Beho Beho

Hi Julian,

So sorry for the late reply, I’ve been a bit manic since being back from our amazing trip, then I just found this email …

I think it will be hard to take an exception to any one guide or chef, they were all good in their own way, all the guides were good as was the food etc.

Ras Kutani – A perfect start to the holiday, just sheer relaxation! The suite was amazing with a lovely plunge pool, staff were very helpful and polite in every manner. The beach is nice to stroll on and the service was quick and efficient, having some spa treatments available also was a bonus.

Mwagusi – Certainly a rustic camp, a real feeling of being out in the middle of the Ruaha game reserve. Lots of good game viewing here, we were so lucky to see some amazing cats also including a pride of Lions taking on a Giraffe, a leopard chilling in a tree and a Cheetah from a distance. There was a nice camp feel in the evening chilling by a fire with tales of the day and the food was excellent again. Lovely accommodation given location and friendly staff.

Beho Beho – We absolutely loved this place, a family home come base camp in a Jurassic feeling Selous game reserve. This was a real step in luxury and service, all the staff were very friendly and professional with a real team feeling. There is a good feeling of remoteness with no manicured roads and specific tracks to follow. The walking safari’s were a great experience. The game a little less common than in the Ruaha but mainly down to the dense landscape not because it wasn’t there. Some real treats to a different style of safari with a trip to the lakes to see a variety of different wildlife. It has to be said the stay was enhanced by the great people we met whilst staying in Beho Beho in a very social gathering, not to be said that it can’t be private though it can be as social as you like.

Mnemba – I guess this has to be the perfect ending, the pictures pretty much sum it up as a lost Maldivian Island and that’s exactly as it is. A luxurious stay with everything you’d expect from a 5 star experience. Friendly staff intent on making the feel of a private Island as private as you want it to be. Superb diving and private dining.

The Serena Inn Stone town is what it is really, probably the best hotel around there but not got much of a chance after all the other locations being so great … despite us not arriving til about 4pm our room still wasn’t ready. Only complaint to be honest.

Thanks for all your advice and efforts in arranging the trip as well as possible.

Kind Regards.

Chris

Dear Edward,

Beho Beho was as expected wonderful.  I have just submitted a review to TripAdvisor about it. The location, bandas, staff, food  etc were excellent. We particularly liked the communal dining with the guides and fellow guests, which led to some lively discussions. I gather that Cheryl Cole opted out of that when she was staying there. It will be interesting to see how the single exclusive banda being constructed which will offer the services of a personal butler, chef and guide will alter the dynamic of the camp.

Should also have mentioned the three young male lions who have moved into the Beho Beho area recently who killed a buffalo not far from camp. We saw one of them who had climbed a tree to rest after the kill, whilst another wandered about 50 yards in front of our banda the next day.

We were just amazed at the large herds of buffalo, zebra, impala moving towards Lake Manze for water.

I think that the only significant animal we did not see were leopard and rhino. We were lucky to see wild dogs with cubs on our first day. The Hippo pool is disgusting (to a microbiologist) but amazing. I took over 600 photos during the four nights there.

The safari on foot in the bush in front of Beho Beho was scary knowing that there were elephants/lions in there.

Ras Kutani was also very good. The staff are really friendly and helpful.  My wife and I are not great beach lovers so did a few walks whilst we were there. Our daughter and son in law in contrast just lay on the beach or beside the pool. It is a good break after a safari.

Regards,

Hi!  I would be delighted to do this.  Please feel free to edit as appropriate.  I can’t remember some of the names I stayed at – can you refer to my file your end and check??  Also, I have now left Coutts so please update your e-mail address with this one.  Thanks.

General
I have used Tanzania Odyssey twice now for holidays combining Safaari, a beach holiday and some time in Stone Town and Dar Es Salaam.  Both times I have consulted with TO over my probable travel plans, and both times TO have suggested some amendments such as an extra night in one place at the sacrafice of a night somewhere else, or a different hotel to that which I have seen on the internet.  Both times I went with TO suggested changes and both times I have subsequently been very happy I did this.  I have always been hugely impressed with the personable and flexible way in which TO do business.  They are hugley knowledeable and I would thoroughly reccommend them and take their advice in the future.

Selous Safaari Camp – December 2009

This was a tented Safaari that combined the luxury of a fixed camp (and therefore bar and dining area) with a definite feeling that you are still in Africa and still living in basic accommodation.  When I visited a person called Richard ran the camp who was very pleasant and spent a lot of time with his guests at meal times.  He also encouraged, unless for some reason just during our visit, (will be interesting as to what other people say) that we all sit together in the evening for dinner.  This would probably suit better those people who do want to meet other guests and listen to some of Richard’s stories from his time in Africa, rather than couples on honeymoon.  The food was good but relatively basic.  We had elephant right outside our tent in the night, literally eating a bush that touched the tent!!!

Beyt Al Chai – December 2009
A great centrally located authentic guest house in Stone Town.  Excellent food.  Has a residents lounge with cold beer in the fridge and an honesty bar.  Only has a curtain dividing the loo and bath from the rest of the room so not ideal if you are not comfortable with sharing such matters with your room mate!!!

Echo Beach - December 2009
A lovely resort that size wise is small enough to feel very special but not so small that you can’t find a spot to sunbathe away from others.  The owners are quirky and fun and will provide a good bit of banter at the bar if you want it.  Excellent food and a wide choice on the menu.

Beach Resort – February 2011
A gem of a place that is literally a piece of heaven in what can only be described as something resembling a war zone on approach.  I say this only because I was seriously worried I was being abducted on the way to the hotel because the terraine got worse and worse, more remote and I thought there was no way a hotel can be at the end of this road, but, I was wrong and it is just a very undeveloped part of Zanzibar!  I chose this hotel because it looked like it combined simplicity with the standards of cleanliness you would expect in a hotel and I was not disappointed.  It is a great option for someone who wants a wow factor on a budget.  With only 8 rooms the place can never be crowded and the beach was always deserted.  I loved the fact that the floor of the restaurant and bar is all sand so I did not wear shoes for the 4 days I was there.  The food is good local seafood with a choice in the evening and a good lunch time menu as well.  Ideal for those that want to completely relax with only the worry of whether to play scrabble or sleep to think about.  The downsides are that there is nothing to do outside the hotel so wandering off down the beach is not something I would feel happy about doing and you are confined to the hotel which is small whilst you are there.  This is however exactly what I wanted.

Safaari – February 2011

WOW WOW WOW.  This was the 5 star treatment.  Beautiful location, beautiful big rooms with verandars overlooking the water, amazing food, with tea and coffee bought to the tent in the morning, afternoon tea served, as well as snacks on safaari drives etc.  The highest level of customer service.  The manageress is wonderful, clearly looks after her staff with dignity and respect and goes the extra mile for you.  I cannot praise this place enough.  The only downside is unless we go back, anywhere else just won’t live up to the standards of this place so I’m going to be disappointed.

D Fenn 2011