Nick,
Apologies for the delay in writing, but I wanted to thank you once again for organising such a terrific honeymoon for us.
The safari was out of this world and the time we got to spend in Zanzibar was a great way to unwind after all of the hectic wedding preparations - it was undoubtedly the trip of a lifetime.
We met a number of other couples as we travelled and it quickly became clear that the quality and thoughtfulness of the trip you had put together for us was a cut above the majority of other operators. Things like really knowing when it was best to pay a little extra for a flight vs. a long drive, constantly checking the status of our flights, and ensuring we knew how to get the most out of each leg of the trip.
On the accommodations specifically:
Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge - simply breathtaking views of the crater, particularly at sunset and a fantastic dinner buffet in the most amazing dining room imaginable. A real gem, and much nicer than it looks on the website.
Olakira Camp - If only all "camping" was like this! Great accommodation, astonishing food and an amazingly welcoming staff; Olakira has it all. And given it's a mobile camp, it was perfectly positioned for some incredible safari experiences, particularly the wildebeest migration crossing the Mara River. The guides we had here (and throughout the trip) were exceptionally knowledgeable meaning we learnt so much about the animals, the land and the country as a whole.
We'd highly recommend the Asilia company - they seemed a cut above the rest (including having open sided vehicles which really transformed the experience)
Olivers Camp - Without a doubt, the highlight of the trip! Olivers is nicer than many 5 star hotels we've stayed in, with the added benefits of the incredible wildlife of Tarangire. It was the only place where we decided to head back to camp a little early on one afternoon, to take in the breathtaking view from the deck behind our "tent", sipping on champagne as we watched the sunset - something we'll never forget. The staff were once again extremely welcoming, warm and knowledgeable and the food is something to write home about!
Mashiraki Palace, Zanzibar - When you see the incredible architecture of this hotel, you assume that will be your abiding memory, but for us, the warmth and charm of the staff was the highlight. Fantastic, laid back atmosphere, great room and an excellent location from which to enjoy Stone Town.
Z-Hotel, Zanzibar - Sadly the only place where we had mixed emotions. Nungwi is a stunning white sandy beach and the hotel is perfectly positioned with great facilities and plenty of activities for those who don't fancy just a week of sunbathing. However, as you know, we had a number of issues which the staff were unhelpful in trying to resolve, ranging from defective plumbing in our first room, through to no hot water in the suite (which, to their credit, they upgraded us to for one night to make up for the first room) and to over $300 of double charging on our final bill which took 2 hours on our final morning to resolve. All in all, the customer services in relation to all this were terrible - when the GM responds with "well, this is Africa....!" you can only wonder how he has the nerve to charge New York / Cental London prices.
Thank you for all your help in chasing them down on our return.
It was a shame to end with that, but nothing they could do could detract from what was genuinely the experience of a lifetime - thank you once again!
Pav and Meera