and had a great time.
The staff were freindly, and the place was clean and tidy.
We had a chalet on the sand, and getting up in the morning and walking
straight onto the beach was amazing.
Watch out when the tide is in, as it can be pretty choppy. We took canoes
out and got dipped a couple of times (no great problem - Indian Ocean =
warm...) They vary the evening 'entertainment' each day and sometimes its
okay (beach BBQ etc) and sometimes a bit iffy (talent contest!!). The only
downside (for us) was a large proportion of Italian tourists there who were
somewhat loud late into the night.

The pool is clean and tidy, and the free bar is pretty efficient.

When the tide is out, the local women go out to farm seaweed in the
shallows. You can also wander out about a kilometre and look for fish etc
amongst the coral. Take some flipflops or similar - the coral is very sharp,
and need some waterproof/disposable footwear!

There is a village half a k up the beach, and you will have a local offer to
show you round. This is fine - they are NOT pushy, and demand nothing.We did
tip our guide but felt no pressure.

It is a bit of trek over to Stonetown from Mapenzi - maybe an hour or so -
but the hotel does organise trips for you wherever. We 'did' the spice tour,
and the dolphins/Jozani forest tour; as well as a couple of trips to
Stonetown.

We have some (low res) photos on our site -
http://www.tomalin.org/bedford/africa/index.htm

If you want any specific info, get in touch....

Charles
--

www.wildviews.com
Natural History Photography

"Tracy in Texas" wrote in message
...

Hi !
I stayed at Mazsons Hotel, Kenyatta Road, Zanzibar. That was about
7 years ago, when I was still a flight attendant, so I don't know if
it's still there !
It was ok - pretty basic and they had problems with
the electricity supply if there was a storm etc. The beach was not that
nice but we got a local to paddle us over to Prison Island where we
spent all day walking around/lazing on the beach. Very hot and very
strong sun so be careful. The airport is awful - very haphazrd - do not
just walk through on arrival - make sure they stamp your passport,
otherwise it is very hard to leave the island on departure!!!
(yes,
this happened to one of our passengers !!)
Instead of Zanzibar, I would
recommend Dar es Salaam. We stayed in a lovely resort (sorry can't
remember the name) - restaurant, bar, 'hut' rooms with grass roofs on
the beach, mosquito nets over the beds - also don't forget your
mosquito pills - before you depart , while you're there and after
getting back home. Also only drink bottled water that you open.
Have
fun.
Tracy in Texas.


--
Posted via http://britishexpats.com