We booked tours with ExploreZanzi after finding them on social media. Their social media showed fun, amazing tours with great vibes, however, this was not the case with our tours and they didn't have the same wow factor as we saw on social media. They also informed us that they would feature us on their social media platform implying a fun/good vibes tour.
We had to reschedule one of our tours due to rainy weather which Explorezanzi handled the reschedule for us sucessfully which we appreciated. The only issue was that they still forced us to go in rain, the whole day was raining and this was mentioned to them the night before and they still insisted. We wasted 2 hours in the morning driving around to then turn back around at our request of not wanting to do the tour in rain. They also informed us that our food for the day had already been ordered so we needed to go. They should not have purchased our lunch knowing it was going to rain and the tour likely to be cancelled as we advised them the night before.
On the day of our rescheduled tour day, we were informed that our tour guide had changed. We started with Stone town and as nice as the town is, it felt like we were just walking around. We didn't even go to the slave market and were told by our guide that the slave market and Darajani market were the same thing. We heard other guides from other providers talking about the slave market being in a different direction, which confirmed we were lied to and didn't visit an important place of stone town history which was extremely disappointing. We then went to Prison Island, where we were guided to the giant tortoises and provided a very brief description of the island. We were just told to walk around and do whatever we wanted and come back to the front when we were done. Finally, the beautiful Nakupenda Sandbank. This place was amazing and we were very glad we got to go here. However, other tour providers provide fresh barbequed grilled food/veg at the sandbank, instead we were provided cold pizza and chips. We were told we would be getting veg burgers originally but on the day they advised we would get pizza and chips. Another disappointment was that we didn't get to see the sunset at Nakupenda. We were there with 30 minutes left to go for sunset and we were rushed back to stone town and told we had to leave, after originally being told we could stay as long as we wanted. Other tour groups were still on the sandbank and watched the sunset from there but we didn't have a choice. We were told we would have a nice sit down spot when we get to stone town to watch the sunset, but even here we were rushed and our driver called to pick us up without our knowledge. The beauty of Zanzibar made this a great day overall, but with explorezanzi we didn't receive any 'value for money' and didn't get the experience they provide as per their social media. Our guide was a novice and in hindsight, we were much better off booking all our excursions through tripadvisor/getyourguide as they were much cheaper in comparison.
A positive with Explorezanzi was our driver Nasri. He was a great driver, very knowledged and friendly. We thank him for his efforts to make our tours fun and enjoyable. We had no issues with our other excursion day and that's because he made it great and ensured we had...
Read moreI had the pleasure of booking the 7-day experience with ExploreZanzi, which included an additional safari adventure in Mikumi National Park. Without a doubt, it was the most remarkable trip I've ever embarked upon!
From the moment I arrived at Zanzibar Airport to my departure, ExploreZanzi was there every step of the way, attending to all of my needs, be it transfers, tours, or general assistance throughout my stay.
Here's a glimpse into the unforgettable journey:
Day 1: Upon arrival, I embarked on a captivating tour around Stone Town, immersing myself in its vibrant markets and indulging in the exotic fruits Zanzibar is known for (Mangosteen is a must-try!). In the evening, we ventured into the night markets of Forodhani, where we encountered the Stonetown divers, a spectacle to behold!
Day 2: The day took us to Prison Island and Nakupenda Sandbank. Prison Island boasted stunning landscapes surrounded by crystal-clear blue waters, inhabited by tortoises that have lived up to 200 years. With an ExploreZanzi guide by my side, I delved into the island's rich history. Nakupenda Sandbank, a secluded paradise, vanished as the tides rolled in, but not before we enjoyed a feast and indulged in island activities, all while witnessing a breathtaking sunset on our boat ride back to Stone Town.
Day 3: Our journey led us to Paje Beach and the Ndjiani community project. We lent a hand in restoring desks and painting classroom walls in Ndjiani, an experience that fostered camaraderie among our group and deepened our appreciation for the comforts of home. Interacting with the local children, we even shared a brief math lesson! Later, we explored a nearby village, sampled delicious rice dishes prepared by locals, and concluded the day with a group dinner at Bento food court, complete with a bonfire and enchanting local music.
Day 4: Early risers embarked on a dolphin tour and visited Kae Beach in the evening for a night filled with gastronomic delights and lively entertainment, including an impromptu limbo session!
Day 5: We returned to Ndjani village to continue our renovation efforts at the school, reinforcing the importance of community engagement and gratitude. In the evening, we marveled at the sunset at Sunset Kendwa, discovering one of Zanzibar's most breathtaking beaches.
Day 6: A visit to Mnemba Island treated us to the clearest, bluest waters imaginable, where snorkeling adventures revealed a colorful array of marine life. Fresh food prepared by ExploreZanzi added to the allure of the journey.
Day 7: The spice tour led us through a forest teeming with herbs, fruits, and spices, illuminating the essence of Zanzibar as the "spice island." We capped off the day with a group dinner against the backdrop of a stunning seafront sunset, bidding farewell to a memorable journey.
Day 8 (Optional): For those opting for the extension, we embarked on a domestic flight to Mikumi National Park, where ExploreZanzi orchestrated an unforgettable safari experience. Lions, baboons, giraffes, zebras, and elephants graced our presence, etching memories that will...
Read moreWe’re so glad we came across Explore Zanzi – booking with them was hands down the best decision we made for our honeymoon!
From the moment we received our personalised itinerary (with timings, costs, and detailed activity breakdowns), we knew we were in good hands. One of the biggest stress-savers was that they arranged every single transfer for us – from airport pick-up and drop-off, to all our excursions. We never had to worry for a second about how we were getting from place to place.
A standout touch was the daily update we received each evening for the next day’s plans – including timings, activities, and the name of our driver. We didn’t even need to keep referring back to the itinerary – we were always informed and it made everything so smooth and effortless. Huge shoutout to Abeidengo for making this happen daily!
Throughout the trip, Zain and Abui kept in touch, checking in to make sure everything was perfect. They even gave us tips on how to plan our days and recommended the best coffee we’ve ever had! We were lucky enough to meet Abui during one of our excursions – he was so welcoming, and it was lovely to meet someone from the amazing team behind all of this.
All our tour guides were exceptional: • Jameel for our Stone Town day – super informative and great company • David for the Safari – an unforgettable day • Izack for snorkelling – such a good vibe!
They explained everything clearly, gave us time to enjoy each moment, helped us take amazing pictures, and truly made us feel cared for.
Their drivers were also so lovely and knowledgeable – special thanks to Sadam, Muzamil, Abdul, and Chege!
And we can’t forget the incredible Lukman, the amazing videographer, who captured stunning shots during our sunset horse shoot. The content he created was magical, and he even took extra pictures during our safari – thank you, Lukman!
The attention to detail, the fast communication, the energy, the service – everything was IMMACULATE. Our honeymoon was everything we hoped for and more, thanks to the Explore Zanzi team. We’ll be recommending them to all our family and friends heading to Zanzibar.
Thank you so much again for making our dream...
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